It was really all the Funny could do to keep from bolting from the park bench that he was sitting on when that feeling came back, stronger than ever. He had to nearly mentally scream at D4C not to attack Kali. Part of him might have found it amusing that he was ordering his own soul to back down, but that part was small in comparison to his desire not to be the one provoking someone who could accidentally unleash this much malice.
Thankfully, it seemed to pass quickly, not quickly enough for his liking, but still. To see the woman beside him so physically exhausted simply from reigning in her own emotions was deeply troubling to say the least. Still, he had confirmed his suspicions, that she was staunchly not on the side of her nihilistic kin.
As he continued to listen to her story, it became obvious as to why she was so muted, where a vibrant, lively young girl had once been, a depressed, broken young woman now sat. Being forced to choose between your father and the world? That was already bad enough. Then to have to do things that most people would consider monstrous in order to even stand a chance at fighting the coming battle? What world had he be so casually dumped in where a child was forced to undertake such things?
When she finished he knew what he had to do. No doubt that ideas and words like "monster" were things that she might have heard from others already, to have internalized them so quickly. While there was perhaps a point to what had been spoken to her, there was also an extremely valid counterpoint, one that he knew he had to give.
When he turned to her he may have looked like a parent, authoritative, but not judgmental. He looked tired, but at the same time far from angry.
"Miss Kali. I don't know how much this might mean coming from a man you barely know, but I do not believe that what you are doing is wrong."
"I told you once that where I'm from that I'm the President. Well, it also happens that before I ended up here I was attempting to do something to protect my country. Through a power that is not entirely my own, I was hoping - no, that is to say that I still hope - that I can keep America free from harm. However, even with the most noble cause there is a price to be paid."
"I have done things that many would consider more than unseemly. I have killed men, both directly and indirectly. I have no doubt that those who stand on the other side consider me to be a monster, a callous tyrant who wants to rule the country with an iron fist. However, I can say without a shadow of doubt that every action that I have undertaken has been for the betterment of my country and everyone therein."
"Even if what I attempt ultimately destroys me, even if every person comes to view me in a dim light, I can say that if I protect the country I love, that it will have been worth it. And yet ... even that pales in comparison to what you are fighting for."
"The world hangs in the balance, and you have been forced to make a choice no one, much less a child so young, should ever have to make. And yet, rather than side with your father, or simply say that this matter is the concern of someone else, you have chosen to take this great burden upon yourself."
"Do not mourn for those men you have killed, their lives have been given to a greater cause. What was once worthless has been given meaning through you. Do not hate yourself for what you have become, for what you have become was something necessary for the well-being not only of yourself, but of the entire world."
"Those that would judge you do not know your burden. It is only through happenstance that I can relate. However, to stand in the face of adversity, to take the difficult path to ensure that a history can still exist to judge your actions at a later time, that is something precious. Those that would tell you to look away while they risk themselves are wrong. Their intentions are good, but their will, their resolve, must be stronger, to do what must be done, no matter the cost."
"There is a saying where I'm from, 'It is better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission'. There will be time for healing, time for atonement, for forgiveness later. First, people like us must ensure that there is time at all to begin with."
"Make no mistake, I mourn. I mourn for the fact that one so young has to make choices so difficult, and bear a burden so great. However, your resolve fills me with pride. Do not let anyone tell you this was a mistake, because in times such as this, there can be no victory for those that hold morals above success."
