fear is worthless @thineownselfarchive-blog - Tumblr Blog

griffithsbarbs:

“I think I follow,” Barbara mused, scooping up another spoon of ice cream from the tub and quietly savouring it as she perched on the counter. “Do you think you can ever reverse it, though? I mean, some people spend their whole lives trying to repent for their actions, and I’d like to believe, but… if your soul is actually TORN APART, then I don’t know. Have you ever studied that?“ She stayed quiet for a few moments, pondering another thought. “And does that rule always apply, or only when the intent is there? I mean, would you reach the same result if you intend to murder someone as when it’s done in self-defense?”

Redemption. Was it truly attainable? Brent leaned against the counter, elbows resting on the bar as he pursed his lips. “I don’t think physically, no, that your soul can stitch back together. It’s a topic that’s more fit for Unspeakables to study as I can only theorize, but I think when a part of the fabric of your being is lost, it can’t be regained. That does not mean that a person cannot redeem themselves in the eyes of others by their later actions and find comfort in that, but that piece of them is forever damned. I can’t be too certain, however, on how that affects a being while they are alive. I’m not sure if you feel your soul.” He was not so much in tune of those parts of himself. His head, yes, he had full capacity of. His heart and soul were more separate from his reach. “That I am not sure of. I’ve never asked someone who has killed someone in self-defense if they feel such an effect. But one would think intent does matter. You cannot, for example, properly execute the Cruciatus Curse, you have to want to hurt your victim, have that profound desire to cause them pain, in order for it to be cast successfully. So your magic seems to know of your intent. I would think, theoretically, that could then be a factor in this as well.”

#( barbara. )#( barbara1. )#look at us tho switching it up a bit l m a o

fullblownlegend:

“That’s fair enough. Tragic, really. They’re missing out then, eh? All the more for us.” Truthfully Nate didn’t have the soju anywhere near as much as his words implied. In fact, this particular drink was one he barely drank at all. It was good customer service to build some sort of rapport with his customers, though, and he figured this seemed like a good way to go about it. Nate flashed Brent an amused grin as the elder man finished speaking. “That sounds like quite a prestigious and important position, did you take it? Ah, well, not everyone is equipped for philosophical discussions. Not everyone is wired that way, and not everyone is good at looking at the bigger picture and deconstructing a system to find ways to fix it. Like me, I’m just a simple bartender, what would I know about philosophy and education and magical theory?”

"Yes, I suppose.” Social decorum was not something that Brent was unfamiliar with. He knew how to go along with a conversation to be seen as polite. But he saw it as pointless, worthless, unfruitful. He could have quipped that the soju supply would not suffer if there was more of a demand for it because then the owner of this establishment would simply order more to have more in stock. He refrained. “I did not. I was working my way up in the Ministry at that point and that was where I wanted to stay.” And it paid off for him in the end. “Your profession does not have to have any correlation to your intelligence. Everyone’s brains may not be wired the same, but we are all capable of communication even if we do so in different ways. And you went through a Hogwarts education like any other British wizard. That means you have a perspective.”

#( nathaniel. )#( nathaniel1. )#it was Too Much for me

voxetindignatios:

“So says you. An existentialist would agree, a nihilist would not. There’s no proof, is there? But of course, it’s very easy to blame your heredity or fate or what have you. It doesn’t really matter if he had emotions or not, because even those without empathy can realise normative morals. That just takes basic intellect, so I’m pretty sure he has no excuse. I am surprised, however, that nobody else seems to have caught on to that explanation as an excuse?“ A wry grin lit Valentina’s face, amusement stark in the face of her brother’s formal response to her teasing. It left her both fighting off a smile and unbearably fond of this terrifying, wonderful force of nature she had somehow wound up siblings with. “Yes, of course, why ever would one believe otherwise? We all know your good opinion once lost is lost forever, Mr. Darcy.”

"To believe our lives are truly predestined would be rather dull. Because then one could also not take credit for their own accomplishments. Yet, even if it was meant to be, that does not take away responsibility. It’s an interesting theory to postulate, but I am not sure that many have thought about Riddle’s motivations since he passed. As is for the better, I suppose, as it enables us to move forward rather than remain in the past.” And Brent, for one, saw no need to linger in the past when they could make a contribution to the future. His lips thinning as he curled his bottom lip into his mouth, his dark eyes twinkled. “That is an Austenian reference, is it not? But, no, I have never been the type to let myself be fooled twice. Transparency is important to me, as you know.”

#( valentina. )#( valentina1. )#i feel like we always mess up #AND IT DOES MAKE LIFE EASIER WHEN YOU KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT #but rly thank goodness for wikipedia woops

fullblownlegend:

If Nate wasn’t on shift, he would said something along the lines of ‘You’re quite right, Sir. It’s two shots to down for every fuck not to give.’ However, he was, and he figured being insolent to customers – specially powerful ones – wasn’t the brightest of ideas, so he kept it to himself. Philosophy had never been his strong suit – or a suit of his at all, really. Even less so after an evening filled with drunken, rude customers. Efficiently and methodically he went to work preparing the drink, handing it over when it was made. “Excellent choice. Not many order it with the soju, though personally I prefer that to the vodka. Do you study philosophy or just have an interest in it?"

Frequenting a bar was not high on Brent’s list of things-to-do. But he didn’t have Beau that evening and while he was far from a socialite, he knew that there were benefits to mingling with others on occasion. “Not many care for the taste and compare it to be akin to cough syrup.” It was high in alcohol volume yet Brent only felt a slight burn as a swig poured down his throat. “I work in education and was offered a position to teach Magical Theory once upon a time. So, yes, you could say that I have a vested interest in such matters. As I feel that we all should. But I am well aware that most of my opinions are not mainstream and most, as you would say, prefer to give no fucks.”

#( nathaniel. )#( nathaniel1. )#i've learned not to question his actions by now tbh #and possibly??? pureblood things probs???#also those people that compare soju to cough syrup?#yeah that's totally me i am that person

voxetindignatios:

“Well, obviously, but you don’t have to think about it all the time. That’s the point, isn’t it? Everyone knows we all die some day, but it’s only those select few theories that insist on focusing on it. It’s not a bad idea, per se, especially as a motivator, but it is rather dismal. I agree, though, that’s true. Do you ever think of it in a consequential sequence though? Maybe Riddle was already doomed because of his mother’s choices — in the way of the naturalistic narrative, where heredity plays a key role. Maybe the very fact that she used a love potion ensured that he won’t be able to form meaningful relationships and have any real emotional connections. But that completely opposes the responsibility existentialism, and possibly you, attach to one’s own actions, so I don’t know if i believe it. Do you? Also, that said, you’re a dirty, rotten liar, Brent Nott. Your love for me absolutely comes free and without conditions.”

"We all may die, but we have control over our circumstances otherwise. Riddle may have been born unable to create emotional connections, but that does not mean that he wasn’t aware that what he was doing was frowned upon by moral ethics.” Emotions were a subject that was harder to talk about so practically, Brent had come to find. Nor was he as well-versed in them, as Valentina was well aware. “So no, I would still say that he is responsible for the heinous crimes that he committed. By the time he was through, he was but a shriveled shell. A fate that he decided on his own accord, regardless of the circumstances of his birth.” Brent was not the type to so easily offer excuses. Or affections. Throwing his sister an incredulous look, he angled his head to the side. “Hardly. Any positive regard that I have for anyone is not unconditionally given. You should know me well enough to know that my first impression of an individual, if sour, typically sticks as such, but that is not the case should my first impression be otherwise.”

#( valentina. )#( valentina1. )#what idiots #who let them be family #and lmao brent using 'positive regard' instead of love smh

fullblownlegend:

“For every action, there is a shot to down and fucks not to give. How’s that for equal but opposite? What’s tampering with my essence of life is this conversation. I think a drink is a much needed remedy – want one?”

“I don’t believe that your math balances itself out in that one.” Tone dry, pursing his lips, Brent’s expression morphed to one that was visibly unimpressed. There was little point in persisting further. “I’ll take a Black Russian, but with soju instead of vodka.”

#( nathaniel. )#( nathaniel1. )#HIS BAR WORKS #idk why brent is at a bar #if he went there for good conversation then he's more odd than i thought

scphiisms:

Persephone just stared at her cousin for a few moments, taking the wine bottle sitting between them and pouring herself more of the crimson liquid. “You know what I think?” she started, raising the glass. You’re not even trying, Seph. “I think I need more wine to grasp this concept. I’m not sure why you decided to talk about it to me, anyway, as fascinating as it sounds. I don’t really plan on murdering anyone or tampering with the essence of self. Sounds like far too much work if you ask me. Imagine the clean-up. Absolutely disastrous.”

Huffing out a breath, Brent swirled the wine glass in his hand, taking a generous sip. “It was merely something that I was thinking about today. Many seem to forget about the hefty price that magic can come with. But I am pleased to hear that you won’t be experimenting with it anytime soon. As much as individuals can grate my nerves, not even I would go so far. We both have more valuable ways to spend our time. Which, how are you spending yours these days? I’m surprised you didn’t insist on accompanying Adara to Paris.”

#( persephone. )#( persephone1. )#probs her/her dad's place ye ye

voxetindignatios:

“Well, I mean, surrealism, absurdism, existentialism, nihilism, they’re all symptoms of the same disease, aren’t they? The source of the theory is the same: terrible wars and people’s loss in faith as a result of them. So there’s a theory that treats it positively and says that individuals are conscious beings who make their own choices, and one that says everything is hopeless and we’re all going to die, but the basis is more or less the same. Nothing controls the world, we do, but by that logic, we control our soul too and can take steps to prevent it splitting. This literal splitting though, who’s to say it’s the flawless, fool-proof logical solution?”

"We all are going to die someday,” Brent reminded her, “And we do control our actions, but how do you suggest to fight against nature? The splitting isn’t a solution; it’s a consequence. For abusing magic that we were born with. That puts us a step ahead of the rest of society and the dire consequences that while magic can give, it can also take. Outside of the soul splitting, we have also seen in history the grave consequences of messing with love potions. Momentary happiness may occur, but it’s not real. And because of such a potion, Tom Riddle was born into the world incapable of love or attachment and tried to burn the world done in his emptiness, seeking out immortality, which in itself also comes with a consequence. Nothing in this world comes free or without conditions.”

#( valentina. )#( valentina1. )#tbh i blame brent too #he's a good-time ruiner #making us think and eyyy you've got the one up this time #and idk i imagine the background of voldy is probably known now?#who knows tbh but i'm going with it

whispcr

CHARACTER AESTHETICS: brent nott

❝ we wear clothes, and speak, and create civilizations, and believe we are more than wolves. but inside us there is a word we cannot pronounce and that is who we are. ❞

#( to thine own self be true. )#( visage. )#body horror tw

voxetindignatios:

“Right, I hear you, but. Existence precedes essence, right? So even if you wreck your entire essence and soul and all that, you still exist. Or does that not work the other way around?”

“According to existentialism, yes, that is the case should you adhere to that theory. But the idea that individuals are just that, individuals, who are conscious beings who act of their own accord and are responsible for their own actions, rather than those actions being determined by anything innate or dictated by society, does not change the fact that while they may exist, they are in fact paying for their actions. Absurdism, which is another concept in the theory of existentialism, states that the world has no meaning, or morality, until we give it such, but I’m not sure how else you can interpret the soul ripping itself apart.”

#( valentina. )#( valentina1. )#num i'm screaming #did we really go from a thread about ESSENTIALISM #to one about EXISTENTIALISM

“It’s the first law of magic: tamper with the source of life, the essence of self, only if prepared for the consequences of the most extreme and dangerous kind. It is similar to the Muggle physicist, Isaac Newton’s, third law of motion: for every action, there is an equal but opposite reaction. You see this best exemplified in a murderer’s soul being torn apart. It’s really not that hard to understand.”

#raf: starter #i have never used this starter in my life i don't know what you're talking about #cut me some slack this is starter 4/5 okay and starters for brent are hard

least favorite shakespeare play?

“All’s Well That End’s Well. I do not care for the far too abrupt ending, the many fairy tale tropes, or the whole concept of the play that all that matters it the outcome and not the process that got you to that point.”

#lightningstrikcs #( owl. )#( thou canst not then be false to any man. )

Where do you personally think magical education is lacking?

“On nearly every level, magical education is behind muggle education and that is inexcusable. We start our students at eleven years old and do not require them to learn anything beforehand. We also have no system similar to the Muggles university. I do not believe that we have a specialized enough curriculum to guide students to know what career path it is that they want to follow through only seven years of education. We could use more electives, prepare students more for the outside world and their opportunities.”

#springtimcs #and the list goes on and on...#someone stop him #( owl. )#( thou canst not then be false to any man. )

do you have any particular reforms you'd like to make in regards to education at hogwarts?

“For one, the fact there is no class that allows students to learn about other cultures other than Muggle Studies is asinine. There are other places outside of the United Kingdom, other magical places with different languages and traditions. Our curriculum standards, our examinations, all come from the 1600s and need rehashing and updating. We need to bring Hogwarts into the twenty first century. Even outside of Hogwarts, children need to be learning practical skills before they get there at age eleven. Problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills, and social skills to some degree. In truth, Hogwarts needs to be revolutionized rather than merely reformed.”