Heart and soul

[jianai]

[1]
[In order to get better as a pilot and not wreck a mobile suit each time they're piloting, Ren is doing some good old fashioned physical exercise.]

And one, and two...

[Running laps around Alhambra Base - with a lack of haste that'd cause any drill sergeant worth their salt to pop a vein or a dozen. But what's this - 15, 20, 30 laps around the base done, and Ren isn't even sweaty yet.

Comment? Or maybe join in, if you dare?]

[2]
[Some time after the exercise, but directed at whomever seems willing to listen.]

Do you believe in the afterlife?

Comments

[abugslife]

I see. Whoever created you possessed great knowledge about the practical application of such metaphysical concepts.

What about Optimus Prime and his people, and major Kagura. Do they possess souls?

[jianai]

Of course.

Optimus's race has evolved naturally, even if it is mechanical. As for the major, she is convinced that she has a soul, and who am I to disagree?

[abugslife]

I think you might be putting too much importance on whether someone was created "naturally" or not. If we somehow had the ability to mechanically assemble a human, biologically identical to one that was born, and then give them life, I doubt there would be any difference.

Also, there are still clones to consider.

[jianai]

I do not have full understanding of all of this, nuances and distinctions. I'm sorry, knowledge that was taught to me while I was still in the tank was rather limited.

I only know that I was deliberately and purposefully made soulless. That one part I can be sure of.

[abugslife]

I do not know if souls exist. I do not know if an afterlife exists. There is only one way to find out for certain, and I am not eager to follow it just yet.

I am almost certain I am going to die violently on a battlefield. Whatever might await us after death, I will not enter it peacefully.

[jianai]

That's a shame. Your life was a long and violent one, wasn't it Hetepheres?

I believe that in the end, you deserve a peaceful departure.

[abugslife]

No. It is alright.

I have chosen the path of a warrior so others will not have to.

[jianai]

That is sacrificing yourself in a way, isn't it?

[abugslife]

For a very wide definition of sacrifice.

[jianai]

Would you follow a soldier's life if you didn't have to? If no vision of conflict loomed above our heads?

[abugslife]

That is an unrealistic scenario. A vision of conflict always looms above our heads, even in times of peace. Soldiers are always needed, just in case.

[jianai]

I hope a day comes when that's no longer unrealistic. Nothing would make me happier than the vision of a world free of conflict and violence.

[abugslife]

Peace is a realistic goal. It is what I am fighting for.

But it is never eternal.

[jianai]

Nothing lasts forever, no. But let's try to make it usher for as long as possible!

[abugslife]

That is my intention. Time will tell how well it works.

...In that hypothetical world which does not need soldiers, I do not know what would I do. It has been a very long time since I had to think about my future career choices.

[jianai]

I am sure you'd be able to think of something. Hypothetically.

You may also just do what I did before I found my way here.

[abugslife]

Which was?

[jianai]

I walked around from place to place, settling in here and there for a while if the location was nice, or if I found people who needed my help.

You could say I was a drifter.

[abugslife]

The life of a wandering Good Samaritan, desiring little beyond helping others.

I think you might be overestimating how benevolent and self-sacrificing I am.

[jianai]

I'm pretty sure I don't. You just express it in a different way than I do.