Matias’s Group Ethics [Windermere]
Date: 2025-06-18 13:02
(Matias’s Group Ethics [Windermere])
[Wed Jun 18 2025]
A Musty Basement Seminar Room/span
The Plymouth Seminar Room occupies a windowless corner of the basement, its
low ceiling supported by exposed pipes that occasionally emit soft clicking
sounds as they expand and contract. Fluorescent lights cast an uneven glow
across rows of wooden chairs with attached writing tablets, their surfaces
marked by decades of student use. The walls, painted institutional beige,
display water stains near the corners where moisture has seeped through the
foundation. A heavy wooden table sits at the front of the room, its dark
surface reflecting the overhead lights in distorted patterns. The air carries
a persistent mustiness despite the ventilation grates set into the walls, and
the temperature remains several degrees cooler than the floors above. Cork
boards line one wall, their surfaces dotted with faded announcements and
peculiar symbols drawn in chalk that seem to shift slightly in peripheral
vision. The door, reinforced with a small wire-glass window, closes with a
weight that suggests its age and the settling of the building around it./span
It is about 60F(15C) degrees. The mist is heaviest At Plymouth and Madison/span
Sophie smirks at Matias, “It’s almost a compliment, I’ll take it.”
Nemi raises a hand, not quickly though as she hums and waits to be chosen rather than speak aloud and out of turn.
Matias scans the room and picks out Nemi with the good ol chalk point at.
Kai quite intentionally tugs his vest a bit to the side until one of his nipples poke out as he listens to Matias’s lecture, a perfectly neutral, nay, innocent expression on his face as he nods at the man’s words, though he makes no effort to raise his hand just yet.
Meanwhile Lola is making herself quietly at home at her desk, setting down a to-go cup of what smells like coffee and then plucking a pretty pink highlighter out of her satchel as well. When finally Matias begins his lecture, her toadstool-shaped notebook is opened and she begins to write, scribbling notes already. Perhaps she might raise her hand, hesitant at first, but then she lowers it back down to her side, opting against it- especially when Nemi volunteers as well. She just remains politely silent and listens.
Alhambra hmms as she leans back in her chair while listening to Matias, pulling out a notebook, as she turns towards Nemi, to hear the student’s response.
Kai nudges the vest back into place after a moment and sighs, he glances sidelong at Sophie and grins a little, though he stays quiet, either to be respectful or just to avoid getting into trouble.
Nemi nods quickly speaking up in a clear yet not fully ‘announcing voice’ as she waits for others to stop speaking. “Individual ethics focus on the how and why and the thought process behind what one person thinks and what choices they make and the reasoning behind such- Group ethics however can be much more complex- each person having their own decision to make, voice, the peer pressure to make a decision- Whether someone might cave into the groups pressure or stand tall for their own ethical position to attempt to later sway the group back to what they think-” she says, a hand sort of waving about as she goes on. “It’s… a lot more factors than one self and rather the groups and outside influences.”
Sophie raises her hand with something to add.
Constance enters and leans cheerfully on the wall near the door, crossing her arms and looking like more of a security guard than a ‘spiritual counsellor’.
Nemi sits back down in her seat after as she crosses her legs and looks towards her ‘student body peers’ before she nods softly.
Matias listens patiently to Nemi explain the difference between group and individual ethics. Behind him on the board is GROUP ETHICS underlined a few times. “So the different is the number of inputs. Perhaps though Individual Ethics can be molded by parents, friends, teachers, and even people you do not like. So the supposition they are different because of the numbers falls short.” and then the chalk is pointed at Sophie, “Yes Miss Callum.”
Sophie clears her throat and says to Matias, “To add to what Nemy said, I just wanted to add in that group ethics aren’t just about peer pressure or external influences. Theyre often formalized into rules or norms that people are expected to follow. These can provide structure, but they can also create conflict when they don’t align with personal values. ” She says then goes a little sheepish, “Just, wanted to add.”
Kai hooks his thumbs into the straps atop his vest, doing his best Bane impression that he can, lacking either a mask or the inclination to speak at the moment. He nods at Nemi thoughtfully after she speaks and his gaze ticks first to Matias and then to Sophie, hmmming as he listens with a little nod.
“To circle back to Miss Ivorstead’s point. We will discuss conformity and self selection in a moment.” Matias says perhaps a little distracted as his free hand rubs at his shoulder and he rolls it stiffly. “Yes Miss Callum, Group Ethics tend to be… Instructional whereas Individual ethics tend to be used in review or selection of an action on a case by case basis.” he turns to the chalk board and rights CONFORM // SELF SELECT beneath GROUP ETHICS. “So I mentioned this a moment ago. Does anyone know what conformity is? Does anyone know what self selection is when it relates to a person and a group?”
Sophie looks around as she wills her hand to not rise although it does hover.
Again Lola attempts to shyly raise her hand, keeping her eyes low as Matias addresses the class with a question, her lips forming soft-spoken words even before she’s been called on, as though she were practicing what she were about to say before she said it. Perhaps to avoid any potential mistakes, or maybe out of sheer nerves alone.
Matias lifts his chalk to point at Lola , “Miss Lovelace.”
Matias is standing in front of cork and chalk board with the words GROUP ETHICS underlined and then CONFORM // SELF SELECT right beneath it and appears to be looking at Lola expectantly as Elliot makes his way in.
Constance nods quietly to Elliot. “Must have been rough getting down the stairs on those,” she smiles, gesturing towards one of the easier seats.
Kai tucks his phone into his jean pocket and lifts an arm to wrap around Sophie’s shoulders, though he doesn’t really engage in the discussion, he does at least do his best to be quiet and to pay attention to it, nodding along at times. His free hand lifts to give a little wave at Elliot of greeting.
“Conformity is… Doing what the people around you are doing for the sake of betting along- so if you like blue candies, but everyone else likes red candies, maybe you start eating red candies because the other people are making fun of or excluding you for your choices, or you just… Want to be included?” Lola asks softly of Matias, her voice crackling slightly at the end as though unsure of herself but forcing herself to power through regardless. “self-selection… I.. I don’t know what it is, but I guess I can try with context clues?” she offers, drawing in an introverted breath that shudders within her frail chest. “Maybe it’s.. Choosing to be different from the rest of the group…? Like the opposite of conformity? You choose to be different? I.. I’m sorry if that’s wrong..
Sophie raises her hand again.
Hobbling inward, Elliot dips his head apologetically towards Matias, issuing his voice out in a softened tone. “Do forgive my tardiness, Professor, I’ve been hard at work at an audit as of current.” A seat in the middle row is selected and he gives a small smile over towards Constance, batting his eyelashes coquettishly. “Miss Lucida, if you would like to help me up and down the stairs, I wouldn’t mind some support.”
“Half right.” Matias informs Lola and then motions for Sophie, “Let us see if Miss Callum can provide an assist.”
Sophie gives Lola a smile, “She did a fantastic job on the first part. Better than how I could have explained it.” She nods to Matias, “But I think, self-selection is more deliberate. Like when a person chooses to align with a group or stick to their individual values. Like… someone deciding whether to join a band because they vibe with the music, or because they think the band will make them look cooler. Its still about fitting in, but its more about actively deciding how and where they fit.”
Constance gives Elliot far more than ‘some support’, moving to sweep Elliot up in a princess carry and deposit him gingerly in the seat indicated.
“Good analogy.” Matias says while looking out over the class offering Elliot only a polite nod while Constance ‘assists’ him. “Conformity is fitting in and adhering. In the context of Group Ethics, conformity is adherence to the ethical framework of the group. Self select as Miss Callum noted is choosing to be something. Many Group Ethics are things which an individual chooses.” there is a pause before continuing in that resonating baritone of a voice, “Let us suppose I am a Punk Rocker… How do you know I am a Punk Rocker? I can say, I am Punk Rock but Punk Rock is defined by traits. Clothing, attitude, and musical preference amongst other things. So if I were to announce I were a Punk Rocker now before you in this very moment, many would look at me and claim I am a poser or a phony… but if I conform to the ideals and representation of a Punk Rocker than people will acknowledge my self identification.” turning back to the board and in chalk he writes WORDS VS ACTIONS. “Can I self identify as something by words if I do conform to the Group Ethics or Group culture? Can I self identify as part of a Group without outward validation? Are Group Ethics functionally external ethics as Miss Ivorstead originally claimed and Individual ethics internal ethics?”
Kai glances to Sophie to see her reaction to that. For his part, he stays quiet, simply listening and fiddling with the strap of his vest, his other hand rests atop Sophie’s shoulder with his arm looped around her.
“Oh my,” Elliot purrs out, his tawny cheeks flushing rather gradually as Constance swoops and sweeps him up, helpfully depositing him in a seat. “That was quite kind of you, Miss Lucida, and I fear I may swoon from such an act.” Despite his purr of words, and that ruddy hue to his cheeks, he swiftly swivels his eyes over towards Matias, affixing his attention to them with light interest. “Ah. Conformity and self-selection, an interesting topic. Conformity is boring and weak, and simply, neither interesting or fun.” Listening in, he admits, “You can self-identity in circumstances where you fit the realm of the definition, despite predisposed prejudices. However, at the same time, other things may require conformity to group ethics. You very well can’t self-identify as a police officer independent of being provided the means, to declare yourself a peace officer.”
Elliot says “I mean, I suppose you could, but it’d be highly illegal.“
Alhambra writes down some notes as Matias speaks, pondering the question posed. She glances around the class quietly, then back towards Elliot as he speaks up to give a response.
“In many countries a ‘Peace Officer’ requires a uniform, a vehicle, and non-lethal equipment. This can be obtained fairly easily. I can self identify as one. What prevents me from whacking people upside the head and locking them up in my basement?” Matias asks frankly.
“I think… That’s like asking if you can be part of the Hand without the Hand ever acknowledging you?” Lola asks Matias for clarification, though her hand slowly leaves the air. “Or if you align with their group ideals but don’t behave quite the same as what the brand is trying to display themselves as- corporate professionalism, but you dress punk rock and don’t have much money or experience in business. Maybe you say you’re in the Hand, but you don’t really hold up their ideals at all? You fraternize with the wrong people and stuff like that?” inquires the bitty blonde, her fingertips worrying at the lacing of her dress skirt repeatedly. “Or maybe I’m way off, I… I guess I just want clarification?” Her breathing quickens then as her eyes momentarily shift over those nearby before closing slow and languid. She breathes in through her nose, then out through her mouth, then relaxes the tension from her shoulders.
Sophie smirks at Matias, “I mean, aside from some very serious legal consequences and probably a news headline nobody wants to see?” She pause before continuing with a more measured tone. “What prevents you is accountability, both to the group that authorizes you, like a government or a police department, and to the ethical framework of the society youre part of. You can self-identify as a Peace Officer, but without the groups backing, your actions lose legitimacy. That uniform, vehicle, and equipment arent just tools, theyre symbols of authority granted by a collective.”
“The Factions… Yes we will get to them once Mr Harrington explains why I cannot be a peace officer.” Matias says with a hint of amusement even as Sophie chimes in and a side remark “I will address that in a moment.”
Sophie covers her mouth and leans into Kai, his hoodie drowning her slightly as she nods.
Nemi hums softly as she continues to write down in her notebook as she turns her head to face whomever speaks before she continues to write her notes down in her notebook.
“I speak of the United States, Professor, and yes, I suppose, /technically/ you can declare yourself a peace officer, however, this would be a lie if you were not appointed by the government presiding over such appointments, or acknowledging a partition of its own authority,” Elliot expresses to Matias with a derisive snort. “So, yes, you could declare yourself such, though it would go unrecognized by people who could tell the difference, and only believed in by the ignorant who wouldn’t know better.”
Constance comments quietly, “Still doesn’t stop you from exerting that authority over people who believe you…or people who can’t resist your nightstick.”
Lola falls back into quietude as the rest of the class goes abuzz with a bit of debate, and the dutiful little scribe just scribbles down word after word, collecting information in her little mushroom book.
Matias nods along with Elliot and then motions to Sophie, “Both of them make a similar point.” and with a low throaty chuckle, “As does our counselor Constance.” he turns back to the board then and writes AUTHENTICITY // ACCEPTANCE. “Group Ethics. Self Identify. Conformity. These are all concepts that deal with social interaction on a fundamental level. I can declare myself a peace officer and insofar as I can exert my authority, self given, I am a peace officer. However people can deny, distrust, contest my self selected position as a Peace Officer. I am inauthenticate and they can appeal to real Peace Officers to correct my claim.” he then underlines AUTHENTICITY. “This is the acknowledgement of those outside a group.” and then circles ACCEPTANCE “And this is the acknowledgement of the Group itself.” those slate-grey eyes look out over the class. “I am the the unofficial leader of the Temple. My sole purpose in New Haven is to catalogue students with gifts so when you graduate and go out into the world. The Temple already knows who you are, what you can do, and what your political dispositions are.” he says it with a fairly straight face, grey eyes going from each student to the next. “I have self identified. Am I authentic? Do you believe I have the Temple’s Acceptance? You may discuss without raising hands for… twenty minutes. I will answer any questions posed to me to defend my claim.”
“What do you believe about the supernatural?” Elliot wonders about Matias, before following up that question with, “Are you capable of wielding magic?”
Nemi hums softly, nodding as she taps her finger against the desk for a few moments. Starting to think as she looks over Matias up and down. A slight hum coming from her.
Alhambra lightly taps her pen on her notebook, glancing thoughtfully towards Matias, as she considers any potential questions to ask.
Kai says “cdrive character fear 42 matias for being humiliated by eventually losing his emotional cool while transformed as a woman’“
Kai probably said nothing at all.
“I believe the supernatural is an evolutionary branch of humanity that has failed to supercede the main branch. Unlike Homo Sapien and Neanderthal. One completely wiped out the other. Supernaturals have failed to replace humanity. They are a defunction branch.” Matias rattles off without missing a beat, slate-grey eyes considering the room. “I am a Practitioner of both ritualism and mancing, but gifted humans are not the same as supernatural descended humans. I work for a better world, not a world in which I will get to live.”
Matias is currently taking open discussion from the class and questions without raised hands. He appears to be looking rather stoicly at the class, giving them long considering gazes when they choose to question him.
Sophie glances at Elliot then to Matias, “Forget magic.” She looks at Matias again, “Authenticity without acceptance is just a loud claim. The only way you could make me believe it would be to see proof. Which, if you’ve been doing this for awhile, you should have some..”
Nemi hums softly as she poses a question to Matias. “And what would that better world consist of? Just humans? Or Supernaturals?” She poses the question quite openly in the end.
Matias pulls out three manilla folders with names written on the little tabs. “These are three new students, including Miss Callum. I will be delivering them to the Temple after class.” he holds them up and shows at least the exterior to the room, Windermere seals on the manilla surface before tucking it away to his bag.
Kai lifts the hand not around Sophie’s shoulders to Mercedes in a little half-moon wave of greeting and a small grin, his gaze soon refocuses on Matias however, now and then glancing Sophie’s way to see her reaction to the professor’s lecture. He’s otherwise not overly engaged, though he is doing his damnedest to keep off of Matias’s radar.
“Didn’t it take tens of thousands of years, for Homo Sapien to supercede Neanderthals?” Alhambra asks Matias curiously, adding by that logic andd with how long supernaturals have been around so far, wouldn’t they still have more time to prove they haven’t replaced humanity yet?”
“A better world consists of resetting the failed branch that spawned over ten thousand years ago.” Matias says in a very matter-of-fact and clinical baritone of a voice. “Humanity has an evolutionary future but is now in combat with the supernatural. Once the supernatural branch is finally extinct we can try and take a new evoluntionary leap.”
“How did Salim lose his eye?” Lola asks Matias with a firm furrowing of her brow- while other students rattle off questions that revolve around the technical applications of the Temple, the blonde witch goes to the heart. “Which book is Leon reading right now? And what was the ‘gift’ Miss Connie got for swearing her own allegiance to the Temple?” questions only someone close to the branch in Haven would know, really, though whether a grander Templar would care about the small fries in New Haven remains to be seen, she wants to know this information: she wants to know how close-knit this ‘future Commander’ is with his people.
“The reason I mention magic, is because the Temple generally believes that magic and ritualism are damaging influences to the world,” Elliot expresses with a frown over towards Sophie. “It’s proof to doubt his claims, which by the way would be a rather intelligent way to monitor a school filled with students learning of the supernatural.”
Matias points his chalk piece at Alhambra, “Humanity with technology advances exponentially now. The greatest days of supernatural power are behind it. Where are the Gods, the True Fae, the True Demons? They left or don’t care. Supernatural branch is a branch in decline. Humanity is a branch ascendant.”
Mercedes smiles towards Kai before directing her attention down to Matias with a curious look at the folders. She peers around the room, maintaining a neutral expression she tries to take the discussion in.
Matias looks back to Constance and tilts his head for a moment, “Salim lost his eye to demon born that captured him once upon a time. Leon and I are not on speaking terms, he did stab me afterall. Our lovely Counselors gift for joining the Temple, her fanny pack.” he says one after the other and then untucks his hands from his pockets. “So… Authenticity… Acceptance. Am I Authentic class. Can you believe I am an unofficial Templar?”
Kai leans away from the murmuring with Sophie to declare to Matias, “Nope! You’re a poser,” he says with a little grin and hooks his thumb into his vest band again.
Sophie arches an eyebrow, a sly smile tugging at her lips. “Authentic? Maybe. But ‘unofficial’ sounds a lot like ‘wannabe’ to me. I feel that if it was a real thing, the Temple would put a badge on it. No functional organization should allow such a wishy-washy way of doing things.”
“Indeed, all spies on university campuses should have badges declaring their allegiance. How else would you know they are spying on you” Matias wonders as he looks around the room for anymore naysayers.
Sophie giggles at Matias’s response, “Would be easier.”
Nemi hums softly. Thinking for a moment as she thinks…. something was missing, off even. But she couldn’t put her finger on it as she stays silent.
“I can believe you’re an unofficial Templar,” Elliot nods towards Matias as he leans back, “As unofficial would mean that you do not require formal acceptance of the branch. However, I have my doubts that you would be an unofficial representative of the Temple’s will, due to slight discrepancies that can easily be explained.”
Silence somewhat befalls Lola as Matias rattles off those questions, and rather confidently she says: “Two wrong, one right,” with a nod of her head and seems to file that information away before pointing the mushroom eraser of her number-two pencil in Matias’ direction. “I don’t think you’re authentic, but I do think you’re loyal- even if that loyalty is craziness. You may not be part of the Temple, but you believe in their cause enough that you’re willing to get people hurt or even killed over your madness,” the witch announces, raising her voice slightly over the class. “The proper thing to do would be to try to get the student files back from you and have you reported to the proper authorities- unless I’m a Temple radical too.” How else would she pose such deep and emotional questions so confidently, really?
Nemi nods softly in agreement to Lola as she writes something down in her notebook.
Matias is standing in front of a partial cork board and partial chalk board taking questions and discussion from the class. Checking his phone timer he says, “I think we can dispense the three minutes.” and then Elliot and Lola eek in under the line. “I appear to have lost the authentic track.” and then looks back to Constance, “How about it Counselor. Do you Accept me as a Templar operative and I have been these past few weeks? Do I win on the Acceptance track?” he offers an encouraging but entirely insincere smile now.
Constance shakes her head, amused. “I don’t, but it’s due to experiences out of the classroom,” she shrugs. “I myself am not particularly invested in the Temple’s goals, only their material reality. It’s not really my business.”, she replies to Matias. “But going just off the things stated here, I’d say you did an alright job at proclaiming Temple Intelligence.”
“Alright well the ruse is up. I am not affiliated with any of the Factions but I can argue competently from any of their philosphical view points.” Matias concedes to the room with a dip of his head to Constance. “This brings us to the final point of todays group ethics class. Many of you might believe the most dangerous thing someone can do is conform their identity to a group ethic. That is how you get we are only following orders. That is how you get zealots. That is how you get horrors. In fact the most dangerous thing a group can do is deny the self selected. This is how you create hardliners, fundamentalists, and purists. When the Group denies the Individual and the Individual inturn denies the Group challenge its own authenticity and acceptance. Thus we have civil war.”
Sitting prim and proper behind the students, Mercedes has a little smirk on her lips as she looks down at Matias. She makes a note in her black book.
Constance says “Absolutely do not go.“
Constance says “They want to torture you.“
Nemi nods softly quickly jotting down more notes as she smiles softly, quickly jotting the conflict between the individual and the group as she smiles and hums softly.
Content that she had managed to sniff out Matias’ rouse in her own way, Lola looks proudly down at her little mushroom-shaped notebook. She erases and re-writes a few things within, then closes the front diligently, waiting until class is officially dismissed, one supposes, before putting her belongings away as her legs sway idly beneath her desk.
Alhambra writes down a few more notes as Matias starts to bring up his final points, on the subject. She chuckles to herself when he gives up the ploy of being a Templar as well.
“So we have fifteen minutes left, I think we can cover… Mental Persuasion and lets politely call it. Thought correction.” Matias muses as he puts a few | down the right side of the board to split the topic from GROUP ETHICs and now rights COERCED ACTION. “In a world where psychic persuasion, fate crafted memories, and ritualistic imprints exist… Is there accountability for one’s actions? No hands, free discussion. Fifteen minutes.”
Sophie tilts her head and surveys Matias for a hint of whether or not he’s joking before commenting, “Accountability’s a joke if your actions aren’t your own. If someone rewrites your mind or twists your will, how can you be blamed for playing the part they cast you in?”
“Depends on if someone catches you doing those sorts of things, and decides to make you accountable.” Alhambra supposes with a shrug, “If not, then there isn’t much in the way of accountability.”
“I pull out a gun and shoot Mr Ashford in the head. Upon arrest I claim I was psychically compelled to do so. Since I cannot be held accountable and I cannot name my compeller. Mr Ashford dies without justice served.” Matias rattles off the counter argument by rote.
Constance comments, “I know someone who was held by the Last Vigil and tortured for over a year, which is interesting when you consider the Last Vigil’s only actually existed for about three weeks. Does the Last Vigil bear moral responsibility for their action?”
“I think there’s accountability, yet we should also have a certain degree of… understanding and flexibility,” Kai declares, “For example, the other day I picked up a book that was cursed and heightened my natural anger. I had that anger in me, but I acted in ways I definitely ordinarily wouldn’t, like attacking a friend.”
Again eager to be a part of the discussion but not really wanting to raise her hand, Lola eventually just finds herself content to listen to the debate with a smile on her face. Occasionally she looks to Constance when she speaks, or to Elliot and even Matias, but she maintains a quietness about herself, like this particular topic is… Taboo.
Sophie narrows her eyes slightly, leaning forward. “Sure, it’s a loophole for dodging justice, but isn’t that on the system to adapt? If psychic persuasion is real, shouldn’t accountability shift to proving compulsion, or lack of it? Otherwise, you’re punishing someone who might be just another victim, and that’s not justice either.” She glances over at Kai, “Be gentle with books.”
“Lets also remember that almost all forms of compulsion even mundane convincing people that something is their own idea obscure the motivation and make the victim self justify. So even the attempt to claim an external influence is in of itself implication they were not influenced at all.” Matias says to the class before shifting his attention to Constance, “That depends who will hold them accountable. If it is the victim who believes sincerely they have been tortured for a year, than yes they should be. If it were an objective court, than obviously no.”
Alhambra hmms and says to Matias, “Most likely the authorities would just gloss over your claim, and throw you in jail anyways, though. It would be difficult to prove you’re psychically compelled, after all. You’d get punished, but whoever did the compelling wouldn’t face the concequences.”
“Professor, can I use my phone real quick before someone does something stupid please?” Kai adds to Matias after a moment.
“In this instance the Justice system or -most- justice systems throughout history side with the victim… So I shoot Mr Ashford in the head. Barring significant evidence beyond my own claims I am not accountable… The Justice and accountability will fall on me. Now if everyone saw say a ghost enter my body prior to me pulling the trigger. I have a room full of witnesses that I -personally- was unaccountable and the justice would pass to banishing the ghost. Thus the Justice finds the path of least resistance to providing recompense. Not necessarily the path of objective truth.” Matias explains to the room.
Nemi nods softly, she hums softly as she thinks and taps her finger for a moment. “Indeed. The accountability shifts to the one who twisted your will to fit their own to obey their whims, in most peoples eyes that is as in others, as said instead they’d take it out on the person-” She looks over to Constance. “The real question is were the highest members of the Last vigil the ones ordering and commanding the torture- Were they actually directly involved with the action such as ordering it? In such a case yes- but if only one member were involved in committing said torture and this- ‘acquaintance’ saw the entire vigil as apart of it then they are exaggerating for one reason or another. Likely to drag the others in the last vigil down for ever allowing that torturer among them.”
Matias motions for Kai to move to the back of the room, “Go on.”
Sophie shakes her head, “So, it’s a catch-22. Claim you were influenced, and you’re guilty by default because you can’t prove it. Deny it, and you’re guilty anyway because you justified it yourself. Seems like accountability gets pretty murky when even your own mind can’t be trusted.”
“Accountability is a function of the simplest path to perceived Justice. Not objective truth.” Matias summarizes to Sophie
Constance says “They are literally our enemies, dumbass. We have flooding going on in their territory right now. They want to torture the secret out of you so they can thwart the scheme.“
Kai stays in his seat, though he does send a few texts out, “Why am I always the one being killed or hurt in these situations?”
Sophie nods along with Matias, “Makes sense, justice isnt about what’s true, just what’s easiest to sell? Guess that explains a lot about how people get away with things-or get blamed for them.”
Alhambra nods a few times, writing down in her notebook, adding to the conversation, “People usually want someone to blame when something happens, for many, it doesn’t matter if the one who is blamed, is truly the one responsible anyways. So long as it can be pinned on them.”
Sophie giggling at Kai as she ruffles his hair, “Something about that face.”
Constance says “I’ve been told it’s a HAnd thing not a Court thing so maybe it’s legit after all.“
Nemi nods softly in agreement with Matias in agreement with a hum. “Yes that is true-” She says before turning to Constance. “Then reasonably when trying to find that situation becomes hairy- Do they know who decided to manipulate the man for the torture to seem to them like a year, instead of three weeks, if it even happened at all.” She says. “This does’nt invalidate his claims, no, because torture did indeed still happen. Just less physical and more permanently towards his mind as he now has the memory of that year of long suffering.”
“In your case Mr Ashford, it is because of all the students only you have quote “Gotten huffy with me” and so I find you easy to pick on. The others I have not offended yet and they don’t wish me to be flayed alive at some point.” Matias cassually replies with a check of his watch. “Alright that is ninety minutes. Faculty reminds students we encourage you to form your student government body however that looks. I am also available to sponsor any club activities. Finally myHaven handle is ProfessorM, match with me as a professional and I will reciprocate shortly. If you ever want to discuss tutoring or topics from class my DMs are open.”