text: ANONYMOUS

[imperceptus]

do you suppose it is ever truly possible to escape the circumstances of your birth?
to escape destiny?

Comments

[antietam]

Aren't we all.

For what it's worth, I think if you're trying to avoid becoming something horrible, that says a lot about your character. There are people who choose to stay the way they are, even if it hurts others.

[imperceptus]

[ Rin was pretty vague, but this guy's on the exact right track. Avoiding the horrors of his own culture is part of it, but it's not the whole of his problems. ]

i'm afraid i already am something horrible

[ Not something he'd likely confess to anyone directly. He doesn't necessarily think he's the worst person alive, but he views his upbringing like a poison--one he's not sure that he can ever entirely excise. ]

because

what if that's the only way you've ever known how to be? what if that was taught to you as right? divine right, even.

[antietam]

[ It's almost like talking to himself. There are minor differences in concerns, but it all amounts to the same thing. ]

But you don't like it, right? Because you've seen that there are other ways to be? That means you can change.

There's always going to be a part of you that remembers your past, and it's your responsibility to not let it take over again. Even if you did horrible things, I think you can be better than the people who raised you.

It's not perfect, but it's something. [ So much projecting, so much hopefulness. Adam doesn't know if any of this advice works. ]

[imperceptus]

better than the people who raised me, huh

it's a low bar, to be honest, but i think i still have a hard time clearing it

[ Rin relates to the advice, at least. This certainly sounds like someone speaking from experience. ]

[antietam]

It's not easy. Genetics make it harder.

What helped me was finding good people I could strive to be like. Moving toward something instead of running away.

[imperceptus]

i've met one or two decent types here

but there's an unfortunate dearth of them back where i'm from

at least any who'd have a thing to do with me

[antietam]

There aren't a lot of them anywhere. But you might as well take advantage of this clean slate, right?

[imperceptus]

it's not turning out to be as clean as i'd hoped

but i do appreciate your optimism.