"I don’t necessarily believe in removing dissidents. Threats that have harmed, killed, broken laws, I believe in prison for those. But I watch the threats. SHIELD doesn’t see themselves as rulers; we’re more like international cops. Unless you’re arguing for complete chaos and the lack of laws and rules so people can do whatever it is people do when there’s no consequences for their actions, I have to point out that such as laws as exist must be enforced somehow."

"Sometimes that means removing people from the population, sometimes it means parole. And sometimes it means simply watching."

"You are that way for now. You act as though there are only two extremes; chaos and law. If you did not exist, there would not be anything but death and chaos. The truth of the matter is that society always makes up its own laws, but those laws come from two places. The one, and the people." 

"The fear is that you do not answer to either. You do not answer to the people, you do not answer to the one. You answer to a group of individuals who use you for their own interests, who use your organization to remove those that threaten their interests while also wielding Hydra to keep you around." 

"Without threats there is no way to justify the actions you take. By creating threats where there are none they claim powers and get consent they otherwise would not have. You would remove people from the population, to watch them, to keep them from being dangerous. But when you have removed them all, it is sort of like if good ever conquered evil."

The man sighed, placing his hands on the table as though he was pointing out two places. "In the beginning, there were only two things. The one, and everything that was not the one. Everything that was was the one. And when the One brought forth creation, the one extended light upon all things, and all that was not the one was creation, which was still part of the one without being the one. When Adam was created, he had no gender. He was Adam. He became male when Eve was created from him. But they were still part of the one until they ate the apple, and became part of creation. When Lucifer rebelled, the one created hell to put him and the others in, until they learned what they had done wrong. But the question becomes, why did the one not completely erase them? The one created all things, and it is within his power to remove all things as well." 

"Imagine that he had done that. That he had removed Lucifer, the other angels with him, the humans that had followed him. There would be no standard of what not to do. Before them, creation was unspoiled; it had no right and wrong there was only what was. So if you removed them, removed that they had done it, all the minor things would be left, and those would be the new terrible things that people would be arrested for and executed for." 

"Consider it like this. If white defeats black, then all that is grey becomes viewed in the same way as black. You lock up all your enemies, and soon the man who forgets to pick up his dog's excrement is as evil as the man who kills ten people. Do not think it is out of the range of possibility; history shows that when there is no threat and individuals need one, that they will create one." 

"Yeah, well, um…you believe what you want." She made a little duck-face before letting her face rest once more. "Not like I care. I…" feel very uncomfortable with this topic “…don’t know if there’s somebody up there or not, so.” Lia had tried to avoid letting her doubt about faith come out; since Manus explained about his own hope about judgment, and how he hoped his God would judge him accordingly based on his actions, she couldn’t help but tell him. Better to clear the air before he kept at it, thinking she believed the same.

Not like he would accept it. That next headache was looming, that of proselytizing to her and trying to make her “see the light.” (No pun intended) 

So much for choices.

"…"

Well, that was it. Forget about close to calling, she was going to call security. One can pay attention to people of differing opinions, but not at the expense of one’s mental exhaustion—and certainly not at the expense of one’s reputation. It also didn’t need to be said that the other’s outright insulting comparisons from earlier didn’t help. But she would keep that a secret from the guards she was speed-pinging right now—as she had zzwipped in a split second to her chair and back, phone in hand. They’d get there in some minutes.

"Look, people have stopped liking me. It’s called being a fan until you start hating someone’s guts. I don’t like Tiffany anymore ‘cuz she’s…well, just ewtastic now. I don’t even think she can sing that, like, great anymore. And I just told you again, that people are running ‘cuz of my light show! And that anyone super horrible are the only ones who’ll feel my rage,” she mock-acted, using a faux-dramatic tone. “But y’know what? Like, I don’t care anymore. I know what I’ll do if people stop liking me and I can tell you nobody’s gonna die a Carrie death. Or even a beatdown. And I don’t care about what you warn me about anymore. You’re not listening to what I’m saying, I don’t have to listen to you either!”

"You got, like…two minutes before security gets here. So if you wanna babble some more, be my total guest. But right now, I’m outie.” Her hand waved, palm out akin to a stopping gesture.

"There is a difference between liking someone and liking the idea of someone you know. Of course, there is little difference to you I'm sure. But I once again say, that those who are acting horrible are dependent on who you find to be horrible. And in the eyes of the common man, can they tell the difference? Do they not wonder if it is possible for others to fall as others have?"

He sighed, before sitting down. "The security will not see me, no more than they did when I walked past them. None of the people who ran from you saw me either. For that was the one's gift to me. To remain unnoticed. To not become filled with hubris, to not think that I do what I do because of anyone but the one. Can you understand that? The truth that we are where we are because of others?" 

"That sounds a hell of a lot like HYDRA. They’re all ‘people need to be ruled, and made pure by removing deviant thoughts and people. Also, HYDRA pretty much was too radical for Hitler, which is saying something." She thought about it for a moment, eyes tracking to the ceiling as she recalled reports and files, words and pictures shuttling across her mind at lightspeed.

"When the Nazis kick you out of their perfect race for shoving, that sounds like what you’re looking for. They have amazing technology, which hey, so do we, but theirs always seems to be more… icky. demolecularizing and genocidal, if you understand me."

She digested what he’d revealed about himself, and she had to admit that part of her agreed that reality-warpers needed tracked. But not destroyed utterly. That wasn’t an option.

"They are likely an arm, but they are unlikely to be the entire beast. The technocracy operate in every nation and every government, and within every corporation. They are behind the rise of telecommunications and advanced medicine, from cell phones to television to space travel to cloning. Their goal of helping the human race is admirable, and they have done a lot of good. But they are moving humanity down a path where there is no humanity at all." 

"For example, if you ever witness one of Pentech's abominations, their monstrosities... then you would understand. The Fomori are truly twisted and evil beasts." 

"Regardless, I can see it in your eyes. You would agree with the policy of keeping those like me under close watch. Of course, it always starts that way. Watch the dissidents. Mark the dissidents. Contain the dissidents. Remove the dissidents from the rest of society. Remove the dissidents entirely, lest they ever become a threat again." 

"There is no such thing as security. There is no such thing as immortality. Even Adam died. To attempt to keep people safe from harm by isolating and removing from their lives everything that might possibly harm them, you remove their ability to be human. There was a rather awful policy taken towards mutants in recent years; that all mutants were the enemy regardless of who they were or what they believed. Seen in that light, how is your organization any different from Hydra? Your goal is the same, though on different stages. You, who see yourself as rulers, wish to rule. Hydra, who sees themselves as conquerors, wish to conquer, then rule." 

Tangible Theosophy

"It’s easy for you to say." Barbara’s face contorted into a mask of tension and pain. "You aren’t confronted with his wrongdoing every day. I get up in the morning and I can’t walk to the bathroom. I have to see my Dad alone because his wife was taken from him. And it’s up to me to keep watch over that sick freak to at least be able to sound the alarm if he gets free again."

"You want me to let go? Have you ever considered that the anger is important? It keeps me focused. It’s a tool. A reminder that I have to keep watch over this city. That it’s part of my role, the one I’ll have you know he left me with, to make sure that nobody else suffers what I did when it can be avoided." It didn’t even matter to her that he had a broad experience. Life in Gotham was somewhat different than anywhere else. Gotham was a breeding ground for pure evil.

Barbara was also well aware that her anger was, at times, all consuming. It was also exhausting. It had been so long, since the shooting, that she’d felt capable of true calm. The life she led was pure intensity. While her ‘teacher’ didn’t necessarily know her well enough to see it as problematic, it did parallel the perception of excess. She thought it her job to watch over everyone to the exclusion of all other things. There were times she was happy. Given a choice she always put others first above herself.

"It is not easy for me to say. I myself had my own vices and personal battles to overcome. I said during out last meeting that I fought in both world wars; perhaps one day I will show you the things I went through. But I am not implying that your pain is any less than mine; quite the opposite. I am merely saying that we all endure suffering; it is how we deal with it that matters." 

"Consider yourself like a ship at sea. Yes, the water is turbulent, and yes it is dangerous, and you do have an anchor. But a ship that drops anchor after a storm in fear of what might come capsizes when the next storm arises. Your anger is your anchor; it holds you down in times of calm but is your detriment in times of strife." 

"Furthermore, you do not need to watch this city. You are not bound to this place by anything other than your own decisions. You are not here because you must be here. You are not here because it is your job or duty to do so. You may have decided that it was, but you are not forced to remain, and no one would fault you for leaving. Or perhaps, that is why you remain. Yes there is anger, but those that would keep you here focus your anger towards their own ends. The man that caused this is not harmed by your presence; so those that use you to fight their own battles must focus you on what you hate." 

Manus paused, thinking for a moment on what to say next. "There was a time, during the first world war, when I stood in a trench in France and blessed those that were going into battle. The commander appeared, and threatened any who would not go into battle with execution, for they committed treason against their nation by refusing to fight. I rebuked him, asking how he could tell men who faced death day in and day out that they were traitors; how men who bore the scars of the battles they were fighting were somehow less courageous for not wishing to fight again. He intended to make them more scared of him than they were of german machine guns and mortar fire, but when that failed, he used their anger against them. Not a man among them had not lost a friend or relative in the war, and their anger turned to hate, which they used to push forward against other men who in turn used their own anger as their courage." 

He paused again, letting out a deep breath he had not realized that he was holding. "They all died to a man. Their anger led them to ruin. As will yours, if you let it consume you. You are not fighting a war. You are not forced to be here. You are not forced to fight. You may feel as though you possess some kind of obligation to fight, but you are doing s out of your own choice. If any of your allies would call you a coward for deciding to step away, then they are not truly your allies. You are their tool, their weapon to wield." 

Tangible Theosophy

Barbara couldn’t suppress a snort. “Really. Then is it blaming Joker for my own personal hell in that same category? Because all I see as a lesson here is not to open the damn door without looking through the peephole.”

Events like this were the most difficult to understand in the context of a single, all-powerful God. Though she’d been raised vaguely in the Catholic faith in accordance with her late mother’s wishes, Barbara found other means of making sense of the world.

The Greek pantheon tended to make more sense. There multiple deities were as much in conflict as those on Earth. And if Man was indeed created in the image of a God, then how could we all be so flawed?

Her mother died in a car crash when Barbara was only four. Roger, the man she’d known as her father until the age of six, died only two years later. Jim lost his first wife to infidelity which was, in his daughter’s view, probably the only failing in his entire life. Then he lost his son to madness. A wife to yet another of Joker’s bullets. While some ran around, dancing about and giggling, others didn’t have to wait for Hell to claim they for they lived it every day.

And yet a statement uttered once by one of the nuns at Our Lady of Mercy bubbled up in her head. “God gives the heaviest crosses to those he loves best. It’s a lesson to them; in times of trouble, they learn of inner strength they didn’t know they had.” Her father had held up. He was the object lesson. Barbara had been angry, and still struggled with anger and pain over it all. Every moment of her life almost without fail was there for instant and flawless recall.

"I’m not sure I like your view of things," the redhead admitted between sips of strong coffee. "There are some who can’t be redeemed. They can only be kept away from the rest of existence."

"It is easy to condemn others who have wronged us. But all souls can be redeemed. Even Lucifer can enter heaven again, were he willing to try to redeem himself. But he cannot, because he will not let go of his own sins." 

"It is easy to condemn others; easy to throw stones and declare them unsaveable. It is easy, and therefore popular, because we do not like to admit that those that wrong us in terrible ways are at their core, human. They have souls. To turn them into monsters, to make them unsaveable, makes us feel somewhat superior in comparison." 

"I was asked once, why I was not hard line against sins. It is not a sin to enjoy sex. It is not a sin to enjoy food. It is not a sin to grow angry. It is not a sin to want things. It is however, a sin to allow your desires to be the driving force. If you cannot live without sex, you have succumbed to lust. If you cannot think of anything but what others have, then you have succumbed to envy. If you cannot stop yourself from lashing out at others, you have succumbed to wrath. In the pursuit of these things, these worldly pleasures and vices, we lose sight of everything else, and begin to become the kind of people like the Joker. He will likely never see the truth, because he refuses to admit fault." 

"I do not ask you to forgive him. I do not ask you to forget him. The one does not desire that you do either. What I ask you to do is not to let what he has done to you consume you as it has consumed him. Only once you can accept that you cannot change the past can you move forward." 

Tangible Theosophy

"The Cliff’s Notes." She hadn’t read the book but she was familiar with the basic premise. Multiple levels. In fact, she’d once dreamed of being trapped on the Gluttony level with Booster Gold before being released. What that meant for her head she hadn’t bothered to consider.

"I think of most who go to Hell as being cleansed by the fire. The ultimate in criminal rehabilitation. You suffer so you can move on to heaven when you’ve truly learned your lesson." Shaking her head, she added. "And there has to be a place for the irredeemable. After all was that not part of the reason Lucifer was cast out? Because God considered him beyond redemption?"

"The version that is retold is only part of the story. There was a man named Dante, and he did go to hell and come back. The basic premise was that there are different punishments for different crimes, but that is not the whole story." 

"It is interesting that you bring up Lucifer, because he was the first among the angels, and the one's favorite. It was Lucifer's love that drove him to do what he did, his love for humanity and his belief that he knew better than the one did about what to do. But the story of the fall is one for another time; suffice it to say that the one created hell because he could not bring himself to destroy Lucifer. The one is a being of infinite mercy and compassion, and while he could simply unmake that which disobeyed him, he could not do so." 

"This in turn caused a problem. He could not destroy Lucifer, and he could not convince Lucifer to come back. Even Lucifer could return to heaven, if he wished to. If he was willing to admit that he had done wrong, that what he was doing was going to be bad for humanity in the long term, then the one would welcome him back with open arms." 

"Forgiving is not the same as condoning what is done. Any person, no matter their crimes, can be redeemed, provided they desire to do so. Redemption is not a single act of realization either. It is a journey, and the worse your crimes the longer it is. But that is the purpose of hell." 

"Over time, its purpose has changed in the minds of mortals to that of a place of punishment. Dante tried to set the record straight, but it was adapted to the ideas of the time. In essence, Hell is not one punishment. It is not a universal place of suffering. It is a place where those that have sinned undergo a punishment fitting their own crimes, in an attempt to get them to understand what they did wrong." 

"We spoke of Lucifer before, and the hell that was created to try and get him and others to understand. His pride keeps him from seeing the truth of what he was doing. His hell is emptiness. An eternal void, a place where you can see nothing but emptiness, not even blackness. You can scream, but there is no sound. You can feel, but there is nothing to feel. The point is to get him to understand that where he is is where he would have brought the universe to if he had continued. But his pride keeps him from understanding this. Were he to admit that he could be wrong, he could then ask what would occur if he was wrong. This would make him question what he was doing, and eventually realize that his rebellion would have ended reality entirely. But he cannot fathom that he might be capable of being wrong. He blames the one, despite the fact that it is he who has done evil. It is the same for every soul there. They could get into heaven, but they do not understand that they are there because of their own actions. The blame others for their own failings." 

Tangible Theosophy

"You assume a lot." Many times in her life, Barbara had considered herself in Hell. When confined to a bed, unable to leave it after the shooting which cost her the use of her legs? That had been Hell to her. Seeing those she loved deprived of all that they loved was another sort of Hell. The flames and external pain depicted in so many works of art would’ve seemed a welcome respite from those feelings of impotent rage and sadness, giving her something to be angry at as fuel for the fire which lived within her rather than a crushing state of affairs.

Even as she thought her cynical thoughts, she knew that she’d had those moments where she’d cursed everything in existence. The equipment she’d destroyed in fits of temper bore witness to the torrent which raged.

But the differences in their experiences were sharp. While he’d been a young Irishman without substantive material possessions, she had a luxurious apartment in one of the world’s most expensive cities, paid for with ill-gotten gains stolen by others and then rededicated to taking down those who had taken it from hardworking victims in Gotham City and the world.

Sodom and Gomorrah lived again in Gotham City and her sister city of Blüdhaven. It was said by some to be a sort of Hell on Earth. So why was there a Hell? Did it serve a purpose? Her response was colored by her experiences as a young woman with jurisprudence.

"It’s a prison. A place of punishment and a place to fear. Like Blackgate or Arkham, nobody wants to go there, so people are frightened into line by trying to avoid the punishment." Her personal belief was that at their core, people had potential to be good, but that many hovered on the edge. Gotham was a case in point. Ordinarily good people moved, only to do things that broke the social covenant held up by civilized people. It was fear of those terrible punishments that kept them in line.

But then there were those who didn’t care. An image of Joker floated up in her mind; he seemed the sort to chase the punishments to serve some kind of masochistic need.

"That is what most people think, yes. Most people think that its a place of punishment, a place of suffering. But that notion is contrary to the concept of a kind and forgiving God, isn't it? If he is a being of infinite compassion and forgiveness, then it does not make sense that a place of eternal suffering and punishment exists. Therefore, the purpose of Hell cannot be that of a prison in a sense that you understand it." 

"Perhaps I need to reframe the question. Have you ever read Dante's inferno?" 

Sodom and Gomorrah were nothing like Gotham; Gotham was a far better place, and so was Bludhaven in comparison. After all, if they were worthy of destruction, they would have been destroyed. 

     ”Yeah, sure, fine. What’s that got to do with me?”

"Do you do what you do because dogma says you should, or because it is right to do so?"

Tangible Theosophy

She had to admit, it was an interesting argument. Though Barbara tended to be more grounded than inclined to consider the wider philosophical world for its own merits, history dictated that many myths had a kernel of truth in them. It held to reason that the use of the song euphemism could be more than it seemed. The art was very likely a result of ancient stories.

"Believe me, I’m not easily scared off. Unpleasant? Big deal. I’ve been through pure, unadulterated Hell, and come through it with my sanity intact." The greater fear she’d never acknowledge was the notion that the discomfort might well be enough to put her off. Though anything but weak, she tended to play the ostrich at inopportune times. The constant back and forth, up and down, off and on relationship with Dick was proof enough of her tendency towards evasion of the greater truths of self-discovery.

"But I do appreciate that you’re not expecting me to traipse off behind you on some…what did they call it in Star Wars? Some damn fool, idealistic crusade? I’m not here for that, but I’m willing to see where it goes."

"Considering many would consider me on a crusade of my own, I would never ask any to join me unless they wished to do so. But I can say for certain that you have not experienced Hell as it is, for it is not something that is the same for everyone who enters it. Similarities exist, but perhaps this shall be your first lesson." 

"When I first made my journey to Rome, I was a lad of sixteen, who had lost both his parents to the great famine, and had been living a live of sin by fighting in boxing rings. It was rather popular at the time, but the point was that I made my living by doing all the things they tell you not to do. No formal education, no real tact or any kind of restraint to speak of. I was a delinquent, by every definition of the word." 

"My awakening came when I was half dead, nearly beaten to death by some gamblers who I tried to get the better of by winning a fight I said I'd take a dive on. I spit on the cross, and demanded in my bloody and delirious state that if there was a god, let him show himself to a sinner. I was answered, surprisingly enough, by a song I could not sing, nor could I replicate it if I tried. And from there, I went to Rome, for I was lucky enough to be found my a member of the order that I now belong to, the Celestial Chorus." 

"I remember my first day there, a poor irish lad with nothing in his life, walking among the priests and clergymen of Rome. My master was an old monk, and the first question he asked me to answer is the question that was asked to him, and it is the question I am now asking you." 

"If the one is a kind of loving being, who desires only the best for his creations, then why did he create hell?" 

"Under the contr-" she look incredulous, as well she might. She knew all the members of the WSC personally, from long association and they were the ultimate authority. Beneath them stood Fury, and she knew him, too. Beneath Fury was Maria herself, and she was definitely not one of this man’s enemies.

Or at least she hoped not.

"No…. I don’t think we’re under anyone’s control. At least not adverse control." She considered for a moment the correlation, and she thought she understood.

"It’s like Daleks, isn’t it? To become evil, remove the better emotions. People start acting less like themselves as their souls rot away. Then, when everyone is moral soup, dinner’s on." It was crude, but she was no theologian. She hoped she had it right.

"Most of the Technocracy's agents are unaware that they are agents. Police, politicians, companies... their agents are many and their methods are varied. It is because of them that technology is a part of everyday life, but their goal of safety will only result in the enslavement of the people to the tools they wield." 

At the mention of Daleks, the man could only chuckle lightly. "No, not like that at all. The Technocracy believes they are doing good. They want to protect humanity, but they are doing it the wrong way. Essentially, during the middle ages, a bunch of philosophers and scientists got together and formed the Order of Reason, which opposed groups like mine. Considering that the traditions fought each other at that point more than anyone else, and the wide abuses of power that went on... well it makes sense that they had grievances." 

"Their idea is simple; protect humanity by remove 'reality deviants' and by that they mean anyone who might harm humanity. Vampires, werewolves, other changing breeds, fae, wraiths... and others such as myself. After all, if someone like me can work the one's will upon the world, then that makes me a possible danger. Destroy possible threats before they become threats." 

"Essentially, the Technocracy believes that through their guidance, by breaking the masses belief in things other than logic and reason, that they can be guided into safety. The problem is that as you guide people, you then have to keep removing more and more as it appears to be wrong. If good ever conquered evil entirely, then all that was grey would appear black, as it were, compared to white. They wield vastly powerful technology, and they are incredibly powerful and wealthy. If you wish to know why Hitler's Germany was so overpowering in the beginning, it was because the Technocracy was backing him for the beginning part of the war. Until they realized that he was under the control of the other group I spoke of, and then they changed sides. As you might know from history, things crumbled rather quickly once that happened. You might be their pawn, and you do not even know it." 

Tangible Theosophy

Nodding, she led the way to a coffee shop two blocks away, ordering herself a double espresso. The young woman lived on a diet of caffeine and takeout most of the time. Caffeine, she felt, made her sharper. Any effort she’d made to kick the habit came to nothing. Her cigarette habit was considerably more tightly controlled, though she occasionally still indulged in a smoke on the terrace of the Clocktower.

"I hope you’re not speaking literally." The idea of the song was very likely a figurative allusion to some sort of enlightenment. Awake, asleep. It seemed silly when she thought logically about it, but her intellectual curiosity had long since gotten the better of her.

With her coffee in hand, she led him to a bench near the playground on the edge of Robinson Park. Childrens’ laughter and excited shouts could be heard. It brought a smile to her face. This was, ultimately, part of why she did what she did. To keep innocents safe, and allow them to remain innocent.

"So what do we do?" she asked. "Meditate? Talk? How exactly does this work?"

He followed her, but he had no need of caffeine in his diet. Caffeine made it harder to think, it made his heart rate increase for no real reason. He had no need of such things to live. 

"Well, I am speaking literally. Why are angels always portrayed as singing and having harps? Those that depicted them in such a manner witnessed them alone with what they perceived as music; but in reality it is easier to say that all souls have a song, all things have a song, and at one time all things sang in unison and harmony as one voice. Eventually, they became separate, and their songs became chaotic. In time I can explain it more, but as you are you would not understand what I am getting at." 

He followed her, staring out at everyone. "That all depends on you. I can teach you as I was taught over a century ago, but I traveled from Ireland to Rome for that. That would likely not fit into your schedule to spend two decades learning to be a master as I did, but your song is still damaged; and healing it will take time and understanding. If you wish, I can teach you as I was taught through posing questions and having you reason through them." 

"However, if you do end up awakening as I did, it may not be pleasant at first. I called those who could not hear the song 'sleepers.' Consider that while asleep, you see figments of things. You cannot discern what is real and what is not while asleep. When you wake up, everything is clearer, more focused. The differences in what you can perceive while awake and asleep are like night and day." 

A very loud groan, as she raised her fists to the side of her face—she wasn’t going to punch him; it was more of a frustrated motion than anything else. Warnings, judgements, aren’t they all the same?! They’re still reprimands against one’s self, unwelcome ones at that. Of course, there were always the ones that were necessary, related to life-or-death matters. But the kind the man was giving? What would change if she took him seriously? His ego? That niggling part inside him that would give him some sadistic pleasure in seeing that someone believed his entire words without question?

No wonder there were people who hated preachers. (Not that she did.)

Lia was also wondering just how the heck he was still standing with her light outburst—not even Powell of the Nightwing organization was that strong. His higher-than-thou attitude about everyone running due to fear only made her more annoyed.

"Okay, mister, first of all—,” she snapped, still shining brightly. She reduced the intensity, at least enough to not hurt any innocents—but not so much that he wouldn’t be affected by it no longer. Her anger wasn’t abated that much. “These people aren’t scared of me. They’re scared of the fact that I can blind them by accident! ‘Cuz, hel-lo?! I’m like the sun in here—which is more than I can say for you! Your sockets should be bleeding! Not literally, of course. What, do you think I’m some monster that terrifies people by threatening with my powers? I only leave that for people who are awful.” She linked her hands behind her back, looking at him with an emotionless face. On almost every word, she moved her head to the side as if bobbing to an imaginary rhythm. “Y’know, like murderers or jerks who hurt my friends. If you crossed that line, then yeah, I’d totally ‘strike you down.’ But you haven’t. Yet. After all, even you can change. Isn’t that what you said just now?” She made a mental bet that he’d probably say he wasn’t at risk because he’s enlightened or some other New Age mantra. That he took to heart his lessons and was so sure he wouldn’t go against them ever. She could already foresee her eyeroll in response to it, because he was beginning to sound predictable. People who spoke with airs usually were. 

"You keep repeating yourself, I’m gonna tape you. I mean, seriously, don’t you get tired? Of not listening either? I told you why we couldn’t go against Superman, but you wanna know why the rest of the world couldn’t? ‘Cuz he gave them everything he wanted! Anything, just as long as it made ‘em happy! Would you try to destroy your cashcow if you were desperate? If your entire life changed for the way better? No, you wouldn’t! I’ve seen it before in Hollywood. People stay quiet, ‘cuz that way they don’t miss out on the good life!”

She tried to show by her features that she hadn’t agreed with that opinion. The blonde had principles, even if he didn’t believe it. But at the same time she understood. That was one, just onnneee, point on which she agreed with Manus.

"If there was someone who was afraid, then they couldn’t talk. Because he’d make sure he could either convince ‘em or convince ‘em. So yeah, you’re right. Only about that. Finally, you got it.”

Lia scoffed, a disbelieving laugh coming out of her mouth. “Oh my gosh, you used a cliché. Now I know you’re depending on cookie cutter lines! I’m done with this, so done.” She waved her hands, laughing. There were overused lines, and then there were overusing lines that internet adult-children used when they wanted to make a smarmy point.

The hologram was this close to calling security. If he was this way with her, who knows how many other poor souls he bothered on the way?

He put a hand to his eyes, muttering a small prayer to himself as he let them adjust. He had hoped to avoid using magic here; but he had to to keep looking at her. So when he removed his hands, he could at least see her, but he did not like the fact that the had to do it. But he could not relent. 

"No mortal is infallible. Those with power and understanding must be more careful than those without. I work every day to ensure I do not fall, that I do not allow the temptation of power to sway my dedication to doing good. And if I were to fall that path, as I have seen many like me do, I would hope that the one would judge me just as he would judge any other who did the same. No one is special to the point that they are free of the one's judgement. Perhaps one day I will change for the worse, and I expect the one to curse me as he cursed Cain." 

"You say 'couldn't' but that is not what you mean. You mean to say 'didn't.' Or 'wouldn't'. It is not to say that it does not make sense. But what must be said is that with great power comes great temptation, and many are swayed by that." 

"They fear you, you know. They fear your power. They fear that one day, that if they stopped liking you, that you would lash out. What happens, when you cease being special? When they no longer adore you? What will you do, when you are just another person? Your problem, that I am warning you of not to prove anything, but to keep you from ruin, is that you do not see yourself as their equal. Like the space in which you were born, you see yourself as greater than them. You are mortal. You are human. Despite your power, you are not above those that flee from you. You are not above the criminals you fight. You are not better than them. I am not better than them. If you do good for the reason of doing good, then all are equal. If you do it to ensure people still praise you, then when they stop praising you, what will you do?" 

Tangible Theosophy

"A sleeper?" Her eyebrow rose slowly amidst Barbara’s otherwise bemused expression. To her, the statement almost sounded as if he were going to educate her through osmosis.

Travel posed another dilemma for the manner of pursuing this new enlightenment. The first concern she had involved whether she would have to leave Gotham, and secondarily if this guy had it in his head that she was going to go places which were not going to be wheelchair accessible. Finally she wondered if this was indeed the right decision. The odd man could simply be a lunatic posing as some sort of prophet. There were enough recent examples in memory. Religious zealots with delusions of grandeur like Brian David Mitchell, David Koresh, or people with persecution complexes like the late L. Ron Hubbard who demonized psychiatry while practicing a modified, sci-fi version of it.

The likes of Koresh and Mitchell were also sexual predators, the literal embodiment of wolves in sheeps’ clothing. Barbara was no fool. She knew enough to keep a level of detachment from anyone promising enlightenment. They could simply be looking for ways to seek their kinks.

The movements themselves weren’t the problem. People could benefit from even controversial movements so long as they didn’t get lost in them, in Barbara’s view. She was determined never to become a mindless follower. Her strong mind would not allow it. She was forever cynical, always considering other possibilities and mentally vetting any philosophy which was under consideration. This would be no exception.

"Well I need a coffee before we start, whether we sit in the park and talk or walk the streets. Or whatever passes for it in my case," she added wryly.

"I do not much care for the term myself. But essentially, to be enlightened, to see the world as it is, is to be awake. To not see the world, to only see the illusion of the world, is to be asleep. Or so others say. Essentially, you cannot hear the song of the one, or the songs of others, so perhaps you are merely unaware of it, the way an animal cannot determine the difference between music and noise. But again, it is a complicated thing to try and put a name to." 

He seemed entirely calm about all of this; after all, he had no problems with dealing with skeptics. He himself had started as one, way back in the day. But for now, he needed to focus on her.

"Well, if you know where we can acquire it, I would be more than happy to accompany you." 

      “I think I might have         just broken my hand.”

"If you would like to let me see it, I may be able to remedy that. But that is up to you; I would not wish to heal you if you would prefer alternative methods." 

Tangible Theosophy

Barbara prided herself on being very self-aware, very forceful, but the reality differed considerably from the illusion. Everything in her life was about masks. She worked with people in masks. She herself used a mask as her emblem. All of it was meant to hide vulnerabilities, be they familial relations, or identifiable characteristics.

Since the visit of the odd man, she’d had time to reflect. Her behavior during that visit was disgraceful. With him now before her almost like the answer to a prayer she didn’t even think to send, it was an opportunity not only to right the wrong but also to see if he might be willing to allow her to pursue the avenue he’d placed before her. To her good fortune, he seemed willing.

"I’ve had some time to think, and really I’m not sure where to even begin," she admitted, for once open with this virtual stranger. "While we figure it out, can I at least buy you a cup of coffee?"

"It may surprise you, but when I was in your position, I had no idea where to begin either. I was fortunate to have been discovered by a monk who taught me much of what I now know... but I digress." 

"If you wish to do such a thing, I will not object, but you need not do so. I require no reward for this task, for teaching is its own reward. But I must ask you something simple; how would you like to pursue this education? I am more than willing to give it to you here, but I admit that the best education and understanding is done while traveling. Of course, being a sleeper as you are, the academic route may appeal to you first, for experiencing things you cannot comprehend may only frustrate you. But regardless of what you decide to do, remember that I am never telling you what you must believe. I prefer to give what I know, and let a student draw their own conclusions, for the great prophets were teachers and educators first and foremost." 

"I think I’ve actually been there once." she said in a hushed tone. "I don’t like it… can we not hear that ever again, please?” She couldn’t give a crap where the language was from, so long as she never had to hear it again, it felt wrong, in her very core it felt wrong.

Her foot tapped against the floor in agitation at his words. “Things aren’t as black an’ white as you guys are painting it. Taint or not, a lot of them are still victims an’ victims shouldn’t be killed. That’s like taking napalm to the problem an’ calling it a day. It’s not an epidemic that you need to indiscriminately wipe out, these are people who ended up in bad situations. Vampiric “taint” or not, they have lives, families. It’s not a war, it isn’t, but damn if humans don’t love destroying what they fear. Not saying it’s necessarily wrong to kill vampires, most of them deserve it, but humans have a history of declaring different the enemy. Makes me question what the appeal of humanity is sometimes.”

She shook her head, disagreeing on so many levels. “It isn’t their soul though. Making the bodies do your bidding is wrong. Let them be in peace.”

"Well I will try to not bring any memories up where it is spoken. Such memories are extremely few, luckily enough." After all, few could ever hope to speak such a language. 

"It is an epidemic, as vampires are paracites who feed on the blood of innocents. It is a war. It is a war that started at the beginning of time. It is a war that will continue until the end of the time. It is a war that will continue until the day of judgement. The fact of the matter is, while they have lives and families in this life, and while I would love for there to be a better way, a way that I could convince the others to follow that would result in less bloodshed, such a thing is impossible in this world as it is." 

"Why? The bodies without the soul are mere lumps of flesh that were formed by the one. The souls have already moved on; the flesh is merely a vessel. The verse "do not treat one's body as a temple" means not to desecrate it, yes, but it also means not to consider it entirely yours, for it was made by the one for the one's purposes. A body is human, yes, but it is not a person. It is considered property once it is no longer living based on the legal laws. In terms of divine laws, from the one is came and from the one it will return. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Of course, this is an extremely radical point of view; most would agree with you that it is a terrible thing, not to mention near sacrilege. It is, ironic that the same people so willing to exterminate vampires are so protective of the bodies of the dead... But I digress." 

"The fact remains that we have argued amongst ourselves for centuries. We have all come to many answers, and to explain the roots behind it, I would need to impart upon you centuries of knowledge on dogma and where it comes from, not to mention theory regarding the one and his desire for us." 

"That said, the goal is the same, regardless of what is done by our members or what is claimed by specific factions. The end goal is the uplifting of humanity, back to the one, a proverbial return to the state of eden, the return to nirvanna, the reaching of golcanda, the ability for all to hear the song of the one as they did in the first days. Some believe this can only be done when the things that are holding humanity back are removed, such as vampires. Some, such as myself, believe that only through emulating the prophets, in the sense that they were teachers and philosophers, can we ever hope to glimpse the voice of the one in this life." 

"I came to you, I speak with you, despite what you are, because I believe that no matter how far you fall, you can always be uplifted and be reunited with the one. Call me a fool if you think me one, but you would only be agreeing with those that would exterminate you simply for being. I find that to be hypocritical, since your soul is merely damned, but is still intact."