(Text; UN: aloof)

[mourningjade]

Shameless.

(This Lan has passed judgment on you, Jikan. Now await your punishment.)

My arm would seize before I could give enough lashes.

(Actually it would fall off. Even with his endurance!)

Comments

[mourningjade]

Is that all? (How can you take it so lightly?!)

[cupiditasmedendi]

There's nothing shameful about the human form.

[mourningjade]

Certain parts should not be displayed in public. It isn't proper.

[cupiditasmedendi]

Are you being forced to attend?

[mourningjade]

This one would decline. (If invited to attend. Or forced.)

[cupiditasmedendi]

Then what is the problem..?

[mourningjade]

I have eyes.

[cupiditasmedendi]

But you are not at the festival, so I don't understand.

[mourningjade]

It should not be held in the first place!

[cupiditasmedendi]

And why not? What about this custom makes it worthy of inflicting torture on those who enjoy it?

[mourningjade]

Punishment is not torture. Pain reminds one of an error and why it should be avoided in the future.

[cupiditasmedendi]

As one who has experienced it first hand, what you are proposing is torture.

There is no error being made here worthy of inflicting pain.

[mourningjade]

Lan tradition is not torture. (He was raised under strict circumstances. Wangji hasn't been sparred the whip either.)

People should have shame.

[cupiditasmedendi]

What use is there in shame? What does it achieve?

[mourningjade]

Order. Limitations. Protection.

[cupiditasmedendi]

All of those things can be achieved without the need for any stigma. Shame is a mortal construct created only to enforce control of one another under the guise of moral superiority.

[mourningjade]

Mortal, you say.

As if you are not.

[cupiditasmedendi]

Indeed I am not.

[mourningjade]

It is important for humans to have shame. There are those who would take advantage of those ill dressed.

[cupiditasmedendi]

That sounds like an issue of self-control and personal responsibility more than one of modesty.

Sorry pushing random buttons. 8|

[mourningjade]

Modesty is a virtue.

[cupiditasmedendi]

Modesty is a clumsy conception of virtue, but in itself, is not really a virtue at all. The real virtue is having regard and respect for others.

You are not being harmed by the enjoyment of this festival. The only problem I see here is your judgement of those who do not have the same mindset as you.

[mourningjade]

My culture is not yours. My world is not yours.

(Will he actually whip people? Likely not. But his values are shaken.)

Shameless. If no one will tell them, I will.

[cupiditasmedendi]

This world is not yours either.

You would do well to remember that before you pass judgement upon it.

[mourningjade]

I do not assess the entire world.

Only one festival. The rest can stay.