dramadramaduck | [ anonymous. ]

You seem to do well with hypothetical questions, community. I have one for you, if I may.

For the purpose of this post, let's say you've suddenly been thrust into a situation in which someone has plans to harm an entire world. You can't hope to convince or overpower this person on your own. You have an ally who has helped you in the past, but they've already lost everything to this kind of struggle and are currently trying to rebuild their life.

It seems as though the sole options you have are either to submit or die, but someone else unexpectedly offers you a third route. One in which both of you would share the results. It would certainly provide you with a way to stop your opponent's plans, but it carries... certain risks. Both to yourself, and potentially to the thing you're trying to protect. While known for holding up their end of a bargain, it wouldn't be wise to entrust the person wishing to deal with you with even half of what they're hoping to share with you. Moreover, buying time to pursue this course would amount to starting a war.

What would you consider the right thing to do in this situation? Would it be best to work with the one who offered you that option in order to keep an eye on them and buy time to search for an alternative way? Or is there another road you would take in this instance?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Can't you just ask your friends to help you?

In this situation, they've already given up too much. If they were to get involved, it's likely they'd lose even more.

[Ven nodded, understanding.] You don't want them to get hurt so you're trying to protect them on your own.

That's... astonishingly succinct, actually.

Though I did say this was hypothetical. [ cas who r u trying to fool really ]

[Video]

glidingwind - 2012-10-05 00:31 (UTC) - Expand

[ anon ]

loyalbound - 2012-10-05 00:38 (UTC) - Expand

glidingwind - 2012-10-05 00:44 (UTC) - Expand

loyalbound - 2012-10-05 01:01 (UTC) - Expand

glidingwind - 2012-10-05 01:05 (UTC) - Expand

loyalbound - 2012-10-05 01:09 (UTC) - Expand

glidingwind - 2012-10-05 01:15 (UTC) - Expand

loyalbound - 2012-10-05 01:27 (UTC) - Expand

glidingwind - 2012-10-06 22:27 (UTC) - Expand

loyalbound - 2012-10-07 10:45 (UTC) - Expand

glidingwind - 2012-10-25 21:30 (UTC) - Expand

loyalbound - 2012-10-27 18:41 (UTC) - Expand

glidingwind - 2012-10-31 19:31 (UTC) - Expand

Is overpower the only way to stop him?

It's the most direct way.

What else would you suggest?

What else have you tried?

Edited 2012-10-05 00:47 (UTC)

[ ... yeah, okay. dropping all pretence of this being hypothetical, here. ]

As of yet, nothing. Trying to reason with him only led to getting beat into next week and a 24-hour ultimatum. I have to at least buy more time somehow.

[anonymous]

treatinferiors - 2012-10-05 01:02 (UTC) - Expand

loyalbound - 2012-10-05 01:05 (UTC) - Expand

treatinferiors - 2012-10-05 01:09 (UTC) - Expand

loyalbound - 2012-10-05 01:24 (UTC) - Expand

treatinferiors - 2012-10-05 01:29 (UTC) - Expand

loyalbound - 2012-10-07 10:51 (UTC) - Expand

treatinferiors - 2012-10-07 16:15 (UTC) - Expand

loyalbound - 2012-10-08 21:52 (UTC) - Expand

treatinferiors - 2012-10-08 21:58 (UTC) - Expand

How long do you have to make a decision?

Less than 24 hours.

Tricky. If you can find another way, do it.

If you can't, saving the people closest to you is most important, if by doing so you don't compromise too much.

I see. That had been the principle I was operating on, but still... I'm filled with doubt over this decision. It doesn't feel as if there's any right choice.

[anonymous text]

nofarplaneyet - 2012-10-07 20:59 (UTC) - Expand

loyalbound - 2012-10-08 22:10 (UTC) - Expand

Is this a decision you should be trusting the internet with?

I'm not asking them to make the actual choice.

But you will let their opinion color your judgement.

Perhaps. Maybe not. Is it so wrong to seek the advice of others?

(no subject)

docfoul - 2012-10-09 18:27 (UTC) - Expand

loyalbound - 2012-10-10 22:58 (UTC) - Expand

docfoul - 2012-10-11 16:04 (UTC) - Expand

loyalbound - 2012-10-16 18:34 (UTC) - Expand

Even if you're keeping everything a secret to protect your friends, I think it would be best to tell them. This sounds like something they should be able to decide for themselves.

[ ouch right in the free will... ]

How can I ask them for more after everything they've already given up?

You don't have to ask them anything, just don't keep them in the dark. If they choose to become involved, I think it's a choice they should be allowed to make themselves.

Edited 2012-10-07 16:07 (UTC)

loyalbound - 2012-10-08 22:34 (UTC) - Expand

makewayforroze - 2012-10-09 02:13 (UTC) - Expand

loyalbound - 2012-10-10 23:03 (UTC) - Expand

makewayforroze - 2012-10-11 01:06 (UTC) - Expand

loyalbound - 2012-10-11 12:55 (UTC) - Expand

makewayforroze - 2012-10-11 20:14 (UTC) - Expand

You do what keeps you and yours alive and able to fight back. No matter what.

I see. That makes things sound almost too simple, but I can see the merit in that approach.

How is that too simple?

loyalbound - 2012-10-27 18:42 (UTC) - Expand

grey_grief - 2012-10-28 03:22 (UTC) - Expand

loyalbound - 2012-11-08 00:08 (UTC) - Expand

I would work with them.

I see.

And your ally? Would you tell them something was happening, or keep them in the dark?

Usually, allies can't be trusted to keep out of the way.

loyalbound - 2012-10-27 19:04 (UTC) - Expand

Re: [ anon ]

reloadfromsave - 2012-10-28 01:54 (UTC) - Expand

loyalbound - 2012-10-31 21:33 (UTC) - Expand