Dimitri eyes the timer. "Perhaps," he says slowly. "But that isn't why I spoke. This conversation isn't about me. I told you these things because I want you to understand -- and to help myself understand -- why I believe you should live. Even if it were my place to claim vengeance -- " He twitches, flinches, forces his thoughts back into line. " -- I believe I would feel the same."
He looks up. There's no eye contact to make, which makes it easier to fix his gaze on Erin's blindfold.
"You chose to be better. That's the world I want. What would punishing you accomplish now? Why should you be killed at the very moment you choose to do the right thing? What would that mean to anyone else struggling with that choice?
"People can't be better if they're never given the chance. Your Arthur gave you that chance, and I -- I am glad that he did. I am glad to have met you, Erin Peters."
Dimitri's gaze drops. He wraps his hands around the mug, fingers laced so his skin barely brushes the ceramic. Quietly, he adds, "I would have liked to meet Arthur. He sounds like someone I could learn from."
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2022-11-21 11:24 pm (UTC)He looks up. There's no eye contact to make, which makes it easier to fix his gaze on Erin's blindfold.
"You chose to be better. That's the world I want. What would punishing you accomplish now? Why should you be killed at the very moment you choose to do the right thing? What would that mean to anyone else struggling with that choice?
"People can't be better if they're never given the chance. Your Arthur gave you that chance, and I -- I am glad that he did. I am glad to have met you, Erin Peters."
Dimitri's gaze drops. He wraps his hands around the mug, fingers laced so his skin barely brushes the ceramic. Quietly, he adds, "I would have liked to meet Arthur. He sounds like someone I could learn from."