aita?

[insertusername]

am i the asshole?

Life isn’t always black and white. Sometimes it’s hard to tell who’s really at fault, and no one wants to believe they’re the bad guy. Sometimes you need an outside opinion. Or several.

Tell your side of the story and crowdsource an honest answer to the age old question; Am I The Asshole?

Top Level

with your character explaining a situation where they might have been the asshole.

Comment

with your hot takes. Anon or IC.

Comments

[hobblepot]

Not the asshole, as far as I am concerned. This, as I see it, is a matter of fairness: if it was made very clear that what you were offering was not in any way an act of charity, and this man accepted, willingly placing himself in your debt, then it is in your right to collect. Otherwise, he is simply taking advantage, yes?

[Smiling, he spreads his hands as if to say, 'prove me wrong'. Needless to say, he is not opposed to the use of force in this situation.]

[unshakencowboah]

Uhh...right.

No, we ain't no charity.

You a debt collector yourself? Wasn't expectin' no one outside my gang to agree with that.

[hobblepot]

I could tell.

[The smile lingers, but never reaches his eye.]

...To answer your question, no, my business is not in the collection of debts. Think of me as a builder - a man with a vision of the future and an interest in seeing his home realize its full potential. Given my expertise and the resources at my disposal, it is not uncommon for others to approach me at some point or another for a favour. I don't think it's unreasonable to seek reciprocity for my time and effort... more so in a city teeming with cutthroats and opportunists.

[unshakencowboah]

Approach you? For favors?

[He chuckles]

Sure don't look it despite your fancy clothes. You look more like the sort I'd punch for talkin' nonsense on a street corner.

[hobblepot]

[The line of his jaw sharpens.]

Punch first, ask questions later? [He snorts softly.] ...You wouldn't be the first to try. But I assure you, good sir, looks can be quite deceiving.

[He might not be much heavier than a sack of flour, but he's an angry sack of flour who is always armed and seldom alone. And that makes all the difference.]

[unshakencowboah]

Twitchy feller ain't yea? Relax, ain't gonna do nothing.

[He pats his shoulder. There is strength behind the short contact. He could likely snap the other man across his knee with little issue. But they have no quarrel with one another so, he wouldn't waste his time.]

So, do you lend money out to desperate people too?

mad-twitchy and super snappable

[hobblepot]

[Oswald stiffens under his touch, drawing in a breath through his nose. He looks to the offending hand, then back to him, having to tip up his chin to level Arthur a pointed stare. Which is hardly news when standing at a mean 5'6.]

Please do not mistake me for some slimy loanshark. [He lets that hang in the air a moment.] What people typically expect from me is information, or the occasional string-pulling to make a few dreams come true. Although the demand for guns and ammunition remains fairly consistent, I would say.

[unshakencowboah]

[Arthur hooks a thumb into his belt as he listens. He is a rather dirty man who smells of tobacco, and horse, and sits at 6'1", plus more broad.]

So part arms dealer part grapevine listener.

I suspect then you're boss enough to give orders for when others need squeezin'?

[hobblepot]

[Wrinkling his nose a little. Dirty, maybe, but packing the muscle to have looked right at home among his goons, with a shower and a suit.]

Yes... though I find that many of these situations benefit from a more personal visit. If you want a job done well, as they say, you do it yourself - wouldn't you agree, mister...?

[He pauses, expectant.]

[unshakencowboah]

[If you're making him put on a suit it better be for a damned good reason.]

Morgan. Arthur Morgan.

I suppose, depends on the situation. Usually I'm the one doing whatever needs doing, our leader, well, being as he has the biggest price on his head he rarely gets out there and does things himself these days.

[hobblepot]

[The corner of his mouth pulls up.]

I am Oswald Cobblepot. [A beat passes before he offers him a leather-clad hand.] He must place a great deal of faith in you, Mr.Morgan. If I were compelled to hunker down for a time, it would be of the utmost importance to me that I am well-represented and my presence felt where it is needed the most.

[unshakencowboah]

[He shakes the hand, the grip firm, the shake short]

Faith.

[He snorts]

Guess you could say that.

We been through a lot he and I, couple others of the gang. Long time.

[hobblepot]

A long and storied history -- I understand that well. Unfortunately, I have seen that even this will not guarantee unstinting loyalty between old friends. [He purses his lips, a flicker of honest regret in his eye.] For your sake, I hope you will never know such betrayal.

[unshakencowboah]

I don't even want to think about such a thing, a rat on the inside of the gang would be hard to deal with.

[hobblepot]

Painful - I know. And in a perfect world, you wouldn't have to. But, sometimes, Mr. Morgan... [--his fingers tighten around the head of his cane, leather creaking softly--] ...our sentimentality will blind us to what is staring us right in the face. Of course, I'm not suggesting that you start hurling accusations left and right. Only that you keep vigilant and prepare as best you can for any eventuality, especially in your line of your work.

[unshakencowboah]

[He frowns]

Okay...don't like that sort of talk.

They're more than just people I work with. The gang is my family, would kill or die for them.

Maybe you should take better care of those under you and you'll have more luck with loyalty, Mr. Cobblepot.

[hobblepot]

[He blinks, like he's been slapped. Then his expression closes.] ...Assumptions can be dangerous. But I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that.

[He lets that hang in the air before cracking a small, mirthless not-smile.]

Good luck, Mr. Morgan; I truly hope it lasts. Perhaps our paths will cross again someday.

[unshakencowboah]

[Arthur does not like the implication that traitors could be or could crop up among those he cares deeply for and its suddenly very clear why he's the one that goes to collect the debts of those that are owed. His demeanor shifts from aloof cowboy to a man who could kill you without a second thought.]

Maybe.

But probably best for your sake we don't.

Good day Mr. Cobblepot.

[And he walks away.]