Opinions without 3.1415 are just Onions (Week1 post trial)

[ghostricked]

After everything, the house seems almost too still and too mundane. At least as long as the doors to that room remain closed. One by one those covered in what was once their teammate are lead to the showers or change in silence. There is no warm meal waiting for them. No words of encouragement.

Life goes on, regardless.

Comments

[sageking]

Hmph. Somehow I can't even be surprised.

[ Sho seemed to enjoy indulging in theatrics, as he learned very quickly during that ridiculous show of a trial.

But, nodding with a frown. ]

A generous way of phrasing such a wretched act. Yet, a fool's act could even be seen as much, since we'll know to expect such tactics at least in the future, however unfortunate and idiotic they are.

[ He'll finally go ahead with fixing himself some tea. ]

[golden_dream]

'Wretched act'... the sigil, you mean?

[sageking]

[ It wasn't exactly wrong. The Reaper how, through separate actions of his own went through the trouble to preserve a 'winning condition' in the mistaken belief that the production of his sigil would serve him well. ]

It did indeed concern the sigil that mongrel made. His hubris surrounding the cultivation of the sigil and victory was put on such wanton display that it was beyond an affront. Yet, we cannot refute the fact that he had us caught, tangled in his web but for a time.

That, to me, was a warning in of itself. When, once again, we find ourselves in the midst of such brazen foolishness and amidst a trial as a result, I expect every mongrel here would know now simply to be more aware.

[golden_dream]

...I have a hard time trusting anyone who knows too much about sigils.

[Still, if it somehow did revive him, she'd probably have wanted her own.]

Would you call it 'justice', what happened to him?

[sageking]

Hmph, as you should.

[ Or at least, of ones that were like that reaper's, anyway.

Though her inquiry gave him pause. Not because this was a concrete issue of morality at stake, or so he'd have claimed if asked. ]

If you mean the execution, then in one sense I could look upon it as divine retribution. An utmost sense of irony, fitting for the one who would have, to put in his own words 'blow us up' and seemed so intent on seeing the aftermath of our untimely end that he went into excruciating detail. However, I'd be loathe to praise the specter's actions as helping deliver 'justice'.

I'd have preferred to send him to the underworld by my own hands for his betrayal.

And now I ask of you the same question, woman. Do you believe 'justice' was meted out properly to that mongrel?

[golden_dream]

I think he got what he deserved. Yes.

[a very firm nod.]

Though, I think he also got a small revenge on us all by covering us with his entrails as he... went. [A pause.] One last mess to make for us. Maybe it'd be different if he hadn't.

But, yes. The hardest part was keeping restraint until the vessel could do it.

[sageking]

I suppose he did have some, even if I'm sure he'd enjoyed the 'spectacle' as much as we had.

[ Which, he presumed, was not by much.

...Though, it seemed not only the specter had enjoyed it, judging by those absurd giggles he heard around the time of its explosion. Disgusting and unnecessary additions, as usual. ]

What do you think of the fact that we will be seeing a new face as the creature's representative for next week? We don't know who it'll be, but preparing ourselves for facing what ugly, sad sack it'll throw us at next won't be without merit.

[golden_dream]

I think whoever it is will be just as cruel and frightening as him. ...Meet the new boss, same as the old boss, as they say. I won't kill myself trying to appease them or taunt them.

['Kill herself' was a poor phrasing, and the starkness made her pause.]

Did you confront the previous... 'vessel', then? Did anything happen?

[sageking]

Unless necessary I will hardly see a need to deign myself in speaking to whoever it may be.

[ Gilgamesh didn't intend to avoid the vessel entirely, but unless he had anything pertinent to add, he didn't plan on wasting his precious time on it.

...Though that's because he knew himself well, and hurling insults would be a waste of time, and not worth endangering the others for it. ]

That said, I did. It attempted its usual tactic of spewing complete and utter nonsense, with the intention to instill the thought that we were all to fail due to its current and inevitable influence over everyone in this place. It even employed the ridiculous tactic of spewing some miasma as it spoke in its attempt to be intimidating.

[ He never wanted to give it credit, but it did well in asserting and showing how much that it had the advantage, as much as it pained him to admit. ]

Of course, I'm not one to be deterred by such tactics. And neither should anyone else.

[golden_dream]

That fog is cause for concern though.

'Yuri' set it off, didn't they? Did you see what happened?

[...]

I want to live. I want to walk out of here and leave this behind... All of it.

[sageking]

At the time Yuri had threw that so-called false bundle of 'holy water', I was asleep. Apparently she hadn't known it was some kind of demon juice. As irritating as it was, there was nothing to be done for it due to her sheer massive ignorance.

[ Never again will he tolerate such a thing, though.

But, he'll nod to acknowledge her words. ]

I'll remember that you said that and expect you to show that determination in the coming weeks.

[golden_dream]

Is that what happened... [grumbles a little.]

Oh? ...Do you think me some weak willed woman, Your Highness?

[sageking]

Hmph. I don't know you well enough to claim you aren't. For all I know, all that yelling at the trial was just bravado and is the summation of all that you're capable of.

[ He could point out her reaction in the aftermath as well, but...he had some semblance of tact. That said, it was surprisingly not exactly what he was going for. ]

Though, that's not the reason for my words, for which their meaning you've so impertinently presumed. As time goes on, the atmosphere of our situation will worsen considerably. It's also not the first time I've seen a creature twist people's nature to suit their own designs. To those who are forced to deal with the consequences of pursuing through such dangerous traps woven even in the very air they breathe, it becomes a challenge far greater than any they've dared face before.

Even a seasoned warrior or incredibly strong-willed individual will, undoubtedly, have trouble advancing forward in the weeks to come in this predicament.

So to you I say that I expect and demand your resolve because it may be all you have to give, or all the light you will have in this wretched place until we reach victory.

[golden_dream]

We know each other pretty well. We lived through a hostage situation and a man exploding a bomb in our faces. That's a lot more than I can say for most people I've met.

[She nods, considering his words]

Well... I am that weak. Did you really expect anything else?

Spoken like a real man without any fear. I'd say I envy you, but... I don't. Being brave is not for me. I'll accept I'm getting one loaf of bread while everyone else gets two if it'll save me a kick to the face. That's the sort of woman I am.

[Not quite, really, but she was selling a version of herself.]

But when something tells me "you're going to die here," of course I can't accept that. I didn't go through my life only to end up dying at a young age in some fantastical situation that doesn't make any sense.

I'm going to walk out of here. Or run out of here. Or if a leg gets lopped off, I'll hop out of here. If both legs get blown off, then I'll crawl with both hands, foot-by-miserable-foot... you get the idea.

[sageking]

[ ...That earned a little chuckle, though his smile hardly lasted for long, even as he appraised her words.

A woman full of fear and one who'd take an opportunity when it made it available. There hardly was anything noble like that. For better or worse, he will watch her. ]

The complete opposite of a virtuous woman by virtue of sheer frailty and selfishness. There's nothing to praise about that.

[ She had already indicated how impudent she was in her desire when she had pursued him in that game. ]

In this situation, however...that in of itself can suit us perfectly, or it will hamper us.

But, very well. I've heard your resolve, full of pitiful weakness as it was. I will see how far your struggle brings you.

[ And in turn, them. ]

[golden_dream]

Do you feel like scorning me instead?

[A shrug.]

I'm not sure I'd call it selfishness. Doesn't everyone and everything want to live on?

[...]

So, may I ask you something, Your Highness?

[sageking]

[ He'll let the first question drop, seeing as she moved past it, and as far as he could tell his words spoke for themselves. ]

Perhaps not. Though, one can claim that there's a balance to be obtained from holding any semblance of selfishness so that you're not selfless to your own detriment.

[ Nevertheless, despite his harsh words, he didn't look upon her with disdain, and he wondered vaguely what she had to inquire from him. ]

I'll allow you your question.

[golden_dream]

[She nods. Little smile.]

...Have you ever wanted to try on something a little more modern? I think you'd look dashing if I made you a Western style suit.

[sageking]

[ And what a question it was indeed.

He was a little surprised at it, but there was a smirk there. ]

I would.

Naturally, I would have to be consulted through it, even if I were tempted to leave it all up to suspense.

[ Though this iteration hadn't worn such a thing, already he was fantasizing something like this or this, or...imagine countless options here one in which is a white suit involving a lot of gold!! ]

[golden_dream]

I think I can create something you'd like.

[She didn't have the courage to offer the leopard print, but she'd add on this or a third design.]

[sageking]

[ He'd be gladly pleased with such a design.

Though... ]

Tell me...what made you decide to make such an offer?

[golden_dream]

Isn't it obvious? It's a perfect trade for both of us. You get a handsome new outfit befitting what would be modern royalty, and I get the pleasure of having made you that outfit.

[And seeing him wear it.]