[Week 7, Monday: Belph]

[doublecrows]

[HI HO, HI HO, IT'S OFF TO THE KITCHEN WE GO]

[. . . anyway, when they get there, Akechi's going straight for the coffee making supplies. he'll let Belph answer his question, too]

Comments

[axilium]

... Should I wait?

[doublecrows]

You can talk while I'm working. I don't mind.

[he's even grabbing TWO cups, not just one]

[axilium]

[maybe akechi really just needs the caffeine.]

Well, from what I've been told—keeping in mind this was from Tiger, not Dragon... Dragon will kill Tiger and then herself? For balance.

[doublecrows]

[STARES AT HIM]

. . . how is it that you get far more detailed answers than I do. . .

[mostly a rhetorical question, though. he sighs, and continues, cups clinking together as he works]

Yes, I suppose that's what it is. She said that she would die should Dragon-san win, and implied that Dragon-san would die if she were to win. As she told me, there is no ending where both of them survive.

Did you ever ask Tiger-san what she would use the ink for, should we win?

[axilium]

Oh, I've been getting these from other people doing the asking.

[he was busy this weekend with other shit, thanks.]

According to her, she's changed her mind and while some of it's still for herself, she'll use the rest of it to revive the dead, since she likes some of them.

[doublecrows]

[Belph. . . . .]

. . . when did they ask her that question?

[axilium]

Yesterday, I think?

[doublecrows]

[okay so it isn't outdated]

[there's a pause, then a shrug, like he is pretty aware that none of what he's about to say means anything at all, but]

Tiger-san told me she only needed a small amount of ink to get what she wanted-- and that is freedom.

The rest, she said she would give to us to use how we see fit. That would include bringing people back from the Other Side.

[axilium]

On the other hand, Dragon seems willing to give us all the ink.

... And this is, of course, assuming they're both being truthful. If Tiger only needs a small amount of ink, why has it taken so long ? They've been at this for a long time—Tiger in particular.

[doublecrows]

But Dragon-san wishes to die, whereas all Tiger-san wishes for is life and freedom. Will we deny her that, and deliver to her death, because Dragon-san has promised to bring us back?

[Dragon is the obvious answer here, and although Akechi prefers Dragon of the Crafters when it comes to temperament. . . he feels for Tiger. he really does. his villain heart goes out to her desires]

It's certainly taken so long because Dragon-san-- and before her, her father-- have opposed Tiger-san for so long. Prevented her from achieving what it is she most desires. They are, even after countless battles, still at an impasse.

[axilium]

[belph just wants to die, can't empathize??]

Then she should be making her case to us more publicly if she wants us on her side so much. It's not exactly our responsibility to proactively dig up their respective sob stories and decide which one we feel more sorry for.

[doublecrows]

Is that not what we have already done with regards to Dragon-san?

[hands Belph a cup of warm coffee]

[axilium]

[he'll take it, looking mildly surprised because he really wouldn't have put it past him to just drink two cups.]

Oh, I'm still kind of waiting for her to betray us all.

But for me, she was the more logical choice in that Tiger's ideal was about ending the war as quickly as possible, regardless of ink—and that she's only recently talked about sharing said ink.

[which makes it look a little like she's trying to save face, unfortunately.]

At the time, when I learned about the ending conditions, it made more sense to lean towards the path that would, by definition, require us to gather ink.

If Tiger's really had a change of heart, then things might be different now, but I don't think it was bizarre to favour Dragon, even putting aside any personal biases for their sob stories or whatever. My desire to win this war outweighs any sympathy I might have for either of them.

[doublecrows]

[he's feeling petty but he's also tired okok]

. . . it isn't really "our" win, in the end.

It's theirs.

Regardless of who we deliver a victory, we will be relying on their goodwill.

[a small shrug]

I do agree that Dragon-san is the most logical choice, regardless of anything I've said.

[axilium]

Sure, we can nitpick word choice while we're at it.

In any case, assuming full honesty on all ends, I won't deny I have a personal interest in having excess ink left over.

[doublecrows]

[. . .]

To use to rewrite your own narrative?

[that sounds. . . kind of nice]

[axilium]

... I don't plan on returning home.

[and if he can't go to someone else's, then... well.]

[doublecrows]

[mood]

I don't want to go home, either.

[he knows that'll mean leaving things unfinished, but. . . does he even care anymore?]

From what I understand, the ink the Crafters are gathering has endless potential. Regardless of your wish. . . I'm sure you won't be limited by anything but your own desires.

[axilium]

... Yeah. Someone's already invited me to their world, if it can happen.

[doublecrows]

[hesitation]

I have no invitations, admittedly. [he should. maybe get some] But I intend to. . . make a request.

[he shifts on his feet a bit, suddenly awkward]

[axilium]

... Does your request, by any chance, have to do with Eichi?

[doublecrows]

No.

[yes]

[he's just feeling called out so NO!!!]

[axilium]

[wow, he totally believes that.]

Oh? Does he know you're cheating on him?

[doublecrows]

Is there a reason you seem to be so invested in my personal life?

[axilium]

It's interesting.

[and because he doesn't like thinking about his own??]

[doublecrows]

Your own personal life must be fairly boring in comparison, then.

[axilium]

Incredibly so.