Jan. 27 - evening - video

[stfuabouthonor]

[sup, Death City. A new face appears on the network, although there may be something of the deja vu about the helmet with its golden crescent, the mon with its twin sparrows, perhaps even the face, a little. Not the attitude, though - actually, this kid is the polar opposite of laid back cool. Which is to say he's absolutely furious.]

Let's make something clear. I don't know what dumb joke that guy is playing, but there's only one Date Masamune, and that's me - me! The One-Eyed Dragon, the Lord of Oshu, future ruler of all Japan, Date Masamune!

[He thumps his chest just in case any more emphasis is needed.]

Just wait and you'll see what it means to have me around here!

[Yes, he is absolutely serious. You may wish to be kind, but then possibly not.]

Comments

[stfuabouthonor]

[For some reason, he has just a tiny bit of a feeling that he's being mocked. And from the first guy here he was giving the benefit of doubt, it stings twice as bad,]

Or maybe because they're powerful, and people can see that they were born to rule. [He tilts his chin up slightly, defiant.]

[dissenter]

[oh no no no he wouldn't dream of mockery. he raises a hand, gesturing calmingly.]

Powerful? Yes. Oh Goddess, yes indeed. Born to rule-- now, that's only half-right. [a crooked smile.] It takes two.

[stfuabouthonor]

What? What are you talking about?

[He's genuinely confused. He isn't used to people running away with his metaphor.]

[dissenter]

[it's date's bad luck that he got stuck talking to a guy whose people practically had a love affair with metaphors.]

Nothing. What I mean to say is that -- in my experience, in the past -- dragons have not always made the best possible decisions for their people.

[suddenly, a change of topic!] Is the strangest thing you've seen here really a man who's similar to you? Granted, some of the similarities are uncanny, but... [i dunno man, that moon...]

[stfuabouthonor]

No, you said something else. It takes two. Two of what?

[One does not simply change topics on Masamune.]

Hmpf. I knew that the foreigners had a lot more tricks up their sleeves than they were showing us. It's everyone else who was too stupid to realize that.

[dissenter]

[apparently not.]

My people had a close bond with the creatures of which we speak. And I, together with my dragon sister, ruled over them. [a little laugh, as if reminiscing about old times. you know, like old men are wont to do.] Perhaps it's different with the dragons on your world, but as wise as she was she would have made a terrible leader on her own. And, admittedly, so would I.

Power is one thing, but there's certainly more to ruling than that.

[stfuabouthonor]

... are you... saying that your sister was a literal dragon?

[You have no idea how amazing it is that he isn't just calling you a crazy old man. Bask in the moment, Qilby.]

[dissenter]

[he'd bask, but he's got no idea what's so insane about talking about his lovely sister and how she's a giant lizard.]

Yes. A literal dragon. [le smile.] I'm beginning to wonder if I'll ever find any dragons in the city that aren't just figurative.

[stfuabouthonor]

That's because - [his tone starts out snapping, but before he completes the sentence, it suddenly loses momentum; suddenly, for some reason, he is not just not entirely sure, but entirely unsure that what he is saying is true. And that unnerves him.]

- there are no literal dragons.

[dissenter]

[a laugh, though it's good-natured rather than mocking.] You don't sound as sure as you did a minute ago...

There are no real dragons in your world. I've been to many worlds where that's the case -- so I can understand where you're coming from -- but I take it this is your first time outside the bounds of everything you once knew.

I daresay you're going to have to adjust to seeing and hearing about things that you once thought were impossible. [a wry look.] Because if you don't, you're going to make an old man very upset telling him his dear sister doesn't exist.

[stfuabouthonor]

[Worlds, again. He really is testing Masamune's limits here, though in a different way from what everyone else has been doing, and the boy's confidence is feeling it. There's a brief moment in which he thinks what if it's true? And then he thinks, dragons!]

I can't just believe something like that. [But he isn't sneering or shouting; just being honest.] No one would just believe it, without proof.

[dissenter]

Well, you're completely right about that, at least. [a sad smile.] And I've no way to prove to you that what I say is true. You've only the word of a complete stranger.

I understand if you choose not to believe me -- but I advise you keep an open mind while here. When the threat of attack looms every day, does it really matter if dragons exist or not, or if someone else shares the same name as you?

[stfuabouthonor]

[Oh goodness someone told him that he's right about something. This is the only good moment of his whole day.]

What - of course it matters. If it's as you say then the whole world isn't what I thought it was, everything! If dragons are real, and all the rest - then does it really matter if anyone's threatening to attack?

[dissenter]

The existence of one of those things is more likely than the others to get you, a friend, or a loved one hurt.

[poor guy was so confident a second ago. qilby kind of feels a little sorry for pressing the matter...] Dragons are fiercely protective. Very much so. If you wish to use their name, I hope that's a quality you've taken or will take to heart.

[stfuabouthonor]

[Masamune grits his teeth. This conversation is taking a turn towards places he's less fond of again.]

I don't have anyone to protect here. [Or back home, really, for the matter, but that isn't one's business.]

[dissenter]

Oh, well, neither do I.

But I imagine I'll find a few, once I get to know them.

[stfuabouthonor]

Hmpf. None of them are making a particularly good impression so far.

[Oh like anyone ever does with him.]

[dissenter]

[YEAH... qilby kind of senses that.

he smiles pleasantly.] Only "them?" Am I making a good enough impression on you, then?

[stfuabouthonor]

[Oh gosh, you got him. He glances away just slightly.]

I don't understand you.

[dissenter]

It's my fault; there's little about my people that isn't esoteric. Figures their king should be, as well.

I wish you luck, Lord of Oshu. I'd be interested to hear more about your country later on -- and perhaps I can try and make myself more easily understood, afterwards.