02/08 [Video]

[anationisnothing]

I was hesitant about committing to taking part in this war until I had all the facts in front of me, but the recent attacks on civilian targets have certainly dispelled any doubt in my mind. I'm ready to do whatever is needed to shut these Witches down.

I'm told that I'll need a partner, and I must admit that I haven't been looking very hard. Apparently I'm a meister, meaning I'll need a weapon. If there's anyone available and interested, I would appreciate a response.

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to working with all of you.

Comments

[anationisnothing]

[He looks kind of taken aback. Yikes, this kid's story is a particularly grisly one, and Cap's heard a lot of bad ones in his time. Seen a lot of bad ones. But if Leo thinks he's going to make Captain America back down on defending innocents, he's got another think coming.]

I'm sorry for what you went through. I really am. I can't imagine what that must have been like. But that doesn't change the importance of protecting those who can't protect themselves. I'm sure you can agree that there's nothing lower, more disgusting and inhumane, than attacking those without the power to defend themselves. After all, from what you've just told me, it sounds like you were on the receiving end of that for every day of your life.

The people of Death City are not soldiers. They did not choose this fight. They are victims, and any time I see the powerful making victims of the powerless...well, I know where I need to be. As a friend of mine is fond of saying, with great power comes great responsibility, and I intend to live up to that responsibility as well as I can. And if you think that makes me old-fashioned and a 'conformist', then so be it. I've been called far worse in my time.

[Corny as all of that may seem, he is totally sincere about it. Especially when he said he was sorry for what Leo went through.]

[lionborn]

[He doesn't care if the other is sorry or not, that's not why he launched this sudden angry rant at him. He'd simply hit a nerve.

He also can't agree with them 'attacking weaker ones is bad' thing since it is pretty much the way he had learned to survive on, no matter whether he likes it or not. Hell, most Halfs enjoyed that sort of stuff even!]

...what about the kishin eggs?

[anationisnothing]

What about them? Specifically, I mean.

[lionborn]

Do you know what they are made from?

[anationisnothing]

My understanding is that they're the souls of corrupted humans. People who began killing other people and devouring them.

[lionborn]

True. But don't tell me ya it's normal that there's such a lot of bad people in this place for the witches to use. And all go about it in the same ways.

[anationisnothing]

If you have something to say, I suggest that you stop dancing around it.

[lionborn]

Not all kishin eggs are people who become them by choice. I've seen it before as did plenty others. Shibusen rewards their destruction because it will make its allies become stronger and they react pretty nasty if you ask them the right kind of wrong questions.

I'm not saying the witches are the good guys 'cause they aren't, but I'd be wary of taking Shibusen's words and the 'goodness of their hearts' for granted either.

[anationisnothing]

[Steve looks taken aback again, but also kind of like he'd been half-expecting something like this.]

...are you saying that Shibusen is force-feeding innocent people souls, to turn them into Kishin eggs that Shibusen can harvest?

[lionborn]

[He gives him a dark, serious look from eyes that have clearly seen to much but shakes his head.]

No. Not that. But I think that the hunt and the war is apparently way more top priority to them than trying to find a remedy for it. Ya know what they did with the water of the city? They put a similar shit that made normal people into kishin eggs close to last christmas, in one of those fucking big malls.

[anationisnothing]

Shibusen did? Or was it the Witches?

[He's a little confused by the pronoun reference.]

[lionborn]

The witches did.

[He's starting to think that the real problem here is Steve's brain.]

[anationisnothing]

Just checking.

Well, I appreciate you telling me all of that. Contrary to what you seem to think, I don't trust Shibusen implicitly, any more than I trust any large and powerful organization. Even the most benevolent can be prone to corruption. But if the Witches prey on civilians who can't fight back like this? I will fight them, no matter what it takes. Because that's the right thing to do.

[lionborn]

..if you say so, superman.

[He doesn't sound convinced as he takes the cigarette out of his mouth and slowly exhales.]

Then all I can wish ya is sweet dreams and a not too rough awakenin' when you do.