futurology | video; [KINGOFHEROES]

video; [KINGOFHEROES]

[The feed opens to Gilgamesh lounging on a couch, wine in hand, smirking faintly at nothing in particular. A snowy white lion which some of you may recognize lies curled on the floor, napping away; as for Gilgamesh himself, he's as relaxed as could be. Quite a far cry from his time in imprisonment.

And indeed, when he speaks, he sounds confident as ever—albeit in a lazy sort of way, words flowing like syrup.]

What does "heroism" mean to you?

[An open-ended question he allows to hang, for a moment or so, before continuing on.]

Would you consider what we're doing here to fall along those lines? Or, perhaps... yes, I'm aware some of you are new to this little group activity of ours, regarding the sun. And doubtful that you're all as sincerely invested as ALASTAIR wishes us to be. It does seem a bit trifling.

[Only Gilgamesh could consider the death of light itself to be trifling. He yawns, then rolls over, kicking his feet impatiently like a child awaiting entertainment.]

If they all died, it wouldn't really matter, would it? ALASTAIR would spirit us away to the next grand adventure and the cycle starts anew.

[In his obstinance, Gilgamesh dumps his wine right on the floor. He seems to revel in it, in the mess he's made. In the mess he intends to make.]

So I suppose what I'm asking is [smile blossoming into a grin] do you believe it's possible to save everyone, at the expense of yourself? Is that the proper way of a hero, or just someone naive enough to pursue "goodness"? To those we put atop pedestals, were they ever worth admiring at all?

[His eyes narrow at his jewelry. To call them serpentine would be an understatement.]

To those who believe firmly in the principles of justice—do you earnestly think you were doing the right thing all along? I wonder.

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[Uh-oh? Bossy, cute, and petite? He's getting worked up all over again in a pretty bad way and Saber's nowhere to be found. This could mean trouble... but thankfully Clara's offered him a juicy enough bone by way of knowledge that he decides to behave himself.]

That or you've never met anyone worthy of holding your leash.

[...mostly. Look, he's not pulling out any pointy weapons for marriage proposals, it's a start.]

But you are correct. Humans cannot be trusted to govern themselves. They require a higher authority for guidance.

[That first part gets her eyes to widen, and her jaw drops, just a bit. She's almost speechless, but she's got a sharp tongue and a fast mind, so she's able to come up with something. Bantering with him is proving to be enjoyable, so she'd be disappointed in herself if she couldn't keep it going.]

The fact that you think I'd let a collar or leash anywhere near me is a little telling of how you treat women.

[It's said dryly, more like teasing than an actual insult. She's sure he's just made a passing comment, and treats her own retort as the same.]

Think that means you're not worthy of trying to tame me. Or worthy to hear any of my stories, if you keep going on about humans.

[She can hope it was just a passing comment, a slip of the tongue, a mistake...]

You'd bend, and I'd make you enjoy it, pretty little puma.

[...but it wasn't, unfortunately. That's just the sort of beast she's dealing with, and he's totally unrepentant.]

Really don't think you would.

[She scoffs, nose wrinkling up as she gives him one of her defiant stares. She's prone to giving it to the Doctor when he suggests her doing things like staying out of trouble, so it's like second nature giving him the stare down now.]

That's not a challenge. In case you were wondering.

[Because she's starting to think he might take it as one.]

[He absolutely would. He'd also absolutely be monstrously obscene over the network, but he won't scare her off so soon.]

If you're from Earth, then surely you've heard the name "Gilgamesh" before. That should explain everything to you.

I'm an English teacher, of course I've heard the name Gilgamesh before.

[There's a roll of her eyes, almost as if she's insulted he's questioning her intelligence.]

Are you trying to say you're cruel and treat women like objects, and that you're in the market for -

[She stops right there. If he is who he's hinting at, it's probably best to not finish that train of thought. It's much better to just leave him with anticipation and let him wonder what she was going to say instead.]

Suppose that makes us properly introduced, then. Assuming that's what you'd like me to call you. Gilgamesh?

Mm. Yes.

[Gilgamesh doesn't comment on the rest. It mostly speaks for itself, and if she squints she might just catching him looking proud about it—or at the very least insultingly unapologetic. This was indeed the tyrant of legend, who lived up to the role in every conceivable way, for better and for much, much worse.

Objects don't have personal names, though, and he does ask for hers.]

And you are? Or shall I just run through every iteration of pussycat I can think of?

Do that, and I just might have to give you a slap.

[Is she teasing? Or is she serious? It's hard to tell. But the second the words are out of her mouth she smirks, and moves right on into more easygoing banter.]

I've already told you my name. I'm Clara Oswald, and I belong to no one, remember?

[She looks rather proud of herself for repeating it, just as a friendly reminder. He probably needs it, she wagers.]

I just might like it.

[Or he just might cut her hand off for it. Hard to tell when you're dealing with a moody ancient that would one day try to drown the planet in toxic mud for the sake of cleansing its human filth, but for the moment he's hovering somewhere between "casually genocidal" and "definitively flirty". Which is a good thing.]

And maybe I just wanted to hear you say it again. It sounded so pleasant, coming from your lips...

[Focus, Gilgamesh. Fantasize later, tease now.]

Ah, well, I see you're not going to give in easily, so play a game with me instead.

[She rolls her eyes, ignoring the way her cheeks are turning a light shade of red at the turn of this conversation. She has no idea why things like this happen to her, really she doesn't.

She acts as if she has to think over his proposal for a game, and takes a moment to examine her thumbnail. When she glances back up, it almost looks as if she's going to tell him off or at least say no to his request.]

What sort of game?

[She can't help but be curious, even while realizing this is potentially reckless. She shouldn't play games with someone like this, but she also knows she can handle herself just fine. After all, if she can handle the Doctor, she can take on just about anyone.]

Let us both bring our best stories to the table. Not now, of course; I'd allow you adequate time to prepare.

[Which he obviously seems to consider quite gracious. The man's completely and thoroughly into himself, and he mimics her little hand gesture. Perfectly clipped nails, of course, perfectly smooth skin. It's good to be the King.]

We'll find a third party to judge. The better minstrel between us wins it. And if you prove victorious...

[...in some hellish, bizarre, twisted alternate reality where I could ever possibly lose...]

...I'll march around with a leash on my neck for the world to see.

[Any laughter she has that's about to bubble forth dies off, and she's left staring.]

Right, so you're incredibly focused on the leash thing. Good to know.

[She doesn't agree or disagree to his terms, needing to know something further before she does. She enjoys competition and is driven to win as much as the next person, but recent events have taught her that her risk taking can sometimes be reckless for more people than just herself.]

There's not a chance I'm letting you pick the third party. 'Cos what happens if I lose?

[Gilgamesh just licks his lips... that might say everything in itself.]

[Her eyes widen, but her mouth sets in a tight line. She doesn't respond for a while, and instead opts to stare, allowing her defiance and her anger grow until it's clearly showing in her eyes.]

The only way I'd agree to any sort of game with you is if I set the terms.

[She has control issues, and doesn't like someone attempting to take total control over a situation like this. So she's going to butt heads now.]

Alright.

[Gilgamesh settles back down to something resembling civility. Of course, inwardly he's mocking every aspect of her right now, from that pouty lip to the fury in her gaze to that sass making its appearance once again, but he can make a convincing enough show of composure.]

What will you give me if I win?

[Not that he won't just take what he wants anyway, but...]

[Oh, she's definitely pouty, and still looking at him with enough anger to classify her as being flustered. And the more she tries not to let it show, the more it does.]

I'll let you call upon me whenever you like. For stories.

[A single eyebrow arches, and she silently challenges him to say that isn't an acceptable prize for winning. her stories are awesome, okay.]

[...oh. She may not have been actively aiming for it, but this seems to have cornered Gilgamesh. A look of surprise spreads across his face and there's no real room for a comeback. He's genuinely intrigued by the offer and appears to be seriously considering it.]

Very well.

[He's not entirely beyond compromise...]

But calling upon you for other things—

[...it's a work in progress.]

[That earns a sharp look, followed by a snort and a roll of her eyes.]

Calling upon me for what you're implying isn't happening.

[She's firm about that, her accent thicker as the words are rushed and almost forceful.]

As you say.

[But he doesn't appear entirely convinced. This was going to take some time.]

I don't just say. I insist.

[She can tell that he's not convinced, and that bothers her. Not enough to not meet up for their game because she's highly competitive and driven to win.]

I also insist on meeting tomorrow, so we can see who has the better story.

Don't order me around now, it takes away the fun of it later.

[Careful not to antagonize him too much, Clara. If you think he'll censor himself for a public audience, you'd be very wrong, indeed.]

I've no issue. But do bring your best, as I've said. Anything less would disappoint me.

[It goes without saying that a disappointed Gilgamesh is a dangerous Gilgamesh.]

Do I really seem like someone who would do anything less than my best?

[She'd be offended, if she wasn't busy scoffing.]

I'll see you tomorrow, Gilgamesh.

[And there's a smile, because while he's unsettled her a bit, she's enjoyed the back and forth of the conversation. It's not often she gets to have that, outside of interacting with the Doctor.]

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video; [KINGOFHEROES]

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...I definitely need it too at five in the morning THAT WAS TOTALLY INTENTIONAL

haha it's allllll okay

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