video; [KINGOFHEROES]

[babbylon]

[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.

Comments

video; 1hitko

[unoradinary]

[He really is hung up on this.

Or, well, she's starting to think so. You can't keep talking about heroes while denying you actually care about it before someone's gonna get an impression, Gil.]

There's no point in saying they don't exist just because they ain't defined absolutely...that kind of answer makes it sound like you're afraid to commit. "It is but it isn't." "Maybe but not always." Isn't that boring, anyway? I think so.

A hero fights to make people happy. The ones I grew up with weren't even real, but...that's what they taught me.

[babbylon]

[He really is. And it really shows, especially now.]

...I'm forbidding you from answering this question. So I've disregarded everything you just said.

[unoradinary]

[...eh.]

Oi, what've I done now?

[babbylon]

Well, you're a woman, and...

[...

...

...]

...I don't particularly feel the need to finish that thought. That's all.

[unoradinary]

[...well, that's a first.

People usually treat her the exact opposite way, though not necessarily in a good way, so this is...weird.

But she's still pissed.]

A woman who's stronger than you.

[Well-]

Disregarding how you shit out weapons the way you do.

private;

[babbylon]

[...okay, this is quickly going to delve into the territory of embarrassing, so he's flicking this to private.]

Ranmaru.

[Gilgamesh sits up for this. She at least deserves his undivided attention.]

Everything you've seen up until now, everything we've spoken of, and most especially that man you saw in that cell—you should consider it a lie. We are not friends. We are never going to be friends. I'd destroy you in an instant if it meant safe passage home. I'd tear you apart.

[His eyes remain unblinking for this. Centered. Emotionless. Cold.]

I'd throw you to the wolves if it brought me amusement. You aren't stronger than me. You aren't stronger than anyone. And most certainly...

[You don't mean anything to me at all.]

...you are not a hero, or even anything close. So don't speak on such matters. You're only bringing shame upon yourself.

private;

[unoradinary]

I don't doubt it.

[Whether or not it's surprising she says that, well...it depends on how much attention Gil has been paying up until now.]

Look, I'm not a complete idiot. I don't just blindly trust guys like you; any minute you could just get bored and shank me. Until then...all I can do is act how I always do. It's just how I am.

But nobody else has gotten the kind of reaction you're giving me right now, either. Not...exactly, anyway.

[Poor Clara.]

So trying to push me away like this all of a sudden...

I'll ask you once, and then I'll leave you alone if that's really what you want; is this really all there is to it? Or is there some other reason?

[babbylon]

I cannot be seen showing such favor to others. I was not myself before. I cannot let that happen again.

[He may giving himself away a little now, since there's no true ire behind his words. He doesn't sound mad and the same sort of lustful viciousness he'd exhibit towards just a woman isn't present. Regardless, he presses on, and keeps things even and calm.]

Trying to befriend everyone will only hurt you in the end. I will hurt you. I will hurt you so badly you would have no hopes of recovery, so...

[Still, he can't quite tell her to stay away. She'll have to make that choice for herself.]

...so I really do hate you. That's the truth of the matter.

1/2

[unoradinary]

You're sure fond of saying that, aren't you?

"Keep going the way you are, and you might get hurt."

"Try to do this, you definitely will get hurt."

Someone who's afraid to do something because they might get hurt...they aren't living at all.

[unoradinary]

We don't have to be friends.

But until the day we stop being comrades, I'm gonna treat you fairly. Hate me all you want.

You're fooling yourself if you think you're the first, y'know.

[babbylon]

Yes. I suspect I won't be the last, either.

[A part of him may very well be rooting for her after all. The part that loved humanity, despite its many faults.]

[unoradinary]

Course. Most people're always inclined to take the easy option.

[babbylon]

In any event, it's fine if you keep fighting as you are. Just don't stumble and embarrass me, understand? ...mongrel.

[It's his way of saying I'll be watching while he keeps up surlier appearances.]

[unoradinary]

Sure, sure. I'll make even my stumbling look flawless, so you don't gotta worry.

...ah, there's one more thing though.

[babbylon]

I'm listening.

[unoradinary]

I finished the book.

I actually finished it before all that jailbreak stuff, but y'know...

[You were...

busy.]

[babbylon]

[Gilgamesh has to think for a moment before recalling what she means. And then he looks a little surprised.]

Really?

[unoradinary]

Don't act so surprised. I said I would, didn't it?

[something something shounen promise something]

[babbylon]

Well...?

[He's awaiting your verdict, Ran. And it seems to have broken through that nastier facade, as he now appears the slightest bit excited.]

[unoradinary]

Well, I guess I'll start with the most important thing...

You fought a lot of awesome shit, and I'm super envious. Like, Enkidu went on about the Humbaba having speech of fire and breath of death and all I could think was I wanted to take a shot at it.

[babbylon]

[Nodding.]

Of course, of course. But what else even matters? Besides my kingly aura that inspired an entire people to greatness.

[unoradinary]

Well, aside from that...

[Yeah...she, uh. Wasn't gonna mention any of that.]

I'm glad you've had at least one friend.

[babbylon]

[...!]

[babbylon]

[...]

[babbylon]

[...Gilgamesh cuts the feed without further explanation.]