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

[babbylon]

I was simply a curious and radiant youth, admired by all, beloved by the people.

[promises_to_keep]

[Okay, the vehement no gets a real laugh out of him. Wow, touchy!]

You know butterflies are actually very shy, though, and not really known for being especially curious.

[Yes, now he's just fucking with you.]

1/who even knows

[babbylon]

Well...!

2/how many ridiculous icons can I go through

[babbylon]

...

3/LET'S FIND OUT

[babbylon]

...

4/nope still have more

[babbylon]

...

ALRIGHT ALL DONE

[babbylon]

...that's not the point!

[What was your point, Gilgamesh?]

Anyway, there's nothing wrong with encouraging a bit of healthy discussion on the matter. Whether it affects you or not, you bumbling simpleton.

[promises_to_keep]

[Lea just cups his chin in one palm and watches this series of expressions cross Gil's face, and then he arches one eyebrow.]

I don't believe I said there was anything wrong with the discussion, simply that how my colleagues define the word isn't especially relevant to me. I already told you my thoughts--in fact, I posed a couple of questions in return, before you went off on your butterfly tangent.

You're the one who turned the topic to himself, and I'm the simpleton?

[babbylon]

You could fill a book with everything about me! In fact, someone already did! Or haven't you heard of the "Epic of Gilgamesh"?

[You know, actually... never mind. He just keeps right on talking through it.]

Anyway, in order, human lifespans are worthless as a form of measurement, martyrs aren't heroes, and the lives of friends and of strangers are fundamentally the same. Each are a drop in the bucket and each make no difference. Death swallows all in time.

[Even the best among us.]

[promises_to_keep]

[Lea examines his fingernails. This guy is way too easy to bait.]

'The Epic of Gilgamesh', huh? Eh, I think I'll wait for the movie.

So I have to wonder, if that's how you feel about things, why you even asked the question in the first place? So death takes all of us, from the mundane to the epic, and we're all a drop in a bucket, fine. If heroism tends to be measured by sacrifice, but martyrs aren't heroes, then what good, dare I ask, is it to be the King of Heroes at all? Doesn't that just make you the drop with a proverbial crown on his head?

[babbylon]

[Gilgamesh returns to proper form. Which is to say, he's no longer so incensed, though his words do ring with a faint irritation.]

I am cut from quite a different mold than the others. You cannot hope to compare us.

[promises_to_keep]

Uh huh. Of course, you're unique.

Just like e~~~~verybody else.

[Tell me another.]

[babbylon]

Perhaps ALASTAIR will find unique parts of your body to identify once I'm through severing them from your bloody torso.

[With a grin that brilliant, one can't help but think he'll live up to his promises...]

omg i literally did not get the notif for this, i'm sorry!

[promises_to_keep]

[Eyebrow. Please. Like he hasn't spent the past twelve years rooming with a bunch of emotionless homicidal nutbars; you don't scare him.]

So we went from superiority complex to sociopath. All righty, then.

[Lea looks a little nonplussed then.]

Dismemberment hardly seems like behavior befitting the typical definition of a hero, Your Majesty. Just sayin'

it's all good!

[babbylon]

[And Gilgamesh shrugs nonchalantly to match him, neither bothered nor particularly offended by such labels.]

Your definition of "hero" strikes me as hopelessly narrow, then, if you believe scrupulously moral deeds are what define them.

[promises_to_keep]

I never said it was my definition, just that it goes against the grain of the common connotations. Scruples are overrated, if you ask me. Which, for the record, I'm aware you didn't.

If you really want my definition of heroism, I'd say it's being afraid of something you know you have to do, and doing it anyway. It's not about good versus evil, it's about the strength of your heart. Prove it's dependably strong and not just a fluke one- or two-time thing, and well... maybe that makes ya a hero.

[Shrug.]

But then, what do I know? I certainly wouldn't call myself a hero.

[babbylon]

Waste of space would appear more appropriate.

[Although, saying something like it's about the strength of your heart... it's certainly more in line with the truth. Not that he'll admit it aloud.]

[promises_to_keep]

Well now you're just being rude.

So aside from your oh-so virtuous birth, then, what is it you think makes a hero? [He's not even really sure he wants to know, anymore.]

[babbylon]

A resolved spirit. Dedication to one's ideals. Strength of will to prevail over all.

[This time he sounds serious about it, glancing up from his wine to level a sterner gaze towards the feed.]

Regardless of morality, regardless of aims, a Hero is one that carries with them everything they see.

[promises_to_keep]

[That's just, like, your opinion, man.

[Lea looks contemplative as Gil goes on, and he sort of shrugs one shoulder.]

Prevail over all, huh? [He purses his lips and makes a bit of a face.] I guess I can get on board with some of that, but in general I think we're just gonna have to agree to disagree. [He thinks your definition just kinda sounds like a bully, honestly, but eh, different strokes.]

[babbylon]

It bothers me none. I've no need for the inferior opinions of mongrels.

[So basically, yes. Exactly like being a bully, because a bully's what you're dealing with here, Lea. Nothing more and nothing less.]

[promises_to_keep]

[Lea snorts a laugh.]

Better a mongrel, I'd say, but hey, if consanguinity is your thing, you follow that pedigree to your heart's content; I know you royal folk are really into that.

[babbylon]

[Right back at ya, kiddo.]

Oh? And what do you know of royalty?

[promises_to_keep]

Enough to know they tend to be more interested in keeping their blood blue than expanding the gene pool.

[babbylon]

Truly? I expanded the gene pool considerably in my day.

[Too much information, Gilgamesh...]