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 am a great King. All my accomplishments are something to be proud of.

[showmeyourwreath]

So messes are accomplishments, now? That must have been interesting for your caretakers.

So what sort of sty does His Majesty intend to make?

[babbylon]

I'm not terribly fond of pigs.

Though I do enjoy hearing them squeal when I poke them full of bloody holes.

[showmeyourwreath]

[The good thing about text is that cues and tone is missing.]

Is that so. Been to any pens, recently?

[Because she has a feeling his definition is a lot more flexible than it seems.]

[babbylon]

I said pigs but I really meant people.

[babbylon]

...who aggravate me. I would never engage in such senseless slaughter without prejudice.

[showmeyourwreath]

I gathered. You weren't being as subtle as you thought, but you shouldn't be slaughtering people so baselessly in the first place, what is the matter of you?!

[babbylon]

I wasn't aware I had been under the watchful eye of the morality police.

[Not that it would've stopped him anyway.]

You sound like a woman. A particularly meddlesome one.

and then i forgot to send the real tag

[showmeyourwreath]

[she would arrest him for real.]

Meddling is in the job description.

[so he's right, but still, wow, way to assume.]

I would not have cared less if you were some unscrupulous individual, but I wouldn't have been surprised. But someone calling himself the King of Heroes? Just what do you think heroism is?

[It disgusts her, honestly.]

[babbylon]

[Good. Gilgamesh, quite frankly, revels in your disgust.]

I don't think much of anything. I simply know. It comes with the territory.

[showmeyourwreath]

[curses him to always have spinach in his teeth tbh]

Enlighten me.

[babbylon]

Flora. Do you have something like a god in your world? A being that came before all others?

[showmeyourwreath]

[She's suspicious, but she asked, and will answer. The concept of gods is not one she knows, but the latter part is.]

The Great Dragon. Born of light, she created the Magic Dimension, spreading it, life, and heat throughout the universe with her sacred fire.

[babbylon]

I am like that dragon. I was born as fire, with the power to create and to destroy. I, Gilgamesh, bear the blood of gods and of men, and from my legend spawned countless others—the very concept of a Hero begins, and subsequently ends, with me.

[She asked for enlightenment and so received it. He's not fooling around here. This story is very much the real deal.]

Therefore, you must understand; when I speak of humans, it is my right to govern them. No higher crown exists than mine. It is ingrained in my consciousness, tied to my very existence. I, Gilgamesh, who saw the deep and conquered the Bull of Heaven, stand highest of all.