text 💎 un: Tohsaka Rin

[defenceless]

[shortly after the storm clears on may 11th and the network connection between both sides of the group is reestablished, the following post appears:]

We're fine, as far as I know. I don't think anyone's dead, at least.

The storm that separated us was brought about by a Dakal named Pomarr. Some of you may remember her as our feline friend who sold her soul to Ryba—or whatever it is she did—to continue to live on after death.

She swept us to an island that looked like it was raised from the seafloor. It wasn't a vacation, but there were definitely remnants of what those big cats must have called home.

Her plan is to revive her entire race, in the same way Ryba "revived" her. As if life-or-death deals with shady goddesses aren't concerning enough, she wants to grant Ryba the power to carry out this mass revival by having her suck Nalanni dry. Pomarr understandably doesn't care much for Nalanni after she drowned everyone she loved; in fact, she showed us this in morbid detail. She's taken Nalanni. Hence, all the Nalawi losing their Gifts and all of this inconvenience we have to deal with.

Pomarr knows where Nalanni is, but she's asking us not to interfere, and she wouldn't give us the opportunity to speak with Nalanni when I requested it. For some reason, she didn't expect that we would be suffering like the Nalawi are. She's promised to try to fix that.

What do we do now, ALASTAIR? I can share anything else you want to know about our meeting with Pomarr, or Yukimura Sanada-san or Mr. Keats can, but this is most of it. We have a situation where the balance of this whole world might be upended if we sit and twiddle our thumbs.

I don't think I need to remind anyone of the potential consequences of messing with either goddess. Or a litter of zombie cats roaming free.

(( ooc: infodump for rin, yukimura, and keats' conversation with a dakal npc, for one of the plot slots! feel free to handwave your character (in either the marooned group or the left behind group) learned this info by reading the post or talking with rin/yukimura/keats/another recruit. yukimura and keats may also be replying to tags! ))

Comments

[babbylon]

Then you would abandon me?

[He's more hurt than he's letting on. To everyone else, he'll just seem dismissive.]

[muddlesome]

I will never abandon you. But I will not feel the sting of your recklessness a second time, my friend. We go wisely or we go not at all.

["Calm your tits or I'ma knock you out" in its most polite form.]

[babbylon]

[The answers soothes him. Somewhat. Though he's still looking pretty cross.]

And what is the wisest path?

[muddlesome]

[Annnnd to video. For this face. The expression is crucial.]

Not making enemies of our allies seems to me a good start.

[babbylon]

If they are against me, then they are no allies of mine.

[muddlesome]

You are being childish.

[babbylon]

And you are being a coward.

[muddlesome]

To learn is to be alive. Should I reverse that process? As your friend I find no meaning in your actions. As your weapon I will comply.

You must choose.

[babbylon]

No, I mustn't.

[And that's that.]

Do as you will; hide if it pleases you. But I shall fight, as it pleases me.

[muddlesome]

And when it is you that your thoughtlessness has killed, I will mourn and place flowers on the grave of the king. Women will cry and tear at their clothes and I will say sadly, "ah, here lies the Great Gilgamesh, struck down by his own blindness. In his rashness, he acted first, and thought not at all. Take heed all heroes who come after him, and consider that there is something to be said for using strategy in place of selfish stupidity."

[Someone is having none of your nonsense, Gilgamesh.]

[babbylon]

[Laughing, bitterly.]

None here would shed tears for me. Your narrative has many holes, friend.

[muddlesome]

I would.

[babbylon]

Then weep now. For yourself, and for how you shame me.

tags you here too w/e

[unoradinary]

You know that's not true.

voice | un: archer - private

[anti_altruisms]

You should listen to your better half.

private;

[babbylon]

[Gilgamesh won't argue over the merits of better half, as he knows it very well to be true, but...]

You of all people must know that extermination sometimes proves necessary for the sake of balance. Do not deceive me, Archer; I know you are torn.

private;

[anti_altruisms]

I'm well aware.

[ He has slain countless numbers of people for the sake of balance so, of course, he understands what Gilgamesh is saying. On the other hand, he still isn't sold that it's the best solution they have. ]

Given our own weakened state, however, I'm more inclined to encourage caution.

[babbylon]

[Privately, Gilgamesh may be inclined to agree that nothing may change, even if they were to defeat these gods. However, pride dictates everything for this man. At least he entertains Archer's argument rather than dismissing it outright, a sign of considerable respect for his former rival.]

I have already pledged myself to this course of action. To back down now... I would look like a fool, and a coward besides.

private;

[anti_altruisms]

[ Pride, thankfully, doesn't factor into his own thoughts on the matter. At the very least, they can discuss this like adults. ]

Then don't.

[ He wouldn't expect Gilgamesh to change course and then announce it, on top of that. ]

Consider how much power has been taken from us and what it may cost you attempt to use the Gate or your most powerful weapons at their full capacity.

[babbylon]

It would be difficult.

[This much he can admit, even if he's underestimating the situation overall.]

But I believe I can do it. This Koltira, who vows to battle beside me... he's nearly the equal of a Servant. I am not alone by far.

[anti_altruisms]

And how much power, which has not only been taken from our ranks, but from the Nalawi themselves, will be directed squarely at you?

[babbylon]

I cannot say for certain.

[anti_altruisms]

At full strength, I could contest your arsenal with weapons of my own.

[ It worked once, at the very least, and while he isn't trying to brag, he is trying to put things in perspective. ]

It is not wise to abandon caution in favor of conceit.

[babbylon]

Perhaps not.

[But the implication here is that he will anyway, because he cannot help it. He cannot change who he is, nor would he. Not for anything. Not even if it killed him. Pride really was everything; it was the death of him in that doomed future, and it may very be the death of him here.

So be it. That is what made a King a King.]

Will you oppose me here, Archer? If you are so ordered?

[anti_altruisms]

If I am so ordered, yes.

[ They have reached an understanding, but they have both always known that Archer will prioritize Rin over everything else.

It's nothing personal. It's simply how it is. ]