( video ) un: achilles

[heelies]

[As when storm-bruised clouds cast their dark pall over the sky, a harbinger of the torrent and tempest to come, so appears the countenance of Peleus' son. He is harnessed in the glorious armor that lame-foot Hephaestus did forge for him, and upon his head fiercely glints the golden helmet which once served as a beacon to the Myrmidons and all of the vast host of war-loving Argives. Like the thunder that is hurled by almighty Zeus who bears the aegis, his voice roars out over the network.]

Koltira, you whose heart is blackened with vile hatred! Hear now the son of Peleus, Achilles, best of all the Achaeans - I whose pride was rent by your blade when you did raise arms without first issuing a proper challenge as is honorable between warriors. I demand that you meet me in single combat, that I may avenge myself and slake my spear upon your blood. Meet me then to the east of the town ere the sun touches the far horizon, where it settles for the night into the couch of the desert - unless the worm of cowardice burrows deep within your breast to weaken your fighting spirit!

It is for this reason that I give my challenge in this public forum, that others may bear witness and hold you accountable to this duel. What say you, Koltira? Recoil not from the bloodshed you so take pleasure in! Long has my anger rankled in my breast, and long has my pride festered without salve potent enough to soothe it, for the cure lies only in victory by dint of my spear. Thus, today I wait no more!

[In the colloquialisms of the locals: This town ain't big enough for the both of us.]

Comments

audio; un: fiona

[cachemoney]

Ohhh, my god. Just whip it out and get a ruler already.

not here

[pummelling]

[it's fiona and he hates her but he's a grown-up and laughed in spite of himself]

video; un: white_lotus

[pummelling]

[ok. this last week has been pretty Traumatic and all, but... really... who doesn't fucking love drama like this dude loves drama???? serious concerns about it can come later but for now he's so excited holy shit]

Well, that was pretty intense.

[heelies]

Such is the rage that blackens my heart for this menace to all that is honorable. How can I rest until comes the time that I may claim from him my pride, which he has taken for his trophy as men will often pry the splendid armor from the body of a felled enemy?

video; un. flameo hotman!

[twinkle_toes]

[aang was about to be super excited over achilles making an important announcement but now he's just sad. w2g]

Wait. You're going to fight Koltira? Why?

[heelies]

[For the boy his voice dulls somewhat from the sharp edge he has inflicted upon others, yet still his ire gleams brightly.]

Young Aang, as you are not yet on the cusp of manhood, you've not yet learned how fiercely burns the breast of a warrior. Black-hearted Koltira has trespassed most grievously against my honor by besting me not in fair combat, but by raising his blade when no duel was declared. It is for this reason that I challenge him to test his glowing arms against mine once more.

voice, @TARANTO

[heavyhitter]

Oh my god, what the fuck happened?

voice; un: white_lotus

[pummelling]

His pride was rent by Koltira's blade, when he did raise arms without first issuing a proper challenge.

You know. As is honorable between warriors.

video; un: G.SLQHV

[twinpeak]

—Whoa, whoa, wait a sec! Do you really have to do this?

[heelies]

Indeed I must, young Dipper, else this rage that lives caged within my breast shall gnaw at me evermore. Already I have delayed my vengeance for far too long through these hardships that come one after another, and I grow weary of waiting. How can I rest while this menace who has made of me a mockery walks among this crew unchallenged?

audio ; un: unknownrealms

[headlining]

[literally keats right now]

Wow, didn't know one on one duels for one's honor were still in style. This isn't to the death though, is it?

[heelies]

You speak as one who hails from the later ages of men, wherein it seems to me that all sense of honor has crumbled as would a cliff weakened by the unremitting work of the waves that crash upon it year after year. Am I to trade the noble customs of the well-greaved Achaeans for those of sniveling cowards? Those who possess fighting spirit within their breasts and bravery within their blood shall take up arms in what causes they see fit, and those whose hearts have been utterly abandoned to weakness shall have no say in the matter, for they have forfeited the right.

video | un: lavellan

[strikingtwice]

With everything else going on, is this really necessary? Does your pride really matter more than trying to help the people here?

[heelies]

Who among this company can claim that I've not helped the wild-eyed Qorral? Have I not raised arms on their behalf, lacking though they may be in the customs of hospitality which the Danaans uphold? Have I not toiled that they may have peace at last, rid of the relentless assaults of bandits and the god-hating Deemers? This matter of my pride I have left off for far too long already - no words shall sway me from that which I must do.

un: sieglindesullivan / video

[grunehexe]

[Ah. So Achilles saw it, too. She should have known something foul and born of men's pride would come of this... but sadly, she doesn't see Koltira as refusing... or Achilles as taking this back, so...]

It is best to respect the discord born between these two and allow them to sort it out in their own way.

I urge everyone to be wise and avoid the area of the duel at the appointed time, these are both powerful men- I and another healer can make ourselves available to see to the aftermath, so there is little need to worry.

[Nothing to see here. Move along.]

video | un: lucina

[tolight]

[ Lucina absolutely refuses to acknowledge Achilles because she knows it'll just devolve into angry shouting — and that's the last thing she needs to do. Publicly embarrass herself on the network.

Attempts at dissuading curious passerbys, however, she can stand behind. ] If you require assistance keeping anyone else from getting injured, I can station myself outside of the fight.

video

[moneyballer]

Oh hell yes.

[Guess who loves drama.]

Somebody's about to get their ass whooped.

audio | un: lucina

[tolight]

I hardly think this is a cause to celebrate. [ Do you hear the disapproval in her words, Asher. ]

video;

[daimeinashi]

You are going to die.

[Said in a flat tone of voice, as if he were saying "it is going to rain today." And he figures probably someone should stop this man, but really, if he's this stupid then he's worthless to the team anyway.]

text

[moneyballer]

👿👿👿👿👿

audio; username: julius

[viscontree]

I understand that a duel is considered to be honorable in some cases.

The pride of an individual isn't something that is so easily quelled. Should you find yourself injured afterwards you're welcome to ask for my assistance.

Try not to overdo it, please.

[heelies]

You speak with words much after my own heart, stranger. You seem to me a more worthy man than these who give false counsel in a matter wherein none was asked for nor needed. However, if I do not fight with the full degree of my strength, sharpened ever more in the forge of my fury, then how can I hope to seize victory?

[Sorry, but his real name is Achilles "ZERO CHILL" son of Peleus.]

video; un: deathweaver

[respired]

[ Koltira's voice is tight with barely restrained rage. ]

Do not do this, Achilles.

[heelies]

[Whereas his words bear the full thrust of his fury, lashed as are the wine-dark waves beneath the gales of a storm.]

It is you who began this enmity and you who burdened me with this rage, Koltira - thus, you must accept the consequences. Do not rob from me my chance to answer your blade with my spear in single combat, else I shall loathe you all the more.

audio; un: cardmaster

[fateality]

All this poetic talk of honor is awfully interesting from a self-proclaimed gentleman such as yourself.

[heelies]

What mean you by these winged words that are veiled in vagueness? If you have an insult to lay against me, then speak it outright.

UN: LOKI. AUDIO.

[selfimage]

Were you looking for an audience?

[ he sounds curious. ]

[heelies]

Loki, clever god of Asgard, well do I know of how the gods take interest in the quarrels of men, finding sport and drama both therein. I care not if any choose to bear witness to this match, for whether it passes before the eyes of men or out of sight, it shall pass all the same - and all shall hear of who has claimed victory, and of how splendid was the battle.

video; un: coolskeleton95

[boneafide]

[ has achilles met the talking skeleton yet?

well, he has now. ]

NO, NO, NO NO- NO!

[heelies]

What godcraft is this, that a man absent flesh and blood might walk among the living! And what mean you with such protest as this? As I have before said, no words shall sway me from my path, especially not such weak rhetoric that has not the power to sway the thinnest blade of grass!

[Alas, that the shock of seeing an animated skeleton is not quite tremendous enough to shake him from his present fury.]

video ( m.upshur ).

[upshur]

That's a roundabout way to ask someone to PVP you at dusk.

What an asshole.

[ :* phone tag for u ]

[heelies]

In my ears your words are as the babbling of a brook, whose eddies carry only nonsense from which men may discern no meaning. Speak when you have upon your tongue some worthy thought to share.

[What an asshole indeed.]

audio; un: Evening Spider

[araigneedusoir]

[She's just...going to sigh, because really.]

Do we really have time for this?

yikes

[heelies]

If you have not the time for this duel then avert your womanish eyes elsewhere and leave battle to men.

[Current mood.]

voice | un: Sasaki

[ex_adept136]

[Haise sincerely doubts he's going to be able to talk Achilles out of this, as ill-advised as he believes it to be given what bits he knows of Koltira's strength. That doesn't stop him from pointing out that the timing is pretty problematic, however]

I understand that [pride] honor is especially important to you, but is this really the best time? Fighting among ourselves when we're in hostile territory, for all intents and purposes...

[It strikes him as the best appeal he can make. If the myth he's read is accurate, Achilles' pride and anger are powerful forces, but he does have experience with war, and must know this could go badly]

You could be making yourself and Koltira into targets.

[heelies]

Haise, son of Sasaki - you too would try to deter me from the path that restores the honor that was wrongfully robbed from me? Even you, who have heard of my legend and thus must know how brightly burns my rage and pride both - you would dismiss this matter as inconsequential in the face of these our present trials? Long have I nursed my injured pride while the wild-eyed Qorral suffer one calamity after another, but no more shall I wait. How ever can I be at peace while this wound goes unaddressed, lacking balm and bandages both?

Moreover, you have seen - surely, you have seen - how he flaunts fast-dancing Olivia by his side, she who I once claimed for my wife. He does this while still my heart grieves for her loss. Such an insult as this cannot go unanswered!

audio; un: JASPER

[hardnosed]

[ oh hell no

in a true display of class and restraint, however, she manages to hold back from overtly snarling!! for the sake of the deets ]

You. You're a human.

[heelies]

A mortal man I am indeed, but why do you tell me that which I already know perfectly well?

audio | @shirogane

[racking]

[ oh gOD ]

This is a very bad idea.

[heelies]

I asked not for the counsel of strangers - my rage, which like a river in winter's spate courses through my breast to fill me completely, compels me toward only this end. Do not waste another breath purposing to deter me therefore.

audio; un: urahara (keywords relevant)

[predomination]

Well, I hope no one is stupid enough to actually try to stop this.

[look he doesn't think NOW IS THE TIME for dick measuring, but he's from Soul Society and Achilles would probably be a very florid Kenpachi on any other day, so like... this is pretty standard.]

omfg

[heelies]

Indeed it would be wise that those who disapprove, those who are servants to the weaker customs of far-flung ages and thus spit upon the old and noble traditions, simply leave this battle to those who are destined to bear its burden.

video; | un: Princess aka i'm so sorry

[assent]

[ Things lately have been incredibly messy, which is saying something when someone has only been here a few weeks and has already had to deal with so much. It's why she isn't taking this as seriously as she should do and she probably should have listened to or watched other people's responses before excitedly doing her own.

Her eyes are sparkling, she looks so happy. ] I did not realise people also used this for plays!

[ Well it's also because that was a very flowery way to say COME AT ME BRO lbr ]

bless u liah

[heelies]

[Her delight throws him off kilter just enough to dampen his fury from its present inferno to low-burning ire when he answers.]

What mean you by this, white-armed maiden?

[He hails from an era wherein the Golden Age of Athens, whose rich culture yielded the immomrtal Greek tragedians, is but a distant point beyond the horizon. Sophocles, Euripides, and Aeschylus have not yet penned their plays about Achilles' comrades, his family, and even himself, nor have the theaters yet been erected on whose stages actors assume these revered roles. Instead he knows the songs of bards and the stories their music weaves.]

Video

[kikoku]

[Now, if you asked Law directly, he'd say he doesn't like Achilles. He's overly verbose and dramatic, and has a fair number of questionable opinions. That said, he's never shown to be anything less than a proud but well-intentioned man. Also as far as Law knows Olivia still cares about what happens to this loud idiot.]

Explain to me what exactly makes you think this is a good idea, especially given the time and place we're currently in. Don't make more work for Liv-ya and the rest of us just because of something as meaningless as your "honor" or whatever it is this is about.
[Between the saloon fire, the earthquakes, and fighting with the Deemers lately, there have been a lot of injuries to attend to. Even Law himself looks a bit worse for wear, but mostly he just looks and sounds incredibly tired.]

[heelies]

What matters little to you weighs heavily upon me. Indeed, what has a man if not his honor? I need no man's counsel in this matter, for my mind and heart are set as firmly as are the letters marked upon a tablet. Well do I know what strength black-hearted Koltira possesses, for I have already felt the brunt of his blade and his godcraft when last we met in combat. Although in this land the son of devious-minded Chronus wields not his bronze scales which on each side weighs the lots of men, it is for Fate to determine who shall be the victor and who shall be cast down into the country of the deceased.

Furthermore, it seems to me that what I choose to do is no longer any concern of Olivia's. Speak not her bittersweet name else you shall aggravate me further.

[His words turn cold and hollow as if composed of ice. She had once pleaded with him not to commit this very act he now hurtles toward as if inevitable: he remembers how her tears had dampened his chest and how her hands had curled in the torn and bloodied fabric of his tunic. Yet no longer would she suffer this burden.]

text | un: greencyborg

[backthatup]

This isn't about what situation that we're currently in. I know a few people that would fight one another regardless of what is happening. But Koltira isn't someone that you should fight. It isn't about who is better and honor, but what is right.

Koltira is someone that is in need of help and a better person than even he realizes. And [ Genji's inner peace ain't great when he thinks of Olivia being hurt. ] maybe YOU should not throw the word honor around.

[heelies]

[He sees the words appear before him in the shimmering mirage produced by the jewelry, yet to his eyes they hold no meaning. While usually he would will that the jewelry reads the message to him, he is at present short on patience, and so he instead gives these winged words.]

If you must make known you mind, then speak outright. I have not the time for such messages as these.

[Translation: I can't fucking read.]

[Video | un: tsukuyo]

[sekimorinashi]

Oh, for goodness' sake! Don't we have more important matters on our hands?

[ THIS IS RIDICULOUS why are you all actual children. Even Gintoki gets more done than you! ]

[heelies]

Do not confuse your own values for mine. What weighs heavily upon your shoulders is lighter upon mine, and so too what is naught but foam upon the sea or smoke upon the wind in your estimation is in mine the wine-dark sea itself or the fire that burns so bright.