futurology | ( video ) un: achilles

[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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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

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.

Let me put together some facts for you.

So you and Olivia were seeing each other, enough to be called husband and wife. An' yet, when your used-to-be-dead soulmate shows up, you just assumed it'd be all right if you had th' best of both worlds without a single word to be spoken to her beforehand.

Seems awfully lacking in honor to me, is all, treatin' somebody's wife like that.

[His darkened countenance twists now into a look of terrible fury, and his eyes flash as does the sky when strikes lightning.]

What know you, a perfect stranger, of my love for Olivia? Speak not on such matters which concern you not, for still my heart is heavy for the loss of one so dear. Moreover, you shall regard with more respect the son of Menoetius, worthy Patroclus, he who is loyal to me above all others.

It's quaint that he's loyal to you, but you got no sense of it for Olivia. Here you are, paradin' around like you got any sense of damned honor. Maybe you do love her, and maybe you do love him -- but damned if you aren't a selfish man about it, thinkin' you could have 'em both without anyone questioning it, without sayin' a damned word to her.

I don't know you. Don't reckon I've got any desire to. But I know what the hell a broken heart does to a person, and that ain't right. I've had the pleasure of workin' with Koltira, who you're challenging, in order to make sure she's rememberin' to eat because of you.

Some sense of honor.

[To imagine Olivia so wretched, and to know that he is the cause, his heart flinches. Even through the flickering images of the jewelry, it is plain upon his features how such barbed words pain him - yet soon this is consumed once more by his implacable ire.]

I shall not tolerate a stranger dragging into public such private matters as that which has come to pass between lovers. And you dare accuse me of lacking honor! Quell your tongue so crude, lest you stir my fury all the more for prodding at this wound so fresh.

Maybe you should'a considered that before doin' what you did, you idiot. An' she's no stranger to me. Can't say I give a damn about your feelings either way seein' what I saw.

I don't accuse you of anythin'. Just stating an outright fact. You lacked foresight, and you lack honor. All you got left is threatenin' a good man to a pointless fight.

[He had not wished to speak on the matter here in this public forum, yet as the stranger's prodding exacerbates his rage, he cannot help but give winged words.]

Mortal man that I am, how could I have foreseen that Fate would at the last moment lose sight of its designs and spare from the grim grip of death my beloved companion? Show me the man who is prepared for so astonishing a turn of fortune! Never had I any wish to burden with pain she whom I love still. It is Olivia who wished no longer to be my wife - what more would you have had me done?

On this matter I wish to speak no further. Thus I shall say only this: if indeed Koltira is a good man, then he shall not leave my challenge unanswered.

Edited 2016-12-15 03:31 (UTC)

Fate is awfully twisted in that way. [the pun that achilles isn't gonna get sadly dang] But all right.

[In as much as he'd rather not give Achilles the benefit of relinquishing the topic, he lets it go. He's said his piece, and he only regrets his words were not more biting.]

For your sake, I hope he doesn't.

What course Koltira takes, he alone shall determine. Should he answer my challenge, then no matter the outcome of our duel, the matter shall be laid to rest, to never again rankle within my breast nor his. Yet should he refuse, never shall there be end to this enmity. Knowing this, which seems the best course in your estimation?

Moreover, although you have pried into my private matters, I know not even so much as your name, stranger. Grant me this, that I might at least know the name of he who loathes me so. All the better to curse you, as you have cursed me.

I reckon it's a damned foolish thing to demand regardless. 'Course, I don't get stupid when I'm mad about somethin', but it sure seems typical with some folk like you.

I ain't pried in so much as I've seen, but sure. The name's Twisted Fate. Won't be the first man to curse my name, nor the last.

How rapidly your insults lose their heft, so many you have hurled at me since we began to speak!

So you are the one of whom the boy spoke just lately. I had thought it a curious name for a man, yet it seems that even your mother cursed her wretched lot on the day she birthed you.

Edited 2016-12-18 23:45 (UTC)

If you want more, I can do that for ya, but I figured I said what was most important.

Boy? [He hums.] Really, we're gonna do that "your mom" insults now? I figure an honorable man could do better than that.

["Your mom" jokes have not yet been invented in his era, and so this is still quite original, thank you very much.]

Then you must forgive me for neglecting to call too upon your father, who bestowed upon you so unfortunate a namesake.

Don't worry your head about it, honor bound. Neither of my parents named me that.

What manner of man chooses for himself so sinister a name? No matter - of words I grow weary while my heart longs for battle.

That's 'bout what I figured. It ain't like I'd be tellin' you, anyhow.

( video ) un: achilles

audio; un: cardmaster

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sorry for the wait!

no problem!

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