( 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

[moneyballer]

None of this is on you.

[She may not be on video, but he is, and so he attempts to make his expression very clear.

This is not a joke. He's taking this seriously.]

Again, I apologize for any... Grief that I caused you. We were both just trying to do the right thing back there.

[Cue a long, drawn out sigh:]

And, apparently! I cant even get that right. So, don't worry about it.

If anyone's an idiot here, it's me.

-> private

[tolight]

[ And now this conversation got Real and Lucina has, frankly, has had enough of having everything broadcasted on the network like this. So give her a minute, before she continues: ]

No. [ She recognizes this behavior all too well: the self-deprecation, the belief that their own attempts at being good mean nothing to the rest of the world. ]

That's not true. [ Which is why her voice comes out with a certain authority, determination and all ( the perks of being a princess, or something ). ] You did do the right thing, Asher.

[ And while the embarrassment and the grief may be real, she can swallow that down for this. ]

[moneyballer]

[He should deny everything, and to be frank, he's about to.

But god, he needs this.

Just to keep going.]

Thank you.

[Asher sounds as though there's something caught in his throat.]

That means a lot.

[More than you know.]

[tolight]

Of course.

[ It's the least she can do, after watching him apologize for the misunderstanding to many others. ] I wouldn't have said it if I believed you did not deserve it. [ And if she hears his voice change, she chooses not to comment on it. ]

[moneyballer]

[Does he, though?

Asher isn't too sure.]

We're all trying our best here, right?

Or at least, some of us are.

[tolight]

I'd like to think so, yes. That's what a team is for, after all. [ For most, anyway.

Anyway— ] ... That said, if you ever require my assistance, please, don't hesitate.

[moneyballer]

[Asher offers her a smile, warm but colored with a tinge of embarrassment.]

I'll keep that in mind.

Thanks.