( 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

[heelies]

These may be your priorities, but they are not mine. How far must stretch my duty toward the wild-eyed Qorral? Already I have donned armor and raised spear and shield on their behalf a dozen times, although I am hardly beholden to their race, bound as loosely as I am by their makeshift hospitality. Already I have borne this wound for far too long while I see to the calamities that befall this town. No longer can I wait while this fury festers within my bosom.

Moreover, how long waited war-loving Ares to strike when there in the wood he saw Adonis, that mortal upon whom golden Aphrodite lavished her affections? How long waited Zeus and the full host of immortals upon sacred Olympus to punish the insolence of Tantalus, that wretch who fed to them a feast of his own children's flesh that he may delight in how easy to deceive are the gods? The gods strike decisively, and thus so too shall I.

[Alas, his gods are often as rash as he is...]

[pummelling]

O…kay.

[Wow, dick move, Achilles. Jin doesn’t flinch back, but his eyebrows furrow, thoughtful and yet nonetheless frustrated. And then it hits him. Honor, dishonor: his hold on literature’s far rustier than his studies of the alternate realms, but it’s clearly deeply vital to Achilles, in the way that it was to the Emperor of Outworld.

And Kotal Kahn, a would-be powerful ally, had ultimately betrayed them all. For the sake of his honor. For the insurance of his own kingdom.

Jin’s seen what Achilles is capable of, and he also knows what it feels like to get punched directly in the face by a demigod. If they fuck this one up… well, Zymandis won’t be the only issue that Audiences will have to deal with.]

Venerable Achilles, son of Peleus: he whose spear pierces the desert skies and the hearts of the wicked Taraxa. [God he hopes he’s actually killed some Deemers JUST GO WITH IT, JIN, LAY IT ON THICK.] We do not begrudge you your anger. [he certainly begrudges you not helping people in danger but like hell he’s gonna say that when it’s gone so well for everybody else.] But the god-tethers that hang this world in its place in the heavens fray.

[”God-tethers.” He’s giving him ten points AND a break for that one.]

If we don’t stop the Taraxa and the Qorral alike, the planet will fall in on itself. The entire universe might fall in on itself, and nothing’s going to exist anymore: not you, not Koltira, and definitely not your grudge. Like him or not, we need both of you to get through this.

sorry for the wait!

[heelies]

Your speech is fair and does honor me as so few among this crew have done with their words so sharp, valiant son of Kung. Nonetheless, what I must say I shall say outright: it is true that even the gods cannot forever remain angry, but I cannot yet lay aside my enmity for Koltira, not until we have met in single combat that I may test my full strength against his deadly blade and godcraft both. Not until then may my heart be at peace.

This too I must say: for all the time I have lent the labor of my hands and my spear to the House of ALASTAIR, I find it difficult to believe still that mortal man may determine the course of Fate, which is for the gods to uphold. I have shared the burdens of the cloven-footed Nalawi, and the squidges who in their course across the stars lost their way, and now the wild-eyed Qorral too. Yet I cannot see how the matters concerning these races should concern all the myriad races of men that live far across that vast sea of blackness in which float all planets. Now, however, is not the time for such a debate, not while the war cry howls within my breast.

I'M sorry for the wait

[pummelling]

[jin's so about 'valiant son of Kung' that I can't even describe it in bracket text without that emote

He wants to keep Achilles' opinion of him at least relatively positive: it's fairly clear that it's not something that's happened much, if at all, through the course of this temper tantrum demand to face Koltira. If he won't have the debate, neither will Jin. Stalling-- stalling is a good plan of action, if this so happens to be unavoidable.]

And nothing would convince you to lay your weapon aside? Not forever-- just for, I don't know, a few days?

The howl of war is not all that makes the great beast mighty. He too must preserve his pack, and if not that, himself.