video; un: eraserhead

[eyedrop]

[ Aizawa's lolling against some tree somewhere. Terrible, slumped posture; hair wild about his face. His expression is neutral, bordering on irritable, and his voice is an exhausted monotone. He sits with one leg folded over the other, idly tossing a cat figurine from hand to hand. ]

Hey. Myself and a few others did some looking around. Apparently, both the sea clan and the mountain clan have their allies--but they're not within easy reach. In the case of the sea clan, the empress's brother is married to some far-off queen. The mountain clan's allies aren't too nearby, either.

[ He shifts minutely. His eyes flutter briefly shut, and he sighs. ]

Point being, war between these two would be irrational. The old man we spoke with said no one really wants to start anything, but I don't know how true that is. I haven't tried to approach the nobles.

[ He really doesn't look or act the part, and he knows it. Nor does he have an escort. ]

If you've spoken to any of them, what's the mood? What do they want?

[ He cards a hand through his hair, frowning slightly. ]

They're the key to this, I think. Certainly the key to actually meeting that empress of theirs. So if you've got info, or if you've made any connections, spill it.

Comments

voice | un: RHY5-W1NZ

[dbag]

You want to leave her a letter. By breaking in to her castle. And leaving our names. So she'll know who broke in. And then arrest us and never talk to us at all because we broke in to her castle.

Slow clap it out, everyone. We're all gonna die.

[rhinostagros]

Fine. I'll just leave my own name if you're so afraid.

[refashioned]

Let's consider that a plan B. We have a plan A.

[rhinostagros]

[ Maybe hanging out with adults who break into places is rubbing off on him.

He tries to sound levelheaded for a moment because, well... this response doesn't rile him up as much as Inuyasha and Rhys does. ]

...Yeah. Plan B or a last resort, fine. It's an option. I understand that there are other plans being discussed right now.

[refashioned]

You being able to get into places undetected will be important down the line. It might even be important in trying to figure out whether our ruse is working.

[rhinostagros]

I'll be ready to help when that time comes. Sorry, maybe I should have told everyone earlier what I'm able to do...

[refashioned]

Last I checked, about fifty percent of us are new to this, myself included. I wouldn't be too hard on yourself.

[rhinostagros]

Still, I really wish there was something useful I could do now.

[refashioned]

Listen and read what everyone has to say here. For instance, the Celestial Mountain's Empress was appointed, not born into her role. How she acts her may determine whether anyone cares to actually follow her.

[rhinostagros]

It's a whole lot to take in, but I'm trying. I... also overheard the royal guards while I was in the noble's district. Nothing that hasn't already been said here, [ so he thought it wasn't worth sharing ] unless that reaffirms what kind of Empress she is.

[refashioned]

It means that people have a lot of expectations. If she's retreating like someone suggested, it might be too much pressure.

[dbag]

Aaaannnd then they're going to arrange a meeting between the Empress and some guy she can't even see.

[rhinostagros]

That part may be a problem... [ Yeah, he'll admit that. ] Look, it's just an idea. If it makes you happy, it's not the initial one we're going through with.

[dbag]

I'm not sure 'happy' is the word for the bare minimum of not scaring the Empress, but sure, I'm happy.

[rhinostagros]

What about you? Do you have any plans?

[dbag]

Uh, yeah, I was planning on avoiding a war and freaking out the Empress. That's about it. If you haven't noticed, they're nnnnot the biggest fans of men here. It's not like they're clamoring for my opinion.

[eyedrop]

Yeah, this guy's right.

[ Rhys? Rhys. SKINNY GUY. ]

That plan is not rational.

[dbag]

I don't know, it's perfectly rational if we all want to die gruesome deaths at the hands of an executioner. Screw diplomacy, right? Let's just bum-rush a castle and corner an Empress! Haha. Ha. Ha.

[ he's laughin but he's dyin inside ]

[eyedrop]

[ Aizawa sighs. ]

Hopefully it won't come to that.

[ It seems like the more aggressive plans have been set aside, for now. ]

[dbag]

But if it does.

If someone maybe, you know, goes rogue or something.

I'm just saying, maybe we should have a plan to, um. Neutralize them.

[eyedrop]

[ He doesn't particularly relish the idea of fighting his teammates. But ... ]

I'll do whatever I have to do.

[dbag]

Whatever? Like...

[ why is he whispering this is over the network ]

Are you carrying? Like, packing? Are you strapped?

[eyedrop]

[ boy ]

I have a weapon, if that's what you're trying to say. It's not a gun, though.

[dbag]

Okay, fine, whatever — and you're willing to use it if somebody tries to screw everything up for us. [ Oh, that sounds evil. He adds: ] Just as a warning! Not actually hurting them.

...I mean, unless you have to. Then go for it.

[eyedrop]

[ Even over the network, Aizawa feels the radiation of Rhys's nervous energy. Reminds him of someone. ]

I'm pretty sure it won't come to that. But thanks for the vote of confidence.