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[the rolling knot of tension that runs through him hasn't quite abated just yet - the resentment that pooled in his limb remains. and after losing his temper at his Witch, lingering in the abandoned theater was less inviting. so he goes out, while the world cleans up after the initial chaos, and walks.
keeping to himself, even a man dressed in all black can get by. he weaves around others and keeps his pace the one of a man with places to be, things to say, and so far, it's alright. it helps that he hasn't been mutated like the rest - though the loss of control seemed to compensate. his thoughts run dark and brooding, calculating and planning-
until he catches sight of long green hair, and he pauses in his aimless walk to observe. those are familiar enough locks, given all that occurred to Chaldea, but he'd rather be right than act a fool and try to avoid them.]
keeping to himself, even a man dressed in all black can get by. he weaves around others and keeps his pace the one of a man with places to be, things to say, and so far, it's alright. it helps that he hasn't been mutated like the rest - though the loss of control seemed to compensate. his thoughts run dark and brooding, calculating and planning-
until he catches sight of long green hair, and he pauses in his aimless walk to observe. those are familiar enough locks, given all that occurred to Chaldea, but he'd rather be right than act a fool and try to avoid them.]
[Their horns have grown longer now. Not much but enough to make them worry a little. Would it mean that they'd revert to the beast they once were? That they would not have any sort of choice anymore? Next to that they know they want to get out of this city, to find the forest again and rest there. Just wait it all out. After all, this is a problem that should be solved by the humans. They had to clean up, they had to repair the damages done...
Enkidu stops walking to touch their horns for a moment.
It seems to be silent. The humans aren't tearing each other up anymore so it seems. The only other presence in this street is this man in black. And it seems he is fond of staring at them. So all there is left is to find out why he is staring.
Enkidu walks over to him, eyes narrowing a little.]
Ah.
[A familiar face. Another servant.]
Avenger. [They look around themselves before they start to speak again.] I wish I could say I am surprised to see you here.
Enkidu stops walking to touch their horns for a moment.
It seems to be silent. The humans aren't tearing each other up anymore so it seems. The only other presence in this street is this man in black. And it seems he is fond of staring at them. So all there is left is to find out why he is staring.
Enkidu walks over to him, eyes narrowing a little.]
Ah.
[A familiar face. Another servant.]
Avenger. [They look around themselves before they start to speak again.] I wish I could say I am surprised to see you here.
[his eyes flick up to check behind Lancer's back, his guard high as he studies their expression to judge their attitude. not hostile, not maddened like some of the others. he can work with that.]
Is it reason of the chaos in this world that you say that, Lancer, or something else? Though it feels like a man can overturn only a few stones before one of our kind crosses his path here.
[too many for his comfort.]
I have no quarrel with you. This is the work of mere chance.
Is it reason of the chaos in this world that you say that, Lancer, or something else? Though it feels like a man can overturn only a few stones before one of our kind crosses his path here.
[too many for his comfort.]
I have no quarrel with you. This is the work of mere chance.
[The expression on Enkidu's face remains neutral.]
Hm? What would that other reason be, then? [After asking that question they move to touch one of their horns once again. It has become a bit of a habit now. It is strange that they are there again. So very, very strange. They have not wanted any of this.]
I do not think it is wise to fight or disagree while there is so much chaos around us. [They pause.] If you were Ishtar, that would be another matter. [They would throw things at you, Avenger.]
Hm? What would that other reason be, then? [After asking that question they move to touch one of their horns once again. It has become a bit of a habit now. It is strange that they are there again. So very, very strange. They have not wanted any of this.]
I do not think it is wise to fight or disagree while there is so much chaos around us. [They pause.] If you were Ishtar, that would be another matter. [They would throw things at you, Avenger.]
[the chuckle from his lips does not entirely lack humor.]
I am not Ishtar, and rest assured, I have not encountered her in this world. Such a presence would make herself known sooner rather than later.
[she's not to his taste in conversational partners. he knows to leave well enough alone when it comes to divinity.]
There is enough to handle without reopening old wounds on anyone.
I am not Ishtar, and rest assured, I have not encountered her in this world. Such a presence would make herself known sooner rather than later.
[she's not to his taste in conversational partners. he knows to leave well enough alone when it comes to divinity.]
There is enough to handle without reopening old wounds on anyone.
Hmph. Even though these wounds are old they will never properly heal.
[Despite the neutral tone of their voice the look on Enkidu's darkens for a couple of seconds. They really don't have any love for this particular goddess.
They open their mouth to say something else but the moment they want to they stop. Something is stinging on top of their head and they take a step back to take a feel. There is a lump there. And they are very sure it hasn't been there before.]
Avenger? [Without any further ado they lower themselves a little and brush a lot of hair aside.] Can you see if there is something on my head here? [Enkidu takes a step closer and starts to point out the spot.] Here? It is here.
[Despite the neutral tone of their voice the look on Enkidu's darkens for a couple of seconds. They really don't have any love for this particular goddess.
They open their mouth to say something else but the moment they want to they stop. Something is stinging on top of their head and they take a step back to take a feel. There is a lump there. And they are very sure it hasn't been there before.]
Avenger? [Without any further ado they lower themselves a little and brush a lot of hair aside.] Can you see if there is something on my head here? [Enkidu takes a step closer and starts to point out the spot.] Here? It is here.
[a look of confusion crosses his face, but he steps closer to try to see.]
I can, yes.
[peering at Lancer's head, he looked for what could be out of the ordinary. aside from those horns, but everyone seemed to be changing nowadays.]
I can, yes.
[peering at Lancer's head, he looked for what could be out of the ordinary. aside from those horns, but everyone seemed to be changing nowadays.]
...Yes. Yes, Lancer, you are.
[that's definitely the start of another horn under all that hair, and who's to say why or how it came to be?]
Is it causing you pain?
[that's definitely the start of another horn under all that hair, and who's to say why or how it came to be?]
Is it causing you pain?
[Enkidu pulls a face when the other says that.]
It must be this mist. [Yes, that is actually a bit of a pout. They're annoyed by this because really, have they reached the point where they cannot control their own clay anymore either?] Hmn.
[They blink at Avenger's question.]
It is uncomfortable. I...I don't really know how to describe the feeling. [Slowly they stand up straight again, brushing hair out of their face as they do.] I am not sure if pain feels the same for me as it feels for a human. [Slowly they touch the bump again. Right on top of their head.] Hmm...definitely uncomfortable.
It must be this mist. [Yes, that is actually a bit of a pout. They're annoyed by this because really, have they reached the point where they cannot control their own clay anymore either?] Hmn.
[They blink at Avenger's question.]
It is uncomfortable. I...I don't really know how to describe the feeling. [Slowly they stand up straight again, brushing hair out of their face as they do.] I am not sure if pain feels the same for me as it feels for a human. [Slowly they touch the bump again. Right on top of their head.] Hmm...definitely uncomfortable.
"Uncomfortable" is close enough.
[he pushes down the thoughts of what the mist has done to him - tried to crack its way into the heart of his flame in favor of eyeing the other with care.]
Is there anything else strange that you feel, apart from these horns? In your body or in your spirit - the answer is important.
[he's reminded of hearing about urges, and he'd not like to be caught off guard around such a powerful Servant.]
[he pushes down the thoughts of what the mist has done to him - tried to crack its way into the heart of his flame in favor of eyeing the other with care.]
Is there anything else strange that you feel, apart from these horns? In your body or in your spirit - the answer is important.
[he's reminded of hearing about urges, and he'd not like to be caught off guard around such a powerful Servant.]
Yes. [Before Avenger might know it Enkidu invades his private space again, looking at him curiously. Because really, aren't they affected as well? No horns? No wings? No urge to kill or fight?]
You seem unaffected.
[Then they smile and step back again.]
I have been a beast before, I have decided to not want to be one again. [Despite that, the urge is there. They manage to suppress it and remain calm but it is definitely there.] Well... [Now Avenger mentions that.] ...do you consider yourself a heroic spirit or the human being you once was?
You seem unaffected.
[Then they smile and step back again.]
I have been a beast before, I have decided to not want to be one again. [Despite that, the urge is there. They manage to suppress it and remain calm but it is definitely there.] Well... [Now Avenger mentions that.] ...do you consider yourself a heroic spirit or the human being you once was?
[the tension that rockets through him is visible at close quarters. he's so affected by the mist that the subtleties in his demeanor are harder to maintain, and it's still there even when Enkidu steps back. it's not helped by the question he's being asked, and he laughs once - a cruel, sharp thing.]
Both ideas are far removed from reality. I am the incarnation of a man's wicked fantasy that he put to paper and the world pored over to sate their ceaseless urge for entertainment. And from that, I am that fantasy's shadow and misdeeds given a body, a voice. I am curses and despair poured into a shell - my soul is not that of a human.
[the words drip with bitterness, yet Dantes speaks them with conviction.]
Heroic? Do not make me laugh again, Lancer. I dwell beyond love and hatred, and am here because our master desires me to exist and fight. There is nothing noble in that.
I am the King of the Cavern, if you so wish an answer from me.
Both ideas are far removed from reality. I am the incarnation of a man's wicked fantasy that he put to paper and the world pored over to sate their ceaseless urge for entertainment. And from that, I am that fantasy's shadow and misdeeds given a body, a voice. I am curses and despair poured into a shell - my soul is not that of a human.
[the words drip with bitterness, yet Dantes speaks them with conviction.]
Heroic? Do not make me laugh again, Lancer. I dwell beyond love and hatred, and am here because our master desires me to exist and fight. There is nothing noble in that.
I am the King of the Cavern, if you so wish an answer from me.
[That sounds rather...ominous. Enkidu has to blink a couple of times, really.]
You sound like it is something you do not want to be. Why don't you become something else then? I have spoken to other servants and they seem to be fond of breaking free from what they once were.
[It seems simple. And in the end it is really quite simple. All you have to do is make a choice, pick the path you want to walk upon. And funny enough, Enkidu cannot pick a path at all this time. In fact, they've lost all sense of direction.
How unusual.]
Maybe they can be of help. [They pause and take their time to touch the bump on their head again.] I am afraid I cannot be much of help when it comes to these matters.
You sound like it is something you do not want to be. Why don't you become something else then? I have spoken to other servants and they seem to be fond of breaking free from what they once were.
[It seems simple. And in the end it is really quite simple. All you have to do is make a choice, pick the path you want to walk upon. And funny enough, Enkidu cannot pick a path at all this time. In fact, they've lost all sense of direction.
How unusual.]
Maybe they can be of help. [They pause and take their time to touch the bump on their head again.] I am afraid I cannot be much of help when it comes to these matters.
I don't want their help.
[blunt and forward. how can he explain it without railing on against man, destiny, the whole world? it was ill fortune and the course of humanity, it was his sham of a life.]
It is not about what I want. There is nothing else I can become. There is nothing I would become. Let the others carry on their merry way of reforging their lives from the ashes - I am continually burning, and when I stop, I will cease to be in my entirety. Do you now understand?
[blunt and forward. how can he explain it without railing on against man, destiny, the whole world? it was ill fortune and the course of humanity, it was his sham of a life.]
It is not about what I want. There is nothing else I can become. There is nothing I would become. Let the others carry on their merry way of reforging their lives from the ashes - I am continually burning, and when I stop, I will cease to be in my entirety. Do you now understand?
What do you mean, lost?
[he knows where he is. in a strange world with new rules to learn and weave around until he gets the hang of it.]
[he knows where he is. in a strange world with new rules to learn and weave around until he gets the hang of it.]
[Oh, it is so annoying to feel that third horn pushing through and for a second there's a very big frown on Enkidu's face.]
Hmm. How to describe it best... [They are silent for a moment.] When you lost all purpose. That you have to walk a path that leads to something unknown. It is somewhat exciting yet, there is no the knowledge how to walk said path. So you wander or you stop.
We have to bond with strangers, we have to cast away what we have been and the memories we have. Promises we made, contracts we agreed to. They do not matter here.
Hmm. How to describe it best... [They are silent for a moment.] When you lost all purpose. That you have to walk a path that leads to something unknown. It is somewhat exciting yet, there is no the knowledge how to walk said path. So you wander or you stop.
We have to bond with strangers, we have to cast away what we have been and the memories we have. Promises we made, contracts we agreed to. They do not matter here.
Hmph. I didn't consider you so weak, Lancer.
[the words are harsh, but his eyes burn with conviction. before the other Servant can take offense, he continues.]
Is your purpose so easily rattled that a change in location is enough to displace it? It is still there, waiting at the end of your path - you are only taking a different route, moving through space and time to rejoin your journey! Nothing should be cast away, for it is yours still to bear and honor! To forsake it simply because you have been brought to a new world is foolish. Every promise you made still holds its weight, and if you let it go now, it is only because you were looking for an excuse to discard it in the first place.
[the words are harsh, but his eyes burn with conviction. before the other Servant can take offense, he continues.]
Is your purpose so easily rattled that a change in location is enough to displace it? It is still there, waiting at the end of your path - you are only taking a different route, moving through space and time to rejoin your journey! Nothing should be cast away, for it is yours still to bear and honor! To forsake it simply because you have been brought to a new world is foolish. Every promise you made still holds its weight, and if you let it go now, it is only because you were looking for an excuse to discard it in the first place.
Hmm, I can hear that your words are meant to comfort me. Thank you.
[Really, you have to do a lot to offend Enkidu, Avenger.]
Yet it is quite simple. Weapons are made to be used by someone. When they are left unused, they will rot.
[And that is what they are, a weapon without an owner. When they turn towards the other again the look on their face is everything except that of someone who feels insulted. It is perfectly neutral.]
May I ask you... are you bonded to someone?
[Really, you have to do a lot to offend Enkidu, Avenger.]
Yet it is quite simple. Weapons are made to be used by someone. When they are left unused, they will rot.
[And that is what they are, a weapon without an owner. When they turn towards the other again the look on their face is everything except that of someone who feels insulted. It is perfectly neutral.]
May I ask you... are you bonded to someone?
Why do you ask? Are you curious to know what it is?
[his bonding was his own secret, for now. a necessity, not something he wants to spread everywhere.]
[his bonding was his own secret, for now. a necessity, not something he wants to spread everywhere.]
They are a distasteful hindrance to our existence in this place. And yet, the consequences to be dire if we resist.
[this isn't answering the question, but he levels his eyes on Enkidu.]
When you come to grips with the fact that you will require one, insist that whoever it is take you as a partner, not a weapon. It will give you more sway in whatever choice you have made.
[it's the best advice he can give.]
[this isn't answering the question, but he levels his eyes on Enkidu.]
When you come to grips with the fact that you will require one, insist that whoever it is take you as a partner, not a weapon. It will give you more sway in whatever choice you have made.
[it's the best advice he can give.]
We'll explode. I have heard that.
[They look at the other.]
We'll die.
[Enkidu frowns as they say that.]
Yet it isn't death itself that hurts. It is saying goodbye. [Finally they shake their head.] I rather fulfil my purpose, Avenger. It is better if I do. I wish you good luck with the bond you made. Yet I want to advice you to never call your partner a distasteful hindrance in front of them.
[They look at the other.]
We'll die.
[Enkidu frowns as they say that.]
Yet it isn't death itself that hurts. It is saying goodbye. [Finally they shake their head.] I rather fulfil my purpose, Avenger. It is better if I do. I wish you good luck with the bond you made. Yet I want to advice you to never call your partner a distasteful hindrance in front of them.
They know my sentiments on bonding. That this is just a matter of business to avoid dying. I'll call the bond what I like.
[frankly, he was lucky to have found someone so quick who was willing to keep his secrets. it freed his mind to worry about a thousand other things.]
[frankly, he was lucky to have found someone so quick who was willing to keep his secrets. it freed his mind to worry about a thousand other things.]
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