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[ Is it strange, that Vira's priorities are aligned with love? Had she not said how important it was to her? People didn't seem to believe that, considering her demeanor, but it's true. ]
I will not fault ambition, though I may have stood in your way, if circumstances called for it. Because I am not someone who would give up what she wants, either.
[ She will admit it freely, because she would save the world if she had to, if it meant saving what she loved in it. She would destroy what she needs to, as well. ]
But had you discovered what you truly wanted, by the end of things?
I will not fault ambition, though I may have stood in your way, if circumstances called for it. Because I am not someone who would give up what she wants, either.
[ She will admit it freely, because she would save the world if she had to, if it meant saving what she loved in it. She would destroy what she needs to, as well. ]
But had you discovered what you truly wanted, by the end of things?
[ It is not that Medb doesn't think Vira wouldn't prioritize love, but she thinks it'd be her own love that would be a focal point rather than someone like hers. For someone who doesn't know if she knows what love is (even though she likes to think she does, even if though she thinks she should), the stakes in this place only rise the longer they stay. ]
That is something I like about you, Vira.
[ Her words are soft but not untrue. Vira's drive is something Medb likes a lot. She doesn't seem bothered by the fact that Vira could or would try to stand in her way. It's not unexpected even if it'd be something she wouldn't like.
There's something conflicting in her gaze for a moment, almost... hesitant or wondering before it's gone. ]
My wish now doesn't have much to do with him. I would chase after him still, for one reason or another, but he's not my everything. He never will be.
That is something I like about you, Vira.
[ Her words are soft but not untrue. Vira's drive is something Medb likes a lot. She doesn't seem bothered by the fact that Vira could or would try to stand in her way. It's not unexpected even if it'd be something she wouldn't like.
There's something conflicting in her gaze for a moment, almost... hesitant or wondering before it's gone. ]
My wish now doesn't have much to do with him. I would chase after him still, for one reason or another, but he's not my everything. He never will be.
[ There is something alike in them, she thinks—Vira doesn't anticipate that either of them would allow another to be an obstacle to their wants, no matter how different their definitions of love are.
She gently tucks her bangs behind her ear, thinking. ]
...Is he not?
[ ...No, he really didn't seem to be. She's quiet for a moment. ]
Would you tell me what your wish is, then?
She gently tucks her bangs behind her ear, thinking. ]
...Is he not?
[ ...No, he really didn't seem to be. She's quiet for a moment. ]
Would you tell me what your wish is, then?
[ Medb may have been obsessed with Cú Chulainn, and she may still be, but if he were only thing she wants, she wouldn't be aligned with Greed. She always wants too much.
She considers the question for a moment. She doesn't see the harm in answering it. ]
I want to build a nation.
She considers the question for a moment. She doesn't see the harm in answering it. ]
I want to build a nation.
[ The long stretch of window makes the airport terminal more picturesque than it should be, even if the rest of this place is metal and plastic. Vira can hear her heels click against the floor as she walks, though she stops to nod politely at Medb when she sees her. ]
Is there someplace you wish you could be?
[ At least an airport is not something totally unfathomable to her fantasy mind. ]
Is there someplace you wish you could be?
[ At least an airport is not something totally unfathomable to her fantasy mind. ]
[ She smiles in greeting. The window displays the sunny beach of a tropical island. ]
I want to go back to the beach, but it's not something I'm yearning for more than anything else.
[ After all, she chose to be here, and even with all the murder, she still has a goal. ]
I want to go back to the beach, but it's not something I'm yearning for more than anything else.
[ After all, she chose to be here, and even with all the murder, she still has a goal. ]
[ It can be a difficult thing to share the motivations of why one truly came here. And they all have their reasons, big or small—at Medb's she simply nods. It's a wish that suits someone marked by Greed. ]
That's a lofty goal. Though you were a queen once already, weren't you? It seems a dream within your reach.
That's a lofty goal. Though you were a queen once already, weren't you? It seems a dream within your reach.
[ too bad they can't actually feel the sun and sand, but it's still nice to look at. ]
At least we can enjoy some approximation of it here.
[ anyway, she'll sit down because she's lazy this week. standing... hard. ]
Whoever built this place must have someplace they'd rather be, though.
At least we can enjoy some approximation of it here.
[ anyway, she'll sit down because she's lazy this week. standing... hard. ]
Whoever built this place must have someplace they'd rather be, though.
I am a spirit now, but I am still a queen. What I have and once had is history.
[ It's literally history, and it is what gives her as much power that she has.
She's too prideful to hide everything about herself with as little room for shame as she has. ]
I no longer care to change the past, and I care more to look to the present and future.
[ It's literally history, and it is what gives her as much power that she has.
She's too prideful to hide everything about herself with as little room for shame as she has. ]
I no longer care to change the past, and I care more to look to the present and future.
[ Was Medb sitting before? I don't know, but she is now. Right next to Vira.
She looks a little thoughtful. ]
It is representative of something, at the very least. Every floor seems to be.
She looks a little thoughtful. ]
It is representative of something, at the very least. Every floor seems to be.
This place should give you the power to do so.
[ ... ]
I've considered whether it matters, that I achieve my dreams by my own hand. Or is it more important that one is ready to do whatever it takes? What it is I came here for...
[ Well. She's not here to be existential. ]
In any case, as you've said before, men marry you to become queen. You do not need them to find success or happiness, of that I'm certain. [ She does not need Cu Chulainn to be Medb. ]
[ ... ]
I've considered whether it matters, that I achieve my dreams by my own hand. Or is it more important that one is ready to do whatever it takes? What it is I came here for...
[ Well. She's not here to be existential. ]
In any case, as you've said before, men marry you to become queen. You do not need them to find success or happiness, of that I'm certain. [ She does not need Cu Chulainn to be Medb. ]
[ They sit! She mulls. ]
Then this is likely the realm of Greed, no?
Though I don't know them so well as to recognize what these places are.
Then this is likely the realm of Greed, no?
Though I don't know them so well as to recognize what these places are.
I think so. I'd say each floor has some kind of tie to whichever Avatar is there the week the floor is opened to us.
[ She hums. ]
You should talk to Greed more. I think you two would get along.
[ She hums. ]
You should talk to Greed more. I think you two would get along.
Is coming here not grasping what you want by your own hands, too? Even if you are obtaining power you wouldn't have normally, you're still doing something to gain that, aren't you? Why does it have to be one or the other? It can be both.
[ Greed is real and apparent in the way Medb thinks and operates, but it is more than simply greed. It doesn't do anyone to close their mind to possibilities. Fairness, as impartial as it is supposed to be, has no place where the heart may go. ]
I do not need men, but they do not hurt to have by my side. [ She is unfortunately not a misandrist like the more valid Vira is. ]
Vira, what did you come here for?
[ Greed is real and apparent in the way Medb thinks and operates, but it is more than simply greed. It doesn't do anyone to close their mind to possibilities. Fairness, as impartial as it is supposed to be, has no place where the heart may go. ]
I do not need men, but they do not hurt to have by my side. [ She is unfortunately not a misandrist like the more valid Vira is. ]
Vira, what did you come here for?
[ It's fine, we can't all be misandrists. Medb is bi and valid.
Vira seems to consider what she says for a moment. About power, about people, about dreams. And then she frowns thinly. ]
I'm no longer sure.
[ It's not something she'd admit to everyone, but she's fairly sure Medb would see through a lie right now. ]
I think... sometime during that adventure of ours last week, I forgot something. [ she gives it another moment of thought before shrugging. ] But if I had to guess, I came here wishing for a challenge.
Vira seems to consider what she says for a moment. About power, about people, about dreams. And then she frowns thinly. ]
I'm no longer sure.
[ It's not something she'd admit to everyone, but she's fairly sure Medb would see through a lie right now. ]
I think... sometime during that adventure of ours last week, I forgot something. [ she gives it another moment of thought before shrugging. ] But if I had to guess, I came here wishing for a challenge.
Edited 2021-03-04 04:40 (UTC)
[ That's a little unsettling, if Medb gives it more than a few seconds of thought. For this place to be able to take something from them like that... she shouldn't be surprised, but she is a little.
Anger also flashes in her eyes for the briefest of moments. ]
A challenge? [ She doesn't know if that sounds quite right, but she doesn't know enough to say it's wrong either. ]
We will need to find a way to have what was lost to you returned to you. Someone like you should be in full possession of your goals.
Anger also flashes in her eyes for the briefest of moments. ]
A challenge? [ She doesn't know if that sounds quite right, but she doesn't know enough to say it's wrong either. ]
We will need to find a way to have what was lost to you returned to you. Someone like you should be in full possession of your goals.
[ She looks pleasantly surprised by the reaction—though when she smiles, it's a little tired. She remembers love, she remembers boredom—strange stretches of life that she can't seem to form the connections between. ]
I know myself well enough to know I must've had a good reason.
[ She's confident enough for that, at least. ]
Still, I'm grateful you would be so determined for my sake. Hopefully it is a passing ailment.
I know myself well enough to know I must've had a good reason.
[ She's confident enough for that, at least. ]
Still, I'm grateful you would be so determined for my sake. Hopefully it is a passing ailment.
[ she smiles a little wryly. ]
Why, does avarice suit me?
[ she won't argue. ]
Why, does avarice suit me?
[ she won't argue. ]
[ She raises her eyebrows, but she smiles. ]
Ambition does, but that wasn't what I meant.
[ Medb is always daring, so she inches closer and hooks her arm around Vira's. ]
Personality-wise, you two would get along. Like how you and Takeru would get along, I think.
Ambition does, but that wasn't what I meant.
[ Medb is always daring, so she inches closer and hooks her arm around Vira's. ]
Personality-wise, you two would get along. Like how you and Takeru would get along, I think.
[ vira seems a little surprised, but not so much that she jerks away. medb is medb—she's used to being surprised around her. ]
I do appreciate Sasazuka—he's one of the better ones here.
[ useful, and funny. mean, but funny. amongst other things. ]
How do you get along with them?
I do appreciate Sasazuka—he's one of the better ones here.
[ useful, and funny. mean, but funny. amongst other things. ]
How do you get along with them?
Hehe, I thought that would be the case.
[ Vira and Takeru are both intelligent and mean. In similar but different ways. It's good to know her judgment is still sound. ]
How do I get along with Greed? Oh, I'm trying to get them to go on a date with me.
[ She sounds faintly amused. ]
[ Vira and Takeru are both intelligent and mean. In similar but different ways. It's good to know her judgment is still sound. ]
How do I get along with Greed? Oh, I'm trying to get them to go on a date with me.
[ She sounds faintly amused. ]
Is losing something like that really something you should just call a passing ailment?
[ She puts her hands on her hips. Is she standing in this thread so she can do that? She is now! ]
[ She puts her hands on her hips. Is she standing in this thread so she can do that? She is now! ]
[ being smart and mean is basically this entire game, except white and yuel.
vira lets out a little puff of laughter. ]
And how goes your conquest?
vira lets out a little puff of laughter. ]
And how goes your conquest?
[ is medb smart??? is misa smart? is mahito smart??
In an obvious imitation: ]
I hardly think that's appropriate.
In an obvious imitation: ]
I hardly think that's appropriate.
[ She levels her a slightly weary look, drained of something. ]
I appreciate your enthusiasm for my sake, but—
[ Too much eye contact, so it's memshare time! (13:40-17:20, early gbf is SO stock anime, sorry in advance)
The moment comes—the culmination of your lies, your schemes. You have spent the last six years as an immaculate commander, an impartial arbitrator, a respected lord, and you would give up the status in the world for this one, singular opportunity.
This is how it should go: you convince Katalina to stay, spinning together some sad story about how the island needs the sacrifice of a true knight. You tell her you can barter for immunity for her beloved comrades, who have been on the run for so long. You dangle what the Empire's army wants in front of their noses, just so you have another piece on the board, and everything goes as it should. Katalina—beautiful Katalina who can be kind and brilliant and so incredibly stupid—will agree to your terms. She feels guilt over what she did to you, after all. She shouldn't, but she does, and you will use that if you must.
The only space you've left for her in the skies is next to you. But there is a girl wreathed in blue who is somehow, slowly, certainly convincing Katalina to leave you.
Again.
"Vira, I won't give up!"
And you won't stand for it—these people are dregs, liars, muck that sucks at Katalina's feet and drags her down. You drop the sweetness from your voice—the honeyed words you save only for Katalina—and for a moment, the empty, steely part of you speaks instead. It has always been your more genuine self, the person you were before Katalina. The resigned, solitary girl you have always been.
"Oh, really?" (It's tiresome. Don't skyfarers ever get tired of spouting such fatuous nonsense?) "Then I'm afraid I'll have to get rid of you completely."
There is no hesitation in you. You'll rip these parasitic bonds that have tangled Katalina up, and you'll never, ever ever be apart again. Even if it's all lies. Even if you've spent six years in miserable loneliness, even if she surely has not thought of you with all the aching, devouring longing that you have, even if she feels so guilty looking at you that she could not even visit you once on this citadel that you have no choice but to call home. (You do not know if she loves you back—you don't ask yourself if that matters.)
Even so, all you want is to be beside her. It's all you've ever wanted, because she is all you've ever had, and you do not think you can survive the loss of your entire world a second time. So you'll fight, and you'll raze everything down until it's just the two of you, and as Luminiera's power whips through you, warping your armor, filling your mind and body with a manic, unearthly energy—
You smile, and you wreak havoc.
...The Vira of present, however, just looks puzzled when they both emerge from the depths of her memory. ]
I appreciate your enthusiasm for my sake, but—
[ Too much eye contact, so it's memshare time! (13:40-17:20, early gbf is SO stock anime, sorry in advance)
The moment comes—the culmination of your lies, your schemes. You have spent the last six years as an immaculate commander, an impartial arbitrator, a respected lord, and you would give up the status in the world for this one, singular opportunity.
This is how it should go: you convince Katalina to stay, spinning together some sad story about how the island needs the sacrifice of a true knight. You tell her you can barter for immunity for her beloved comrades, who have been on the run for so long. You dangle what the Empire's army wants in front of their noses, just so you have another piece on the board, and everything goes as it should. Katalina—beautiful Katalina who can be kind and brilliant and so incredibly stupid—will agree to your terms. She feels guilt over what she did to you, after all. She shouldn't, but she does, and you will use that if you must.
The only space you've left for her in the skies is next to you. But there is a girl wreathed in blue who is somehow, slowly, certainly convincing Katalina to leave you.
Again.
"Vira, I won't give up!"
And you won't stand for it—these people are dregs, liars, muck that sucks at Katalina's feet and drags her down. You drop the sweetness from your voice—the honeyed words you save only for Katalina—and for a moment, the empty, steely part of you speaks instead. It has always been your more genuine self, the person you were before Katalina. The resigned, solitary girl you have always been.
"Oh, really?" (It's tiresome. Don't skyfarers ever get tired of spouting such fatuous nonsense?) "Then I'm afraid I'll have to get rid of you completely."
There is no hesitation in you. You'll rip these parasitic bonds that have tangled Katalina up, and you'll never, ever ever be apart again. Even if it's all lies. Even if you've spent six years in miserable loneliness, even if she surely has not thought of you with all the aching, devouring longing that you have, even if she feels so guilty looking at you that she could not even visit you once on this citadel that you have no choice but to call home. (You do not know if she loves you back—you don't ask yourself if that matters.)
Even so, all you want is to be beside her. It's all you've ever wanted, because she is all you've ever had, and you do not think you can survive the loss of your entire world a second time. So you'll fight, and you'll raze everything down until it's just the two of you, and as Luminiera's power whips through you, warping your armor, filling your mind and body with a manic, unearthly energy—
You smile, and you wreak havoc.
...The Vira of present, however, just looks puzzled when they both emerge from the depths of her memory. ]
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