luministi | Third Nail - Lull [Video]

[Ichijou seems to be enjoying the relative peace right now, as he can currently be seen over the network relaxing in his townhome, contentedly filing his nails. Unfortunately this means that everything he says is accompanied by the annoying background noise of his fingernails scratching against a little metal file. Nearby on a table (but not too nearby, so as not to risk getting nail filings on it) sits a small plate holding a partially eaten piece of cake with a roughly half-full cup of coffee next to that.]

So, did everyone accomplish what they wanted? Since I'm not blind I noticed that several of you seem to have succeeded in wrecking some structures around town, but aside from various girls apparently going missing I haven't heard much news - hardly even a whisper, actually. Most of the town seems to be in a rather sour mood all of a sudden, which I suppose could have to do with most of their landmarks being destroyed by a bunch of rambunctious outsiders.

[The filing ceases for a moment as he lets out a tiny nervous laugh, but as the obnoxious scraping sound picks up again he seems genuinely calm - apparently doing nails is pretty therapeutic.]

If I remember correctly, the purpose of that little errand was to gain access to the Mayor's residence. I would have checked on my own, but after the incident with the curtain...

-Ah! That reminds me, I had been so upset afterward that I completely neglected to thank those who had been with me at the time. While the outcome seemed to be unavoidable, I have to at least express my gratitude for your patience and-- presumably --for taking care of me when I fainted. I must also apologize for any inconvenience I may have caused.

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Ah, of course. Besides anything else, it would be alarming if you were just walking past.

[Probably a sign to not push that any further.] Mm, understandable! I shouldn't like to get in the way of you if we find out whoever did that. [And he hopes no one will have to.]

[He nods.] Just outside it.

[Realizing that he had started holding his fork oddly, he places the cake and fork back on the table and crosses his arms.] It absolutely would! It was alarming even when I walked through town to assess the damage quite a while after everything occurred! Just imagining how everyone managed to pull all of that off in the span of an hour makes my stomach turn, to be honest.

Anyway, I'm glad to hear that you wouldn't care to get between me and a bit of revenge. If it adds to your peace of mind any, I can assure you that my punishments are always quite fair and proportionate in my opinion... [After a moment, he realizes that that doesn't really mean anything and attempts to put it in perspective. He sounds oddly proud that:] I've never killed or seriously injured anyone, at least.

I do have to wonder how likely it is that we'll even get a chance to strike back at whoever is responsible for all this nonsense. Considering they seem to possess the ability to make entire locations and body parts and likely many other things appear and disappear at a whim, it seems fairly improbable.

[The gesture is definitely appreciated. Hawk's expression changes to puzzlement for a moment, but that smooths out when he remembers that not everyone takes the same attitude to enemies that some of his companions do.] Aah… good thing we're working together. You don't deal with power like that in your world?

Everything in proportion. [Whose understanding of proportion, though… He rocks back and forth on his feet, then says] What would you think deserves that?

Maybe so. Still… long odds still give us a chance, however unlikely.

My world... [He finds that wording a little off-putting..] Not really, no.

[And in response to Hawk's next question, he closes his eyes and gives off a deep sigh.] I can only think of two people I'd like to punish in any extreme kind of way: the man who decided that it would be a great idea to keep me as a slave for 1,057 years even though I can't even possibly live that long, and the one who reveled in bringing him to that conclusion. See, I guarantee that I'm not unreasonable by any means!

What is it that makes you believe that there's any chance at all? Is it because of what happened last time?

[Hawk nods, accepting that, but his eyes widen at the next part.] Over a thousand years…? How…? [He considers Ichijou for a moment, then shakes his head.] Well, I'll agree there.

I suppose so, at least in part. It's… not the kind of situation I could accept, either- people with power they don't deserve. So if it came down to it, I suppose I'd force an opportunity.

A winning combination of power and insanity, that's how. I'm sure the precise number was just a method of emphasizing that the only means of escape is probably death, which given the conditions involved would realistically occur within a year or two if I couldn't puzzle out a means of escape before then.

-Which I would, in the event that I was forced to return there. I'd have to.

I suppose our current situation isn't much different from that to most people, right? Nearly everyone seems to be fighting rather hard for a way out.

[His smile returns.] You sound pretty heroic when you talk about going against the odds like that.

Aah… so, then- it hasn't been that long yet? Really, they can't expect you to put up for it for that long. Certainly not without doing something about it.

[He nods.] It definitely sounds similar. Though I suppose we're not directly serving anyone… we're still here for some purpose.

Haha, really? His expression turns a little awkward, and he fidgets with his hair.] Well, that's… for my part, I don't think I could accept staying and letting things be.

Oh, actually it's been about seven years already. Year by year as long as I didn't make any kind of mistake my quality of life improved and I was given more autonomy. But recently... [A sigh;] Well, someone managed to trick me and at the risk of sounding cliche, the punishment for failure happens to be what amounts to a slow and painful death. That's all there really is to say on the matter.

[He squirms a little, uncrossing his arms but crossing his legs now.] So you're not the type to remain complacent when you know that something sinister is going on, right? That's the type of thing a hero does, isn't it? [With a wave of his hand for emphasis:] You don't have to be modest about it!

I see. That's very unfortunate… and no way out of it?

I suppose it is… but still, it wouldn't do to go too far the other way! [He shakes his head, smiling, and spreads his hands.]

Third Nail - Lull [Video]

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