Hardly.
Tell me what your 'better tomorrow' is. If you're inclined to humor me.
[He sounds so casual, like he's talking about the weather.]
Tell me what your 'better tomorrow' is. If you're inclined to humor me.
[He sounds so casual, like he's talking about the weather.]
[There's an arched eyebrow, but he politely waits for Darin to finish. Someone give him a goddamn star sticker for putting up with this.
But seriously. Icon face.]
I take it you have no concept of 'competition'.
But seriously. Icon face.]
I take it you have no concept of 'competition'.
Life is about winning or losing, Master Altway. I cannot fathom how you do not understand this.
But allow me to try and cater to your own, as a smith.
What would you do with a sword that cannot cut as well as another? Would you keep it anyway, or smelt it down for scrap?
By the logic you give, you would give it an equal chance on the battlefield.
But allow me to try and cater to your own, as a smith.
What would you do with a sword that cannot cut as well as another? Would you keep it anyway, or smelt it down for scrap?
By the logic you give, you would give it an equal chance on the battlefield.
Hnh.
[...that's not scornful. Well, it is, but it's not a scoff. It actually seems...amused?]
What a blessing, to see the world in such a light.
[Okay, that's scornful.]
And how many third paths have you created so far?
[...that's not scornful. Well, it is, but it's not a scoff. It actually seems...amused?]
What a blessing, to see the world in such a light.
[Okay, that's scornful.]
And how many third paths have you created so far?
[He might have had something else to say.
But that question? He sounds taken aback.]
How do you-?
But that question? He sounds taken aback.]
How do you-?
[Alright, so Know Thy Enemy. He tilts his head slightly. Point Granted.
But he's quiet a moment before speaking. Sounding...thoughtful?]
Would you consider my words if I brought up the Molduga of my home, or would you simply think me mocking you?...for they, no doubt, consider it 'good' to use their power to survive, to eat.
I will allow you to guess at their favorite prey.
[Beat]
Now, tell me; do you think their prey considers such 'good'?
[The point is, quite honestly, a simple one.
Good is subjective.]
But he's quiet a moment before speaking. Sounding...thoughtful?]
Would you consider my words if I brought up the Molduga of my home, or would you simply think me mocking you?...for they, no doubt, consider it 'good' to use their power to survive, to eat.
I will allow you to guess at their favorite prey.
[Beat]
Now, tell me; do you think their prey considers such 'good'?
[The point is, quite honestly, a simple one.
Good is subjective.]
I admit I aspire to be more. [He sounds almost...bored of the conversation now? And utterly shameless as he makes that admission.] To grow stronger than I am now - I would not allow myself to grow stagnant, particularly in a world that offers so many opportunities.
[He makes a thoughtful noise, though, clearly giving weight to Darin's question beyond what he's said]
...I wish the world to be as strong as I am, Master Altway. In truth, it sickens me to see the weak banding together to stand against those greater to them. And it sickens me just as much to see a hand offered down try and raise them up to a place they have not earned.
I would rather watch it all burn than allow such pitiful a realm to exist.
And that includes a realm not my own.
[He makes a thoughtful noise, though, clearly giving weight to Darin's question beyond what he's said]
...I wish the world to be as strong as I am, Master Altway. In truth, it sickens me to see the weak banding together to stand against those greater to them. And it sickens me just as much to see a hand offered down try and raise them up to a place they have not earned.
I would rather watch it all burn than allow such pitiful a realm to exist.
And that includes a realm not my own.
If you wish to call it that.
I'm disappointed, but I won't try and shatter your oath.
I'm disappointed, but I won't try and shatter your oath.
A fine speech.
I trust then that next time we battle, you will not run away?
I trust then that next time we battle, you will not run away?
[During Darin's birthday party, he may find a gift box in red and blue wrapping. Tag on the box confirms it came from one 'R.S.'. When he unwraps it and removes the box top, he'll find a kris that shimmers a teal color in the light with a dragon head on the handle. And with it, comes a card:
"Got this dagger from a cult that I've had lying around. Burns things when they're slashed or stabbed with it. Don't get stabbed with it, it sucks a lot, trust me. Happy B-day!
-Ranma"]
"Got this dagger from a cult that I've had lying around. Burns things when they're slashed or stabbed with it. Don't get stabbed with it, it sucks a lot, trust me. Happy B-day!
-Ranma"]
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