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[Darin is still laying low with Zelda and while he's gotten a lot of texts and calls in support...this one was certainly one he didn't expect.]
[He hasn't heard that voice in months but he'd never forget it.]
[Darin excuses himself to someplace private.]
Yeah, that's right. I stand by my declaration. Let me guess, gonna chide me on how foolish it is?
[He hasn't heard that voice in months but he'd never forget it.]
[Darin excuses himself to someplace private.]
Yeah, that's right. I stand by my declaration. Let me guess, gonna chide me on how foolish it is?
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.]
[Darin arches an eyebrow.]
A world free of persecution. Where people aren't left to fall through cracks of a caste system or the laws that favor only those that pledge their loyalty. Where every person is free to pursue their passions, to be who they want to be rather than what society brands them as.
Systems like the armadas separate and create conflict where their shouldn't be any and people, innocent people, get caught in the crossfire.
We're all here under one sky.
We should live and work together.
A world free of persecution. Where people aren't left to fall through cracks of a caste system or the laws that favor only those that pledge their loyalty. Where every person is free to pursue their passions, to be who they want to be rather than what society brands them as.
Systems like the armadas separate and create conflict where their shouldn't be any and people, innocent people, get caught in the crossfire.
We're all here under one sky.
We should live and work together.
[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'.
[Poor Ganondorf, you're so put upon oh great King of Evil.]
Life isn't about competition. No one needs to lose at life.
But let's assume I play along with this line of thinking. I'm a tradesman. I know that I need to be competitive to be relevant. To survive. But I don't need to turn around and pull the ladder up behind me when I succeed.
People in power have a responsibility to uplift the people around them. It's that simple.
Life isn't about competition. No one needs to lose at life.
But let's assume I play along with this line of thinking. I'm a tradesman. I know that I need to be competitive to be relevant. To survive. But I don't need to turn around and pull the ladder up behind me when I succeed.
People in power have a responsibility to uplift the people around them. It's that simple.
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.
Man I am so tired of people spouting narrow-minded crap at me. You're seriously going to tell me that there's only two paths in life? I call your bluff.
I choose the third option, Ganondorf. Always have, always will.
Being a smith is about seeing potential where others see parts and components. If someone gave me a sword that couldn't cut, I turn it into something that can.
By your logic, there are only two paths. But with mine? All I gotta do is create one. Hell, I can create a hundred. And I bet that just chafes your sandpit, doesn't it?
I choose the third option, Ganondorf. Always have, always will.
Being a smith is about seeing potential where others see parts and components. If someone gave me a sword that couldn't cut, I turn it into something that can.
By your logic, there are only two paths. But with mine? All I gotta do is create one. Hell, I can create a hundred. And I bet that just chafes your sandpit, doesn't it?
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?
Well, if you're quoting my own speech back at me, you saw one of them.
[He laughs but his tone shifts. There's a hint of remorse in his voice as he continues.]
I got a late start. In fact, if I had the kind of inspiration I have now back home, maybe I could have made a difference. But here, I have a chance to do something good and I'm not going to waste it.
[There's a pause before he continues.]
I have something worth protecting here. And you don't have to be anything you don't want to be either.
...The Gerudo had great heroes, didn't they? The Seven Heroines?
[He's been thinking a lot about them ever since Zelda formed her crew and told him the story. Zelda speaks so highly of the Gerudo. How could Ganondorf come from such a wonderful people? There had to be more to him.]
[He laughs but his tone shifts. There's a hint of remorse in his voice as he continues.]
I got a late start. In fact, if I had the kind of inspiration I have now back home, maybe I could have made a difference. But here, I have a chance to do something good and I'm not going to waste it.
[There's a pause before he continues.]
I have something worth protecting here. And you don't have to be anything you don't want to be either.
...The Gerudo had great heroes, didn't they? The Seven Heroines?
[He's been thinking a lot about them ever since Zelda formed her crew and told him the story. Zelda speaks so highly of the Gerudo. How could Ganondorf come from such a wonderful people? There had to be more to him.]
[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-?
You think I sat on my ass twiddling my thumbs these last few months?
It's not every day I go toe-to-toe with someone who can match my strength, even when I'm still holding some of it back. I don't just sit around and wait for you to surprise me. How do you think I learned?
[Zelda. His captain. His inspiration.]
You don't seem like a stupid man, Ganondorf. So why? Why not do something good with that kind of power?
It's not every day I go toe-to-toe with someone who can match my strength, even when I'm still holding some of it back. I don't just sit around and wait for you to surprise me. How do you think I learned?
[Zelda. His captain. His inspiration.]
You don't seem like a stupid man, Ganondorf. So why? Why not do something good with that kind of power?
Edited 2025-03-31 05:28 (UTC)
[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.]
For what it's worth, I don't think you're mocking me at all. I think I caught your attention for all the wrong reasons on your ship half a year ago. You don't go through life looking like me and not be able to tell when you catch someone's eye.
And I also think you're dodging my question because that would require justifying your actions and existence in a world you don't have a claim over. We're flotsam here as far as this world is concerned. We can either drift or do something about it. I just got tired of drifting.
[Darin might be reckless and he might act the fool, but he's spent a lifetime observing people. Studying on his own when he could because he wasn't allowed the luxury of a proper school.]
But to answer your question, no. It's not 'good.' But skewing the question to be about 'survival' over 'shared humanity' is just stacking the deck in favor of your perspective. So let's try this one:
Is this about survival for you? Or ambition? Because I've seen both of those arguments and neither of them are really all that compelling.
[Flashes of his brother's face leap to mind. Maybe Darin's so calm about this because he's replayed the last conversation he ever had with Dromas a million times in his mind. All the things he wished he'd had the ability to say rather than gawp at the fact that his twin was even alive in the first place.]
And I also think you're dodging my question because that would require justifying your actions and existence in a world you don't have a claim over. We're flotsam here as far as this world is concerned. We can either drift or do something about it. I just got tired of drifting.
[Darin might be reckless and he might act the fool, but he's spent a lifetime observing people. Studying on his own when he could because he wasn't allowed the luxury of a proper school.]
But to answer your question, no. It's not 'good.' But skewing the question to be about 'survival' over 'shared humanity' is just stacking the deck in favor of your perspective. So let's try this one:
Is this about survival for you? Or ambition? Because I've seen both of those arguments and neither of them are really all that compelling.
[Flashes of his brother's face leap to mind. Maybe Darin's so calm about this because he's replayed the last conversation he ever had with Dromas a million times in his mind. All the things he wished he'd had the ability to say rather than gawp at the fact that his twin was even alive in the first place.]
Edited 2025-03-31 06:01 (UTC)
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.
So, it's cruelty. "Earn a place with your own strength or don't exist at all?"
[Darin can't say he's surprised. All of that gloom and malice that Ganondorf was throwing around all of those months ago...the scar that Darin still has over his chest and how he can still feel vestiges of that corruption latching onto something inside of him? That isn't borne from nothing. Even during his fight with Nappa, Darin could feel that malevolence rising up inside of him.]
So, where do I fall here? Are you disappointed that I want to lift people up? Or confused that I held my own against you when I hadn't even drawn my weapon?
[Darin's mouth curls up into a smirk and it's audible. He managed to catch Ganondorf off guard with the mention of the Seven Heroines. The man isn't a wall of stoicism. A small victory, but a victory all the same.]
Don't tell me you're going to try and convince me to go back on my oath! I'd hate to disappoint the public after all that.
[Darin can't say he's surprised. All of that gloom and malice that Ganondorf was throwing around all of those months ago...the scar that Darin still has over his chest and how he can still feel vestiges of that corruption latching onto something inside of him? That isn't borne from nothing. Even during his fight with Nappa, Darin could feel that malevolence rising up inside of him.]
So, where do I fall here? Are you disappointed that I want to lift people up? Or confused that I held my own against you when I hadn't even drawn my weapon?
[Darin's mouth curls up into a smirk and it's audible. He managed to catch Ganondorf off guard with the mention of the Seven Heroines. The man isn't a wall of stoicism. A small victory, but a victory all the same.]
Don't tell me you're going to try and convince me to go back on my oath! I'd hate to disappoint the public after all that.
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.
[Darin's no stranger to threats. How many insults and promises of physical harm have been slung at him? How many people have called him 'monster' and swore they'd have him in chains by virtue of his existence? How many mercenaries and soldiers attempted to put him in his place because he so arrogantly refused to bend the knee?]
[But Ganondorf's threat isn't one to shrug off. There's weight to it. A promise writ in blood with the cadence of discord. He's heard those words before with that same cadence. His brother sought to do the same. To isolate Darin from his happy life. To steal away everything he loved and held dear so that he might fall and aid him in fulfilling the prophecy. To destroy his world.]
[Darin is no stranger to this. In fact, Ganondorf's pledge strikes a chord in his heart that he hates.]
[But Ganondorf's threat isn't one to shrug off. There's weight to it. A promise writ in blood with the cadence of discord. He's heard those words before with that same cadence. His brother sought to do the same. To isolate Darin from his happy life. To steal away everything he loved and held dear so that he might fall and aid him in fulfilling the prophecy. To destroy his world.]
[Darin is no stranger to this. In fact, Ganondorf's pledge strikes a chord in his heart that he hates.]
Heh...
[But after all of that he's survived. He's pushed on. He's stood up and continued moving forward and now, given the events of his time in prison, he finally has a path open to him. Not with the Paladins or the Corsairs, but something that is his. His own way forward. And if that path gets blocked, he'll just make a new one. Because the beauty of Darin's path is that it twists and turns. It dips and spirals and lifts and drops. It's as tempestuous as it is limitless. And with the eyes of a certain princess at his back, he has no inclination of backing down.]
Then I'll say it again special for you, Ganondorf. Drop the 'Master' nonsense because I'm not one for titles.
My name is Darin Altway and like a shooting star, I will carry the hopes of this world on my back. I'll split the darkness of the limitless night and point the way towards the dawn. I will forge a better tomorrow with my two hands for everyone.
Knock me down, and I'll get back up. Over and over again. As many times as it takes. Break my body. Twist my mind. Throw everything you can at me because if the world can't break me? There's nothing a King can do.
You can't even make me kneel.
[But after all of that he's survived. He's pushed on. He's stood up and continued moving forward and now, given the events of his time in prison, he finally has a path open to him. Not with the Paladins or the Corsairs, but something that is his. His own way forward. And if that path gets blocked, he'll just make a new one. Because the beauty of Darin's path is that it twists and turns. It dips and spirals and lifts and drops. It's as tempestuous as it is limitless. And with the eyes of a certain princess at his back, he has no inclination of backing down.]
Then I'll say it again special for you, Ganondorf. Drop the 'Master' nonsense because I'm not one for titles.
My name is Darin Altway and like a shooting star, I will carry the hopes of this world on my back. I'll split the darkness of the limitless night and point the way towards the dawn. I will forge a better tomorrow with my two hands for everyone.
Knock me down, and I'll get back up. Over and over again. As many times as it takes. Break my body. Twist my mind. Throw everything you can at me because if the world can't break me? There's nothing a King can do.
You can't even make me kneel.
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?
Hah! Says the guy who’s been keeping his nine foot tall head down since our last bout? But I see what you’re trying to do. Goad me into a death battle with the odds in your favor. You had me outmatched last time and you’re counting on my pride to work in your favor.
[Darin casually begins to pace about, one hand on his hip.]
I won’t lie. Last time we fought I thought about pouring every ounce of my power into taking you down. I thought if I could at least take you with me, it’d be worth it. Not the most satisfying end, but there’s worse ways to go.
But things change. I’ve changed. I’ve sworn more than a single vow and my life isn’t just mine alone to throw away anymore.
So, if you want me, you know where to find me. And I’ll do whatever it takes to beat you in a way that satisfies me. I suggest you bring your A game, Your Majesty.
[His tone is mocking. He has no idea if he has what it takes to beat Ganondorf but he won’t run away. He won’t back down. He’s gotten stronger. He’s not alone. He has a life worth living and a home worth protecting. He has a place in someone else’s story, in her legend.]
[His tale won’t end at the hands of a tyrant.]
[Darin casually begins to pace about, one hand on his hip.]
I won’t lie. Last time we fought I thought about pouring every ounce of my power into taking you down. I thought if I could at least take you with me, it’d be worth it. Not the most satisfying end, but there’s worse ways to go.
But things change. I’ve changed. I’ve sworn more than a single vow and my life isn’t just mine alone to throw away anymore.
So, if you want me, you know where to find me. And I’ll do whatever it takes to beat you in a way that satisfies me. I suggest you bring your A game, Your Majesty.
[His tone is mocking. He has no idea if he has what it takes to beat Ganondorf but he won’t run away. He won’t back down. He’s gotten stronger. He’s not alone. He has a life worth living and a home worth protecting. He has a place in someone else’s story, in her legend.]
[His tale won’t end at the hands of a tyrant.]
Edited 2025-03-31 07:56 (UTC)
[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"]
[ Sherlock had stopped by Darin's surprise birthday part, but when he saw a certain pair in attendance, he immediately left before he was noticed. They hadn't seemed to be causing problems at the party, but had Sherlock remained, a problem would no doubt come up.
So, he's at Starmetal Forge to drop off a nicely sketched drawing of Zelda, skillfully drawn but unsigned all the same. ]
So, he's at Starmetal Forge to drop off a nicely sketched drawing of Zelda, skillfully drawn but unsigned all the same. ]
[It's a picture of a crystal.]
[A glowing sort of crystal - embedded in a robot shell. There's also a small pile of weaponry nearby, that Garrus was collecting, but that's beside the point.]
Same crystals from that island. They're in these mechs, with some kind of organic bits and pieces.
Have you run into any of these things?
[A glowing sort of crystal - embedded in a robot shell. There's also a small pile of weaponry nearby, that Garrus was collecting, but that's beside the point.]
Same crystals from that island. They're in these mechs, with some kind of organic bits and pieces.
Have you run into any of these things?
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