caughtinanetwork | THREE | [video] | A plan what is a plan

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THREE | [video] | A plan what is a plan

Gah!

[Hello Vatheon have all the flaily arms. Hideyoshi is as usual kicking about on his epic fancy sofa, or was up until a moment ago - he's just leaped to his feet and thrown his arms up in frustration, SFC and all. He gestures wildly with it as he speaks. Welcome to MonkeyCam.]

That's it, I can't take this anymore, if I don't find something to do I'll go insane!

Do any of you need someone to do work - any kind of work? I'll do anything! Just walking around, eating free food anymore all day, feeling like some big fat lord - me! It just isn't right!

[He flops back down on the sofa and sighs ever so heartily.]

Ahh, and I thought that this was all I ever wanted in the world...

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[Success! It's always a rush to knock down a bigger opponent, but this time Hideyoshi manages not to grin too widely. He steps forward instead, and offers Gorthan a hand - a perfectly casual gesture, not meant as any sting to the other's honor. He'd have done it to anyone.]

Mm. And I'm short. Nothing to do about it but to work harder. [He shakes his head, then drops it a little, apologetic.] Not that that was a fair hit.

[Instead of taking Hideyoshi's hand right away, Gorthan looks at it perplexedly for a few moments. That's not a gesture commonly seen on Evron. He sighs.]

Except that my efforts to work harder, as you say, will become more and more useless over time. Whereas yours won't.

[It's not often that he admits he's way past his prime. That said, he will finally take Hideyoshi's hand. He closes his eyes as he does so, as if this were something meaningful and solemn.]

And one day I'll be short and old.

[It sounds like a joke, but it's softly spoken. He understands that Gorthan is giving him something here, and thinks that he even understands what. He's obligated to give something in return.]

Come on, up! You won't change the things you can change by focusing on the things you can't. [Hideyoshi has never been one for particular philosophizing, but he has a few truisms and this is one.] And the older the head, the more tricks it's got in it!

[Gorthan blinks a little. The thing about simple, common-sense wisdom is that it gets him absolutely every time. A lot of Zartas' work is exactly that...

In fact, he will mutter a few incomprehensible words that are more or less mean what Hideyoshi just said, except as written by Zartas and in their original language, Evronian.

Once he's on his feet again and he's released Hideyoshi's hand, he swings his spear in the air again; it's not an attack, it's just a way of letting him know he's not down for the count yet.]

I admire you, Hideyoshi. As you say, your body may not favor you; and yet, you have the heart, mind and spirit of a true leader.

Now. Refresh my memory.

[He points his spear at Hideyoshi, then.]

What is it that stands between you and power?

[Just for a moment, Hideyoshi tenses. Words in a strange language - for all he knows, he'd just gone too far, and Gorthan is activating some crazy spell or power or what-have-you that will blow his head off. Stranger things have happened in Vatheon, haven't they? On a fairly regular basis.

But no - not, he hasn't misjudged now, he never does. He knows people. Apparently aliens are people too. Slowly, he grins instead.]

Oh, pish. [Being flattered like this happens rarely enough for it to never get old, so his humility is less sincere than usual.] You have to... [but he trails off, staring at the pointed spear.

That, again.]

Well. That's a forward kind of question, [he says, turning his own spear in his hand and knowing he'll be accused of stalling any moment now.] In what order do you want them - alphabetical, geographical...?

[Gorthan's smile gains an amused edge. He's still pointing his spear at Hideyoshi.]

In the order you think most appropriate. Why, with any luck, your situation will remind me of one I may have experienced myself.

[Because while he would have gotten absolutely nowhere without Zondag's help (and even if he's technically a duck), he was no sitting duck during Evron's power vacuum years himself.]

Oho, fair enough!

[It was him who talked about old heads and tricks after all. Hideyoshi finds himself giving an answering grin. Maybe... this is why he looks for allies, after all, it's what allies are for. And he's going to have to trust someone, someday.]

The truth is, it's only been two weeks in my world. [It almost shocks him when he remembers that.] I only just got my lord's killer. Now the clan is going to meet about the succession, and there'll be talk, and talk, and talk... [he shakes his head.]

Lord Nobunaga had some powerful generals. Niwa, Shibata, Tokugawa... everyone'll be saying they're entitled to something.

[So the worlds Mitsuhide and Hideyoshi are from are similar, but different...? Unless Hideyoshi is from Mitsuhide's future, in which case... Ah, that is not particularly important right now, is it.]

Sadly, I am very familiar with how a power vacuum works.

[Because he participated in causing one, though it was a huge conspiracy that didn't involve just him. But that's not something he's about to say to anyone.]

You must take advantage of the chaos to step up, form alliances that will allow you to emerge victorious, and crush all who oppose you. Your lord's memory deserves no less. From within the black, inscrutable depths of the universe, his shadow still watches you, Hideyoshi. Make him proud.

[He obviously can't talk like this to Mitsuhide. Um.]

[It's funny, how this deciding to trust someone thing works. To anyone else, Hideyoshi might have replied with a smile and a dismissive hand wave, I know. But the truth is that nothing about it is obvious. Gorthan speaks from experience, and all he speaks from is crazy plans thought up late at night by a peasant boy with dreams too big.

And he's never been one for philosophizing, or poetry. But he thinks about those black, inscrutable depths of the universe, and yes - he can believe that Nobunaga is there, and watching.

He almost shivers, just a little.]

Well. I'll have no choice but to, [he says, and it doesn't come off a joke even though he tries.] None of the rest of them ever understood what it's all about. Someone's got to...

Your lord must have been an exceptional individual. I can just imagine him.

[Because it's not like anyone else has ever told Gorthan about Nobunaga, *cough*.]

Not very well-liked, perhaps, by peasants and by the weak of heart. But as the great Zartas, the Beacon, so well exemplifies in his theatrical masterpiece, The Way of the Warrior, what else but ruthlessness is needed to grease the gears of the machine of history?

Am I correct in my assumptions so far, Hideyoshi?

[Yes. The Way of the Warrior. That is how it is called.]

[The machine of history... yes, that sounds quite like something Nobunaga might have said. Hideyoshi's eyes mist over slightly, just for a moment, before he smiles again. It's an unusually wistful expression this time.]

Spot on. [He nods.] I think they'd have gotten along, my lord and your Zartas.

[He shrugs a little then.] Lord Nobunaga did what needed doing. Others tried - sure, they tried. But only he succeeded.

I do not doubt that. In his very last work, the poem The Warrior King, the poet writes of a warrior who will use destruction as a means to conquer and dominate all creation. While it is a prophecy of my ascent, I cannot help but wonder if each civilization has its own Warrior King. In that case, perhaps your Lord was it... but who will take his place now? Do you truly have what it takes to fulfill a prophecy from the depths of the universe?

[At that, he will jab his spear at Hideyoshi again, only stopping short of actually hitting him with it.]

As Evron's undisputed Warrior King, I feel it is my duty to test you.

[A prophecy... Hideyoshi's eyes widen. Before Vatheon, he might have said something about not believing in prophecies, but now, who knows? I wish I had a prophecy, is most of what he can think. That would definitely help if he's supposed to...

Warrior King? Honestly?]

Whoa - ! [He jerks back and away from the point of the spear, even if it's not meant to hit, flailing a little. What about him communicates king to anyone?]

Say, Gorthan, [he asks instead, even as he snaps his own spear back up, ready for more action.] What happens after? When your Warrior King's done conquering and destroying and dominating, what's next?

[In a slow, solemn gesture, Gorthan plants the spear into the ground. At Hideyoshi's question, there's a sensible change in him. He keeps his eyes closed for a few moments, his almost playful taunting from just a moment ago now suddenly replaced by an air of gravity. With a few steps, he shortens the distance between himself and Hideyoshi.]

Allow me to recite the very last poem written by the great Zartas. The Beacon. The Invincible. This is the Sage's very last, essential teaching to Evron and the universe. May his words show you the way and enlighten you as they do me.

The Warrior King is the title.

[There's a small moment when he clears his throat and his eyes fall close. When he speaks next, his normally dark, deep tone has been replaced by something softer and more nimble. He recites slowly, careful not to overact. Cruel and simple as the words may be, he seems to hold a great deal of respect for them.]

"Victory, triumph,
complete and unconditional rule
over every being endowed with life;
that is the Warrior King's ultimate goal.

And if this is not enough
to sate his thirst for conquest...
Then the Warrior King must order complete destruction.

But if even this
cannot give peace to his heart..."

[And then his voice simply trails off.]

[Then he's in a bit of a pickle, isn't it? Hideyoshi thinks without the slightest bit of humor. He's never been very good with poetry, with dressing up his actions and thoughts in lofty notions, but he understands people - oh, he understands.

He doesn't move, letting his spear-arm go slack. It isn't the answer he wanted. And it isn't complete destruction I want! There is a reason to conquer, a reason to make war, it isn't simply ambition and power...

No. No lies now, Hiyoshi. You know.]

A man has fifty years under Heaven, [he finds himself reciting in answer, under his breath. And blast, it hurts.] Is there anything that will not decay?

[He glances up at Gorthan again.]

That's absurd, [he says flatly.] I'm not conquering just to destroy what I fought for. Lord Nobunaga wanted to make something of that land.

[Gorthan smiles a sincere, genuinely happy smile. By not understanding, Hideyoshi has understood.]

And that is why the poem does not end. The Sage's very last poem is unfinished. Destruction only leads to nothing; by destroying merely for the sake of it, the warrior destroys his own soul. What truly counts is altruism, courage, justice. Love for one's people.

Such things... are not easy to say in a society that, over the centuries, has become addicted to its permanent state of war. Can you stop the addiction in your country, Hideyoshi, and still make your former lord proud?

[It's such an abrupt change that it almost makes Hideyoshi jump - not in any way, sense or form what he was expecting. He looks Gorthan up and down - big, powerful, intimidating, alien conqueror from another world that he is. But he talks about love for his people and he definitely means it, Hideyoshi can tell.

He's not ready for the question and his hesitation is genuine, not stalling. He isn't ready and he's never thought about it.]

I don't know, [he says, in a very small voice, and once he's said that he can't think of anything clever to say that would make it better.]

[Gorthan remains silent and expectant for a moment, waiting for Hideyoshi to say more. But once it becomes clear that the earthling has nothing to add... Gorthan knits his hairless brow, severe, and backs away a few steps.]

Well. What a disappointment. You really should give more thought to these matters.

[After a moment of thought, he adds: ]

Mitsuhide certainly does not neglect them.

[The insinuation is made with the exact same tone of an old teacher berating a student for not doing his homework and praising someone else who did.]

[Whether that comment is meant to hit home or not, it certainly does so, and deeply. Hideyoshi shakes off his momentary lapse like an angry cat shaking water from its fur. He nails Gorthan with a bright gaze full of contempt that only Mitsuhide's name can get from him.]

Hmpf! What does Mitsuhide know! [he growls, strange as such a sound is coming from him.] What's he ever done - wrote poems about it? If he ever wanted to make Lord Nobunaga proud, he's done a piss-poor job of it!

[Properly getting going now, he puffs his chest and stares Gorthan in the eye.] I may not have your answers yet, but at least I know that I don't! It's when a guy thinks that he knows everything that he's really got a problem.

[And of course, part of the reason why Gorthan had mentioned Mitsuhide was his hope that his spirit would ignite like it just did.

His tone is now much calmer. Detached, now that Hideyoshi has been spurred sufficiently.]

There are records of a few, great Evronians who made their lords proud precisely by vanquishing them. And if my second-in-command ever wanted to do to me what Mitsuhide did to your lord, I suppose I would have no grounds to complain - he is younger than I am, and as such, his legitimate ambitions burn brighter than mine. But you earthlings do not function the same way. Understandably.

When I return to my world, Hideyoshi, I will most definitely gather more information on the history of your country. Needless to say, should I not stumble into your name, my disappointment in you will be complete.

[It's irritating to be played like this, so easily, but this is one weakness that Hideyoshi knows that he has, and is willing to live with. But he still levels a look at Gorthan, one not to be argued with.]

No, we don't, [he says flatly.] Ambition isn't enough. [It isn't even the important part, no when it comes to really ruling.]

You need a reason. [his voice sharpens a little, becomes stronger.] Something you want to change! So when you find me in my history, don't think I've done whatever it was just to make you, or anyone proud.

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THREE | [video] | A plan what is a plan

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May I just say that this log is mind-blowingly awesome

Ah, it is. <3

... and now I am so sorry for taking forever ><

I was busy with finals until today myself, so it's alright!

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