caughtinanetwork | I. Power and might [Text]

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I. Power and might [Text]

[One thing about Councillor Gorthan is that he is still very unsure about Vatheon and its people, and in general doesn't like hanging outside very often. Also because he may find himself getting hungry for the residents' emotions, and he is trying to maintain a low profile for the moment.

So here, Vatheon, have a short, simple text.]

Is anybody here able to recommend any good books?

I am particularly interested in poetry, philosophy and epics.

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Indeed it is not.

The only food an Evronian can draw energy from... is his victim's psychic and emotional energy.

You may say it is by natural necessity that we are a race of conquerors - we are in constant need of a great supply of our nourishment.

You should not fear me, however. I have been using the coral to replenish myself periodically, instead of eating. It works acceptably enough, and yet... visualizing other's thoughts may make me change my mind.

[Pardon him, he's just going to stare for a bit as all this not so much sinks in as settles all around him in a great cloud of confusion. And pardon him again as he is going to sound just a bit stupid now - ]

You... eat people's thoughts? Is that it?

Their emotions, more precisely. Yes. To us, they are a valuable source of energy and nutrition.

But, again worry not, earthling. I mean no disrespect by what I am about to say, quite the contrary in fact... but any Evronian would consider you a terrible victim.

[Something in Gorthan's expression does indeed suggest respect. In fact, what he just said was supposed to be a compliment.]

Changing subject. Your deceased lord, Nobunaga is the name, I believe. Why, do you believe, would someone not remember him as fondly and proudly as you do? Answer me.

[Hideyoshi frowns slightly as he opens his mouth to reply - then closes it again. He thinks he understands, actually, and even if he doesn't... being a good victim does not sound like a good thing.

So he grins instead, and would thank you kindly, Gorthan, except for that topic change. He should have been ready for that - he is, really. and his expression hardens only a fraction. He still sounds fairy casual when he speaks.]

Someone like you should know better than anyone, I'd think. No one's ever ever accomplished anything meaningful without making an enemy or two along the way.

[Gorthan nods. He does know that better than anyone.]

Very true. However, this person, the one who first spoke to me of him, was not his enemy, and indeed I have reason to suspect that he served under him, much like you did. So why, do you believe, would he avoid reminiscing about such a great man, to whom no doubt he owes a lot, as if doing so would expose him to a deadly disease?

Talked to Mitsuhide, have you?

[The mention of that name brings a uncharacteristic flash of cold anger to his face. For a moment he looks as though he'll say more, but then closes his mouth again and lets the silence stretch.]

Indeed, I have.

[There is a pause and the sound of Gorthan's large fingers tapping a slow rhythm against a hard surface, though they're out of view.]

You and him are not on friendly terms at all, are you. Even though you hail from the same world...

[This is not good. It's too soon, to begin with, and Hideyoshi decides in a flash that he isn't going to be able to talk around Gorthan as he could to do most other people. He sighs, shoulders slumping.]

Our lord did what needed doing. It wasn't always pretty, and Mitsuhide just didn't have the stomach for it. So he turned traitor. [His mouth tightens slightly.] Of course he wouldn't talk about it. Where I'm from, that's the worst crime we know.

[A grave pause. There is no such thing as surprise or shock from Gorthan's end. But he does keep his eyes low, seemingly staring at the ground in silence for a few moments before he suddenly raises his head to stare directly into the SFC.]

And where I am from, as well. That explains much.

It is a heinous crime, the worst conceivable, one that shall tarnish his person and his name for the rest of his days and beyond. And yet, it does not speak well of you, either, I believe. Why were you unable to foil his scheme? Could it be that you knew, and you simply did not want to prevent it?

[He becomes more intense almost literally at every word, his tone louder and more upset, his brow furrowed more and more. It is quite clear that there is at least some aspect of this whole matter that concerns Gorthan personally. Very personally.]

[Oh. Demon or conqueror or alien or not, that was absolutely the wrong thing to say. The very suggestion, the very thought lights a furious fire in Hideyoshi's eyes that cleanly burns away whatever remains of his calmly playful manner. His free hand clenches into a fist rising into view.]

I'm loyal to Lord Nobunaga with every breath left in my body! You can ask Mitsuhide - he'd remember that I forced an army to cross the country in days to take his head! It's true that I - [he sucks in a breath, trying to calm down] I failed my lord, we all did, and we'll all have to live with that. But I don't care what you are or how much you've conquered, don't you dare even hint that I had anything to do with Mitsuhide's treason!

[There's something unnerving about the otherwise small, unremarkable man in this towering rage - he genuinely looks like he can deliver on that threat.]

[By contrast, Gorthan seems to calm down. Not only do displays of emotion like this make him mildly, pleasantly hungry, but in this particular case, there is something else he enjoys about Hideyoshi's reaction, at a deeper level.]

Your righteous rage speaks of your loyalty, earthling. Of your honor. I do not need further proof from you. I believe you.

[But if you want him to apologize for having provoked you, that's not what he's going to do. Ah, even those earthlings who wield power can be such easy preys to emotion...]

Now I merely wonder which weighs more in your mind - your desire for revenge, or the kinship with someone from your own world, from your own land, in these strange, mysterious circumstances that we all find ourselves in.

[Now, this is where it gets a little bit complicated. Hideyoshi doesn't answer immediately - not without breathing in and getting hold of his own anger until it cools away. He understands Gorthan's game and he doesn't resent it, but he also understands his own position. And he understands the network well enough by now to know that anyone could be watching.

Mitsuhide has allies and a support base and he has had time. All Hideyoshi has is the head on his shoulders and whatever impressive act he can put up. Same old story, all over again.]

I don't have any kinship with him, [he says at last, flatly but clearly.] But there isn't any fighting here, and I won't be the one to start it.

Very well.

[Gorthan nods simply, cold and expressionless again.]

You should probably inform him of your intentions, then.

[That's as good as it is going to get for the moment, probably. Hideyoshi nods in return, then gives a wry, humorless chuckle.]

Ahh, he won't believe me even if I do. Not really on talking terms, us two.

You should get somebody to mediate between the two of you, then. Not me, of course, as your world of origin is mostly unfamiliar to me.

I didn't quite peg you down as the mediating type. [He grins just a bit.]

Maybe it's best if we both just give each other plenty of space.

I could very well do it, if my knowledge of the matters at hand was sufficient. But it is not.

So your differences are too big to set aside, even in these exceptional circumstances. Very well. I do believe that you are making your lord proud.

It is a rather long story. [His eyes cloud over for a moment as he thinks back, but he shakes it off soon, and smiles.]

Ahh, flattery will get you nowhere. [But he seems to genuinely appreciate it.]

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I. Power and might [Text]

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