[ Blade doesn't bother asking him not to. He assumes it's useless, like how it is in telling certain members of the Stellaron Hunters not to give him certain nicknames.
Or...like...dragging him into video games, or...shopping sprees (don't ask)
He just assumes that G'raha is cut from the same cloth in regards to such kind of persistent behavior. ]
Very easy.
[ He answers anyway.
There's a long moment of silence, and then, he says something familiar— ]
[ It isn't fair, but sometimes that's how things are— ]
...Wouldn't be surprised.
[ But, what does Blade know? He can't. Not really, even given the enormity of what has happened - the potential shock and horror displayed upon people's faces in the wake of that execution. Of that death.
No, he thinks in fact that G'raha has a point indeed. At this thought, he snatches up a red rose, begins to pluck every petal mercilessly from its place. ]
Not giving us answers only breeds uncertainty. It may eventually crest into paranoia.
[ He is forced to stop plucking the last petal...and so, also falls silent. ]
Is it kindness? Or because you simply know better?
[ G'raha has lived for a very long time, after all. Though, he knows that the gentleness is not necessarily a weakness; those who can do what needs to be done and remain kind are stronger than most would give credit for. ]
A few individuals I had the misfortune of meeting while working for a city-state.
[ Difficult leaders, that sort of thing. ]
There are several that stand out, however. The Ascians are by far the most difficult individuals I’ve come upon. They worked to sow chaos and destruction with the sole purpose of reuniting our star. [ He crosses his arms. ] ‘Twould have caused billions of deaths, of which we simply could not allow.
[ Difficult leaders, eh? Somehow that doesn't surprise Blade, especially because of the fact that he's mentioned having a grand duty before - which, on its own sounds fantastical enough. Even if he doesn't have every single aspect, he believes he was told enough.
But, in regards to the Ascians, another question bubbles to the surface... ]
Did you have to kill them?
[ ...disagreements do not necessarily equate to killings, but also they are things that can happen nonetheless. ]
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Or...like...dragging him into video games, or...shopping sprees (don't ask)
He just assumes that G'raha is cut from the same cloth in regards to such kind of persistent behavior. ]
Very easy.
[ He answers anyway.
There's a long moment of silence, and then, he says something familiar— ]
Intent carries its own weight.
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He laughs softly at those words, exhaustion layered underneath it. He's tired in a way he hasn't felt in a long while. ]
Mm, that it does. This is meant to horrify us, to turn us against one another.
[ His fingers let go of that rose petal. ]
And it's meant to complete a spell, too. The tension that brews between everyone is only a benefit, I'm certain.
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...Wouldn't be surprised.
[ But, what does Blade know? He can't. Not really, even given the enormity of what has happened - the potential shock and horror displayed upon people's faces in the wake of that execution. Of that death.
No, he thinks in fact that G'raha has a point indeed. At this thought, he snatches up a red rose, begins to pluck every petal mercilessly from its place. ]
Not giving us answers only breeds uncertainty. It may eventually crest into paranoia.
It's what will suit him in the end.
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Indeed. Paranoia will drive others to kill out of a sense of self-preservation.
[ With a sigh he reaches out for the rose before Blade can pluck its last petal. ]
Thankfully, I am not easily driven to paranoia.
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Is it kindness? Or because you simply know better?
[ G'raha has lived for a very long time, after all. Though, he knows that the gentleness is not necessarily a weakness; those who can do what needs to be done and remain kind are stronger than most would give credit for. ]
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I know better. I doubt I could say it could be attributed to kindness.
[ Even though he doesn't like to kill unless it's necessary, he has killed before. ]
'Tis not to say I clamor for death otherwise, but I do know that acts of violence occur for an array of reasons.
[ Self defense, desperation... intent certainly means a lot. ]
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...sounds like a bit of kindness too.
[ His words are at least a little bit petulant. Maybe because he was stopped from doing something kind of minorly destructive.
He doesn't explain why he said his words, either. ]
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Care to elaborate, friend?
[ He’s gonna get that explanation!!! ]
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[ Wow, Blade is suddenly being contrary all of a sudden!! ]
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[ He's got his arms crossed and everything right now. Yes, he's absolutely scolding Blade. ]
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What did he do to deserve this... ]
Hmph. I don't remember how to grant basic courtesies.
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[ Which, like. Fair enough. But he's going to make Blade admit it. ]
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...I don't see a point in being 'courteous'.
[ Yeah, he'll admit to it after a bit. He is pretty bad at obfuscation, anyway. ]
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Not even to make those you like happy?
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...Which is just regular-flavor sullen Blade. That's the price. ]
No.
They will be forced to deal with myself as I am.
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'Tis not a terrible thing, that.
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Many wouldn't dare to say so.
[ Because he's got rabies (he's crazy) ]
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I like you as you are right before me.
[ Which is true, and he still likes Blade despite their little tiff in the suite.
Blade doesn’t scare him. ]
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Then, he imparts him a genuinely amused look - he thought the tiff was enough to cause a riff. But, the reality surprises him even more. ]
...you must be crazy.
[ DON'T BE RUDE, BLADE- ]
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[ Blade looks amused, so he’s taking this as a win. ]
We may disagree on some things, but disagreement breeds opportunity. I learned that lesson long, long ago.
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...Opportunity.
Did you meet someone very disagreeable?
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I’ve met an assortment of disagreeable individuals.
[ Extremely vague, but Blade has probably noticed this little habit by now—G’raha keeps things vague if he can.
That, of course, doesn’t mean he can’t be called out. ]
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...Like who?
[ Blade is, indeed, going to go ahead and call out G'raha.
Apparently, when he's been vague enough it does at least get him to be relatively curious. ]
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[ Difficult leaders, that sort of thing. ]
There are several that stand out, however. The Ascians are by far the most difficult individuals I’ve come upon. They worked to sow chaos and destruction with the sole purpose of reuniting our star. [ He crosses his arms. ] ‘Twould have caused billions of deaths, of which we simply could not allow.
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But, in regards to the Ascians, another question bubbles to the surface... ]
Did you have to kill them?
[ ...disagreements do not necessarily equate to killings, but also they are things that can happen nonetheless. ]
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