Well, I got to stab a few sharks which I didn't manage last time, so that wasn't bad.
[but that doesn't mean all that much without context, does it. so she instead looks into the fire, expression turning cold. for all that lili normally feels, the blistering fire, right now is different.
right now is the type of fury that sits with her, that chills her voice into a sharp, focused blade.]
... it's how I died last time.
They recreated the whole thing, and made me see visions of my friends from the past experience in the water, already long gone.
They told me, in the voice of the person that I want to protect more than anyone else, that I ought to give up.
[-- And that is what freezes Sanji in place until he's as still as ice, his gaze turning slack on the fire. The shock of her death -- well, it's not so surprising giving where they came from, is it? No, deep down, that's not what's offended him so.
It's the same thing that's set her own soul on fire; the callous audacity to use loved ones as pawns.]
Fuckin shits, aren't they?
[Voice cold and heated at once, some of his calm neutrality out the window. He keeps his fury on the flames.]
Of course you won't. No one here is gonna.
[Even if he has to start dragging people to the finish line]
As much as I want to agree, they aim for the heart.
[and lili? lili is a bleeding heart. she loves far more easily than she lets on, and she is willing to do anything to defend the innocent. but she's also suffered through people trampling on her pride, and known what it's like to stare her own mortality and despair in the face and come out only angrier.]
If others are going to try to enter places, they should be ready to steel themselves not only for injury but also for their minds to be tampered with.
They're willing to use whatever dastardly method it takes to force compliance.
[-- The added sternness in his voice isn't meant for her, and he quickly quiets after that, steeling his breath and reorienting himself. His glare sharpens in on itself as he closes his eyes.]
... I doubt any of the other games we were in played all that nice. The castle sure as hell didn't.
Most of us? Are gonna keep suffering until the end comes, watching the people around us drop like shitty flies, or getting bullied into nasty decisions we don't want. That's the price for the ending we want. So I hope everyone's prepare for the long haul.
But at least for me... this time feels personal. Like they're going to try to make you choose between the bonds that you made before this and the ones that you have now. And I know some people have others who aren't here that they'd do anything for.... so they have to be ready to be faced with that choice - even if it's just a trick.
[but it's true, they've all suffered through so much bullshit. and lili just sighs as she lets her gaze fall on the fire again.]
We have to keep searching for answers... but we also best not be stupid about anything. These environments truly aren't kind to the weak-willed.
[At first saying nothing... because Lili is right, and his silence is one of quiet agreement. Things will get much, much worse before they get better. Still holding the fire in his eyes, Sanji leans forward and folds his hands together, heaving a sigh]
Information's gonna be the only way we get out of this alive... when I got the time, I'll go sniffing around, too. I'll let you know what I find, if anything.
.... We came out of it with supplies, too. They're all varying levels of useful, but I don't mind telling people that we received a medical instrument that allows for one use of a medium-level healing serum. That's the most important one, and I'd like to use it to save anyone with an especially bad injury.
Aa. We've got a ruling class back on my world known as the Nobles... a bunch of stuck-up assholes who trade other species because they're bored. You get branded by them, you're a slave, no matter where you came from. And they'll use the World Government as their attack dogs while they horde all the wealth.
It's why there's a lot of pirates running around on my world. Half of 'em want riches and freedom, don't get me wrong, but it's a middle finger to the system that doesn't give a shit about us.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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They stole the face of someone dear to me, and forced his voice to say more wretched things that he never would!
How dare they make him a puppet to try to torture me? How many times will they resort to underhanded tricks and disgusting methods?!
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... Too many times, I'd wager.
[He knows as well as she does this will keep happening if it keeps riling them up, but--]
Still, I'm sorry. Even more so if you didn't get a chance to kick their asses on the way out.
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Well, I got to stab a few sharks which I didn't manage last time, so that wasn't bad.
[but that doesn't mean all that much without context, does it. so she instead looks into the fire, expression turning cold. for all that lili normally feels, the blistering fire, right now is different.
right now is the type of fury that sits with her, that chills her voice into a sharp, focused blade.]
... it's how I died last time.
They recreated the whole thing, and made me see visions of my friends from the past experience in the water, already long gone.
They told me, in the voice of the person that I want to protect more than anyone else, that I ought to give up.
Naturally, I will not.
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It's the same thing that's set her own soul on fire; the callous audacity to use loved ones as pawns.]
Fuckin shits, aren't they?
[Voice cold and heated at once, some of his calm neutrality out the window. He keeps his fury on the flames.]
Of course you won't. No one here is gonna.
[Even if he has to start dragging people to the finish line]
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[and lili? lili is a bleeding heart. she loves far more easily than she lets on, and she is willing to do anything to defend the innocent. but she's also suffered through people trampling on her pride, and known what it's like to stare her own mortality and despair in the face and come out only angrier.]
If others are going to try to enter places, they should be ready to steel themselves not only for injury but also for their minds to be tampered with.
They're willing to use whatever dastardly method it takes to force compliance.
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[-- The added sternness in his voice isn't meant for her, and he quickly quiets after that, steeling his breath and reorienting himself. His glare sharpens in on itself as he closes his eyes.]
... I doubt any of the other games we were in played all that nice. The castle sure as hell didn't.
Most of us? Are gonna keep suffering until the end comes, watching the people around us drop like shitty flies, or getting bullied into nasty decisions we don't want. That's the price for the ending we want. So I hope everyone's prepare for the long haul.
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But at least for me... this time feels personal. Like they're going to try to make you choose between the bonds that you made before this and the ones that you have now. And I know some people have others who aren't here that they'd do anything for.... so they have to be ready to be faced with that choice - even if it's just a trick.
[but it's true, they've all suffered through so much bullshit. and lili just sighs as she lets her gaze fall on the fire again.]
We have to keep searching for answers... but we also best not be stupid about anything. These environments truly aren't kind to the weak-willed.
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Information's gonna be the only way we get out of this alive... when I got the time, I'll go sniffing around, too. I'll let you know what I find, if anything.
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[a beat]
.... We came out of it with supplies, too. They're all varying levels of useful, but I don't mind telling people that we received a medical instrument that allows for one use of a medium-level healing serum. That's the most important one, and I'd like to use it to save anyone with an especially bad injury.
[she says, ignoring her own shark bites]
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[L I L I
SANJI ADORES YOU AND YET IS SO CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR LIFE CHOICES]
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hm?]
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Sanji's smile turns deeply fond as he shakes his head]
Nah, never mind. You wouldn't be you if you did things any other way.
[HE KINDA WANTS TO RUFFLE HER HAIR but he'll lose his hand so no, he will refrain]
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Mm, that's right. I don't know if what I say is always popular, but I'm effective and right most of the time!
[please take away some of this confidence]
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Oh I believe it. You a leader back where you come from?
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[so like
sometimes?]
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Right? Too many leaders would rather be locked away in their palaces of grand tile and ivory...
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she's just going to immediately scowl]
People like that ought to rot.
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Damn right they should.
[...]
It's why there's a lot of pirates running around on my world. Half of 'em want riches and freedom, don't get me wrong, but it's a middle finger to the system that doesn't give a shit about us.
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I can't blame anyone for wanting either of those things - it's up to the people how they choose to make their lives meaningful.
I just can't ever respect others who have to stomp on the hopes and dreams of innocents in order to get what they want.