[Video] [forward dated to the 24th because what is being patient?]

[king_of_heroes]

[ Every since people started dropping off like flies off of this island, Gilgamesh has been unusually silent. Where he would once do nothing but talk all day, so full of himself and happy about it, he mostly kept to himself now. He still showed up to work, but he rarely barked out any orders. He hadn't bothered to keep up with the network at all, and if anyone did try to get his attention? He more than likely shrugged them off. During the dark hour, he would fight much more seriously than he ever had in the past. Nobody could break his concentration. But he was smart enough to know when to stand down as well. Getting himself killed wouldn't do any good. He was careful and strategic when going into things now.

It has been a little over two weeks now. Two weeks of silent mourning, regret, and burning anger. He was tired of what he saw himself as running. It was time, time for him to set himself straight. He was a king, heavens damn it. The King of Heroes. He needed to follow the sagely advice he had been given. Prove to everyone, prove to himself, that he was worthy of such a title. After much hesitation, the all too silent video feed of the King of Heroes flickers to life. ]

Prospero. It has been some time since I last addressed you. Worry not, for I am not here to openly mock you like so many times before. Nor am I here to brag about my many accomplishments. Instead, I offer you something you may still choose to ignore. If that is your choice, so be it.

[ There is a bit of fumbling with the camera, as if he's trying to prop it against something so he doesn't have to hold it. When the view finally clams down, Gilgamesh is seen sitting on the floor of his own apartment, two lion cubs resting their heads comfortably on his lap. He may give them little pettings during this whole video. ]

I'm sure by now many of you have noticed the sudden disappearances have sky-rocketed to insane levels over the past few weeks. I understand that this may have left many of us in uncomfortable positions, both emotionally and otherwise. Even this king has been unsure what to do for some time. Any of us could disappear at any moment, so what is the point in getting to know anyone? This isn't home. Why should we care? These are not your family, your friends, your people. Why should you be obligated to help anyone? The person you save today might be gone tomorrow. What is the point of any of this?

Indeed, these are all thoughts that have plagued my mind these last few weeks. But I have given proper thought to our situation. There is only one option. One absolute option that I should have realized before now. Our backgrounds do not matter here. The past, nor the future hold any merit. We must live for today.

"Live every day as if it were your last", wasn't it? It's a regretful thing that I forgot my own lesson. I realize that some of you do have important matters awaiting you in your home worlds. But for some of us, our time has already come to an end. That is why I ask those of you who share a similar fate to see this as your second chance. Enjoy the things you were never able to in your previous life. You will only regret it if you don't.

[ There's a short pause. The lions stare up at him as he closed his eyes for a bit, letting out a small chuckle before patting their heads again. ]

My, I've rambled on far longer than I intended. My apologies, but I just had to get everything off my chest. It is a rather nice feeling. I won't keep you any longer so you can go back to your daily lives. I only have one more thing of note to mention. From now on, I will offer my sword to aid any during the dark hour. I will consider you all my allies, if you will consider this king yours.

Comments

[ video ]

[rocker]

[ He's.. being nice, sort of.. and offering to help people out..? Welp, consider David surprised, even if it's not in any bad way. After all, even if he and Gilgamesh had their.. moments.. before and aside from a jealous streak still lingering somewhere in him, this can't be a bad thing. ]

... It is good to see you so willing to aid others. [ see, David's being nice, even with lineface and all. ]

[king_of_heroes]

[ Oh, it's him. While he's trying to be positive about things these days, there's just certain things you can't get over no matter how much you try. But he'll try, because he really isn't in the mood. ]

It may come at the price of my unrestricted freedom, but I suppose it will be worth it in the long run.

[rocker]

Helping out people is always worth it in the end. [ since it's the right thing to do. ]

So even if your change of heart is rather sudden, I shall not question it and instead even welcome it.

[king_of_heroes]

It's not sudden. I have always given people what they wanted when they needed it when they showed they were worthy. One must earn what they deserve. ...And if I ever wish to respected like I once was, I suppose I'll have to prove myself worthy as well.

[ don't argue with his logic or morals! ]

[rocker]

[ David is a bastion of morality except for when it comes to women, okay, how can he not argue with it. ]

.. That much is true, the latter part. After all, earning what you deserve would apply to you too in that case. But still, I believe that people should be offered a helping hand even if they have not proven anything to you yet. It would not be right to leave them alone.

[king_of_heroes]

[ He's mentally facepalming so hard right now, man. So hard. ]


Tell me, David. Have you ever heard the story of The Scorpion and the Frog?

[rocker]

.. The Scorpion and the Frog? No, I have not heard it before.. why?

[king_of_heroes]

Because if you did, you would understand where I'm coming from.

There once was a frog who lived a pretty happy life. His home was on the river, where there were many insects to eat and friends to play with. Every so often, a creature who could not swim wished to get to the other side. The frog, being the friendly creature that he was, would never object to letting them ride his back across the river.

But then one day, there was a scorpion who wished to cross the river. Now, the frog knew scorpions had a rather bad image in the world. All they ever seemed to do was sting anyone them came across. But the frog knew there was good in every creature, right? Besides, the scorpion assured him that if the scorpion stung the frog, they would both drown and die. So he allowed the scorpion to ride across the river on his back. All seemed well, until the very end. They were almost at the other side of the river bank when the scorpion suddenly stung the frog. The frog asked why, and the scorpion said it was in his nature. The frog died from the scorpion's poison and the scorpion drowned.

Now tell me, what was the moral of this story?

[rocker]

[ Wow, way to be patronizing at the end there, Gilgamesh. But then again, David's too nice of a guy to remark anything about that. ]

... Would it be that some creatures merely can not help acting the way they do even taking the circumstances or consequences in account?

[king_of_heroes]

[ Damn it, David. That actually makes sense but it isn't what he was going for. ]

No. It means that treating everyone as if they have committed no prior sins will only end up hurting you in the end. You can not trust everyone at face value. That is why I wish people to prove themselves. I am a king, I do not like wasting my time on those that would rather get a free ride or drag me down with them. If I were that frog, I would have told the scorpion to stop being a lazy fool and simply find a leaf to float himself across on.

[rocker]

[ It's the most obvious one, okay?? And seriously, this is probalby one of those things neither of them will ever give in about.. ]

.. I wouldn't have told him to get another ride. After all, if the frog would not have carried him over, he would have tried to find another animal to carry him. In that case, I would rather have it be me than someone else who has to take on the consequences. Besides, ignoring him at such a moment might mean you would say the same to an innocent creature who is left without means of crossing even though it did nothing wrong.

[king_of_heroes]

[ The sad truth. No matter how nice Gil tries to be, no matter what might influence him, his ideals are unbreakable. The same could be said for David as well. Sobs. WHY CAN'T WE BE FRIENDS, WHY CAN'T WE BE FRIIIIIIENDS? ]

You just don't get it, do you? Chivalry won't get you anywhere in this day and age. The world will swallow you up whole and only spit out your bones once they are picked clean.

[rocker]

[ FATE IS KEEPING THEM APART, IT'S SO CRUEL.. ]

It has gotten me far enough. In fact, I do not think it has done me any harm so far. So is there any reason for me to give up these ideas I have carried with me for so long?

[king_of_heroes]

[ well then there's only one choice. ]

Very well. I see that we are both stubborn old men when it comes to our ideals. Let us make it a game, then. Whoever survives the longest without breaking down due to their ideals will be proven right.

[rocker]

[ .. Have a stare for a little bit. What, a game..? David is generally not much of a fan of games (or.. having fun..) but fine, if the other man insists.. ]

If you want to turn it into a game so badly, then I will not turn your offer down. [ a nod. ]

[king_of_heroes]

[ Gil is the master of staring, okay. Especially with those haunting crimson eyes of his. Seriously, don't they just make your spine tingle? It's almost as if they put you into some kind of trance!

Okay, maybe that only works on some people. Whatever. ]

I only hope you're prepared to lose.