urbem_initium | Open Megaman RP Post

[ in hindsight? chasing a lone challenger (who'd had the gall to lose his nerve halfway into a battle in which Forte had been taken an bit of damage while trouncing him, and ran away before Forte could finish off matters by deleting the coward) this deep into a no jack-out zone had... not been one of the greatest decisions he'd ever made. he'd caught up to the other Netnavi and deleted him yes, that had held some degree of satisfaction.

but that had only lasted as it took him to realize the scum had managed to run straight into a maze of auto-jump traps, links that threw Netnavis to a different location every time they were used and none of the places they'd flung him to were outside of the no jack-out area. meaning it was 1.) try a endless combo of links until one randomly dropped him where he wanted to go 2.) walk on foot all the way back to the server entrance.

it was entirely likely this had been a last-ditch attempt on the Netnavi's part to escape Forte and he was in part to blame for his current predicament.

now, this all would have been deeply annoying yet managable. save for the fact that one particular Netnavi (whom Forte had renewed his vow he would one day see dead in the most painful fashion he could) had also chosen today of all days to enter the same area and accordingly, get stuck in it as well. hence: ]

Exactly what part of 'go away,' don't you understand.

[ Serenade was not taking any strong hint to leave Forte alone. the server entrance to this area of the Undernet suddenly seemed an extremely long way off. ]

Edited 2016-05-30 20:28 (UTC)

[This wasn't usually an area Serenade would bother venturing into. He would have perhaps sent Darkman or Yamatoman and listened to their frustration later. However, both were currently busy with duties they'd assigned, which left the King no choice but to handle the situation.

And it was a situation serious enough to warrant an immediate response. A labyrinth, recently discovered by one of his underlings. Hard to access, glitchy and full of junk data obscuring almost any type of sensor or scanner available to Navis, but there were traces of something stored within. And Forte was seen making a beeline for the area.

Really, not the most pleasant of situations.

So there they were, trailing Forte as the destructive Navi attempted to navigate through the rage-inducing maze.]

Ah, but when one is lost it is better to stay with a group. Two heads are better than one~

[Says the one who has so far done absolutely nothing to help progress through the maze.]

[ Forte turned his attention from said unpleasant situation (namely: trying to figure out whether or not he had seen this specific four-way intersection before or was it a different four-way intersection? because everything was annoyingly lacking in terms of digital landmarks, and why was it that this area had to be so ill-maintained that the trash data cluttering it up ruined any attempts to run a scan and map the area as he went to avoid doubling back on himself) to look sideways over his shoulder at Serenade, behind him.

he knew pointless teasing from the other Navi when he saw it, especially when the only contribution they've made since they've showed up is being no use towards the goal of getting out. ]

Oh, really. [ he scoffs as he floats along, hopping over a loose chunk of solid, discarded data lying in the path, and curtly slashes a hand through the air. ]

I don't need or want your help.

[ PLUS IT'S NOT LIKE THEY'RE ANY LESS LOST HERE THAN HE IS.

he faces forward again and stalks off into one of the passages of the labyrinth. the uhm, left one. ]

Edited 2016-06-04 23:56 (UTC)

[Regardless of Forte's displeasure, Serenade follows along serenely, still smiling, almost as if to mock Forte's fruitless attempts to get them to leave.

Except, knowing the Navi, they probably were mocking Forte.]

That's a shame. You won't progress very far on your own, as you may already notice. Sometimes one must swallow their pride and reach out if they ever hope to reach their goal.

[Of course, Serenade's going to use this as an opportunity to lecture Forte about teamwork even though they both know Forte's not going to listen at all.]

Whip out a complete set of map data for this area.

[ B| ] Then I'll count it a shame.

[ addressing the comment to the air in front of him, Forte kept moving and refused to dignify what he was fully aware was the other Navi's said pointless mockery, by turning around to face them when they talked. talk to the back of his helmet, Serenade!

...

this again. ]

Perhaps it would serve one even better to not keep mouthing off.

[ sure am dismissing that lecture again. for the moment, Forte angrily accepts he's not going to be shaking Serenade off very soon. ]

[Oh, an actual response? Maybe they'll actually get somewhere today. Forte usually only deigned to respond to him with insults or ignoring them. Then again, he was refusing to face Serenade, much like a petulant child throwing a silent tantrum.]

Ah, but it would be quite boring to amble around in silence, would it not?

[Admission: they're just spouting shit to annoy Forte. Although, since Forte has no means of escaping them, they're kind of curious to see how far they can get with some serious talk.]

Is the idea of working with others so abhorrent that you would not spend even a second considering it?

Quiet would be a welcome change. [ pause. ] My mistake. We can't have the Ruler bored now, can we... ?

[ Serenade didn't have a monoploy on saying sarcastic shit mainly to be rude. deciding making Serenade go away was an useless effort, when the task of finding a way out of the maze was at hand, hadn't lessened Forte's ire at them. and the familiar-by-now shittalking isn't decreasing it either. ~~per Serenade's intention of bugging him.~~ he wouldn't let them best him here.

almost carelessly: ]

I told you, I don't need it. You ask why I don't want to waste time debating to stoop to something I don't need?

[ if it's abhorrent, it's because it's also a common tactic for the weak who did need it to cover their own shortcomings instead of becoming strong on their own merits.

the passage bent in front of them to the left. ]

So you understand!

[Not even going to deny it. They both know Serenade finds Forte quite amusing, after all. To the King, Forte is much like a little child trying to anger the other in manners that don't have their intended effect. Like pretending to ignore them, for instance.

Truly, an amusing spectacle.]

Have you never been curious of the notion of friendship? Perhaps you don't need it, no... but you don't have to need something to want it.

[Serenade hums, turning their head to look at the stretch of path past the bend. More loops, dead ends, and redundant links as far as the eye can see. And thankfully, no closer to the power source dwelling deep within the broken network.]

For instance, you do not need to leave here to survive. You can simply stay here and be. But you want to leave, do you not?

[ a flare of temper, for you, and for whoever set up the auto-jump traps, and for how far off the server entrance felt like. ]

Tch! You need more people to tell you you're a pest.

[ ah, the days back when the degree to which Serenade is insufferable in their refusal to be daunted or driven off their fun had took Forte off guard. those had ended swiftly once they'd conversations lasted longer than 5 minutes.

(it makes sense to Forte, on one level. Serenade is strong despite their incomprehensibly foolish views so they've a right to have their way. except with Forte, obviously.)

he slows and crosses his arms, eyes narrowing ahead of him at the old, untended mess of a cyberarea sprawling out before the two Navis, before flicking back at them, head turning slightly to look behind him with the irate movement. ]

I'm not in the mood for playing your games, Serenade.

Isn't that what you're here for?

[Forte you fill all of Serenade's insult-receiving quota, because heck if they ever get one to their face from any other person.

Serenade chuckles, knowing the destructive Navi's temper is flaring.]

It's a shame you have no choice, isn't it?

[ okay, turning around to face Serenade fully because it's easiest to convey a glare this way. then Serenade laughs. quietly. just because they wouldn't let him have a choice and leave him alone... ! if only taking on Serenade with less than full HP like he was now wasn't a recipe for a humiliating defeat. ]

So? [needling back at their joking a bit: ] I do have other things to fill my time with.

[ CLEARLY SERENADE MORE IMPUDENT UNDERLINGS but Forte has plenty of contempt to go around to fill that gap.

with an effort, he pushes down on the fury seeping up. ]

Tell me. Why are you here yourself, Serenade? This place is a dump, even for the Undernet. There's no reason for you to have come here. [ ~~guess who hasn't picked up on the nearby power source yet.~~ ]

[At least Forte understood when to cut his losses. Though it would be more fun to fight him when they both know he'd lose.]

Oh? I would love to hear about your daily activities~

[They'll be surprised if it isn't filled with sulking in a corner about their unfair life, beating up weaker Navis or searching for more power.

The smile on his face grows. They can feel the anger radiating from the other Navi.]

What of you? Did you not have a good reason to enter this area?

[Implying that their concern was that Forte found something in here. Not that they know that anything is actually in here.]

[ wipe that smug grin off your face, Serenade-- ]

How is it I think you're only mocking me when you say that?

[ it's none of Serenade's business anyway. the anger is contained, if ill-disguised for the moment. under the shade of Forte's helmet, his forehead crinkles. he frowns.

does he miss the implication? no. does he know what to make of it right away? also no. ]

Don't avoid the question by asking another one.

[ not going first in giving a reason here! ]

Oh, but I'm being genuine~

[Not really. Except they would be if Forte answered the question with something completely unexpected.]

My question is my answer. I am merely concerned for the well-being of the UnderNet.

Liar.

[ Forte floats a little higher above the debris littering the floor, bristling and arms still folded. ]

Aren't you always... [ oh, caring about protecting a network area. finnnne, Serenade gets a (curt) answer then. ]

There was a buffoon who assumed he could outrun me. He assumed wrong. [ yep. SURE CAME HERE JUST FOR MURDER. AN EXCELLENT REASON. And then Serenade had turned up and made things go from manageable to this. ]

[A small chuckle is the reply to Forte's accusation.]

Why not try to engage with me genuinely? You may be surprised.

[Because Serenade would not mock him if Forte spoke from his heart. But it's an unlikely prospect, even if it was something they hoped would happen one day.]

Hm... I should have expected as much from you.

[Since when is murder not on Forte's mind? (Probably never.)

Serenade places his hands together and closes his eyes for a small prayer for Forte's victim.]

May he rest in peace now.

[ under the cloak, Forte's shoulders hunches inward slightly before he catches himself and aborts the defensive motion. ]

I'm speaking to you right now. Why is that not sufficient?

[ a refusal to what Serenade's words actually mean. speaking so openly to another implies a level of trust he can't bring himself to feel for Serenade, beyond the simplicity of 'Serenade can be trusted to act like themselves.' ]

[ he scoffs, still rolling over the hints of why Serenade had came here in his head. ]

He ought to have known what awaits losers when he faced me.

It's cowardly to run from a fight.

[ (it's satisfying to think about smashing things apart.)

Serenade's gesture wins a momentary flicker of disgruntled bafflement across Forte's face, already gone by the time Serenade's eyes open again. ]

Edited 2016-09-14 18:19 (UTC)

If you wished to speak with me in earnest, you need only ask.

[Serenade catches the defensive motion and graces Forte with a gentle, inviting smile. They mean it, if Forte's willing to open himself to them. They know it's unlikely, but the offer's there all the same.

The moment's lost when Forte speaks brusquely of the deleted Navi, and the smile's replaced with a more neutral expression.]

Yes, he should have known better than to engage in battle with you. It is unfortunate that I was not able to ward him of his foolish notions before he paid the ultimate price.

[He doesn't mean to speak ill of the dead, but it's the cold truth. Forte was far too powerful for any run-of-the-mill Navi to tackle alone.]

[ an offer Forte can't reach out to take, no matter how it's put on the table. the moment lingers, then it goes.

he doesn't pursue it. ]

[ unapologetic, Forte tilts his chin up. it was only a shame that said deleted Navi hadn't proved to have much in the way of powers worthy stealing after troubling himself to wipe him out from cyberspace. once one was deleted, why should it matter if people called them fools? deletion ended it all. ]

Unfortunate, you say? I don't want your meddling, Serenade, whether or not he was an idiot to try me. [ which, yes admittedly he was in the cold light of the facts. King or not: ] You weren't that scum's keeper.

[that Forte had known full well the Navi he'd deleted, after chasing him into the maze, hadn't been in his league and been outmatched from the start of the battle, went without saying. Forte sees it as no reason to have held back and spared him. it's how most battles went for Forte after all, save his conflicts with Serenade. ]

I am not meddling with you. I only wish to protect the lives of others.

[Because Forte obviously didn't need any protecting of his own.

But being King was exactly that: protecting every single Navi that fell under their jurisdiction. It was just unfortunate that some Navis were too stubborn to listen to them.]

Intervening when another UnderNavi offers a challenge to me counts.

[ not meddling right now anyway, Forte mentally corrects.

he doesn't give a lot of weight to their drivel about protection and mercy to others, but... he can acknowledge in earnest, without blinking, that's a very real motivation for Serenade. ]

... A drab wish to spurred on by.

[Serenade hums in reply. They intended to intervene before the Navi could challenge Forte... but that was just semantics at that point.]

One no greater or lesser than yours.

[Acknowledging that Forte also has strong motivations, and despite their disapproval, no less legitimate.]

[ behind the collar of his cloak, something like a mirthless smile twitches at the corners of his lips. one day, they would have to see which one wins out. ~~that his might not triumph in the end isn't a thought that crosses Forte's mind.~~ ]

I don't think you would've stayed on top for this long if your desire was weak.

[ ... it's not an insult at least. ]

[An amused huff escapes from Serenade's mouth. That was probably the closest to a compliment they've received from Forte. A truly miraculous occasion.]

Indeed. The will to protect.... or destroy requires more will than many expect.

TIME 2 SUFFER each other's company you two

R I P THIS AREA

REST IN A MILLION SMOKING PIECES

LMAO THREE MONTHS LATER

I CAN'T SHAME YOU I LEFT.... THE TAB OPEN FOR WEEKS BECAUSE I FORGOT TO TIDY UP UNFINISHED THREADS

LMAO AT LEAST YOU WEREN'T JUST STARING AT THE NOTIF IN YOUR INBOX FOR MONTHS IGNORING IT

SO IC. JUST LIKE SERENADE TO LEAVE FORTE HANGING

WELL THEY DON'T HAVE MAP DATA SO LIKE WHY BOTHER ANSWERING

FORTE WASN'T BEING SERIOUS HE WAS JUST BEING A DICK. ALSO ASSUMING SERENADE IS AS LOST AS HE IS RN

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