urbem_initium | Open Megaman RP Post

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.

[ it was genuine. treasure this rarity, it's not likely to happen again in this conversation.

at Serenade's amusement, Forte unfolds his arms. he tsks, remembering witnessing other Navis fumbling along, satisfying themselves with mediocrity, instead of aspiring higher. ]

Many of them lack the spine to commit to a purpose.

[ ... you know what else would be nice? a certain somebody showing the will that has failed to manifest so far to be helpful towards the end of getting out of the maze. ]

[Too bad, Serenade would have enjoyed forming a weird sort of camaraderie with Forte.]

Not all can muster the will to doggedly pursue a single goal no matter the cost. That is a trait only few have. [...] Though, I suppose that could also be called having a one-track mind. [nudge nudge

Nahhh, why ruin the fun?]

[ruin the fun THEY'RE STUCK IN THE ARMPIT OF CYBERNOWHERE AND HE CAN'T EVEN FIGHT SERENADE.

are they not ~~chummy~~ weirdly companionable enough right now for you, Serenade? ]

[ ...

=_= ]

[ EYEBALLING SERNADE do they think they're being subtle, they're not being subtle. Forte allows himself an exasperated eye-roll. actually, it's called 'knowing what you want and going for it.' fine, be that way! pest. ]

You know what, shut up.

[ if you have nothing new to say!! ]

Edited 2016-09-18 04:14 (UTC)

[What's subtlety haha

No, they're not trying to be subtle, since Forte can't escape from them anyway. A laugh escapes from the King's mouth.]

I think I will not, thank you very much~

[Hurr hurr you can't control Serenade whatcha gonna do now]

I'd tell you you're a pain in the ass, but you already know that.

[ spin on heel, and stalk off towards the left bend in the pathway ahead, that's what

he anticipates Serenade following him, persistent as they are, but he can't do anything about that. so ]

[Another chuckle comes from Serenade. It seems Forte's finally hit the point where everything he does is hilarious to the King of the UnderNet.]

Coming from you, I'll take it as a compliment.

[And follow they do, of course. Forte is stuck with Serenade until they both make it out of the maze of warp pads and broken links, it seems.]

[ Forte once again reminds himself one day he was going to see to Serenade's deletion. one day.

> for now, IGNORE. ]

[ dumping the slow stroll from before they stopped to talk, Forte sets a brisk pace. still turning over what Serenade implied to be their 'good reason' for entering the area when they had discovered he had gone into it, in his head. what could...

(on the bright side, the next big obstacle of debris in their way gets exploded with rather unnecessary vigor.)

first warp pad they come to on the other side of it, he's stepping straight onto it. WHERE DOES IT GO, FURTHER IN OR CLOSER TO THE EXIT ]

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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sighs this account just doesn't have enough varied angry icons

This account doesn't have enough icons period, 15 is not enough

S-SAME... i feel your pain