"Barian" Failnaught (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
all_for_not) wrote2017-12-02 01:18 pm
all_for_not) wrote2017-12-02 01:18 pm
[Short Story - Barians Talking] [Takes Place the Day of the Wonder Quartet Ending]
"So, what is it you needed to talk about?"
Failnaught and Labrys stood in the Sanctum's terminal area-- Failnaught at the controls, Labrys with her arms crossed, leaning against the wall.
"It's about that one who is toying with demons. Akaba. I'll be leaning on him to make sure he stops what he's doing, but... I need to be straight with you. I had to do something to offer as leverage."
That was more of a surprise to Failnaught. Not that Labrys had to be persistent, but that her sheer intimidation factor didn't resolve the issue already, it kinda astounded him. He bit. "What's the leverage?"
"My Rank-Up-Magic card." Failnaught tensed slightly. They were originally made due to Caduceus' major research, so he's admittedly been... anxious about using them at all. Labrys continued in spite of it. "I know that you're not really comfortable about them at this point. But he seems to have the technology to recreate things he shouldn't be able to recreate. If it's possible, he may be able to create versions of it that work as they should, without the errors that could exist.
Plus, I suppose it goes without saying, but I'd rather he put his focus onto recreating it than using cards that could revive those demons."
Failnaught... didn't much like that. But it was logical-- in the sense that he considered the alternative. But given that this Akaba person felt it was a good idea in the first place to use those demons as a basis...
"... You made your choice, so follow through on it, Labrys. I just hope it's enough leverage to put onto him to be worth that risk."
"I think it will be. Something... happened, when he next used those cards." "Was this before or after you offered him the leverage?" "After." Failnaught gave an expected expression-- one of cold disappointment. "Believe me, I think he realizes what a fool he was, after that. But..."
Labrys rubbed her arm slightly, thinking of how to put it. "You remember the name "Sakaki Yuya"?"
Failnaught looked over at her, thinking. It was a minor name, but he began to recall it-- he was one of the people who defeated Aegis and Achilleshield in a tag duel, for two of the Legendary Numbers. Why was he coming up? "I remember the name, yes. Why?"
"It seems... something has possessed him. Not a demon. It didn't feel like that. But..." She looked down slightly. "It might not feel like that to me, but it was clear that he isn't in control of himself, when it happens. His personality entirely changes, and it seems as though his anger is boundless during that state.
Akaba feels that the cards he uses are his weapon against whatever power that state holds. So it's hard to convey to him the gravity of them." Labrys shook her head, laughing slightly. "Of course, when he did get the opportunity to demonstrate that, he had a lot of difficulty even controlling the first one he summoned. I think he began to realize at that point just how risky it is to use them."
Labrys then fell silent for a moment, then looked like she had a headache just remembering it. "... The second one though... seems to reflect a personality. A troubling one. It... acknowledged that I was there."
Failnaught felt concerned at that. For a card, even one based upon a demon, to acknowledge things outside of a duel... it seems they were farther along than they had previously thought. "Are you sure he's realized the risks?"
"Even if he hasn't, I'm going to force those risks into him. ... and the girl, the one that's the 'Academia's' religious icon, appears to agree that he is foolhardy. I might be able to convince her to make sure he's discouraged from using those cards."
"And when you're done making sure he won't use those cards... what then? Will you be going with Alexandra Grant on her path?" He did expect it-- after all, Labrys seemed fond of her. She wasn't under any other obligation to kee--
"No, I intend on following Akaba." ... Failnaught gave a look, slowly blinking as he stared at Labrys. "... Do you have a reason for doing so?"
"Do you think that it'll just end with him not using those cards? We've admitted the possibility of demons slipping through dimensional gaps, but I need to make sure too that those things didn't get a permanent grip on him, due to exposure. We don't know how long he's had those cards, and like I said... I let him look at my Rank-Up-Magic card. I want to see what he'll do with it. And at the same time, I'm equipped to handle any issues that might arise because of his actions, and protect others from the consequences of those actions.
Alexandra, on the other hand, is equipped as well to handle it if those things appear, and I feel that the others, perhaps Chakram and Lancea, can be convinced to accompany her. Having us both together would not be strategically or logically sound."
"And emotionally?" It sounded weird to Labrys for him to say that. Emotionally? She gave a laugh. "I'm fond of Alexandra, but emotions aren't what I need to think about, here. But if you insist... I also want to make sure that the one who looks like Scythe will be safe."
Failnaught made a wincing expression at that, like a sting from an arrow. Labrys continued. "I know it hurts to hear, but as long as he has Scythe's partner with him, it's best to keep our mutual interest safe and under some watch. He even seems to be sensitive to those demons. Looked like he was about to fall over when Akaba summoned the first one..."
Labrys shook her head. "Still, I have my stake in following Akaba. I like Alexanda, but I can't follow her purely on my emotions when I could be helping others-- whoever may decide to follow Akaba as well."
"... and the one who looks like Scythe? 'Yamada Mamoru', I think you've said his name is? Has he shown anything else, other than sensitivity and his previous summoning of White Rider?"
"No. Nothing. And maybe for his sake... it'll continue to be nothing."
Failnaught fell silent after Labrys finished talking, thinking. This situation had it's gravity to it: but here he was, messing with the controls. He felt like he should stay out of it. But at the same time... if there's even a remote chance of things going wrong-- if there's a remote chance that demons could appear, or this world they're in now being threatened...
"... Maybe I should go with her, then."
Labrys stared, as though Failnaught had grown a second head, and that gaze lingered upon him before he managed to keep talking.
"I don't do much, Labrys. I know I'm supposed to stay in the back, safe, because you and the others rely on my ability when you get injured, or worse. But if this situation is as serious as it is... I should do something. At least with my weapon, I can strike down threats before they reach anyone. And with being as old as I am, I have the best knowledge out of any of us about the 12 Dimensions, and even minor knowledge of there being alternates.
I'm the best support she could have at the moment, if there is any support she'd need. It'll be my way of repaying the debt present here."
Labrys rubbed her temple. A part of her thought that Failnaught must be getting stir-crazy or something, being here all the time. Maybe this is him finally expressing that he wants to get out of the rut he's put himself in. She had no experience in handling emotional affairs like this... and neither did the others. If he really thinks this is the way to do this, then what can she say?
"... Talk to Alexandra about it. If she'll take your support, then give it."
--
((OOC Summary: Labrys gave Reiji RUM to examine and has informed Failnaught of the general "what's up" that she omitted. Labrys plans on sticking it out with Reiji, Failnaught plans on going with Alex if she'll take him.))
Failnaught and Labrys stood in the Sanctum's terminal area-- Failnaught at the controls, Labrys with her arms crossed, leaning against the wall.
"It's about that one who is toying with demons. Akaba. I'll be leaning on him to make sure he stops what he's doing, but... I need to be straight with you. I had to do something to offer as leverage."
That was more of a surprise to Failnaught. Not that Labrys had to be persistent, but that her sheer intimidation factor didn't resolve the issue already, it kinda astounded him. He bit. "What's the leverage?"
"My Rank-Up-Magic card." Failnaught tensed slightly. They were originally made due to Caduceus' major research, so he's admittedly been... anxious about using them at all. Labrys continued in spite of it. "I know that you're not really comfortable about them at this point. But he seems to have the technology to recreate things he shouldn't be able to recreate. If it's possible, he may be able to create versions of it that work as they should, without the errors that could exist.
Plus, I suppose it goes without saying, but I'd rather he put his focus onto recreating it than using cards that could revive those demons."
Failnaught... didn't much like that. But it was logical-- in the sense that he considered the alternative. But given that this Akaba person felt it was a good idea in the first place to use those demons as a basis...
"... You made your choice, so follow through on it, Labrys. I just hope it's enough leverage to put onto him to be worth that risk."
"I think it will be. Something... happened, when he next used those cards." "Was this before or after you offered him the leverage?" "After." Failnaught gave an expected expression-- one of cold disappointment. "Believe me, I think he realizes what a fool he was, after that. But..."
Labrys rubbed her arm slightly, thinking of how to put it. "You remember the name "Sakaki Yuya"?"
Failnaught looked over at her, thinking. It was a minor name, but he began to recall it-- he was one of the people who defeated Aegis and Achilleshield in a tag duel, for two of the Legendary Numbers. Why was he coming up? "I remember the name, yes. Why?"
"It seems... something has possessed him. Not a demon. It didn't feel like that. But..." She looked down slightly. "It might not feel like that to me, but it was clear that he isn't in control of himself, when it happens. His personality entirely changes, and it seems as though his anger is boundless during that state.
Akaba feels that the cards he uses are his weapon against whatever power that state holds. So it's hard to convey to him the gravity of them." Labrys shook her head, laughing slightly. "Of course, when he did get the opportunity to demonstrate that, he had a lot of difficulty even controlling the first one he summoned. I think he began to realize at that point just how risky it is to use them."
Labrys then fell silent for a moment, then looked like she had a headache just remembering it. "... The second one though... seems to reflect a personality. A troubling one. It... acknowledged that I was there."
Failnaught felt concerned at that. For a card, even one based upon a demon, to acknowledge things outside of a duel... it seems they were farther along than they had previously thought. "Are you sure he's realized the risks?"
"Even if he hasn't, I'm going to force those risks into him. ... and the girl, the one that's the 'Academia's' religious icon, appears to agree that he is foolhardy. I might be able to convince her to make sure he's discouraged from using those cards."
"And when you're done making sure he won't use those cards... what then? Will you be going with Alexandra Grant on her path?" He did expect it-- after all, Labrys seemed fond of her. She wasn't under any other obligation to kee--
"No, I intend on following Akaba." ... Failnaught gave a look, slowly blinking as he stared at Labrys. "... Do you have a reason for doing so?"
"Do you think that it'll just end with him not using those cards? We've admitted the possibility of demons slipping through dimensional gaps, but I need to make sure too that those things didn't get a permanent grip on him, due to exposure. We don't know how long he's had those cards, and like I said... I let him look at my Rank-Up-Magic card. I want to see what he'll do with it. And at the same time, I'm equipped to handle any issues that might arise because of his actions, and protect others from the consequences of those actions.
Alexandra, on the other hand, is equipped as well to handle it if those things appear, and I feel that the others, perhaps Chakram and Lancea, can be convinced to accompany her. Having us both together would not be strategically or logically sound."
"And emotionally?" It sounded weird to Labrys for him to say that. Emotionally? She gave a laugh. "I'm fond of Alexandra, but emotions aren't what I need to think about, here. But if you insist... I also want to make sure that the one who looks like Scythe will be safe."
Failnaught made a wincing expression at that, like a sting from an arrow. Labrys continued. "I know it hurts to hear, but as long as he has Scythe's partner with him, it's best to keep our mutual interest safe and under some watch. He even seems to be sensitive to those demons. Looked like he was about to fall over when Akaba summoned the first one..."
Labrys shook her head. "Still, I have my stake in following Akaba. I like Alexanda, but I can't follow her purely on my emotions when I could be helping others-- whoever may decide to follow Akaba as well."
"... and the one who looks like Scythe? 'Yamada Mamoru', I think you've said his name is? Has he shown anything else, other than sensitivity and his previous summoning of White Rider?"
"No. Nothing. And maybe for his sake... it'll continue to be nothing."
Failnaught fell silent after Labrys finished talking, thinking. This situation had it's gravity to it: but here he was, messing with the controls. He felt like he should stay out of it. But at the same time... if there's even a remote chance of things going wrong-- if there's a remote chance that demons could appear, or this world they're in now being threatened...
"... Maybe I should go with her, then."
Labrys stared, as though Failnaught had grown a second head, and that gaze lingered upon him before he managed to keep talking.
"I don't do much, Labrys. I know I'm supposed to stay in the back, safe, because you and the others rely on my ability when you get injured, or worse. But if this situation is as serious as it is... I should do something. At least with my weapon, I can strike down threats before they reach anyone. And with being as old as I am, I have the best knowledge out of any of us about the 12 Dimensions, and even minor knowledge of there being alternates.
I'm the best support she could have at the moment, if there is any support she'd need. It'll be my way of repaying the debt present here."
Labrys rubbed her temple. A part of her thought that Failnaught must be getting stir-crazy or something, being here all the time. Maybe this is him finally expressing that he wants to get out of the rut he's put himself in. She had no experience in handling emotional affairs like this... and neither did the others. If he really thinks this is the way to do this, then what can she say?
"... Talk to Alexandra about it. If she'll take your support, then give it."
--
((OOC Summary: Labrys gave Reiji RUM to examine and has informed Failnaught of the general "what's up" that she omitted. Labrys plans on sticking it out with Reiji, Failnaught plans on going with Alex if she'll take him.))