Ikkaku - Tragedy encounter 2 (5/21)

[04:06] A gloved hand moved to the Regent's mask, slightly drifting it upwards. Underneath a slightly pale face could be seen, but only from slightly below the nose down. A pleasant smile sat upon their lips. "It's nothing. Any innocent person is welcome to come to Ardent and I'll help the furfill their dreams. I thank you for coming.

The mask is then brought downwards, masking Ikkaku's face once more. "That sounds wonderful. I hope that you improve with the enchantments. Many also find income in that profession here."
(Ikkaku Ukitake)
[04:08] Tragedy says, "Hewwo."
[04:08] Ikkaku Ukitake says, "..."
[04:09] Flynn whispers: Is that...A horned woman?
[04:09] Ikkaku Ukitake says, "<Slowly a blue light begins to surround the Regent>"
[04:09] Tragedy says, "Ikkaku. I am so self assured in the futility of your struggle. That I am walking around in the middle of your city."
[04:09] Tragedy says, "Why don't we just talk instead."
[04:10] Flynn whispers: Uhm...
[04:10] Ikkaku Ukitake says, "<A golden wing spreads across their back> Speak then, Archon.."
[04:11] Flynn takes a step back, blinking.
(Flynn)
[04:11] Tragedy turned around and landed on the ground, stretching sleepily. "Well, I know how much you boys are supposed to like honor and goodness. Even if none of your precedessors actually did. So I came here alone and defenceless to speak with little old you."
(Tragedy)
[04:13] The blue light continued to coat the surroundings of the village as the sky blue gaze was held upon the embodiment of chaos. A breath exhales. "I do not understand why you came. You are a foe of Ardent and have killed many innocent.. I will hear you speak and take actions after that..

But we will not speak here near the innocent. I do not want that deadly power anywhere near those who might be hurt by it."
(Ikkaku Ukitake)
[04:15] Tragedy smiled mildly. "Then where shall we go? You and your little girlfriend."
(Tragedy)
[04:16] The sky blue eyes stared towards the Archon. "They are not my girlfriend. I just met them today. As an innocent they will stay here. Come. Let's speak northwards."
(Ikkaku Ukitake)
[04:16] Flynn says, "Wait..."
[04:17] Girlfriend? Where did one get that idea? Frowning, the gril gripped at her hat and huffed. "If she is really as bad as you say, then you should not be facing such things alone, right?"

Flynn was following. OH BOY!
(Flynn)
[04:18] Tragedy says, "Do you really feel confident being out of sight of your armies, Regent."
[04:18] Tragedy asks, "Or is this some faith in my word?"
[04:19] Ikkaku Ukitake says, "I will not have you harm innocents. If your word is false I will face you alone with no one else at risk."
[04:20] Ikkaku Ukitake says, "<quietly raises a brow at the person next to them, but makes no comment>"
[04:20] Tragedy says, "You must have a very broad definition of innocent. If it includes your soldiers."
[04:20] Tragedy says, "Well, let's begin."
[04:20] Flynn says, "<Humphs.>"
[04:20] Tragedy says, "What I am here to speak about..."
[04:20] Ikkaku Ukitake says, "Indeed.."
[04:21] Nara says, "GOD DAMMIT IM A DOCTOR NOT A FIGHTER"
[04:23] There was an arrogant assurance in Tragedy's every step- no fear in the middle of Ardent, no consideration of defeat. Either it was some sort of delusion, or the Archons powers lay well hidden up until this point.

That Ikkaku would mirror her caused the Archon pause. Did he really think that he could stand up to her alone? It was a foolish notion. She glanced down at her hand, flexing her fingers and examining the twisted ring upon her finger steadily.

"Eiphraem has been babbling about some prisoners. I was wondering if you knew who he was speaking of, for starters."
(Tragedy)
[04:27] Did he honestly believe that he had a chance?

Nothing could be seen of their expression behind that mask besides the slight narrowing of sky blue eyes. The body language was hidden underneath the cloak And their breathing calm. Although they didn't engage in a hostile stance these was still a tenseness about them, as if waiting once more to see the dark power underneath the Archon's control.

"Ardent has many prisoners. I would need you to specify a bit to narrow down exactly what you mean." The Regent stated calmly, no fear in their voice.
(Ikkaku Ukitake)
[04:31] The red head did not entirely understand the situation, but it was not like her to up and leave a bad situation like this. Not when someone had just been NICE to her! OF course she followed-- Armed with a farming tool. Brave or stupid? Likely the former.

Regardless, she watched with sharp eyes and a curious expression. Whatever this was about, it had yet to break out into a fight. Yet. Standing beside the masked Regent, she too held a strange lack of fear-- Likely due to sheer naivety alone.
(Flynn)
[04:33] runs torwards new come Rawr

(Nara)
[04:34] "Ehh. Doubtlessly somebody from Crafthold."

She paused, her crimson eyes narrowing, lip curling slightly. Something was off here.

"Lots of prisoners? It wasn't so long ago that Ardent took no prisoners. And that awful blue glow that surrounds you... I have never seen such a thing before."

The Archon's lips parted, exhaling before offering a small smile.

"You are different, aren't you. A man truly reaching for goodness."

The corners of her eyes seemed to crinkle slightly.

"How... blinding."
(Tragedy)
[04:39] "I've a couple arrest from Crafthold and Gaiar." The Regent stated, narrowed sky blue eyes staring back into the red crimson within the Archons. By their side a gloved hand moved, thumb trailing across their fingertips.

"Ardent didn't take prisoners before. Under Geese, Ardent very weak. It did not stand up for the good of the world, nor did it stand for humanity. I've changed that. I intend to fight for the good of the world, and I will not stop fighting against Sins, Chaos, Necromancers, and forces that do the lifestream harm.

I am a man chosen by the Emperor to stand against them will all courage that I can. A man reaching for goodness, correct."

There was an exhale of the Regent's own breath in the cold.
(Ikkaku Ukitake)
[04:43] Listening carefully to their words, the alchemist raised a brow. So, this was over the capture of people? Humming, the notebook was pulled out and opening to write in. "I think I understand now..."

Scribbling, a glance is given to the Archon, then to the Regent once more. Something was terrifying about them both, in different ways. A beautiful contrast she could not help but want to record.

"..Facinating.."
(Flynn)
[04:50] Many decades ago, when Tragedy had first become Tragedy, she had scarcely spoken a word, absorbed in her own thoughts. The more time she spent with humans, the more their influence wore off on her. Now- now she spent much of her time mocking them, speaking in a cutesy tone and taking nobody seriously. But she had learned a great many things, and she knew now how to speak to the heart of man.

"The good of humanity. And the health of the lifestream. You speak as if the two depend on each other," she began. A hand swept outwards, as if gesturing to an invisible group.

"Do you know where the seeds of chaos take root? Rarely in the powerful, arrogant and malintentioned. Chaos takes heart in the beggar who roams the streets. The veteran blinded and forgotten. The father abandoned, the child abused. In these vulnerable hearts, the potential grows, festered by their thoughts of betrayal- by a will to survive."

Her chin tilted upwards slightly, bearing her tiny teeth with pointed incisors.

"To decry all of chaos as evil is to ignore their circumstances in favour of the lifestream. Is such a flawed construct worth it? Did the Emperor speak about the importance of preserving Kraus' most failed creation? Or did he say that every life is precious?"
(Tragedy)
[04:58] "They do. The lifestream, goodwill, fate, all these things are tethered together, a connection between the laylines that connect all living things. Humanity staying on a good path helps the life stream remain healthy. And a healthy life stream prevent the goodness of human will from falling into disarray."

The sky blue eyes remained focused upon the Archon as she spoke. "The will to survive is within all things, as is bits and pieces of Order and Chaos. It is not bad to have bad thoughts. But it is harmful to act upon it. Sheng has little beggars. Their veterans are well taken care of. Children are protected, fathers not left. Jianghu is in such a glorious state because of the Emperor's guidance onto it's people, because he safeguards humanity's goodwill.

I do not decry all feelings of sadness, depression, or anger evil. They are natural. No, what is evil is the Necromancer that brings to life undead to suffer or be forced to kill their friends in the divine war to come. The Sin that turns one on it's own, causing them to betray those around them. The chaos mage who lashes out their hatred without pause, who kills and leaves kitsune boyfriends distraught and women without their preachers.

Every life is precious. But that does not mean to turn a blind eye towards the evils done against the life stream. That does not mean to turn a blind eye against those deserving judgement."

The voice is calm as the gaze followed down the brim of their mask.
(Ikkaku Ukitake)
[05:00] Flynn quirked a brow, but otherwise remained silent. She still continued to scribble in her notebook, but she offered no opinion herself.
(Flynn)
[05:02] Flynn whispers: There is a strange balance between you two.
[05:06] "Oh yes, Sheng must be nice. So long as you are not from Yurhira. Or Xuantong." When had the creature taken the time to look into the history of the nations of Agartha? Well, in her early days it had been a subject of some fascination. The Archon would know the nature of her enemies.

She declined to comment on the oddly specific 'kitsune boyfriend' line, her lips pursing in some irritation as she looked over the man, silent for a second until she continued.

"Chaos is a tool. As is necromancy. It can be used for good or for evil. Sins... well, you have cleansed one, haven't you? Though I hear his acting hasn't changed at all," she smirked.

"You must think me the height of evil. I wonder if someone as righteous as yourself has ever thought what it must be to me. To have the majority of demon-kind wiped out by civil war, turned into wimpering creatures... and then for humanity to come, claim the country, and begin warring over it in an instant. To have to struggle for a right just to survive. I see no innocence reflected in the eyes of the people I kill- for they would do the same to me in an instant. It cannot be denied."
(Tragedy)
[05:16] "I wouldn't know. I've never been the Sheng, Yurhira, or Xuantong." The Regent stated, eyes still trailed upon Tragedy. "What I know is what I've been told by my parents and the words said by the homeland. And the lands the Emperor fought to protect he also did his best to repair and help. That is what I know in my heart."

The gloved fist clenched for a moment, another exhale had.

"Looking at Chaos and Order as merely tools is incorrect. It is a belief. It is a personality. It is action, and desire personified. Chaos is it made selfish and only to benefit one's self. Order is to do the best to defend humanity, to put one's cause higher then themselves. They show what we truly are.

There are lines that can't be crossed. There are things people should not do. They pay too high a cost and lose bits of themselves. Necromancy is evil. To force souls back into bodies against their will, cause them unparalleledpain by resisting the lifestream's natural course and bend them to slavery. Even if one has good intentions, the chaos it gives up will corrupt the user with overuse. Sins can be cleansed before they descend into destructive behaviors and stopped from harming the people that they care about. I've cleansed one. And I will cleanse more when I get the chance."

An inhale.

"I do not think what it is like to be you. I do not think what it's like to kill children, men and women for selfishness. My thoughts are only future focused, on fighting against forces that would do harm to fate, and on leaving as much protection for the divine war that will come as I can.

You see no innocence in the eyes of those you kill.. And I see little innocence in yours. You know exactly what you are doing."

(Ikkaku Ukitake)
[05:22] Humming, her pen stops writing and green eyes lift to take in Tragedy's form. Fighting for their lives...What was it the book had said on them? Chewing at the end of her pen, the Alchemist speaks herself. "Chaos, as it seems, uses pain, where as Order utilizes something else. A more...Benevolent feeling?" Frowning, she continues.

"Using pain to fight, not even your own, seems quite risky indeed. Choes users, those who fell through the cracks--- Maybe they were innocent once, but just because you were mistreated does not mean you should continue the cycle."

Snapping shut her book closed, those green eyes narrow. "There is no reason to spread your pain to another, to cause another person to feel bad because someone did it to you. Justifying that is...Selfish, you only do it to make yourself feel better."
(Flynn)
[05:25] A small smile came across the Archon's lips- when all was said and done, she seemed -relieved-. Looking down at her hand again, she flexed her fingers and directed her sweet gaze to Ikkaku. Her words were quiet yet never lost in the wind.

"For a moment... I thought that you were something more than your predecessors. Something different. But you say that users of chaos can only act in selfishness, and that they are defined by their belief. Even this random girl can parrot such a simplistic misstatement... as you can see!"

From her lips a brief laugh escaped, a tinkling sound like falling stardust, sweet to the ears but ephemeral.

"Fortunately. I was wrong. Well, Ikkaku. I would suggest you release the prisoners or something before the Archons do something drastic. I will go off and return to my wicked, selfish deeds," she drawled, still smiling.

It was as if she had won, in some way- but what game had she even been playing?
(Tragedy)
[05:34] Ikkaku's fists would ball and bunch by their side. Their determined gaze never looked away from the Archon, never took their eyes off of her form. A benevolent feeling picked up around them, like strings connecting every little thing.

"Chaos stems from selfishness, from hatred, from anger, sadness. It is corruptive, passion, and vice. These are facts, not opinions. Arcane is willpower taken physical form. You can call fact fiction, but it doesn't make it any less true.

And I have little care as to what you think of me.. You are a foe.. Someone I will have to one day fight if not today. When that day comes, I can only hope that I will be ready..

The Archons may attempt this.. 'drastic' thing. And I will face them. I do not run from chaos, and I do not run from demons." An exhale once more.

"In that case.. Return Archon, to your ways of malice, wicked, and selfish. And know that one day I will come to fight against you..Prepare for that day."

Despite their words, their gaze remained trained upon Tragedy.
(Ikkaku Ukitake)
[05:43] A frown still rested on her lips, but something had puzzled her. What did this demoness hope to achieve by asking this? Something was wrong. Tapping fingernails against the spine of her book, Flynn mumbled. "Like...Dominos? No...Maybe dye?" What was the right placement for this condition?

Looking to Ikkaku, she knitted her brows. Was he really that brave? Did he think he could beat multiple demons? The idea was certainly appealing, but Flynn herself seemed unsure. But then doubt was a powerful thing-- Such as in this case now.

What a scary thought.

"Oh gosh.."
(Flynn)