Catch-all: Sakyou

[ercnerd]

Comments

[modissty]

[handshake emoji

There's something steely in his expression for a moment.]

Before my death, I wish to prevent them from taking anything precious away from anyone else.

[ercnerd]

. . . That's a difficult wish.

[modissty]

...I think my goal is perhaps not so grand as yours. After all, there are some demons where I'm from who do keep to themselves and behave more like youkai.

[He has a kneejerk demon racist reaction to All Demons but even he recognizes some are just vibin civilians...]

But there is an organization among them that must be taken care of.

[ercnerd]

My goal isn't so grand, either.

[It's very personal, and he knows it. Sakyou seems more merciful than he in this scenario.]

What kind of organization is it?

[modissty]

[Sometimes you have a tiny bit more mercy, probably because he's not ancient...

But, after a beat:]

A criminal one. They're responsible for everything from robbery to arson to murder to human trafficking and worse, and they aim to topple the current government and take the power for demons.

[ercnerd]

Tsk. What's with demons and trying to take what isn't theirs?

[modissty]

They can't be satisfied, even having lost the war.

[DEMONS ARE SORE LOSERS IN KGKVERSE.]

...Are they trying to do something similar where you're from?

[ercnerd]

It's the same in any dimension. The stragglers on Aernas treat it like it's their territory, and an army of them recently invaded the Underworld. No matter how many times they lose, they'll never be satisfied. That's why they should be eradicated!

[modissty]

[GRIM. Demons really are the same wherever they are, wow. Can't believe Sakyou's just sitting here stewing in anger on behalf of a world he knows literally nothing about just because it has demon problems.]

They shouldn't be allowed to continue on in their destructive ways, yes. Though they do have a roach-like refusal to stay down, even when faced with death again and again...

[ercnerd]

That's the trouble of dealing with immortals. You beat them down once, and they just come back again. Can't they tell when they're not wanted?

[Truly, he feels and shares Sakyou's frustration.]

[modissty]

[Them just out here like (handshake emoji rapidly) as Claude's stolen boxers fly proudly overhead.]

For better or worse, the demons in my world aren't quite so impressive. They're a bit longer-lived and a bit harder to kill, but they're not eternal. What they have are numbers and an irritating persistence.

[ercnerd]

[Despite the subject matter, he allows himself a small smile.]

. . . Then you may be able to fulfill your wish, after all.

[modissty]

[Truly hilarious that they're both out here vibing over demon eradication like this is normal. He offers a smile in return, briefly hesitant but soft.]

If I could accomplish only that in this lifetime, then I would die satisfied.

[ercnerd]

You're still young. There's time for you to do what you have to do and experience other kinds of satisfaction while you're at it.

[modissty]

[When you live for only revenge since you were like 11, you don't really have any plans for Other Satisfactions In Life. He honestly doesn't mind the idea of just being dead after he succeeds either, god bless.]

...I should think that perhaps in this case, age doesn't have much to do with it.

[ercnerd]

No, not really.

[Perhaps that was presumptuous of him to say. Still . . .

He lets the thought go.]

A great deal can be accomplished in a single lifetime. Rather than how you'll feel when you're dying, worry about what comes next.

[modissty]

[Sieghart... Normally he might find something like this hard to listen to, but honestly, it helps a lot that he knows Sieghart knows where he's coming from. Even without knowing the gruesome details of why the man hates demons so greatly, it's an easy camaraderie to feel.

There's a little bit of a wry, amused smile, though there's some appreciation in it, too.]

You have surprisingly good advice on hand, Sieghart-dono. Perhaps this is the wisdom that comes with age?

[Complimentary and rude at the same time...]

[ercnerd]

[The complimentary words softens the mood. The rudeness, on the other hand, breaks it completely as Sieghart makes a face.]

Didn't we just establish that age has nothing to do with it?

[modissty]

[This is Sakyou, showing off his inner shithead as a sign of appreciation. Isn't Sieghart lucky?]

Mm... I was thinking to make an exception in this case, but I have the strangest feeling you wouldn't appreciate it.

[ercnerd]

[He feels cursed.]

Ugh . . . if there's one thing that doesn't matter, it's my age, so just forget about it.

[modissty]

[Is this why he died. To escape the curse of knowing Sakyou.]

Ah... [WHY DOES THIS "AH" SOUND SO KNOWING. He just nods. Why is he nodding?? Don't worry about it.] --I really do mean it, though. Thank you. ...Though I wish that no one here had to share an understanding over matters of revenge.

[There are so many of them though... there are so many revenge lads here...]

[ercnerd]

[Stop nodding.

Mercifully, Sakyou changes the subject and Sieghart is all too eager to follow suit.]

. . . It can't be helped. What's done is done. All that's left is to do what we can.

[modissty]

[He will, but the spirit of nodding will live forever.]

I suppose that's how it often is. That's why so many of us are stubborn, most likely.

[He's going to look back at this conversation and hate it!]

[ercnerd]

Stubbornness is how things get done. If I didn't stick to my beliefs, I'd have given up a long time ago.

[modissty]

It's the same for me.

[UNSURPRISING. They are the same person, after all.]

Though it does make me think of what Hanayagi-san said... About stubbornness working against us.