[otherwise, mikazuki will keep his leisurely pace walking down the art gallery - though he always remains a step away from rupert, like he is ready to defend him at any moment.
for all the eyes that are fixed upon mikazuki, he meets them with the same unmoving, neutral smile]
[he looks uncomfortable as he walks through, following behind, but not so uncomfortable that he's tempted to leave. hold your head high, and all.
that doesn't necessarily change when he notices one of the paintings start to shift into something more dangerous, but he does pause in step for a moment.]
[mikazuki will pause when prompted, glancing in its direction.]
Ah... And - this one, as well.
[another painting shifts. a man with long, white hair seems to suddenly find himself at a cliff edge, battered and beaten. the ground beneath his feet is crumbling. his red eyes glare into mikazuki's soul]
... it has been a while since he has looked at me that way.
Some art will be claimed and salvaged before destruction can reach them. They will be regarded as spoils of war, and then handed down through the generations.
But not all treasures are held equal, and not all are saved. That which is beloved by your enemy is simply something that can follow them to the afterlife, in some battles.
[mikazuki will glance at the portraits all around them, different friends staring upon them with contempt. only sadness seems to creep into his gaze]
It is not the first time my comrades would have burned.
... what do you believe, Rupert? That it would have been better to witness conflict, but know that you could do nothing - and live in that certainty?
Or to know that conflict is happening, and to possess your own two hands with which to involve yourself, but to wonder if you can enact any change at all?
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[otherwise, mikazuki will keep his leisurely pace walking down the art gallery - though he always remains a step away from rupert, like he is ready to defend him at any moment.
for all the eyes that are fixed upon mikazuki, he meets them with the same unmoving, neutral smile]
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[he looks uncomfortable as he walks through, following behind, but not so uncomfortable that he's tempted to leave. hold your head high, and all.
that doesn't necessarily change when he notices one of the paintings start to shift into something more dangerous, but he does pause in step for a moment.]
—Wait. Did you see that?
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Ah... And - this one, as well.
[another painting shifts. a man with long, white hair seems to suddenly find himself at a cliff edge, battered and beaten. the ground beneath his feet is crumbling. his red eyes glare into mikazuki's soul]
... it has been a while since he has looked at me that way.
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...Who is he?
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[he reaches out to the portrait, though he stops just short of his fingers making contact]
Until next we meet, little fox.
[he begins to walk away]
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...I'm sorry you had to see him like that.
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We have been in similar situations before - desperate and in the midst of battle. Though normally I am at his side...
Rather than apparently the cause of his troubles. [a beat, then honestly amused:] Though I am occasionally that as well, ha ha ha.
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[...]
...I don't know why they'd want us to see people we care about like this. Is it entertaining for them?
[the idea that this is what they were looking for when they brought everyone here... it's not hard to tell it makes him angry.]
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[that this is the entertainment they want. mikazuki looks over to rupert and smiles briefly]
The ways in which emotion disrupt monotony - even that which is vicious and difficult may appear amusing.
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[angy!!]
I know we're here to play along or whatever, but part of me really doesn't want to give them that satisfaction.
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mikazuki cants his head to the side, now more curious about rupert's reaction than anything]
Fufu... Then what ought we do, Rupert? Destroy the paintings? Set this gallery ablaze?
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Yeah, no, I'm going to guess that would end very badly for us.
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[mikazuki laughs to himself]
It could very well still be quite satisfying. Though... the destruction of galleries is not particularly rare in history.
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If it was literally any other gallery, I wouldn't even consider it. That kind of thing is really common where you're from?
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But not all treasures are held equal, and not all are saved. That which is beloved by your enemy is simply something that can follow them to the afterlife, in some battles.
[mikazuki will glance at the portraits all around them, different friends staring upon them with contempt. only sadness seems to creep into his gaze]
It is not the first time my comrades would have burned.
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Are wars like that common where you're from, then?
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Though I believe most wars look alike, after some time.
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[...]
It must be hard.
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... what do you believe, Rupert? That it would have been better to witness conflict, but know that you could do nothing - and live in that certainty?
Or to know that conflict is happening, and to possess your own two hands with which to involve yourself, but to wonder if you can enact any change at all?
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The second one. I'd always choose the second one. There's an option for me to try and help people that way.
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Then you need not worry whether my life is difficult or not.
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How do you mean?
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[he smiles easily, before continuing to walk along. grandpa riddle hour.]
Now where is that exit...
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[he continues to follow along as he tries to solve this grandpa riddle]
It can't be too far off.
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[now he's just being unhelpful for fun,
but mikazuki will walk along]
Certainly not. For what must have an entrance, must also have an exit.
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