2nd Hour - [Video - Fortitude Network, "Seeking..." forum]

[floweringknight]

[Not too long after Dahlia's post, Sakuya puts up his own notice, of a rather opposite nature.]

Hello. My name is Sakuya Izayoi, and I arrived at the beginning of this round. After helping Mademoiselle Dahlia achieve victory, I thought the best way I could help my fellow students is by offering my services to any of our other players who have yet to win the round. I'm willing to participate in fights if you plan on engaging in duels, but I'll be upfront in saying that my form is that of a knife, so I only recommend those who feel comfortable wielding that sort of weapon in close combat reply. In any case, I am eager to hear your replies and lending a hand to help our school in achieving victory.

[A small breath, then he continues with a little more casual air.]

On a lighter note, I suppose I'll take this opportunity to greet all the others in Fortitude. I've already met a few of you and hope to make acquaintances with many more. Thank you, and good day.

Comments

[nephentes_rajah]

That's okay. You can always make it up to me~

[ At that admission, though, she arches a brow. ] Really? I would think such a well-mannered boy such as yourself would have at least some appreciation for the arts.

[floweringknight]

I'd be glad to. [Though he's curious how she means...]

Ah, I have some appreciation for them, but those kinds of creative endeavors haven't ever really been a strong suit of mine.

[nephentes_rajah]

[ Oh he'll find out soon enough~ ]

But that's exactly part of what you're supposed to do here, isn't it? Learn, enrich your life, pick up new skills. I have plenty of experience to share, and I won't judge a beginner. Sometimes the freshest... ... young...

[ Oh damn it, she had a good analogy, didn't she? Something about cultivating? She furrows her brow and waves her hand, dismissing that thought. ] It would be good for you.

[floweringknight]

[He tilts his head a little at that lost analogy, but doesn't comment on it]

Perhaps. It just doesn't seem particularly necessary for my lot in life.

[nephentes_rajah]

[ Oh now here's a chance to find out some interesting things. She places her chin in her hand. ] And what "lot" is that?

[floweringknight]

Ah, well, I suppose putting it like that sounds ungrateful. My purpose, or role, I suppose. As a butler.

[nephentes_rajah]

[ A curious hum. ] A servant? My, then acting as a tool for another — a Weapon — is somewhat appropriate for you, isn't it~?

[floweringknight]

I suppose so. Well, at the least, being the "player" and having control over someone's very rights would probably feel unnatural.

[Though at the same time, wouldn't it be like being a knight that protects them? If he thinks of it like that...]

[nephentes_rajah]

Unnatural? [ A light laugh. ] Everyone controls someone else at some point. That is just how things work. Here, it is just more apparent to us because the consequences for disobedience are more obvious.

[ She leans her chin into her hand. ] You would do what it takes to survive, wouldn't you~?

[floweringknight]

Not I. If there are those who control, there are those who are controlled. I live to serve. [He frowns, rather firm on this point]

Well, that depends on what it takes. In this case, I would, but that doesn't mean I'd feel comfortable with it.

[nephentes_rajah]

Serve whom, I wonder? [ The cut of her eyes indicates she is very, very curious about this answer. ] Your resolve doesn't impress me. "That depends" is not the best answer.

[floweringknight]

My master, of course, or others who are in need.

It's not a matter of resolve. It's a matter of consequences. There are some things I wouldn't do, even if not doing them meant dying.

[nephentes_rajah]

Oh~ So you weigh every possible consequence for every action you take? How wasteful. And you wish to serve so many others... is your own self not on that list?

[floweringknight]

It's not wasteful, it's prudent. Only a fool commits to broad absolutes without considering the situation.

And I am, if not high on it.

[nephentes_rajah]

Oh, now you should be much higher on that list than you are. The top, in fact! [ Yuuka inspects the nails on her free hand. ] I normally don't dispense with free advice, but I suppose I have a certain obligation to do so with my new position.

[ Sidelong glance to the camera. Someone told her that looking at it was better than looking at the screen, but that didn't mean she had to look as if she was going to leap THROUGH it. ] You won't be able to protect anyone if you cannot act without thought. If your instincts aren't sharp, you'll die~.

[floweringknight]

I prefer to put others before myself. Especially those who I owe.

[He frowns a bit but resists the urge to back away]

I trust my instincts to act when necessary, but otherwise I would prefer to have thought things through first and have a plan.

[nephentes_rajah]

And who, exactly, do you owe yourself to?

[floweringknight]

My masters, the Scarlet family, of course.

[nephentes_rajah]

I see~. And are they here? If not, you're going to be on your own, and then what good does that sort of allegiance do you? None!

[floweringknight]

They... are, in a fashion.