badgernet_ooc | Test Drive 1

[ Frisk thinks this will deescalate? Oh. Oh no.

Azra's grip on her axe tightens, and her expression goes from "just doing my murder job" to "you've done fucked up." ]

It's good to see we were right. You all really are the same as the other Invaders.

[ That's about all she says before Azra is moving again. She can't rocket towards Frisk like that opening volley - she had to literally be thrown by the Dark Lord for that - but she's quick like a... cat. Even when twirling around a giant battleaxe.

She moves in with a series of slashes that would not work with less strength wielding this axe. Each one is aimed to kill or, at the very least, take off a limb. Taking off a limb is as good as winning a fight, after all.

Unless Frisk has instant regeneration. Azra wouldn't discount the possibility.

But mainly... she has to keep Frisk's attention on her. ]

[When Frisk sees Azra's expression, they know that they have, indeed, done fucked up.

They figured something happened on this world to make them so hostile to "Invaders," and with a sinking feeling they realize that it might have been duly earned on their part.

Once again, they activate Slow Motion and keep dodging Azra's strikes, but all of them are far too close to comfort even with Prescience helping them. From Azra's perspective, it seems like Frisk is casually flashstepping out of the way, but the effort they expend is far from casual.

In a brief pause between strikes, Frisk slides backwards, staring down Azra with a remorseful expression on their face. Whatever the case, Azra clearly has their attention now.] Crap, sorry, I-

...

There's nothing I can do to get across to you that I'm actually sorry at this point, is there?

I don't know what these other Invaders did to this place, or you for that matter, but I swear to you I'm just here to make sure whatever your queen is planning won't hurt any of the people I care about. The moment I'm assured of that, I'll leave here and never come back.

I'm not going to hurt you. I don't think trust is going to get me anywhere at this point, but I just want to talk.

Edited 2020-10-24 20:56 (UTC)

We're the Invader Defense Force. We don't Invade. We Defend this place against people who do.

[ Azra is using this... opportunity... to back away from Frisk?

That's probably fine. After all, Frisk's attention is on her, right? ]

It doesn't matter if you think you're going to hurt us or not. Invaders don't come here looking to cause harm, they just don't care if the people who live here are collateral in their selfish whims.

[ From the distance behind Frisk, an airship is rising into the air. Azra tries not to let her eyes follow it, to give away that it's there. ]

And the Princess is cursed, she can't talk to any of you in person even if she wanted to. But you don't care about that, right?

I really want to trust you, but the last time somebody refused to answer any of our questions on how, exactly, she was going to "defend her nation," she ended up destroying the world FIFTY TIMES. Trust me, watching reality crumble at the seams or get blown up by an unstoppable dragon god that much over the course of that many time loops because you decided to trust an obviously shady person kinda makes you suspicious whenever somebody makes ominous proclamations like that and refuses-

...wait. She's cursed? What happened? What is it about us Invaders that's so harmful to her?

[Frisk cocks their head to the side, genuinely curious... and their attention is completely on Azra and not the airship approaching behind them.]

[ Azra isn't great at lying, only being angry. So what comes out IS the truth. ]

There was a prophecy that she would fall in love with somebody from another world. What it means is that she'll fall in love with the first off-worlder - Invader - that she sees.

[ And then, just to make a jab at Frisk and their earlier flirt, ] Bet you'd enjoy that.

[ That is, thankfully, all Azra has to say before the airship is in place. And then the entire area in front of Azra for dozens of feet in every direction is being decimated by the airship's main weapon, turning an entire tree into large chunks of wood being fired at high speed. ]

[Frisk's face takes a turn from concerned to pure, incandescent rage.]

Are you kidding me? That's the SKEEVIEST THING I have EVER heard! Who gave that prophecy, I need to give them a piece-

[Then the airship attacks.

Hypothetically, Frisk could try to evade using Slow Motion and avoid the worst of the damage. Hypothetically. They're not sure if they're good enough for that.

But the important part is that it's aiming directly at Azra.

There's really only one thing to do.]

LOOK OUT!

[Frisk flashteps in front of Azra (leaving their back conveniently open to attack) as they erect a Buster Barrier around them. It's not nearly enough to deflect all the damage, and they're left bloody, beaten and bruised by the end of the barrage, but they're still standing. Barely.]

You... you...

JACKASSES! [they yell at thin air, panting.] WHAT KIND OF BASTARD FIRES AN ATTACK LIKE THAT WHILE THEIR ALLY'S STILL IN RANGE? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!

Ilai wouldn't hit me. [ She says this with absolutel confidence.

Actually.... the fact Frisk survives might even be in part to the spread of fire being lower closer to Azra.

Still, Azra doesn't feel quite right murdering Frisk with their back turned, after trying to defend her.

......Hm, something's wrong with this. ]

Why'd you try to save me though? So I'd owe you? Am I supposed to repay your kindness with devotion?

[ She grips her axe harder. ]

I'm hesitating. That's always the first sign that the mind-control is worming its way in...

[ Well, it's giving Frisk a chance to back away from Azra, which is probably a good idea. ]

Why did I-

[Frisk splutters, completely and utterly flabbergasted. What on Earth (or Iden, apparently) happened to this poor woman and her world to make that her first assumption?]

BECAUSE I DON'T WANT YOU TO GET HURT, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF ME?

I-

Okay. [Frisk takes a deep breath.

Oh, this is going to suck so hard.]

I surrender.

[They brace themself, instinctively cringing away and squeezing their eyes shut in preparation for a beheading despite their every attempt to look brave for the camera.]

[ Okay. You know what? THIS is the first actual first. Pleading, yes. Downplaying their threat, yes. Acting nice, yes. Surrender? Never.

Azra hesitates again. It's hard to stay angry at this.

And... what if Cami can think of a way to use this?

Azra sticks her axe in the ground. Pulls out a book - leather cover with a mirror on the outside. She starts writing in it, addressing the message to the princess. ]

They surrendered. What do I do?

Edited 2020-10-24 22:31 (UTC)

[It takes a moment for Cami to respond, as she has to... well, read, read again, check her eyes, read again... They surrendered? That... That's new.]

Ilai is holding fire. Azra, you have fought them, and so I will defer to you. If I were to leave to meet them, would you be able to fight while protecting me if this one were to reveal ill intentions?

[ That's the real question here. Not "Do you think we can trust them" but "Do you think you can protect me while fighting them." ]

I think so. They're good at dodging. But they've taken some hits already. I could finish them if they tried anything.

Then I will be there shortly.

[There's a short pause, as though Cami hesitates to write what she does next.]

I shall bring the necessities. I will be blindfolded, and I shall bring my spear as well. And in case of the worst, a dagger.

[The dagger... is for her own eyes if the worst happens.]

I won't let it come to that.

[ Slamming her book shut, she talks to Frisk again. Finally. ]

The Princess is coming. Don't get any funny ideas.

[Frisk ever-so-cautiously opens their eyes, then sighs in relief.]

Oh man, I really thought you were going to kill me there!

...I mean, you still probably are, but, uh. After negotiations.

[They sigh, stuffing their hands in their pockets.]

I'm... sorry, by the way. I really need to get out of the habit of opening battles with flirting. [They chuckle awkwardly.] I doubt it's nearly as cute when a fifteen year-old who's hit their growth spurt does it as opposed to a tiny twelve year-old.

Hold on, I got an idea.

[They dig a few pellets out of their pocket and present them to Azra.]

These are smoke pellets. With just a little bit of magic I can make them last a long time and shape them. I was thinking I could use one so that I'm covered in smoke and the princess won't have to look at me?

Edited 2020-10-24 23:20 (UTC)

Don't try anything. [ Like she's going to TRUST smoke pellets. ] The princess is coming in blindfold, and we have our own backup plan. [ Not mentioned; it's literally cutting out the princess's eyes. ]

And don't flirt with her either. You're right, it's not cute.

...okay. Gotcha.

[They put the pellets back and just. Stand there. Occasionally fidgeting, looking into the horizon for any sign of the princess.]

[When she arrives, Frisk may be forgiven for thinking she's less a princess and more an angel of justice.

She wears a long, flowing dress, lightly covered with leather armor. In one hand, she carries a spear, the head glowing with holy light. In the other, she carries a dagger, unmagical, yet sharp- Cruelly practical. Her eyes are covered by a black cloth, and she is guided by an elderly Japanese man, who murmurs something to Camiel as they stop.]

Know, Invader, that your surrender has not yet been accepted. I seek understanding, but I will not allow that desire to risk my people. Should you move with ill intent, Azra's axe will take your head. Should you speak with ill intent, my spear will take your heart. Do you understand and accept this, Invader?

[Every instinct Frisk has is demanding that they snark and charm their way out of this.

Fortunately, they know that their instincts at this point are wrong, so they instead bow in deference (even if she can't see it) and say in the most neutral tone they can muster,] Understood, Your Majesty.

Your compliance pleases me.

[The spear's glow seems to shift, subtly- As though it just acknowledged Frisk's agreement.]

Why did you come here?

[Might as well start from the top.]

Three years ago, me and several people from a wide variety of worlds were brought to a planet called Vaikuntha in waves. We were tasked with defending it from an ancient conspiracy to re-summon a dragon god and begin the cycle of a world-eating Calamity anew. Our primary benefactor, Empress Ramaa, entrusted us all with the task of finding and awakening four legendary Eidolons to help defeat the dragon god when the time came.

Long story short, Ramaa played us all like a fiddle. She was the source of the scheme, and the worst part is that she won. Several times. The only reason why I'm standing before you today is because a fault in reality allowed us to repeat the same three days over and over again until we got everything perfect enough to take her on.

The reason I bring all of this up is that part of her scheme was, indeed, "defending" and "reconstructing" her old "nation." She was so desperate to get it back, to protect it from everything else, that she was willing to do anything in the name of that cause.

I admit I judged too quickly and let my past experiences [i.e. traumas] dictate my response, but the way you kept avoiding all of my questions as to what, exactly, you would do if the BadgerNet because a sufficient threat and what impact that would have on all the worlds connected to it reminded me far, far too much of Empress Ramaa.

I panicked, made assumptions, and floored it to get here, where I was intercepted by your soldier.

So I am here to ask you: if BadgerNet were judged to be a sufficient threat, would you cause harm to the other worlds connected to it if it meant uprooting the threat from Iden?

I would. Without hesitation, nor regret.

[Her answer is immediate.]

I would not enjoy it. But my responsibility is not to other worlds. I am the Princess, heir to the throne, and one day I will be Queen. It is my duty and honor to focus all my being to protecting my people. If that is what it would take to protect those I care about from ever becoming you Invader's victims again, then I will gladly do so.

I need not the approval of sanctimonious, short-sighted children who arrogantly invade my world for their assumptions, who do not know the reality of what Sengeis faces every day.

...well, Your Majesty, I can't fault you for your dedication to your duty.

[Frisk smiles lopsidedly.

Oh, this is going to suck.]

I can see there's no way I can convince you that it's always worth it to try and find another solution. You're a leader, through and through. I can respect that, at least.

But I know a man who made a similar decision, in the name of vengeance and protecting his nation both, and it destroyed him. [Asgore and Cami obviously aren't the same, but... there are echoes.] And because it destroyed him, his country fell apart.

I can't say I know everything about the troubles plaguing this place. I mean, if I had to guess I'd say it's something along the lines of jerks coming from other worlds, proclaiming themself heroes, and for some reason the world bends over backwards to accommodate that delusion no matter the consequences for anyone else, but eh, I don't know that for sure.

But I need you to guarantee me that if it does come to that, you won't do the same. That you have the conviction to follow through and keep leading this world, no matter the consequences it has everywhere else.

I'm not a fighter. Never was, never will be. I can give and take a few hits, but it's not like I enjoy it. I've always been a talker. That's how I save people. And that obviously isn't going to work here. The best argument I can make in my favor is my own death. So take this axe and behead me, right here, right now.

Don't use your spear and hide behind holy conviction. I won't ask you to look me in the eyes for... obvious reasons, but I want you to at least look at my bloody corpse once I'm dead.

Edited 2020-10-25 02:26 (UTC)

[Camiel stands up straighter. Her spear seems to shine with her fury, her anger permeating every word she speaks.]

How dare you.

I have no need for your approval. Nor do I have any desire to listen to your drivel. You are, in every way that matters, exactly the same as every other Invader. You did not seek to learn. You did not seek to understand. You heard us, you heard those of Iden, on that Badger Net, saying do not come here. And in your arrogance, you believed you knew better. That you were more correct, more just, more moral than we of this world. That you could simply enter and fix everything. That you could 'save people'. That you would be a hero.

You simply ignored everything that did not suit the story you told yourself. You told yourself our wishes didn't matter- No, you didn't consider our wishes whatsoever, even when explicitly told to you.

You are naught more than a base hypocrite, a child with delusions of being the only one who matters, just like every other we have slain. You seek to become a martyr? Then do it yourself. Throw yourself upon my spear or her axe. Else take your ship and leave Iden, and never return.

I had hoped in your surrender you may have understood, but I see now I was wrong. Perhaps I was the fool for daring to hope that another Invader might know reason.

[Frisk has tried suave charm. Frisk has tried noble bearing. They are all out of options, and frankly, they are getting real tired of this.]

Full offense, Your Majesty, but you're not acting like a fool.

You're acting like a toddler.

Normally I'd go into a whole big speech here about how I can tell you've been through a lot, but even considering all of the bullshit this world has obviously put you through, that fact that you're acting like this proves you're a fundamentally immature brat who thinks that you're always in the right because the world has done you wrong.

I didn't came here to be a hero or whatever. I admit that I can be an arrogant little shit who ended up getting handed omnipotence on a silver platter way too early in life to handle that responsibility and that gave me several complexes that I'm still working through!

But that's the thing. At least I admit it.

I came here to see if my hunch was right—and I was really hoping it WASN'T, by the way!—that you were some sanctimonious wackjob who'd do anything to protect the vague ideal of "her people" even if it means getting blood on her hands, and surprise surprise, I was correct! Sanctimonious wackjobs have a place, though. Some people need to be selfish enough to protect the greater good, as long as you can recognize that you're not some divine being of pure justice. They can reflect and maybe even take a few steps back if they've gone too far. Not you, though.

I wasn't trying to fix everything. I just wanted to see if you had the balls to take a long look at yourself after doing something directly that you've only ordered your subordinates to do for you, if the circumstances of this IDF thing are any indication. And it looks like you don't. If you could've at least acknowledged that maybe you wouldn't have been happy with all that blood on your hands, I would've left here a happy "Invader," knowing that maybe you could be reasoned with to work together with others to solve your problem rather than act like a kid younger than you already are.

But no.

You simply ignored everything I said that did not suit the story you told yourself. You told yourself my wish to protect my own people didn't matter- no, you didn't consider my wish whatsoever, even when I explicitly told it to you.

You're nothing but a base hypocrite, a child with delusions of being the only one whose desires matter, just like Ramaa.

Azra. They are yours to do with what you will. I apologize for wasting your time.

[That's all you're getting, Frisk. Camiel is out, Taro leading her back the way they came.]

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sassafrisk - 2020-10-25 03:24 (UTC) - Expand