The Knight Again

[odiousking]

[A young man clad in armor turns on the COMP. He looks into the camera with certainty in the audience beyond the lens. Despite his appearances, the technology doesn't seem to be an incredible challenge to him.]

My name is Oersted, a knight of Lucretia. I have been summoned here just as you all have for one reason or another. From this day on, I may either be your colleague or rival depending on where our paths take us.

It is for that reason I have called to all of you besides mere introductions.

I wish to know what all of you intend to contribute to this city in our coming days. You are all willing to fight when expected, yes? Then what reason do you have... besides being asked? And what is your reason?

... You may refrain from answering if you wish. This is just a way to satisfy my curiosity, nothing more, nothing less.

Comments

[universebeware]

['Sup, Oersted, have a mechanical man answering you - though he's not looking directly at the camera. He seems busy.]

Because the guy in the mask keeps bringing me back every time I try to leave.

[odiousking]

[You think this would surprise him. But no. Two of his enemies, after all, were robots. One giant. If anything, the young man is amused by seeing just how purely anachronistic this city is. It's almost nostalgic.]

How many attempts have you made thus far?

[universebeware]

Enough to make it well known that he's very persistent.

[Someone's really not very happy about that persistence, either.]

[odiousking]

In a battle of persistence, a machine possesses the greatest advantage. The concept of patience means nothing to you if your programming wills you to continue.

A human would have called it pointless and quit.

[universebeware]

There's the thing, though - I'm not simply a machine. I'm a mechanical life-form. I know the concept of patience, and I do not have much of it.

[odiousking]

Mechanical lifeform... A machine with an AI?

[universebeware]

I believe that's the closest thing that organics have crafted to what I am. I think, I feel - both sensation and emotion, and I age.

[odiousking]

A machine rusts and ceases to function. My limited knowledge tells me that much. Though you are interesting. So you're saying you may as well have skin than metal.

[universebeware]

I can still rust - not something I like to deal with, though. It's itchy. My body is metal - it's just that I'm alive compared to mundane machines.

Like how humans are alive compared to a mass of carbon and water.

[greyerrant]

I was made for war.

[odiousking]

Not only are you both conscious of your cause, you do not question it. You were born for a purpose and that purpose is to annihilate those who stand against your creators and master. Are you content with this?

[greyerrant]

Who said that I did not question it? I am a weapon that questions its own use, this was how I was defined.

As for my purpose being annihilation, perhaps. More precisely I was created to win, decisively. A blow to the throat, or a duel that ends in mercy, whatever the circumstances require for the betterment of mankind.

I am content, as long as I serve with honor, and I am commanded in good faith.

[odiousking]

Such a convenient programming. It would be problematic if a weapon could be used so recklessly, without thought. When wielded, you produce what would be called a controlled explosion. What a splendid tool. And all tools only wish to be "necessary".

[greyerrant]

I serve. If this is by slaying the enemies of humanity, so be it. If it is by standing still and doing nothing, that is also acceptable.

And most weapons do not consider such a question, which is why I am a man, despite my physical differences.

[Video]

[second_destiny]

[Asem looks serious, and he gives a curt response.]

I have people who mean a lot to me. I fight to protect them.

[Video]

[odiousking]

I see.

[A standard answer of a hero.]

Have you ever given some thought to who you were fighting, though?

[Video]

[second_destiny]

[Oh, you don't know the half of it.]

Of course I have. But if I show too much mercy to the enemy, I'll only get myself and the people I love killed.

[Video]

[odiousking]

What you're saying is that you're willing to tear apart the loved ones of others to protect your own bonds.

[Video]

[second_destiny]

That's just a risk they take when they launch an attack. I defend. My enemies are the aggressors.

[Video]

[odiousking]

Yet either way, someone loses a life. Your goal is to save, yet you're willing to kill to do so. Who attacked first changes none of that.

[Video]

[second_destiny]

Look, of course I'd rather not kill. But who attacks first is pretty important. Every living thing has the right to defend themselves and those who can't defend themselves when they're attacked. We're not expected to just roll over and die. And when I'm attacked, I don't have a choice in the matter.

[Video]

[odiousking]

Do you not think this is what creates the conflict you defend against in the first place? Actions have consequences, intended or otherwise. Your motivations are already a part of the norm. They're nothing uncommon in this era or otherwise.

[Video]

[second_destiny]

You think I don't know that? Of course there's two sides to every coin. But we have to pick something to do, don't we?

[canteachyoumore]

I am Theodore, and my purpose is to assist humanity in its efforts to grow as a whole in a path which both changes and enlightens it.

[Fancy, right? Though, it's only his station at the moment and not his "true" purpose. He still has a journey to take for that. But the strange looking man in blue isn't through yet.]

There is much more to be learned by those unfamiliar with Personas in the Velvet Room, where one being such as myself resides with the same purpose. Her name is Caroline. [Just so you know.]

[odiousking]

[Fancy indeed. He heard about concepts like the Velvet Room, Persona, and other jargon exclusive to this city. He even realized that he possessed the power to summon Odio, the collective symbol of hatred. And now, this man is saying that he has a connection to the same Velvet Room.]

Such as yourself... ah, so you're a part of the Velvet Room as well.

[Though Oersted doesn't believe that's completely selfless...]

Then if I may ask, are you outside now to assist humanity? I'm curious as to what that entails.

[canteachyoumore]

[Wow, you've hit a weak point already. But Theodore tries not to let it show, since he has full confidence in Lord Philemon.]

In a way. Lord Philemon has summoned me here for a purpose, just as he has summoned you all, though my duty lies outside that room. [apparently. Regardless of the circumstances, I will always aid humanity.

[odiousking]

[Not that he notices it, as perceptive of a demon king he is.]

Then you're content with being a tool for humanity. Or "of" humanity.

[canteachyoumore]

Yes. [Completely without hesitation.

... Well, until he finds his true purpose for being here, in any case. But that is his at the moment and he'll be one of the Anoli's allies before he lets it go.]

Do you have any other reason yourself?