tushanshu | [audio]

[audio]

[Her tone is blunt, sharp, faintly accented. No preamble.]

We are here to fight a war. How many of you are remotely prepared?

[She's guessing like three. But then again, she has high standards for preparedness.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Some are, though which ones may vary by what kind of war it will actually be.

[She bares her teeth, though it cannot be seen. She recognizes your voice, little bat.]

There is only one sort of war. The weapons, the venues, the cause and the enemy change, but at its core war only means one thing. Survival.

[Good, he remembers you, too. With the fish.]

[... no, actually. With the good use of a good knife. And the silence.]

If you look at it that way, yes. I was merely referring to the fact that I know of people here who would be well-suited for, say, nuclear warfare, but are likely to fall easily to magical.

Then they should learn. Adapt. Or die.

Clearly.

Which variety of war will you need to learn about the most?

[She shrugs, there's a faint rustle of fabric.]

I learn best in the fires of conflict. If I cannot, I will die. It does not trouble me either way.

[Naturally, that approach to the subject doesn't bother him at all. Damian considers that for a long moment, then...]

How many times do you think we can die and come back, in this place?

[Curious about her estimation, yes.]

I do not believe it is indefinite. I would say that it depends strictly on the Emperor's good graces now. I have died once.

Of course it is not infinite.

[He wouldn't be asking how many times unless he considered them likely to be limited, now would he?]

[For a fraction of a moment, he contemplates telling her he is sorry, but he doesn't bother with the politeness.]

Good graces or practical considerations? I am unsure of 'planning to use somebody' classifies in the first category.

I am inclined to believe we will be returned to life as long as she has a use for us. If that use is suddenly to die...

[shrug.]

That would stand to reason. On the other hand, it would mean fighting this war for survival rather futile.

[Because if they win, the Emperor wouldn't have further use for them - why keep them alive at all?]

I fight because I fight. It is what I know and I will turn tail and run simply because it is futile.

[... oh. Now you watch out, lady. You have his full attention. Not that he's likely to get hers by the next comment, but he does say it with the perfect conviction that he has the right to pass judgment.]

I approve.

[Faintly amused, then,]

Do you think your approval endears you to me, little one?

[Oops she's speaking in Arabic now, which shifts the syntax of her words just slightly. It's fruitless, with the auto-translate, but she knows he speaks the language.]

[The shift is acknowledged with a small, surprised pause. Very small. But his voice might sound a little cross, even if he responds in kind. The specific language in the language group is a guess, but a rather educated one.]

Do you think approval is something I seek? Of you?

You are young enough to find a comfort in it, from people you respect.

[She was, once. She brought her father a necklace of ears, once.]

[... comfort. Ha.]

I have been led too far from what I want to do by people whose approval I sought. It is not among my goals anymore.

[Thank you, Talia.]

And what is it you want to do?

The specifics are a work in progress. Especially here.

But fighting is certainly in the generalities.

[She snorts.]

You will get your chance, then.

[There may be a faint smirk in his voice.]

I haven't found myself lacking for opportunities.

You enjoyed the spectres, then?

Not necessarily a novel concept for me. The jiangshi were worse.

I preferred them. There is more satisfaction in killing something made of solid flesh than creatures of air and electrical impulse.

Dead bodies should not be misused so. It is disrespectful. Not that it stops anybody.

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