28 ❄ ( VIDEO; CONSOLE )

[wintershepherd]

[ Jack's taking some time out of his evening to address something that's drawing rather close. As fun as participating in the Mystery Games has been, he feels like someone should maybe point out the elephant on the turtle. He's seated at one of the consoles in the Welcome Center, the recognizable backdrop visible behind him. ]

Sooo... that super-formal Justicar lady sounded like she means business. Is there like-- I don't know, a plan or something? Has anyone even attempted to let the Chihuelans know that someone's coming? Wait, are we even picking sides in that?

[ He runs a hand through his white hair, causing it to spike and settle. At least he looks better in the face of the oppressive outside heat, and less like he's about to melt. ]

Like I'm not in any way favouring the "immediate execution" thing, but if we're not going to stop this group that's coming, then we should be trying to help the others. Doing nothing seems like we're... almost as bad as they are.

Comments

audio

[redlightgreenlight]

What do you mean 'are we even picking sides'?

[She sounds, not unfriendly, but slightly annoyed.]

There are no 'sides'. Keeliai is our home, if the Justicar plans to invade, then we must defend it.

Re: audio

[wintershepherd]

[ If it was one thing Jack didn't appreciate, it was being spoken down to. ]

Look, I know this is a wild and radical idea and all, but has anyone considered maybe not jumping to attempting to kill each other as a first resort?

audio

[redlightgreenlight]

[She seems to have realized her tone and shifts to something more neutral and relaxed.]

The Kedan were attacked once before by the Chihuleans, so they are not likely to believe that the Justicar and her forces are anything but a threat. A war is the last thing I want.

[That much violence, pain and anger would probably be problematic for her empathy.]

But if it comes down to it? I'll fight alongside the kedan.

[Even Yunxu if she absolutely had to.]

Re: audio

[wintershepherd]

Am I the only person who finds it weird that if the Chihuelans wanted a war, they probably wouldn't have announced it first?

[redlightgreenlight]

I don't think they want a war...You can't commit 'treason' against an empire that you aren't a part of, Jack. I think they expect us to let them walk in and do whatever they want.

[wintershepherd]

[ He's confused; Valdis is the one who mentioned not wanting the war. Perhaps he misunderstood. ]

I don't think they should be able to do that either, I'm just saying, the last time this became a fight, a lot of kedan died. Yeah, they won at the end of the day, but that doesn't bring back the ones who were killed. So instead of looking to win another fight, shouldn't we consider a way to head one off?

[redlightgreenlight]

Somehow I doubt you mean that we should strike preemptively, so how do you suggest we head it off?

[wintershepherd]

We have to find the Chihuelans still on the turtle. They're the only ones who're going to have an idea of the best way to deal with these new ones.

[redlightgreenlight]

Perhaps. But have you considered the fact that if we find them, then the Justicar might find them as well? If we are ignorant of their whereabouts, then, as twisted as it might sound, we have an advantage over the Justicar and her people.

[wintershepherd]

I'm not sure I want to bet their lives on it, that's all.

[redlightgreenlight]

Understandable, but their lives are not in our hands.

[wintershepherd]

[ Jack's jawline hardens a bit, and he obviously disagrees with her statement, but is keeping himself from replying. ]

[redlightgreenlight]

You can't take responsibility for every life, and even if you could, you shouldn't.

[wintershepherd]

I'm not talking about every life, I'm--

You know what? Nevermind.