Video

[numbertwohero]

[The boy on screen might not look too familiar to most on the network, maybe because he doesn't really get out much, outside of his little circle of acquaintances. But if you've seen him once, he's pretty hard to forget, between the bicolored hair and heterochromatic eyes, and of course the giant scar on the left side of his face.

He looks pretty serious, but then, he always looks pretty serious, if he doesn't look tired.]

After everything that happened last month--[He stops short, biting his lips and breathing out through his nose before trying again.]

...I guess that isn't really right, though.

After everything that happened last month, and everything that's been happening for as long as I've been here, I've made up my mind to join the Moon Knights. I'd been holding off because I wasn't sure about swearing my loyalty to a planet that isn't mine, but after everything the Lunatians have suffered through because of us, everything they've done for us, I think we owe them something. Or at least I feel like I do.

I'm not asking permission, or looking for recognition or praise or anything. I just wanted to know if there are any other Moonblessed out there who've joined, or anyone else who's on the younger end of their application range who's looking to take the exam. My combat skills are good, and I've been studying medicine, but it's not just about how well you fight or if you can set a broken leg, here. I'd like to hear from others who've already joined about what to expect, and what else I should be studying. And if there's anyone else who's planning on joining, too, maybe we can train together. Let me know.

[And after one last pause and a brief flicker of what looks like hesitation, he shrugs a shoulder and adds one last thing, before the video ends:]

...I'm Shouto. If we haven't met, yet.

Comments

video. un: Lord Explosion Murder

[hot_handed]

Are you fucking kidding me?

[numbertwohero]

I'm serious, if that's what you're asking. After what we saw in Port Sylvel, I can't just not do anything.

[hot_handed]

Remind me again which shitty place that was?

[First Neito, now Shouto? Is everyone losing their goddamn minds?]

video, un: angel

[schmisse]

Hello. I've been with the Moon Knights for about nine months now. It's been some time since I took the exam, but I remember it well.

[ There's a lot of things to study— it's an entrance exam, after all. Weiss begins to explain the knight handbook, covering the basics, the laws of Lunatia and its branches, citizenship, knighthood, and the like. ]

The physical exam isn't just fighting. There are all kinds of tests, like sprinting and dragging, the leg tuck, push ups, and a two-mile run. You're also expected to know magic— so if you haven't started learning the magic that you can harness during Sanguis, Cordis, or Iris, then it's best to start learning. It will give you a huge advantage.

[ She hopes she was thorough enough! She purposely doesn't comment on what happened the past weeks; she was put in a trance by Majestas, after all, and it's an experience she's not fond of. It's better not to start ranting to someone she doesn't even know. ]

[numbertwohero]

[Shouto listens intently as Weiss begins to explain. This is what he's asked for, after all, and he didn't want to just assume it'd be the same as being a hero working for an agency. Although as he listens, maybe that isn't quite as far off as he'd worried. All of that sounds pretty similar, and he's been doing enough reading on the history of Lunatia and its government lately that he's pleased to find he already knows a good bit of what the handbook contains.

When she's done, he nods, half to her and half to himself.]

Thanks for taking the time to explain. It sounds pretty similar to hero training in my world. It's not just about fighting villains, you have to be able to handle disaster situations, too. Rescue civilians, and work with other heroes. And it's not magic, but I already have an ability of my own that I've been trained to use. Cordis just makes it stronger in certain ways.

[He'll explain, if she wants to know, but that's less important to him than the rest.]

...Do they treat you differently? Because you're Moonblessed, and not Lunatian.

[schmisse]

At the core of it all, being a Moon Knight means you're pledging allegiance to the people and the Queen. It means you have to rescue them, fight and defeat threads, or help an old lady cross the road. It's all about helping the people. [ One thing that's similar to her duty back home, too. ] I think you get it, so I suppose you won't have any trouble there.

If you're capable of feats similar to magic, then I don't think it should be a problem. Once you get in, you'll have training on how to use those abilities of yours in a grander aspect.

[ As for that question... People didn't treat her any differently before. In fact, she may have even gotten some special treatment because she's Moonblessed, one of the people in the city from another world who are helping restore the planet. Weiss doesn't like special treatment though, and she's made sure to tell the Lunatians around her that. Now? ]

They didn't, before, anyway. The atmosphere has changed now, but the Moon Knights, as a whole, are still very supportive of Moonblessed.

video

[topgun_textiles]

[Oh. Well, with the video feed on, Kanji is rubbing the back of his neck.]

Shit, you're talkin' the same reasons I thought about goin' for it. The prismals ain't so hot on us right now, and I'm lookin' to change that back around.

...I've had enough of what's gonna come if we don't do somethin' as it is!

[numbertwohero]

Yeah, I feel the same way. I mean, I don't blame them for feeling the way they do, especially those who don't know any Moonblessed, or who haven't seen anything but the damage caused by all these awakenings. But we can't help what our arrival started, just like we can't help being here. All we can do is help the people who need it.

Have you done anything like this before?

[topgun_textiles]

Not... not bein' a knight or whatever, no. But I've fought bigger, badder bastards than any overgrown cat or the fox-worshipping cult!

Still got my abilities from home on top of what I can do as a Sanguis, and I intend to make full use of 'em! It'll be like old times.

video; un: sleeptight

[r_ratedcostume]

[Does Midnight look proud? She definitely does.]

Good on you, Todoroki.

Let me know if you want to practice or train.

[numbertwohero]

It's...just Shouto, here.

[NO REASON...okay one reason but whatever.]

But thanks, Sensei. That'd help a lot.

[resenting]

I'm not rushing out to join any sort of knightly order, but I can't say I disagree with the sentiment.

[numbertwohero]

The people here have suffered enough because of us, whether we meant for that to happen or not. I'm not saying everyone should join, but...well, you can accomplish a lot more as part of a team. A friend taught me that.

[resenting]

You're not exactly wrong, but my trust doesn't come quite that easily. Of course, that doesn't mean I'm opposed to working with them if comes to that again.

private text @tdrkng

[fireface]

Best of luck.
I know you’ll do well.

[numbertwohero]

I don't need luck. I've been training and studying for this.

I met the new #2 the other day. Said he was checking in on the 'kids' for you and Midnight. You know I don't need a babysitter.

[fireface]

I know that. It’s a customary turn of phrase said in these situations.
I am fully aware luck has nothing to do with it.

I didn’t send him.
Keigo does what he wants, regardless of what I say.

Video | UN: hijikata

[mayoninofukucho]

[He spontaneously video-calls him back.]

Hey Shoto. I'm older than you, but I'm also joining. Same reasons.

[Granted, he initially suspected that the Prismals were abducting people from other worlds for their own obvious purposes and wanted to investigate that, but the recent events kind of changed his mind on that. Shoto seems to be looking for other teenagers to study and train with, which is only reasonable, but he at least wants to signal his support.]

If you need anything I'll help if I can.

[Oh, right--]

Name's Hijikata.

[His creative user name kind of already hinted at it.]

[numbertwohero]

[Older? It takes him a second to process why that might be relevant, but after a blink of confusion his expression clears up, and he nods.]

Thanks. I don't mind training with you, either, if you need it. I just figured anyone older looking to join an organization like the Moon Knights probably already has the experience, and they tend to hold back against someone they see as a kid.

[Never mind that he's already tall and broad-shouldered and has been training for this literally since he was four it's fine this is fine.]

text; un: no

[terribletwos]

i've actually been thinking about joining for a while. i'm interested to hear what people say about joining.

[numbertwohero]

Seems like we aren't the only ones who've had the same idea. And I guess the Moon Knights are probably the closest thing to allies we have here, right now.

I just want to be able to help people. I wouldn't be much of a hero at all if I just sat around doing nothing.

video; un: academician

[leveilleur]

[ While the bicolor hair is certainly a sight to behold, Alphinaud cannot help but feel a pang of familiarity once he sees the dual-colored eyes. While they're not the right shade of amethyst or violet, the boy here reminds him vaguely of his Warrior of Light. Not a day has gone passed that he hasn't thought of her.]

You are not alone in such thoughts. [ He answers suddenly once the video begins. ] However, I still have my hesitations of joining their ranks out of my mistrust of foreign militaries. Nevertheless, I cannot help but admire your stalwart decision.

There's not many among the youth who wish to pledge service to the Moon Knights or rather, I have yet to meet any who have. However, I would exercise caution if you truly mean to join them since most of us Moonblessed are quite ignorant of their culture and ways.

[ He gives the youth an encouraging smile. It's always good to see others pledge themselves to a worthy cause regardless of circumstances. ]

[numbertwohero]

[Shouto's doing his best to focus on the words, but it's a little difficult when he sees the face on the screen, the recognition and surprise clear enough in his own expression. Hasn't he seen that face before?? It takes him a second before he blinks and tries to...well, stare a little less blatantly.

Sorry, it's just deja vu a bit, here.]

--Yeah, that was my biggest reason for holding off. I don't know if I can swear my allegiance to a home that isn't mine. But I can't just stand by and let innocent people get hurt, and whatever I can do on my own, I know I'll be able to help more people with their resources. And I've been studying their culture since I got here. Seemed like it'd be the smart thing to do, since none of us know how long we're going to be here.

video | un: RedRiot

[gothard]

[Shouto...Kirishima hasn't caught up with him in a while. It's both a surprise and a relief to see him, especially with how things have been lately...because of that, he's careful to watch the feed before he replies. Maybe more than once.]

I've thought about it, but I dunno. Haven't really committed to anything yet. It's like...I wanna help, and keep doin' like I would back home, but...I ain't exactly knight material, yaknow?

[numbertwohero]

Kirishima--

[He isn't the only one who's a weird mix of surprised and relieved. So many of his classmates have vanished, and maybe that's partially why he hasn't really been looking too hard at things. He's not sure if it'd be better or worse if he was the last one, here.]

...I mean, you're just as much a hero as I am. More, since you actually got your provisional license. Why wouldn't you be knight material?

[It's a valid question, and honestly not one he thought he'd have to ask Kirishima. Maybe he should have been better at keeping in touch.]