prismatica | Video

Entry tags:

Video

[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.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Are you fucking kidding me?

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

Remind me again which shitty place that was?

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

You know, that whole town that was crystallized?? All those civilians that died???

[It's crazy that it's taken him this long to actually do it, honestly.]

I know you don't like what's happening here, and you know I don't, either, but I can't just sit by and let people get hurt, especially if there's anything I can do to stop it.

...People died?

[That's news to him.]

Why? Why do you care so much about them? You don't owe them shit. They kidnapped us, and now you want to show your fucking gratitude by protecting their sorry hides?!

Well screw that!

Yeah. There's no coming back, once all of your Chroma's been drained and you're crystallized. That much is the same for everyone.

[And there it is. There's the argument he should have seen coming.]

The guy who runs the noodle shop we go to every Cordis didn't bring us here. The little girl who keeps asking to pet Elizabeth didn't bring us here. There are thousands of people here who didn't have any say at all in us coming to their planet, just like we didn't have a say in staying, and there are plenty of Moonblessed who can't fight, either. Should I just sit back and say, well, I didn't want to be here and the Magister might have done something to summon us, so I'm just gonna let innocent people die in case I'm right?

Sounds like a someone made a shitty biology choice.

[Katsuki grits his teeth into a grimace. Every word Shouto emits drilling another hole into him, another reminder that Shouto naturally has something that he lacks. That he'll always lack.

And then he snaps, his anger boiling over the surface, fists trembling in rage.]

I don't give a shit about them! Because guess fucking what? None of those shitty extras are going to matter, their safety won't mean a goddamn thing if you die because those moon assholes will throw your life away the second you stop being useful to them!!!

Yeah, you do give a shit. Of course you do. Because you're a hero.

[Because of course he is. Katsuki is just as much a hero as any of them. He's shitty as hell at showing it, and every time he opens his mouth it's to spout off some other dumb incendiary remark, but he doesn't hesitate when someone's in trouble. Shouto's seen it enough to know better.

And maybe he's being stupid, but he thinks, maybe, he might know what this is about, too. He's quiet for a minute, and when he talks again his voice is a little brusque, more than a little defensive, but at least he sounds less angry.]

If you're worried about me dying, come with me. Watch my back.

[He tries to make it sound casual, but it's anything but.]

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. ]

You think I give a shit? I just want to win. I'll save the extras if that means winning but they might as well be dead here.

[He glares down at the ground. Stupid condescending heroic bastard, bringing that shit up. If he could blow up this whole shitty world right now, he would.

His head snaps back up and he scowls.]

I ain't worried, you conceited Icy Hot Bastard. But I refuse to have any losses while we're here.

Fuck! I wouldn't have to watch your back if you weren't so fucking stupid!!!

[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.

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.

[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!

[Does Midnight look proud? She definitely does.]

Good on you, Todoroki.

Let me know if you want to practice or train.

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

Best of luck.
I know you’ll do well.

[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.]

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

I don't just think you do, I know you do.

[He's been friends with Katsuki long enough now to know that the more he yells, the more insults he throws, the more he actually cares about what's happening. He just doesn't want anyone to know. And Shouto gets that. After all, they might hide their feelings in different ways, but they're more alike than most people might think.]

So does that mean you'll join with me?

That's what being a hero is about, really. Helping people. Protecting them. Saving lives. Everyone's got their own reason for wanting to be a pro, but...that's mine.

[It wasn't always that way, but...well, he's a different person than he was when he'd first started at UA. A better person, at least he hopes. And he's going to keep trying to be better.]

...I guess that makes sense. After all, we might be the cause of some of the trouble around here, but most of us have done our best to help fix it, when we can. They've seen us first hand. It's just the rest of the Lunatians we have to convince, now.

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?

It's...just Shouto, here.

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

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

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.

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.

Join you?

[Shouto is right, and that just pisses him off more. How fucking dare he pull that heroic 'I know you really care shit' with him, like he's too dumb to see straight through it. But like it or not, Shouto has become more and more important to him over time. And Angela. And others. He isn't about to lose.]

Let me make one thing clear, Icy Hot, I ain't joining you, I'M DOING IT FIRST AND DON'T EVEN THINK OF WALKING AHEAD OF ME, ASSHOLE!!!

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 1 of 4

Video

video. un: Lord Explosion Murder

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

video, un: angel

no subject

no subject

no subject

video

video; un: sleeptight

no subject

private text @tdrkng

Video | UN: hijikata

text; un: no

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject