A burned out failure

[stupidhonor]

...

...

By popular decision of the Lords, Ankaia will wage war on Earth. Ishin will be first in line, no doubt using his extraordinary might for great effect.

[Sielje is a mess. She sits with her head lowered, not bothering to change from her fancy dress - now torn and dusty from the fight.]

And it is all my fault.


If only... I was strong enough to face and defeat him...

If... only... I was stronger...!

[Her eyes are full of tears and you can hear pretty undignified sniffing.]

Comments

[a_monetized_mind]

-Still lose. Combat on Ankaia is set up so the 'strongest' always wins, right? So the rules are built so people like you can't win, and Ishin took advantage of that, because he's not an idiot.

Look...Getting stronger sounds like the last thing that would be helpful here. I mean, you haven't been slacking off since that fight with Moswar either, have you?

[stupidhonor]

No, I was not. But that was not enough... should I have worked even harder? ... You are going to say that it would not change anything.

[Even in her current state Sielje can understand some things. But it doesn't mean she is happy with them.]

I worked for years... worked so hard. Lord Ishin appeared out of nowhere, a rising star of talent and might, becoming almost a living legend and leaving the likes of me in the dust...

[a_monetized_mind]

Yeah, I would...

[Jen sighs, and takes a seat next to Sielje.]

I just don't want to see you beating your head against a wall...Look, if the rules of the game let someone who just started bypass someone who's been trying for years...maybe you shouldn't be playing by the rules.

[stupidhonor]

I... cannot. I know what you are saying, Jen. At least I think I know.

But rules of honor exist for a reason. They are not always fair. Some people find ways to abuse them. But they are still very important.

In Ankaian society, not everyone is strong, but all but the most vile try to be honorable. Honor is my life. What would I be without it?

[a_monetized_mind]

...I don't know.

Look, just...don't blame yourself for all this, okay?

[stupidhonor]

Ishin is to blame. I know. But...

I feel like I could have prevented this.

If there was someone else in my place, he could have prevented this.

[a_monetized_mind]

...You're doing it again, that blaming thing...


...Look, we can't change the past, can we? So instead of being sad about what's happened, it's better to take a shower, eat something, and think on what to do to make the future better.

[stupidhonor]

Mmm... It is true, apologies for that.

[A despirited concession.]