Tenth Game

[break_the_nine]

1)
[Leos was on Star Rose again, apparently he managed to sneak up into the room that held the locked up Doombas Cleaning Robots he reprogrammed and was sitting amongst them. While they were not exactly living creatures, it seemed sitting among them and having them bump into him occasionally was good enough for him as he rested his hand on one.]

[He doesn't seem to be screaming or raging at all, so that was a plus. But he seemed to be horrifically silent and for the past two days missed his appointments with his psychiatrist.]

2)
[You're watching TV somewhere, in Asagi's room or one of the lounges in one of the bases when a breaking news report comes up.]

"ESUN officials have been reported to be in heated talks with various members of the Russian Government in regards to the latest flagarant violation to the bill of human rights that had occured just two weeks ago. Video Evidence along with eye-witness testimonials reveal that the mechanized combat of the Raven's Nest Arena had taken a turn into intense bloodsport... with approval from the crowds. Please be warned that the footage about to be shown may be somewhat graphic."

[The recording was a bit blurry, crowds, lots of noise, and down below there were a pair Armored Cores duking it out. One a stranger, the other very familiar. It was Pale Rider and within moments it was brutally savaging the opposing AC, removing limbs and weapons in vicious strikes... before repeatedly smashing its blade into the cockpit. There was a massive amount of cheering.]

"This was apparently just one of many such battles featuring this particular machine. The Russian Government however has denied the occurrence of any such violations within their borders and states that as the Raven's Nest Arenas are in areas not under the jurisdiction of any government or nation, they are not within the purview of the Earth Sphere Bill of Human Rig-"

[The TV suddenly switches channels, a very nervous looking Leos responsible.]

Aha.. ahahahaha... so.. uh...My show's on... do you think I can have the TV for a while?

Comments

2

[booty_chaser]

[Ashe was just sort of having the news on he background while she read a comic book, but that particular piee of news caught her attention.]
...Ashe, wait, isn't that...?
It sure looks like it, Model A.
But that's...
Yeah.

[And so, as Leos suddenly appears and changes the channel, Ashe simply changes the channel back to the news, while staring at him as the report continues. Better say something fast, Leos. Ashe is so cheery normally that she's scary when she's serious]

[break_the_nine]

[She is, but when Leos is used to giant intimidating killbots like Kagura or stern alien generals like Hetepheres, someone around the same eye level as him just doesn't have the same effect.]

...What?

[booty_chaser]

Don't play dumb on me. What the heck is that? [Ashe points with her thumb to the screen where Pale Rider is crushing a guy's cockpit visibly]

[break_the_nine]

[Leos glances at the screen.]

A fight.

[Yeah he remembers that one. He actually freaked out right after, but the fights after that and the events after numbed things to him.]

I got told to treat my opponents the same way I'd treat the scumbag who killed my family, and if I screw up I learn from it.

I didn't screw up here.

1

[brought_it_back]

[She knocks twice, but Eva comes into the little room without waiting for an invitation.]

...You missed some of your appointments.

[break_the_nine]

I know... I should've went but...

[He shook his head. He wasn't up to dealing with talking about things.]

I'll go tomorrow.

[brought_it_back]

I will hold you to that.

...What happened?

[break_the_nine]

What? You can't guess what happened?

[His hand twitches on the top of the Cleaning Robot. It suddenly flees, bumping into one of the others before the two spin and move in opposite directions. Leos barely even pays attention to the antics as his expression seems to be a bit more strained.]

2

[herodrawing]

Leos?

[Izuru can't believe what he just saw.]

What's going on here?

[break_the_nine]

... I fought in the arena.

[Leos paused for a moment, trying to figure a way to explain things.]

...They deserved it. They really did.

[herodrawing]

What do you mean they deserved it? It's a sport, right? Not a war!

[break_the_nine]

There are a lot of bad people working for the Ravens Nest Izuru. Just because they fight in the arena doesn't mean they won't go and do bad things when they're outside of it.

If it was just a sport I wouldn't have... I don't know if I would...

[ugyuuya]

[Yuuya and Stella are watching the news in the lounge as VG and Tarisa bicker in the background over a board game. As the report airs and is suddenly changed to another channel Yuuya looks at the remote in his hand as the others pilots look around confused.]

You know I didn't give you those swords to participate in blood sport arena matches. Seems a little out of character for someone who used to freak out about the simplest fights and hated those who took such savage measures. Stella was also worried about the word that came around that you'd been missing your appointments.

Care to explain what's going on Leos?

[break_the_nine]

...

[Leos presses his hand to his head.]

I...

[Hard to explain. Leos teeth grind down on each other hard before he finally comes up with something.]

I know you didn't... and I made a mess of them. But...

Those guys do things that go outside the whole 'grey area'... I just kept seeing Nineball whenever I fought. I keep going for my appointments but I couldn't control it... I just needed to-

[The Raven shivers and closes his eyes.]

I can't stand seeing people like that walk around like they've done nothing wrong...

And after what happened to S-... what happened in Africa...

I just didn't know if I could talk about it...

[ugyuuya]

I'd be careful if I were you. If you start acting unilaterally like that and making your own calls on being judge, jury and executioner you'll get yourselves in trouble.

It's a slippery slope Leos and I'm worried that you'll get started and before it's over we'll be going after you to bring you in and I don't want to have to need to do that.

Get your head on straight and ask us for help. We won't be mad or judge you unless you go off on your own and make us come out after you.

[break_the_nine]

'Kay...

[But just how close was he to falling down the slope? It was hard to tell.]

2

[abugslife]

Is that what you have decided to do? Pursue the career of a gladiator, fighting for your life for the amusement of a crowd?

[break_the_nine]

I honestly don't care about that a lot General...

I'm only fighting in the arena to get a chance at Nineball. If I'm getting rid of a few people who are just as bad, then its good isn't it?

[abugslife]

Is everyone fighting at the arena as bad as him?

[break_the_nine]

...More or less... Raven's Nest isn't too picky where it gets its money from.

2

[kill_all_vagans]

Leos...

[He knows the Pale Rider when he sees it, that's for sure.]

You...

... Is that you murdering that pilot?!?

[break_the_nine]

... Yes. Yes it is Flit.

[Leos doesn't deny it, but... he seems extremely detached. Not proud, not irritated.]

I've got my reasons.

2

[tiger_ken]

...You know, if you're changing the channel like that, that alone speaks for your guilt.

[Ken gestures with one hand up for him to give back the remote.]

[break_the_nine]

...

[Leos passes it back.]

Yeah. I guess.

[tiger_ken]

Do I get an explanation then?

[Ken flips the channel back.]

Or do I have to guess from the official statement?