001; audio; day 65

[kingside]

[The transmission is preceded by a brief sigh, a sound halfway between begrudging and resigned. Not the best noise to make while forming a first impression, but he's past caring at the moment.]

Hello. My name is Lelouch vi Britannia, and evidently, I am among Asgard's newest residents. [A brief pause.] If at all possible, an introduction to the city beyond the incredibly spartan letter and explanation offered by the house staff would be appreciated. I've taken the liberty of browsing some of the messages already posted, of course, but that hardly beats the convenience of having it all rephrased yet again for me, doesn't it?

[He may sound faintly self-mocking. Just faintly, though, and it fades in an instant.]

Besides, it seems like I'm going to be staying here for a while.

[Sudden opening of the city gates or not. And... well, it can't hurt to ask, so after a pause, he does.]

The term "Ragnarok" has come to mean a number of things over the centuries. A selfish man thought it would be the dawn of a new era of peace at the expense of personal freedom and expression. Of course, he wasn't looking at it in those terms, but that's what the result would have been.

Tell me, are our actions here meant to preserve this world from a literal twilight of the gods, a figurative one, or something else?

Comments

voice;

[traitors]

Well, it's certainly dull if it's truly supposed to be Ragnarok.

voice;

[kingside]

So you'd do it differently?

voice;

[traitors]

[ one can practically hear the smirk in his voice. ]

Midgardian tales tend to be quite dramatic, do they not? A great deal of fire and death and destruction is usually involved.

voice;

[kingside]

None of this waiting around, you mean? What's to say the fire, death, and destruction won't be worth the buildup?

voice;

[traitors]

Alas that it's so rarely worth the wait. Odin Allfather seems little interested in the pursuits of his younger years.

voice;

[kingside]

How perfectly tragic.

[And yes, he's definitely going to be on his guard around this one. Just one small thing, though--]

You'll have to forgive me for not fully grasping the mechanics of this place just yet, but I've gathered enough to know you aren't the native Loki. That makes you instead... who, precisely?

voice;

[traitors]

[ laughter at that, high and gleeful. ]

Another.

voice;

[kingside]

A comedian, then.

voice;

[traitors]

Oh, many things. And what might you be?

voice;

[kingside]

Someone with a sense of humor. Are you a god as well?

voice;

[traitors]

You should see the Bifrost while you're here.

voice;

[kingside]

Is that a yes?

voice;

[traitors]

Is it?

voice;

[kingside]

"Maybe," then.

voice;

[traitors]

[ an amused tut. ] Assumptions, Lelouch vi Britannia.

voice;

[kingside]

"Undecided for now" is too long, unless you'd rather I simply went with "no?"

[traitors]

Have an opinion, right or wrong. I prefer it. Perhaps you do, as well.

[kingside]

Perhaps, but I'm a cynic who prefers to err on the side of caution. It puts me in something of a difficult place when it comes to this situation.

[Not that he hasn't already formed an opinion, but why end the banter?]

[traitors]

Oh? [ amusement seems to be his default emotion. ] There was no initial impression or reaction, then? Quite diplomatic.

[kingside]

I try not to judge. It's impolite.

[traitors]

Is that why.

[kingside]

Is what why?

[traitors]

Diplomacy. Courtesy. Tactics. .. Shall I call you Lelouch or aught else?

[kingside]

Did you have something specific in mind?