K
Klutzy Ninja Kitty
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"Right. Right. No problem at all, Miss Ilona."
Shiki had initially blinked in surprise when Ilona would seem to react so strongly to his words, even going far enough as to take his hands into hers, but the young man recovered quickly enough. He was unable to resist the urge to hug her, taking her into his arms like a caring older brother or so, wanting to hush her cries as he nodded, smiling genuinely.
And in the midst of the soft moment, Doppo simply spoke again...
"... So this means you'd choose to go with the UN, right?"
"So it seems," Carissa commented on the side.
Ritsuko would stifle a humorless chuckle at Junko's last remark, the woman instead opting to produce a cigarette from her pocket and light it up for a brief moment. She dearly needed a smoke after all this. In-fighting and in-fighting, moral high grounds, and no progress to be made because people were uncomfortable with the idea of doing anything to possibly inconvenience a cute girl. After having a puff, she'd take the cigarette out of her mouth, exhaling for a moment, before speaking.
"Hmph. You're telling me," she said, seeming to let herself into the middle of whatever exchange Junko was starting up with Robin, the dear leader not seeming to be able to find his words, "Mother always told me a woman's touch is what you need if you want something to be perfect. Perhaps you should let that mousy Tsunemori girl replace you someday, Aquilus," Ritsuko would remark with a somewhat caustic and flippant, yet also nonchalant, tone.
On the other hand, Ocelot would almost seem to chuckle at Leia's words, his arms crossed and shoulders vibrating as he let out his small laugh. "That's what I keep saying. Truly, it's almost as if the smallest bit of inconvenience puts people in a giant loop with no exit," he remarked, adding onto the girl's harsh words, "It's quite a melancholic day when someone who isn't even a member of the Coalition, who can't even understand just a little bit of the true gravity of the situation, fancies himself the one to lead us all out of our hole. In fact, I question why these people who aren't tied to any organization are even here, they're impeding on business that isn't theirs," he continued, eyeing the likes of Erron, Sakuya, Remilia, and others.
Shiki himself, meanwhile, was ready to say something to Ilona, to comfort her, to help her, but not before taking notice of others who had rather unsavory things to say.
"E-Excuse me? I'm... not exactly sure what my status has to do with anything. It's not like it should affect the bearing of my word, should it?" Shiki asked, rendered somewhat uncomfortable at Leia's and Ocelot's words. And then, turning to Junko finally, he pursed his lips and furrowed his brow.
...
"Do I know you from somewhere?"
On the other hand, while Shiki seemed more confused towards the biting remarks headed his way, and towards the group as a whole, not everyone seemed to be naive enough as to let that slide, notably Doppo, who gave the two offenders a hard glare.
"Watch it, Rolando, Ocelot. I don't take bad-mouthing one's own organization very lightly. " Doppo spoke warningly, resisting the urge to ball his hand into a fist, though the man still visibly trembled in anger, "So keep quiet, or so help me..."
"But tell me this; am I wrong? During this entire ordeal, everyone, Coalition, UN, or otherwise, have been acting like bumbling idiots, butting heads over a problem they'd been complicating far more than necessary. The boy over there may have said pretty words, but in the end, it did nothing to progress or nail in the one simple truth that everyone seems to be forgetting; Ilona's power is dangerous, and she must be contained and regulated if we are to protect the integrity of life within the multiverse. I don't know what I'd rather put into all your heads first, that fact or a bullet. I wonder which will travel further if I shoot it from a gun."
"That's enough!"
Drawing what appeared to be an ordinary slip of paper from his pocket, Doppo would use his power, and before everyone, the slip of paper would glow a blinding green light, before it had practically morphed form into what appeared to be a handgun, which the man would use to point straight at Ocelot, gritting his teeth in anger.
"Who the hell do you think you are, speaking as you please to the people you'd consider allies?!"
In the blink of an eye, Ocelot would draw his own twin revolvers out, pointing them straight at Doppo in return.
"Don't ever presume things about who I would and wouldn't consider allies. As far as I care, most of the people here are as competent as that bumbling Ellis buffoon who spilled coffee on me. Undisciplined, the lot of you," the other man spoke, keeping his voice leveled as though he were still perfectly calm at this moment.
...
The two men were at an impasse, aiming weapons at each other, but not attacking. At least, not yet. But tensions were clearly running high in the room. And they were only going to get higher from there.
"H-Hey! Uh, excuse me!" Shiki called out, rather alarmed, as he'd walk over to Ocelot from the side, completely vulnerable and exposed, at least from an outsider's point of view, "Okay, okay, I think we all just need to calm down here. It was one thing to say whatever you pleased, but even if I just chalk it up to you being stressed in the moment or whatever, let's not get too carried away with infighting or--"
Whoosh.
In less than a second, Ocelot turned his right arm to Shiki's direction, his second revolver aimed straight at the boy's forehead, causing him to stop in his tracks.
"Are you talking down towards me now, boy? You have no grasp of the scenario, do you? Always presuming and rambling on about the irrelevant topics, and thinking to act morally superior in the process."
...
Shiki, practically frozen in place, hardly moved a muscle. Not even to change facial expressions, let alone physically move. However, after a brief moment, he'd speak, eyes narrower than ever.
"Don't point that thing at me. Or you'll regret it."
He moved his hand to grab a hold of his knife, but before he could even pull it out, his hand gripped firmly on the hilt, Carissa would suddenly draw her longsword, named Curtana, and hold it out, the blade stopping just a few inches short from Shiki's throat as the MEU representative sneered.
"And you plan to put an end to threats by acting out on your own threats? Don't be ridiculous."
...
The impasse grew more and more, as predicted, as did the tension. And it was only going to grow more and more. There was no cooling off after this point.
The civil war that had been brewing began to slowly, yet surely, heat up...
@Kaykay @Klutzy Ninja Kitty @Atomyk @Jeremi @Josh M @The Tactician @Mason Moretti @york @Debate
@Everybody
It was nice to have a short break, to feel as if she were no longer in hell even if it only lasted for a moment. Shiki's words shook Ilona from her nightmare, and his hug brought her more comfort than she had felt in a while. She tucked her head against his chest and didn't move, quieting her cries after a moment. Something about his aura felt familiar. Maybe it was because he was similar to her parents in their shared experiences. Ilona really wasn't sure. The only thing she was certain of was that the moment had ended far too soon. The hellfire of her problems quickly blazed again.
It all happened so fast. Too fast. She could hardly grasp onto a moment of peace without nasty words being thrown between Ocelot and Doppo. Things had spiraled out of control into physical violence at last. Or at least, it was on the verge of turning physical with all the weapons being pointed around at different people. Ilona cringed at the sight, placing a hand over her mouth. She couldn't help but feel guilt tugging at her heart, wondering if this had happened because of her wholehearted agreement to Shiki's words. Before she had said anything, it had just been arguing. But now it was more than that.
Oh Sun, what should I do? If you cannot give me answers, at least give me the bravery to do what needs to be done. I should say something to them. I will say something to them.
Ilona took a deep breath before charging into the midst of the tussle, or at least as close to it as she could be. The girl then held out her arms. "STOP THIS!" she called out, keeping her head held high. Her eyes were puffy and red from crying while her arms trembled, but the young woman stood as firmly as she could. For a moment, she side-glanced to Shiki, smiling softly. "I didn't respond when you offered it at the time, but I want you to know that, yes, I would've very much enjoyed to go with you back to your manor to meet your friends. I'm certain it would've been fun, crowded or not. Thank you for helping me realize what I wanted. It's given me enough courage to say what I have to say..."
Ilona glanced back at the others, raising her voice so they would hear her. "Point your weapons not at one another! If anything, point your weapons at me. I am the the source of your qualms." She swallowed, dropping her arms after a moment. "And I know you heard what I said, but do not worry over it. Do what you wish to do with me and I shall accept it. Especially if it prevents blood from being shed here. I don't wish for anyone to die over me. So lock me away, execute me, or do what you need to do. I will happily give up everything for my friends."
I know my parents would say the same. They would give up their lives for those who matter to them. That's what being selfless is about. I want to be selfless like they are, not selfish.
Although, I'm very afraid...
Let me be brave.
Let me be brave.
@Kaykay @Verite @Atomyk @Jeremi @Josh M @The Tactician @Mason Moretti @york @Debate
