Domino 18 [Video]

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Before I came here, the residents of the train chose a Council.

They chose unwisely.

You ask me to bend my knee to an unworthy leader, one who you have chosen for me. I will not. If my refusal to swear allegiance to one not of my land, not of my clan, and not of my choice is objectionable to you, then now is the time to bring your complaints to me. I await them.

[There is hot anger, and there is cold anger. This is cold anger. It brings out the formality in Edge as few things can.]

Let's see how this train is truly run.

Comments

[onehandsomeslickninja]

I think being stuck on this train is everyone's problem, and everyone should be permitted to do something about it. Simple enough?

[cepicorpus]

[Dio's voice takes an edge of disapproval.]

I think this is the second time I'm asking this question. What is going on that makes you believe this is not already the case?

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Because our glorious leader specifically told me he considers it all on him.

[cepicorpus]

[There's that clicking sound again.]

Did he in any way prevent you from acting as you please? Threaten you? Have you been injured or sanctioned, or punished in some fashion by this person? I was not there for this conversation, as you know.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Completely shut down the idea of us going against the train's 'will' in any way, shape, or form. We're to obey it because it knows best.

[As for punishment, still waiting on that. No one's showed up with that in mind yet.]

[cepicorpus]

What else?

[onehandsomeslickninja]

We're not allowed responsibility for ourselves.

[Does there NEED to be more than that?]

[cepicorpus]

Again, did he in any way prevent you from doing what you want? Or threaten you if you take actions you want to take? I wasn't there, I can't merely assume your actions or his.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Is the argument you're really making 'if a terrible leader can't force you to do what he says, it doesn't matter'?

[cepicorpus]

[There's quiet for a good minute or two, but when he speaks again, Dio's tone changes. It's gentle, suspiciously pleasant to listen to, soothing really.

It would be almost hypnotic if it wasn't for the actual words.]

A leader whom nobody follows is not a leader, Your Majesty. He is not my leader. And it seems he is not yours either. If I understand all I have heard.. you two had an argument, which must have been in private, as nobody has said they were there. And based on his words, not actions, you have declared Mister Stark incompetent. It isn't that Mister Stark is somehow preventing you or anyone else from doing what you wish, nor is he somehow removing your ability to be responsible for yourself, or that he's harmed anyone or his decisions have led to disaster, but he said things you disagreed with, so you got angry and disrupted everyone's day to announce it to the whole train..?

And you're a king, becoming this upset because some peasant said such useless things to you?

[That gentle tone just never wavers.]

My, my, Your Majesty. You are all I have come to expect of true royalty. Allow me to apologize on behalf of that lowborn wretch for all the mean things he said but has absolutely no way of actually enforcing. We commoners simply don't know our place. Rest assured, my liege, if Mister Stark in any way attempts to actually control our fates, I will tend to the matter. Personally.

... Now that all of this has been brought to my attention...

[It's almost a purr now. In spite of that gentle, soothing tone, there's something in this last bit that doesn't seem pleasant at all.]

I, Dio, will be watching very closely.




[What follows is the sound of a sleeper cabin's door closing. He's gone.]