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]

Yes. For exactly the reason you said. [He stabs a finger out like he's trying to catch the last point in midair.] We're all in this together. This is everyone's responsibility. This is everyone's choice. That means we don't yield up our safety to someone else. We choose what we do. If you're content to have him tell you that you can't do this or that because it isn't safe, that's on you, but I am not giving up my self-determination so easily. My safety is second, third, or farther to my principles, my convictions, and my willingness to defend both, and I won't permit him or anyone to dictate otherwise.

Also he's basically said he'll let the train win, but that's even secondary to the higher principle.

[sweetnessandfight]

Our choice? According to whom? Did you choose to be here? I did not. The fact that I am still here is entirely due to the train itself. Have I attempted to exit the stations when we've arrived? I have. I have failed. I remain here, but it is not by my choice.

[It would be one thing if she knew Eorzea--Hydaelyn--the Scions--were safe in her absence. But she was not, Sarai cannot be. She's chosen to live her life a hero, yes, but this is not something she can balance easily. She would not remain here, were there another choice. But then, she snorts.]

Do you honestly think Tony Stark can actually tell anyone to do, and they'll simply go "Oh, yes, of course, Ser Stark!" if it's a true danger? So you think everyone on this train is a fool? Perhaps you want to be the one for everyone to answer to, in Tony's stead?

[Sarai isn't actually convinced that Tony would endanger anyone if he could help it, but this presumption that he wants to be wrapping them in chocobo down and removing all sense of autonomy from them is as far beyond her sphere of belief as the stars in a planet's sky. She snorts again.]

You would not have me behind you, if so. You are not listening to anything but your own self-importance, from what I can see. But of course, Tony is the true villain here. Let's focus on Asahi, when we have Ascians!

[onehandsomeslickninja]

No, I believe he'd deceive or trick people instead. For that 'greater good', where we're to be kept safe so he can take all responsibility on himself. Because if he believes he is the only one responsible for solving this mess, what we want, what we are willing to do, and what we choose does not matter. Not to him, because it's his problem, not ours.

[Considering how strongly he evinced not giving a crap about what other people thought in the first place? Edge believes it wholeheartedly.]

Imagine if we have to fight a monster to get free of this place. Would he line us all up, knowing some of us are likely to die? Or would he 'accidentally' trap us in the train so he can take on the monster alone?

[sweetnessandfight]

[Sarai can't help but stare at Edge for a long, long moment. Tony Stark, deceive or trick people. It takes an act of willpower for the Au Ra not to laugh in the ninja's face. But somehow, she does manage. Diplomacy, lady, diplomacy!]

You...do not know the man, do you?

[Oh, dear Twelve. Subterfuge and deception, out of Tony Stark. It's difficult for her to wrap her head around. And also not choke at the very thought. It's so wrong!]

Even here...he is not known for diplomacy. Or tact. [Sarai sighs, here.] I'm certain we'd all be fighting. Save perhaps for some of the children--there are some you would not be able to prevent fighting, but I am certain there are some of the youngsters he would try to protect.

[She can't deny that the latter would probably be something Tony attempted, but Sarai also knows that there are few people who would allow him to get away with such a thing. So Edge isn't entirely wrong, but does she want to feed the flames? No, no, not at all.

Vaguely, Sarai realizes that were Irves here, her sister would have set Edge on fire by now. The thought makes her lips twitch, but she inhales.]

You were not the one who had the black team idea, were you? Were you attempting to...help the one who did, by chance?

[As so often happens, Sarai didn't pay attention 'til the proverbial crap hit the fan...still, she reins in her temper and tries for something constructive.]

[onehandsomeslickninja]

That isn't what he said.

["It's on me, not you." It's clear the man has no respect for what others might feel about the situation.]

I thought it was an excellent idea to help us feel more like we're dealing with this whole mess on our own terms. Rather than being forced into assignments and colors by the team and adopting them as if there's no other solution, we can live and operate under some of our own rules instead. People would feel a little better about things.

Unfortunately, Tony Stark believes the train is correct in doing so and we should continue being subject to its arbitrary dictates. He made perfectly clear that he'd tolerate no challenge to it.

[The contempt Edge speaks with makes clear his feelings: this is not just irresponsible, it is complete abdication of a leadership role.]