Argenti's Palace

[beautifulknight]

The stage is set they say;
They don their masks and shields,
Shadows creep and cover their minds;
Now, what beautiful role shall they play?

𝓜𝓮𝓵𝓾𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓷𝓲𝓷 𝓒𝓪𝓼𝓽𝓵𝓮


♫

Comments

[cirquedesang]

[If it weren't for the cages littering the scenery, it would be peaceful. It is beautiful, in its own melancholic way.

And there's Argenti already, though of course it would never be so easy.

He disappears. They're left with a facsimile of Argenti's former... companion... having clawed his way back from the depths.]

To find beauty, of course.

[Please appreciate the esoteric nonsense answer, Argenti, it feels like something your wack cult would go for.]

[goei]

You gonna keep tryin' ta win this stupid place over with dumb answers you think it wants? It didn't even work last time.

[As the other bad answer haver he would know.]

[cirquedesang]

[...Maybe.]

You had some vague awareness of what we were doing in your palace, no? If these 'dumb answers' don't win over the place, then maybe... they'll show Argenti we do care enough about him to pay attention to him.

[So they're probably not going to be able to take the pacifist route, but. Maybe making Argenti soft for them deep down will give him a stealth debuff. Or something.]

[goei]

Yeah, but like, real vague. Like I know you guys talked ta Shinbei and some others but I dunno what anyone said beyond that you guys were pretty mad at what they were sayin'

[cirquedesang]

I see... Then hopefully vague sentiment will reach him regardless.

[goei]

Maybe if we start yellin' that'll come through better?

[That's surely not how it works.]

[cirquedesang]

It certainly seemed to work on Braphine.

[Sure, try it!]

[goei]

... Hey yeah, I guess she did come out when we started yelling.

[Cupping his hands]

OI, RED! GET OUT HERE SO WE CAN KICK YER ASS BACK TA BEING SPARKLY LIKE USUAL!

[beautifulknight]

[ Nothing happens. ]

[goei]

[DAMN.]

[beautifulknight]

[ Strangely enough, the Knight chuckles, as if amused, though there was a chance that would be the opposite case entirely (13) ]

...Do you honestly believe the answer you're giving me now?

After all, you insulted Idrila before, did you not?

[ Either way, the Frenchman is perceptive, isn't he? So, it appears that there is a sense that this individual is hard to convince, by the audible doubt in his tone (20). Almost as if he thinks the other is mocking him... ]

[cirquedesang]

Before? I did not.

[And he does sound genuine - while he knew all along that the guess at the gate would likely be taken as an insult, it was also a fairly genuine guess. For all he knew THEY had been tarnished in some way, but Argenti was no less dedicated.

But it had been an insult, and now he was on the back foot with the spooky knight.]

And now... I believe Argenti to be beautiful, yes. I also believed he'd appreciate the phrasing, whether he can hear us now or not.

[beautifulknight]

[ ......there's a long pause.

Anyway, the man will straighten himself, clearing his throat. It seems that somehow, he ends up believing the man (15) ]

Very well. Perhaps you too are truly an individual who knows well how to express their appreciation for what is beautiful, as you have once claimed.

I had thought that perhaps you were one of those who dared to mock the Knights of Beauty.

[ ... ]

But, whatever happens, the direction of his course cannot be stopped. How can you fathom to even have the strength to change it?

[cirquedesang]

I would like to think so.

[Whether his means of expressing that appreciation was taken well was always a question, though. He knew all too well he could be irritating at times, and often preferred to lean into it.

...And he might well be one to mock the Knights of Beauty, but as a palace had little sense of when mocking was from malice rather than fondness... well. He was learning. Save the jester's privilege for Argenti, once he's been dragged home.]

No course can be stopped entirely. Sometimes it is less a matter of strength than it is... stubbornness. [A glance to the assembled individuals--] And we are quite stubborn. Argenti's course is a river, not a railroad.

[beautifulknight]

You do require strength in order to pursue your goals. In moderation, but strength nonetheless.

Stubbornness is a trait that will either spell success or doom.

As for whether or not you can change course from his trail downstream...I doubt it likely, considering you are all attempting the impossible in the first place.

But, I see you are very well prepared to proceed forward.

[ And it seems he is no longer subtly suspicious at the man's words. Maybe it is the subtle Frenchman to Frenchman connection. Or perhaps it's his words entirely. Who knows. ]

[cirquedesang]

We have attempted the "impossible" and succeeded before.

[Izou. Yoon. But... Jordi means they've also failed. Considering this shadow knight was once Argenti's friend, that much goes unmentioned.]

What awaits us when we do? I don't expect he'll be joining us here just yet.

[beautifulknight]

What awaits you...

...are perhaps temptations looking to sink their claws in, Cheerful One.

But, I believe you've seen them before.

[ Whatever vague statement he means the Knight gestures towards the paths that have been laid open. The man is free to choose between north, east, south, and west. ]

[cirquedesang]

We shall see.

[Hm. That's not ominous at all. Regardless, he'll head off East as well. Buddy system!]

[beautifulknight]

[ Buddy system indeed. Hangout where Fray and Eli are going to be here! ]