(Video; UN: sing of the rage)

[glorioussong]

(Three days have passed since his arrival. Three days spent in confinement while he recovers from...something. He recalls white powder on his fingertips - Patroclus would know the name of it - but that's all. Now he is in his benefactor's wing. Vannozza Spina.

As ever, he is blunt.)

I do not care for this welcome. (It feels like a ploy to pull the wool over his eyes. Achilles has never fallen for ploys and he won't start now.) This is where I introduce myself. I am Achilles Peleides and if you are at war, show me where the men are fighting.

(He will drink wine and party after.)

Comments

un : deft hand of little deaths (voice)

[scrapgege]

Well... it's not really our city, and it's not quite war? Not yet the kind of war where people actually fight with swords, at least.

(voice)

[glorioussong]

Then why call Aristos Achaion? (He serves one purpose for the gods. The rest of his time is given to love, kings and princes be damned.)

un: absterge

[downswing]

At ease. Today, we face no bloodshed.

[glorioussong]

Today. Today.

What of tomorrow?

[downswing]

No man riddles futures.

[glorioussong]

There is logic to it. Is there strife? I have heard that, yes, there is unrest.

[downswing]

Stay your sword.

[glorioussong]

I am not a diplomat.

[downswing]

Few claim the mantle.

[glorioussong]

Few deserve it! Kings are often full of hot air.

un: lady mockingbird (text)

[notsansa]

I fear you may have readied yourself for the wrong sort of fighting. Forgive my saying, but shed blood now and you may only hasten our downfall.

(text)

[glorioussong]

The need for us will diminish then. I'm not some pretty palace ornament. I am ready to fight; I have been training for years. It's time.

[notsansa]

[ She really should stop trying to talk sense into the men here. They're so stubborn. Maybe she can get him to talk himself out of it... ]

What do you suggest, Ser Achilles?

un : ???

[funnylittleclown]

A bit quick to rush into battle aren't we? Who would you be fighting?

un: vast & furious | video.

[valeas]

( emilia is a study in quiet but sharpened focus. she knows better than to trust first impressions, and still, she'll always attempt to glean what truths she can by way of observation. his is not an unfamiliar name, but she is skeptical by nature and will not make too swift an assumption. )

I imagine you've been counseled on our present circumstances.

( and has been told to stand back. may he listen.

her own temper means she knows such a thing can be difficult, but no less necessary. )

[glorioussong]

(Achilles is one of the most stubborn. He has had to place himself against the gods and their destiny for him.)

Prince Achilles if you must with titles. I prefer Achilles.

I was ready to command twenty-five hundred men. Now I drink wine? You must admit the difference is startling.

[glorioussong]

Whoever holds a weapon against me. Isn't that how war goes?

video.

[glorioussong]

(Live skeptical. He approves of that method.)

I've heard enough. The tension is building, politics will fail and swords will gleam in the sunlight.

(For now. Dressed as he is, in full armor, the order is complex.)

[downswing]

Impatience will mislead you to pyre and grave.

[glorioussong]

Is it impatience or is it truth? I'm not afraid to take the first step.

[downswing]

Breathe.

[glorioussong]

I'm breathing. (And the helmet is removed. The robes given him are laid out - to be worn after bathing. He will soon be a glistening prince with his lyre tucked under his arm.)

[downswing]

Meditate.

[glorioussong]

I've never done that.

I can be still. So still that animals walk right by me.

[funnylittleclown]

Too often, yes. But has anyone held a weapon against you and if they have do you know which side they were working for?