Day 37: Sun Room
Joe had read some of the larger notes stuck up on the bulletin board when the announcement came on the intercom. All things considered, this Landel guy didn't even seem so bad. Even if these people were held here against their will, he was certainly nice about it.
Apparently, the new patients - including Joe - were to hang around in the Sun Room or ( Read more... )
Apparently, the new patients - including Joe - were to hang around in the Sun Room or ( Read more... )
Kunzite was briefly taken aback by the question. "Where do I come from?" he parroted; the answer had a few various subtleties to it. Obviously, 'Earth' came to mind, since his dealings with his own roommate showed him that even extraterrestrials had been taken to this place. Going beyond that...what WAS the right answer? A sinisterly-sounding organization located deep in the bowels of the planet? The long-dead kingdom from so many years ago? Or even Shin's birthplace, where ever THAT may be...
"It is surprisingly difficult to say," the swordsman finally responded, eyes closed and a smirk on his face. "Originally, I hailed from a vast kingdom on Earth, but that place has long since been lost to the knowledge of man; you'll not find information on it in your history books. I and my fellow Shitennou were reincarnated many years later - circa 1980 in the Gregorian calendar - in Japan, though I cannot recall anything more specific." That's fine for now he thought, If he continues to pry I see no reason to deny him further information. Kunzite turned toward Kio and continued. "How about yourself?"
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Upon hearing that this Kio had heard about him through a comic book, therefore, the swordsman was quite flabbergasted, to say the least.
"You..." he stammered, his face twisted in a perplexed gaze as he rubbed his forehead in a rather distraught manner, "...you've read of my - of our - exploits in a manga? Those small picture books children read?" Kunzite was reasonably surprised by all this as myriad thoughts flowed through his head: how on earth did anyone find out about our doings? The humans...no, their memories would be foggy at best, and I do not recall ever giving my name within earshot of anyone else...no, no, that's impossible... He finally looked up, smirking at the young man before giving off a hearty laugh. "Oh, well played...well played indeed. Tell me, which one put you up to this? Was it Nephrite, whose scorn for me was not unknown? Or perhaps Zoisite has come back from death to play a joke on me? My dear boy, you almost had me believing you for a moment...oh, a manga indeed, proposing that I was on Beryl's 'side'." The swordsman wiped tears away from the corners of his eyes as his laughter subsided.
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At first, Kunzite would have believed this young man to be playing a joke on him. With the knowledge he seemed to have about him and his exploits, the swordsman was SURE that this was an elaborate prank, the nonsense about being a manga story no doubt planted in his mind by one of his former compatriots.
The youth continued to speak, however, seemingly confused by the swordsman's appearance...and then dared to insult him by insinuating that the identity produced was a false one! Such impudence in this one, Kunzite thought angrily, and with a show of displeasure he stood, sending the book on his lap to the floor. It was one thing to question his loyalties - as Zoisite was wont to do in his world - but
"You dare question my words," the man snar
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At first, Kunzite would have believed this young man to be playing a joke on him. With the knowledge he seemed to have about him and his exploits, the swordsman was SURE that this was an elaborate prank, the nonsense about being a manga story no doubt planted in his mind by one of his former compatriots.
The youth continued to speak, however, seemingly confused by the swordsman's appearance...and then dared to insult him by insinuating that the identity produced was a false one! Such impudence in this one, Kunzite thought angrily, and with a show of displeasure he stood, sending the book on his lap to the floor. It was one thing to question his loyalties - as Zoisite was wont to do in his world - but Kunzite would not stand to have his honor and pride insulted like this.
"How dare you question the words of Kunzite, the greatest of the Shitennou?" he snarled, glaring over the smaller man with a hard, disapproving stare. "If anything, I would say your 'manga' is grossly misinformed about my appearance; nevertheless, this 'institution' has done its share in attempting to convince me that my identity is a false one. Though I would not strike a civilian, I demand you apologize for impugning my honor this instant."
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Do not hit the civilian, Kunzite kept repeating to himself. He is grossly misinformed, no doubt befuddled by the experiences he's had at this place. Nevertheless...his impertinence is growing quite irritating.
The strain on the swordsman's face was palpable; in his day, he would have leashed out with much greater rage, but lately, dealing with other individuals in this out-of-place situation, his attitude had...it had started to revert back to the way he behaved during...during the days of the Earth Kingdom. And loathe as he still was to remember 'servitude' under Master...he was slowly welcoming this change.
The boy's last words, however, brought a fair bit of perplexity to Kunzite's face. "You keep mentioning 'cosplay', boy, and now you speak of me in a 'costume'...do you think this is an act? That I am putting on a show as someone named 'Kunzite'? If so...I'm sorry to inform you that this is not the case." The look of confusion was slowly changing to one of mild bemusement as Kunzite 'realized' Kio's situation. "Unfortunately, whoever authored your 'manga' is incorrect. My hair has always been this color indeed, it was Zoisite whose hair was white; and further, I need not for Beryl to tell me of my greatness. I was the most powerful of the Shitennou and, by extension, the leader; it was in those ways that I would call myself 'the best'."
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The youth's strange ideas continued to bring nothing but bemusement to Kunzite's slowly-wearying attitude. His time here had shown him that, indeed, most anything was possible, and if in Kio's world, some author had written of a distorted vision of his own universe, then so be it. Some of the specifics did cause the swordsman to raise an eyebrow or two, however.
"'Pretend'?" he started. "Oh, you mean to say they are actors, performers. Yes, yes, in our world we indeed were audience to numerous plays by numerous troupes, and though I personally never attended them, I've heard that cinema is rife with praiseworthy examples of acting. However, I am no such entertainer. If this...Takeuchi - whom I imagine is the author of the fiction you mention - is writing of our lives in a distorted manner, then so be it; I have seen some amusing interpretations of the Sailor Senshi in their own press, so it would not be too difficult to imagine a scribe embellishing details on their own."
On hearing Nephrite's name, Kunzite could not help but let out an incredibly boisterous chuckle. "Nephrite? REALLY? Perhaps if he was not a coward...or so easily persuaded by Beryl's words, I would CONSIDER the possibility. But no, my friend, not Nephrite. Indeed, his thinly-veiled threats alone suggest he is nothing more than a weakling who uses empty words to give off any air of superiority. There is nothing mighty about him, oh no."
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