[Voice // Filter]cakeblockedDecember 4 2011, 23:07:45 UTC
[Luke read everything before he did anything else. Ion had a point... Asch had a point, too. Sure, he might seem irrational, but considering what he's been through... what they've been through, it seems completely logical to Luke.
Then he reads other responses, frowning more and more... Dammit, is Sanji really going to hire his master as a cook? His stomach drops at that, and he can't help rubbing his face. Luke hangs out there so much to eat and play the piano, Van is sure to notice him. And what will he do?
... He can't go there anymore. He'll have to find some other place to eat and give up piano or - Those are extreme thoughts and he knows it, but Luke just wants to stay away from Van if he can
( ... )
[Voice // Filter]faterecantedDecember 6 2011, 17:14:14 UTC
Then I will have to assume you intend to attack me. [And that does not bode well for a person's continued health, well being, and possession of a pulse.] What other reason is there to refuse? A truce is only an agreement to stop fighting. There's nothing to gain by it here. It would be needless and wasteful.
[He explains this quite patiently. Asch is a soldier after all. He should know better. If he's allowing his emotions to get away from him, it's his own damn fault. The replica is not a soldier. The replica can't be expected to know anything. Offering the information unasked for is the best way to ensure the situation is understood, and ensuring the situation is understood is the best way to get the result he wants.]
Avoiding unnecessary battle is a mark of skill and wisdom, Luke. I would hope at least one of my students gained a measure of both.
[Voice // Filter]cakeblockedDecember 7 2011, 03:08:22 UTC
[That only half answers his question. Yes, he figured that that's what not honoring the truce meant. But what about the rest of it? Who else would he hurt? Luke can only assume that it'd be like a game of chess to him - use all the pawns before getting to the king. Or queen. Luke never understood that game.
He frowns and glares off to the side. The truce is flimsy. Van could easily hurt them without even attacking them physically. But...
It takes him a moment to respond, and he clenches his fists before he relaxes them and makes himself talk.]
If you hurt anyone in any way, then I don't care about the truce. Promise you'll leave everyone else alone, and I'll agree to it. You know how it works: a truce has to be upheld by both sides to make it work.
[Voice // Filter]faterecantedDecember 8 2011, 13:31:57 UTC
[No, Luke certainly doesn't understand chess well, and he doesn't understand Van either. Why use all the pieces at your disposal, if you only need one? He never has approved of silly, wasteful actions.
He can't say he approves of the current situation, either. Two Duke's sons, and not a lick of political sense between them. He'd be dreadfully ashamed of his students, if the one hadn't gone so obviously rogue and effort had been put into teaching the other in the first place.]
Hurt anyone in any way? Leave everyone alone? You can't negotiate terms like that, Luke. They're far too vague. You could accuse me of breaking my word for bumping someone on the street, or for acknowledging my own sister. I can't agree to that.
[Voice // Filter]cakeblockedDecember 9 2011, 10:30:39 UTC
Dammit, you know what I mean!
[He cuts himself off with a little hiss and turns his head to the side. He's overreacting; he's far too emotionally invested in this and he knows it. As much as he'd like for it to happen, Luke can't just tell Van to isolate himself forever. He hates to say it, but... it's too cruel.
There's another pause as he gathers himself again. This isn't something Luke can combat Van with. Van has much more experience with political events such as this than Luke. Trying to gain the upper hand here would be impossible, and he doesn't want to risk accidentally revealing anything.
It's as he gathers himself that he really thinks about the situation. The truce, and what it could mean for Van.
Luke runs a hand through his hair. To him, this doesn't make much sense.]
[Voice // Filter]faterecantedDecember 10 2011, 08:25:48 UTC
I've already said why. There is no reason to fight here.
[Not that he isn't still fighting; but holding firm on his terms and refusing to let this treaty be talked into a surrender is a different sort of battle. Van can't say he's overly impressed by the reception it's getting, either. Negotiation is to be expected, but some demands are simply unthinkable. If the situation was reversed, he certainly wouldn't allow his God Generals -- his faithful God Generals -- to show such disrespect for their opponent.
But then, such were the hazards of dealing with civilians.]
[Voice // Filter]cakeblockedDecember 18 2011, 22:13:33 UTC
... No, I don't think you would.
[There were only a few times that Van actually antagonized them back on Auldrant. Sheridan is the one that pops out the most for him. And of course it does; Luke still has nightmares about it, about seeing all those people protecting them and then dropping like flies thanks to Van's forces. And then Van himself killed those people right in front of them...
And he still didn't directly attack them. Is that what he's counting on?]
That still doesn't answer my question, Ma... Van! Why are you doing this to yourself? You... [Are you that desperate to give everyone a good impression of you? That's what he wants to say, but he can't spit the words out. Not with Van.]
[Voice // Filter]faterecantedDecember 21 2011, 04:22:05 UTC
I've already told you. I don't see any reason to continue our conflict here. Neither side has anything to gain.
Since that answer doesn't seem to satisfy you... what would we accomplish, other than endless retaliation, neither side able to be rid of the other? I fight to accomplish a goal, not to enjoy my opponent's suffering. I doubt all of your compatriots could say the same.
[Voice // Filter]cakeblockedDecember 29 2011, 21:42:23 UTC
You think we fight because we like to?!
We only do it because we have to! If we don't, then we'd be killed! We can't... let that happen!
[There's an edge of desperation to his voice. He doesn't want to be painted as some murderer who enjoys what he does, nor does he want that for his friends.]
And what if your goals involved any of us? We're not going to just allow you to... [There's a bitterness in his throat that makes him stop and shut his eyes. We're not going to just allow you to use any of us... like back then.]
Then he reads other responses, frowning more and more... Dammit, is Sanji really going to hire his master as a cook? His stomach drops at that, and he can't help rubbing his face. Luke hangs out there so much to eat and play the piano, Van is sure to notice him. And what will he do?
... He can't go there anymore. He'll have to find some other place to eat and give up piano or - Those are extreme thoughts and he knows it, but Luke just wants to stay away from Van if he can ( ... )
Reply
[He explains this quite patiently. Asch is a soldier after all. He should know better. If he's allowing his emotions to get away from him, it's his own damn fault. The replica is not a soldier. The replica can't be expected to know anything. Offering the information unasked for is the best way to ensure the situation is understood, and ensuring the situation is understood is the best way to get the result he wants.]
Avoiding unnecessary battle is a mark of skill and wisdom, Luke. I would hope at least one of my students gained a measure of both.
Reply
He frowns and glares off to the side. The truce is flimsy. Van could easily hurt them without even attacking them physically. But...
It takes him a moment to respond, and he clenches his fists before he relaxes them and makes himself talk.]
If you hurt anyone in any way, then I don't care about the truce. Promise you'll leave everyone else alone, and I'll agree to it. You know how it works: a truce has to be upheld by both sides to make it work.
Reply
He can't say he approves of the current situation, either. Two Duke's sons, and not a lick of political sense between them. He'd be dreadfully ashamed of his students, if the one hadn't gone so obviously rogue and effort had been put into teaching the other in the first place.]
Hurt anyone in any way? Leave everyone alone? You can't negotiate terms like that, Luke. They're far too vague. You could accuse me of breaking my word for bumping someone on the street, or for acknowledging my own sister. I can't agree to that.
Reply
[He cuts himself off with a little hiss and turns his head to the side. He's overreacting; he's far too emotionally invested in this and he knows it. As much as he'd like for it to happen, Luke can't just tell Van to isolate himself forever. He hates to say it, but... it's too cruel.
There's another pause as he gathers himself again. This isn't something Luke can combat Van with. Van has much more experience with political events such as this than Luke. Trying to gain the upper hand here would be impossible, and he doesn't want to risk accidentally revealing anything.
It's as he gathers himself that he really thinks about the situation. The truce, and what it could mean for Van.
Luke runs a hand through his hair. To him, this doesn't make much sense.]
Why are you doing this?
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[Not that he isn't still fighting; but holding firm on his terms and refusing to let this treaty be talked into a surrender is a different sort of battle. Van can't say he's overly impressed by the reception it's getting, either. Negotiation is to be expected, but some demands are simply unthinkable. If the situation was reversed, he certainly wouldn't allow his God Generals -- his faithful God Generals -- to show such disrespect for their opponent.
But then, such were the hazards of dealing with civilians.]
Or did you mean something different?
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[It's hard to use the word "kill" in regards to someone else. Especially Van. But the implication stands.]
We'd all have a reason for doing it, too. So... why? [Unless Van has something else planned up his sleeve. Luke will have to listen carefully.]
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[There were only a few times that Van actually antagonized them back on Auldrant. Sheridan is the one that pops out the most for him. And of course it does; Luke still has nightmares about it, about seeing all those people protecting them and then dropping like flies thanks to Van's forces. And then Van himself killed those people right in front of them...
And he still didn't directly attack them. Is that what he's counting on?]
That still doesn't answer my question, Ma... Van! Why are you doing this to yourself? You... [Are you that desperate to give everyone a good impression of you? That's what he wants to say, but he can't spit the words out. Not with Van.]
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Since that answer doesn't seem to satisfy you... what would we accomplish, other than endless retaliation, neither side able to be rid of the other? I fight to accomplish a goal, not to enjoy my opponent's suffering. I doubt all of your compatriots could say the same.
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We only do it because we have to! If we don't, then we'd be killed! We can't... let that happen!
[There's an edge of desperation to his voice. He doesn't want to be painted as some murderer who enjoys what he does, nor does he want that for his friends.]
And what if your goals involved any of us? We're not going to just allow you to... [There's a bitterness in his throat that makes him stop and shut his eyes. We're not going to just allow you to use any of us... like back then.]
Reply
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