[Video, Open]

[small_reservations]

From: Hestia
Posted: July 27th

[The video cuts to Axel, smiling tiredly. He must be in bed, given that there are pillows behind him and he's covered up to his chest in sheets. It's all white, looks pretty idyllic.]

Sorry for that... Extended absence. I collapsed while caring for the sacred fire. Gave my shinki a bit of a scare.

[He laughs a little, but it turns into a cough.]

Basically, I burned myself out. Any of you have advice on what to do while you're supposed to be resting? I'd appreciate it; nice as this vacation is, I'm gonna go stir-crazy here.

Comments

[small_reservations]

Sounds about right. I've never met her, but she'd have to be. What's she like?

[moonlitknight]

I didn't speak to her.

[small_reservations]

You've never met her either, then?

[moonlitknight]

I've never had a reason too.

[ Zero is antisocial, okay. So long as she was safe that's all he cared about. ]

[small_reservations]

Isn't her being ruler of the heavens reason enough? I've never had a chance to do so, but I'd like to.

[Zero will probably object to that idea, but getting him worked up is half the fun.]

[moonlitknight]

I don't care what titles she holds.

She was attacked without provocation, that's all that matters.

[ Zero has no reason to object to the idea. Who he wants to meet doesn't matter to him. ]

[small_reservations]

There could have been provocation we're not aware of. The old gods don't tell us everything, after all.

[moonlitknight]

[ He looks at him. ]

Execution without a trial is murder, no matter the justification.

[small_reservations]

[Oh gods, Zero would have hated Axel's old job. As head assassin for the organization, he has killed some people. Mostly nobodies, though.]

I'm not saying it isn't, I'm just saying we don't have the full story.

[moonlitknight]

[ Zero is a vampire hunter. He executes vampires sanctioned by the Hunter Association. If he killed them without reason he'd be no better than them.

On this at least they agree on. ]

If they wanted us to know they would have told us from the first incident. It's only escalating and they still haven't told us the reason behind it.

[ He was used to the Hunter Association where Hunters were headstrong and independent. If they didn't respect the acting head then they'd be toppled. Pretty words and politics weren't part of their structure. Only facts mattered. Honor. Duty. It wasn't like this where they were forced to serve a head they didn't choose, made to take on a duty they never agreed too. And were kept in the dark about a possible insurrection. As far as Zero was concerned the old gods and Amaterasu were nothing but heads of state who only knew how to talk instead of act. Exactly like vampires. ]

We're nothing but pawns to them.

[small_reservations]

[Axel doesn't have as much problem with his role as a god; to him, it's same-old, maybe not what he'd have chosen, but at least familiar. His former organization was much more restrictive, much harder to be free in, so he enjoys the lack of structure here.]

Has anyone made demands yet? Seems like the next logical step. We should also keep watch on the temple. Arsonists usually return to the scene of the crime.

[As for the latter statement...]

Pawns? Nah. We're either an enigma, a problem, or a solution here.

[moonlitknight]

We haven't been told.

[ They were kept in the dark, only addressed after the fact even when it was obvious something was going on with those flyers going around.]

[small_reservations]

And we likely won't be. Doesn't mean we can't organize a watch, pay more attention, and help rebuild.

[moonlitknight]

[ How proper. ]

Are you volunteering?

[small_reservations]

Tch. I'm bedridden. I'm instructing.

[moonlitknight]

Go ahead then. Organize.

[ 100% doesn't believe a word coming out of your mouth. ]

[small_reservations]

[That's fine. He's telling the truth, but he knows Zero doesn't trust him.]

Where's Amaterasu staying? We'll need her permission to go ahead. I should be better soon, and able to help out.

[moonlitknight]

[ He shrugs. ]

Ask around. Someone should know.

[ Because he certainly doesn't. ]

[small_reservations]

Alright then. That's your assignment while nee-chan is out of commission.

[Gotta be a shit to Zero. It's like. A rule.]

[moonlitknight]

[ This. Look. ]

You're bedridden not delusional.

Don't go calling me by that overly friendly name.

[small_reservations]

I could be both.

Besides that, I'm the nee-chan here. Hestia's Hades's older sister, after all. Believe me, I don't like it either.

[moonlitknight]

I don't care what woman you claim to be. Don't involve me in your fantasies.

[small_reservations]

[He actually bursts out laughing.]

At least I take my role seriously!

[moonlitknight]

[ You really do piss him off... ]

You don't take anything seriously.

[ And that's the root of Zero's dislike of him. ]

voice because fight him

[kokuyoyo]

That's no way to respond to your nee-chan.

[Gotta shittalk Zero too while he's cooking.]