Roar Two

[roarofliger.livejournal.com]

[Van is in the hangar, tending to whatever he can fix himself on the Shield Liger after the last battle. A robotic lizard-looking thing, about his size but with a long tail, is next to him as he does so; he's talking to it occasionally, and it's giving various growls and other noises in response. While he's diligently working on repairs, he seems a bit distant, until at one point he starts speaking to the lizard again.]

I'm kinda worried, Zeke. This is war, you know? [A growl, seemingly of agreement.] I'm glad we can fight to protect people, but at the same time, there's a cost. In the things we destroy, in the people we hurt, and in us, the people that fight. [He frowns; the robot is silent.] It's like everything Irvine was always telling us is coming back to haunt us, huh, buddy? [Zeke makes a low humming noise.] But at least we get to save people, too. I guess there's always good with the bad... [Van falls silent again, returning to work.]

Comments

[emorangerblack.livejournal.com]

[Count for Devon to butt into business that is not her own. She is standing on a crate above you.]

Are you afraid to hurt people?

[roarofliger.livejournal.com]

[Van looks up at Devon.] It's not that... I just wish we didn't have to hurt so many people in pursuit of peace. We have to hurt people to win battles. And even when we win, we get hurt too, sometimes. That's what bothers me.

[emorangerblack.livejournal.com]

And yet, you consider the path you're walking on to be the right one. Or am I wrong here?

[Sounds like a possible trick question. Very suspicious.]

[roarofliger.livejournal.com]

I... [Van stops to consider his words, before taking a deep breath.] I think the most important thing is to protect those important to you. There's no point in fighting if all it does is hurt your friends. That's what I fight for.

[He shrugs.] ...does that answer your question?

Devon's advice corner

[emorangerblack.livejournal.com]

In that case, those who try to hurt your friends are your enemies. Harm them as you wish. Feeling regrets over it would be... illogical.

And if you are concerned about you or your allies getting harmed, the answer is even simpler. Get stronger and prevent that.

Re: Devon's advice corner

[roarofliger.livejournal.com]

[Van opens his mouth to say something, then pauses.] You know, I think you're right. I guess it is that simple. I don't want to hurt too many people, but... It's what we have to do to protect the people important to us.

So why are you here, anyway? You're looking pretty suspicious appearing on top of that crate while I'm here repairing my Liger. Right, Zeke? [He turns to his companion as he says this, getting an enthusiastic roar in response.]

[emorangerblack.livejournal.com]

Suspicious? Ha.

[Devon jumps down from the crate, almost but not quite invading Van's personal space.]

If you do not want to be overheard, do not talk in public areas like this.

[She's satisfied with what Van said so the words do not sound too harsh this time. Devon turns back and starts walking away - what was the jump for then, just for show?]

[roarofliger.livejournal.com]

Hey! Before you go, one thing! What do you fight for? If you're so concerned about what I'm doing, what drives you?

[emorangerblack.livejournal.com]

Desire... to change this flawed world.

[no-int5-foru.livejournal.com]

[A little girl is kind of staring at your robot lizard, Van]

[roarofliger.livejournal.com]

[Van is busy tinkering with the Liger and doesn't notice right away; only when he turns to talk to Zeke next does he see her; Zeke himself is watching Sara but not making a noise just yet.]

Ack! When did you get there? [He looks a bit more closely.] Oh hey, didn't you join us on that mission in California? I don't think we've met.

[no-int5-foru.livejournal.com]

Oh! Hi, I'm Sara. You're right, I joined up in San Francisco...sorry for sneaking up like that, but your pet lizard...guy is really cute.

[roarofliger.livejournal.com]

Hi Sara. I'm Van. Nice to meet you. [He gestures at the lizard in question.] This is Zeke, my partner. I met him a while back, and we've been traveling together since then. He's helped me out of a few scrapes. Come on, say hi, Zeke.

[Zeke lets out a low roar, then moves closer to Sara; he doesn't seem to have a problem with her.]

[no-int5-foru.livejournal.com]

[She gingerly - and with the caution of someone who knows what started animals are capable of - reaches a hand out to the little guy. She's not sure whether to pet him or not, but he at least seems smart enough to shake.]

Nice to meet you, Van and Zeke. Do you pilot this robot?

[roarofliger.livejournal.com]

[Zeke's hands are a little too short for a shake, but he moves his head over to be petted, recognizing the gesture.]

Yeah, this is my Shield Liger. Zeke helps me out with some of the controls while I'm battling; I don't think some of the weapons work without him, either. He can move it by himself while I'm not fighting in it, too.

[no-int5-foru.livejournal.com]

Hm, so Zeke here's almost like your Anchor. Except without all the psychic stuff.

[She's never petted a robot before, though when we're talking reptiles, the feeling isn't all that different.]

[roarofliger.livejournal.com]

Anchor? What's that? And come to think of it, do you pilot a unit too? We picked you up on a mission, so you probably were piloting something...

[no-int5-foru.livejournal.com]

I'm an ANIMa Pilot!

Baaaaasically the way it works is I go to sleep in a big tank and project my dream as a giant robot to fight Nightmares. My Anchor helps keep my mind together and focused while I'm fighting. She's really good at it!

[roarofliger.livejournal.com]

Huh. That's different. Cool, but different. I guess your Anchor must be pretty important, then.

Anchors: extremely important and completely undefined because they're appable! I could use one.

[no-int5-foru.livejournal.com]

[She offers a hand out for Zeke to climb up onto her shoulder if he likes.]

Megan's the best! Without her, I'd just be fighting alone.