Scene #7662:

Owner	Pose
Brooklynn Bailey	What does the end of the world look like? Well, in the remains of New York, while the world had ended only a few scant years ago, right now the people who remain still struggle against it. One such city named after the part of New York it resided in, was called Kings. In places, walls made out of scraped parts of cars, buildings, recycled concrete, and even repurposed buildings that had long since been unsuitable for human life were used. The warp gate for the place sat roughly near one of the gates, the north gate for example. From the Warp Gate was slightly raised up in a sort of town center area, where some people had set up shops. From here you could see the river that surrounded Kings on three sides, and the solid wall that separated it from the rest of long island on the fourth. Buildings overgrown with life were in the distance, some coated in lights indicating other survivors, but others seemingly covered in quivering life...probably not human. In the rivers, things stirred, that may have once been human. In the far-out distance, a broken tower stood, seemingly sundered though it still reached into the sky despite this. The former Statue of Liberty stood, though dilapidated and seemingly hosting survivors, though obviously not part of King's community. This is the world Gilgamesh would enter, destroyed by a storm of Biblical proportions, but refusing to die.
Gilgamesh	'Enter' is something of a misnomer. Rather, 'chase someone into.' The King gets bored easily. He pretends he doesn't - that he always has something to do amidst his infinite trove of wonders - but the truth is that novelty is something he yearns for, and without it, things get dull pretty fast. Someone who's already played with every wonder the world has to offer is always seeking out new pleasures, after all. So he decided to try his hand at this whole Frieza business and wipe out a civilization he found unpleasant. 'Civilization' might be a misnomer. It was a decaying remnant of humanity no longer even remotely human, angry cannibals rebuilding the wreckage of war machines from long ago to pursue new forms of food in the Multiverse. The King of Heroes hadn't really sought them out. He'd just... Well, they'd attacked him, because he looked delicious (he is), so he took exception, went back to their home, found out what they were, and killed two birds with one stone, and also a lot of other birds with a lot of other stones. So now he was sort of leisurely chasing down one of these horrid mutant survivors. He emerges from the warp gate, snaps his fingers, and kills the fleeing mutant with a single blade through the head. There's a bit of splatter across some of the shops. Unconcerned, the King picks up the blade personally, wipes it on the corpse, and then drops it into a hole in the world. Then he finally actually looks around. His nose wrinkles. This place is smells foul. Still, it's novel. He leans forward to look at one of the shops. He's so out-of-place here. A slice of a mythology that doesn't belong in a dying world. A slice of legend from when the world was young and held all the potential of history in its grasp. Something that has no business existing in the 17th century, let alone the 20th, let alone this far-flung hellhole.
Brooklynn Bailey	Do you know what gets attention? People dropping into this world. Especially mutants. Double Especially for people who make weapons appear following mutants that immediately kill said mutant. The moment the incident happens, people who aren't fighters hit the ground. It's not fear so much as a survival instinct. This sort of rote thing people do the moment danger rear's its head. From each corner of the plaza a small squad of people with weapons approach. Their weapons are NOT aimed at the new arrival, yet, but rather the mutant. Can never be completely sure such damage kills one of them, but it's non-movement, and the fact it starts to melt causes people to start moving. Someone brings a chemical sprayer and hits it with fire before it starts to corrupt the part of the square. Landing not a few feet away in a superhero pose is Brooklynn herself, who quickly was informed that a mutant popped out of the gate, followed by a Multiverser. You can imagine her surprise when it's Gilgamesh who's there and causes her to motion to her troops to step back. "Greetings to you, King Gilgamesh," She says with a bow. Gilgamesh is not part of the Concord but is held in respect by the First. "I am glad you have visited my part of the world, is there something we can help with?" She eyes the burning mutant. "Or was this the issue?"
Gilgamesh	The King of Heroes just sort of raises an eyebrow at the chemical spray. He hasn't even reacted to the guns - even if they had been pointed at him, there's the sense he wouldn't've even noticed. That's more interesting to him, at the moment, than the superhero landing of Brooklyn Bailey - he doesn't often see people taking such effort to purify a place. His perfect face is expressionless until he's addressed directly. Then he looks up and raises his eyebrow. "Who are you again?" He asks, because he really doesn't keep track of everyone in the Multiverse. After a moment, he gestures at the mutant. "I was finishing a bit of personal business," the extinction of a dying culture, "And it ran through your gate. So here I am." The King looks over the place with the sort of expression a man who just bought a derelict house might have. He doesn't bother saying something like 'this place has seen better days' or 'what a shithole' or any other obvious self-evident statements. Instead he starts walking towards the edge, looking out over the water.
Brooklynn Bailey	"Brooklynn Bailey, War Leader of Kings...where you are now, and Cardinal Virtue of Charity," she says, with another nod of her head out of respect. Looking to the remains of the mutant she nods, "Unfortunate for it then...even if it somehow managed to escape you it would not have lasted much longer here," She comments, as the remains are cleared. "A precaution from our own monsters here," she explains at the curious look at the cleaning method employed. Brooklynn nods to her soldiers who go to either clean up the mess or back to their positions. She instead, falls in behind Gilgamesh. Not in step like she's expecting something bad, or following him like a puppy or as a lesser. She lets him dictate the pace because he is her guest in this place. "Not to the taste of fineries of the rest of the Multiverse, but we built this place in spite of the state of the world, and we plan on making it better, one day to even rival the sights I have seen out there.." motioning towards the warp gate. "Are there any questions I can answer for you?"
Gilgamesh	"Yes," Gilgamesh says immediately, without looking at her. "You're one of Priscilla's, aren't you?" "Why haven't you utilized her resources to improve your lot in life?" He tilts his head sideways, so his eye can meet Brooklyn's over his shoulder. "While I don't disapprove of struggle in the face of abomination - obviously the opposite - I should think some responsibility for walls, defensive weapons, agriculture, and other basic necessities would be well within the Concord's grasp." He goes back to looking out at the ocean, one hand in his pocket. "It ill suits someone who calls themselves a leader to lack even that. It ill suits a place called civilization, and it reflects poorly on the one I would call my wife to see her subjects live like this."
Brooklynn Bailey	"I am," Brook answers with a nod. Though the follow-up question is a hard one. One that she's perhaps frustrated with as well. "Because while I am in the Concord, and authorized to act with some of our forces for the purposes of mercenary work..." she says, with another frustrated look out over the water, "The group of leaders has declined to allow Kings to seek aid without a trade of military force first." "They are afraid of being exploited by the Concord because we're struggling, and because I do not rule this place..." she shrugs. "They are afraid I could get ideas to tip power in my favor, despite my desire to simply help my people, and prevent things like a basic infection from killing people...from people from going hungry..." "From a Taboo getting over the walls and killing five soldiers to keep it from killing any civilians. Because for whatever reason the people in power are more afraid of losing control than anything else. I know not rather that their ambition is small enough to stay here, or they are afraid of my ambition."
Gilgamesh	"And?" Gilgamesh's bright red eyes lock onto Brooklyn's. "Ignore them." "Invite a war." He waves his hand at the sea. "Tip the balance in your favor." "Would you rather maintain your imagined nobility over the others, the false high ground that sits only in your mind, meant to restrain you, and live in squallor? Or would you rather invite war and push your dominance upon them with aid from the Concord?" The King looks back at the sea. He's not looking at her anymore. "This is a miserable state, that mankind can languish so. Perhaps it deserves an end at my hand. A mercy from its father."
Brooklynn Bailey	"I'd fight to protect what we have built to my last breath, respectfully," Brook comments with a quick, and a bit hard tone. She, however, does sigh in resignation after a few moments, not to his threat, but what he said before that. Looking out over the water with him she says truthfully, "That is because I am still young, I lack wisdom in the ways of leadership. I could win a war easily." "I am sure I could kill them all and take rulership. I am, however, inexperienced and new to the ways of rulership," She is careful not to say LEADERSHIP. She can lead people but ruling a nation is different. She knows this and has been reminded of this time and time again. However, something pops into her head, "It is forward of me to ask, but...on behalf of my people..." she says, turning towards the king. "I wish to ask for your aid. You are a King, I have heard you lament about the state of many words...and hearing it about my own does hurt. Please, I wish to know how to rule..." "I don't want this for my people anymore. I need to rule them, and it's been increasingly obvious to me now that I can't do so as things are now. I can not offer much, but I am willing to pay any price that I can."
Gilgamesh	"Fool, I am the King. Ask her later what that means." He obviously means Priscilla from context. "You want to know how to rule? Hmph." The King's gaze hasn't left the water. "You may as well ask me how I breathe. The act of rule is a part of me." "Be an example. Stand apart from your people. Give them something to aspire to. Rule with an iron fist and apply all the laws you write equal. Justice tempered with mercy is a lie. Mercy, tempered with justice. If a man steals for his family, and the law says he must lose a hand, cut off his finger and declare that he has lost his full use of that hand. If the man steals for his wealth, then cut off his hand. Simple. Humans don't have the will for it. They feel pity for the man who stole for his family. They would weaken the law and give him genuine mercy. Slap him on the wrist, they call it." "So don't do that." The King produces something from out of nowhere. It's a golden tablet. -like, the electronic kind. He's glancing at it thoughtfully as they talk. "You're human. Get assistance. Ministers exist for a reason. Priscilla has access to the best. Manage your resources. Divide them harshly to keep the bulk for the winter." "What more would you know?"
Brooklynn Bailey	"I will.." Brook says, with a nod. "People would disagree with you on that..." Brook says, "With me being human. I am a Cardinal Virtue of Charity. That is not a title, but rather something I know...something that I /am/," She says, it isn't hype or setting herself up to be 'better. He is THE king, she is A Cardinal Virtue of Charity. She listens to what he says, and when he explains mercy tempered with justice she pauses. Gilgamesh might expect a 'but wait..' or 'no that's not right' but she does not do any of that. She looks back to the town they have made, "Missing food hurts all of us, for a good cause or not. It makes sense to temper punishment with intention, rather than the reverse." Minsters...it makes sense if she does this specifically to gain aid from the Concord, then stopping halfway and not accepting more foundational support would be silly. She nods at the food rationing, "Reasonable, and something we already do...though less efficiently than I hope." "Everything, but...more realistically..." she thinks, "You spoke of one law, but what are your views on creating a law?"
Gilgamesh	"Everything I say is a law. That's how it works. When I make a declaration it is law. If I say that I shall do something I have inscribed it into the world. If I make a proclomation it is the law, henceforth." He waves his hand. "It's the responsibility of a ruler to ensure that they understand that basic fact. Their integrity is the integrity of their society. Their integrity is the integrity of their law."
Brooklynn Bailey	"I see...in other words, before you make a law, or declare something, you should make sure you know what you are talking about completely, take responsibility...and that everyone knows that what you say is law completely," Brook asks.
Gilgamesh	"Well, that's something for humans to worry about. I don't need to worry about it." Gilgamesh's gaze hasn't changed from staring out at the sea. "And keep the majority of your taxes for yourself. Whether to inspire others to work harder and reach for your grasp or simply because you're able to spend them better with more immediate flexibility."
Brooklynn Bailey	"I see..." Brook says she is listening. She looks back out over the water, to the remains of the statue of liberty lit up. "What would you suggest then when interacting with other countries? Rather conquer or to offer diplomacy to?"
Gilgamesh	"Hardly something so easy to decide. You have cohorts who can assess the situation and give you better advice than broad strokes."
Brooklynn Bailey	Brooklynn actually laughs at that response a little, "Well, I suppose you are right there. It is hard not to expect some beyond life pieces of advice from you. Forgive me for the uninformed question," She says. "...Perhaps it is also fear. It is...a difficult choice to make, and I know I should make it. I know I am the only one here who CAN make it. Once I make it I can't go back. I can't be Brook the simple girl, or Brook the mercenary captain..." "What are your opinions on...well, those who consider themselves nobility versus a lower caste. It is not a problem here, yet, but I have seen it happen in other worlds and other places."
Gilgamesh	"If it isn't a problem for you to worry about then why bother worrying about it now? Focus on your own house before you judge your neighbors'." The King shrugs. He says nothing about Fear. He's not really a big comfort person for people he doesn't know. Hell, he's still in a bad mood over Muramasa, probably. Not that she'd know that.
Brooklynn Bailey	Brooklynn considers that...thinking about the future was important, but at the same time he was right that the house was not in order. Thinking about what might be..? Well, it's ok to dream, but right now...would they even survive this? She's not sure, she's afraid to pull the trigger, but NOT pulling the trigger might just mean a longer slower death. She sucks in a breath, "Alright. Then...is there any other advice you have for a would-be ruler?"
Gilgamesh	Gilgamesh turns back towards the warp gate. He's apparently done gazing out at the water. His fingers snap. Something falls into his hand. It's a wooden staff. He strikes the earth as he starts walking out. The water splits down the middle, rolling away, a path into the ocean. "Take advantage of opportunities as they present himself," he says as he disappears into the warp gate, "Or make them yourself when they do not."
Brooklynn Bailey	She watches as...well, frankly a miracle to her happens. Access to the ocean? No, the river is split there... She jumps over the wall and down to the water. A path into the ocean...? Well, let's not say she has never been one to take an opportunity presented to her. She runs, but as she does she shouts towards Gilgamesh, "Thank you!"