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[onblackwings]

[ This lady's looking a little different, for anyone that's spoken with her before. Not any older, but there's a sort of crooked quality to her nose, like it'd been broken and healed some time ago. She's lounging in the Initiative apartments, looking like she's recently made friends with a superiority complex. ]

I want to speak to those of you who have seen a war before. Not the skirmishes that the Initiative sends us on here, but actual war.

And failing that, I'll take anyone that knows magic — and can teach it. That part is important. Don't waste my time if all you can do is cast it.

Comments

[onblackwings]

Dogs? I think I'll pass.

I was on my way to be when I showed up here again. It's disappointing, but I suppose it's possible they'll send me on missions to my liking.

[imperfect]

So not yet, in other words? [He clicks his tongue.] Somehow that figures. You learn pretty quick that there's no other type of soldier, not when you get down to it.

[onblackwings]

No other type than what? [ a beat, a frown ] Than dogs?

[imperfect]

Yeah, dogs. Well-trained, stray or somewhere in between, but nobody's going to mistake you for anything else, that's for sure. Not that I'd expect you to know.

[onblackwings]

[ huff! how offensive. ]

That doesn't apply to me. I'm in an entirely different league.

[imperfect]

[He's unable to stifle a derisive snort. That particular turn of phrase sounds oddly familiar.] Sure you are. And good luck getting the rest of the universe to sit up and take notice.

[onblackwings]

[ ugh, this guy. narrowing her eyes. ]

Don't speak as if you know me. I won't need luck.

[imperfect]

Keep thinking that if it makes you feel better. Sometimes it's a helpful attitude.

[onblackwings]

Stop that. Whatever experience you think you have, I told you, it doesn't apply to me.

[imperfect]

Yeah? And what makes you so sure?

[onblackwings]

Because I'm — [ an awesome black dragon, but no damnit she can't say that, that would be terrible for her cover. a pause, an irritated huff. ] —One of the Dark Queen's chosen. I'm destined to bring her glory, and I won't be any dog.

[imperfect]

[This is when he stops making even a token attempt not to burst out laughing.]

Get real! Royalty's a step down from that, didn't you know? At least a dog of the military can pretend they answer to something else.

[onblackwings]

[ omg why haven't they invented a way to let you kill people through these devices yet, looking so pissed here. ]

The Dark Queen is a goddess, no mere royalty. She's first above all other gods, and it's an honor to serve her. [ so there!!!! ]

[imperfect]

[Welp, whenever they do, she might have to stand in line. Ed is still audibly snickering.]

Yeah, right. And if there was some way you could get a literal trained dog to talk about its master, what do you think it would say?

[onblackwings]

Just— [ noise of frustration!! ] —Are you looking to get killed? I would be happy to cut straight to it, if that's the case.

[imperfect]

I'll pass on that. [He's going for supreme nonchalance, but mostly it comes across as smug.] You still sure you wouldn't rather hear about the dogs of the military where I'm from?

[onblackwings]

[ so dryly: ] It's amazing, but I've lost all interest in everything about you.

[imperfect]

Good call. Stories aren't any substitute for experience.

[onblackwings]

I hope you're not implying you have any experience.

[imperfect]

Who, me? Nah, you seem to have the dog part covered one hell of a lot better than I ever did. So if you'd rather concentrate on that instead of listening to me, I can understand why.