exsilium | I. A Message [audio]

[ Ever since that brief meeting within the courtyard, several questions plagued Cao Cao's mind. He had hoped to find the information on his own with the Initiative's help, but they weren't very...helpful in his opinion. Besides the whole notion of them using sorcery to unravel the United Earth's influences through a series of smaller skirmishes, Cao Cao wasn't certain as of how this war could possibly be won. From what little he's managed to understand, the enemy outnumbers them greatly and there's great dissent amongst the transports here.

Still trying to understand his role in all this, the King of Wei decided to act. He never used such a device before. These "tablets" as they call them were nearly two-thousand years ahead of his time. Though with some luck and minor concentration, he managed to operate one. He was still far from proficient with this odd device, but at least he got it work.

Now staring into the blank screen of the tablet, Cao Cao speaks. ]

Just how many generals sit amongst us? How many soldiers and how many strategists? If this is a war, then shouldn't we treat it as such?

[ He paused momentarily in hopes of hearing an answer, but nothing was said. So he continued. ]

I've won wars before but nothing resembling this kind of scale. Gathering the information necessary about my foes was never so daunting as this. Virtually nothing is known about the United Earth or their method of combat. I'm aware that they hold the most influence in this realm, but how so?

[ Mengde wondered if their were other factions out there who hoped to rebel against their federation. He wouldn't be surprised if there were, but they assist them? Surely this war doesn't fall upon the shoulders of a wayward few.

That would be suicide. ]

In truth, I see no victory in sight but I refuse to die a martyr's death.

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Then we'll make one!

[ Mengde stated sternly in hopes of shaking off the worry that claimed this young man. ]

Hear me, I have no intention of losing this war against them or anyone else who dare cross me. This will be won.

I refuse to die and the same for you.

[ Oh dear. A lion-hearted hero, with bright encouraging words. If Break were the man he'd once been, he'd have ridden into battle spurred on by such a speech, facing death with thoughts of glory. ]

Ha! Ha! Ha!

[ His demeanor changes completely. ]

Good sir, that is not a concern in present circumstances. Death has no sting. The Initiative has taken great pains to ensure this.

[ The resurrection labs are the first thing that would need to be eliminated, to achieve the objective of destroying bread crumbs. ]

[ A lion-hearted hero with the callous mentality of a serpent. There's many who would hesitate to call Cao Cao a "hero" of any kind. However, just as Xu Shao once told Cao Cao; he'll be a capable minister in peaceful times and an unscrupulous hero in chaotic times. To this day, Mengde still couldn't help but find humor in Xu Shao's sarcastic yet honest words. ]

Death may have lost its sting for now, but the bite still hurts. If the United Earth wins, we'll perish without a likelihood of returning.

[ Cao Cao paused briefly before continuing. ]

Does this not worry you?

Worry?

Dear me, noooooo. Not at all! Your words have been so very heartening, I feel the tide must turn in our favor. You've said you refuse to die, and you refuse for my sake also.

[ If he had sounded depressed before, now he sparkles, every word and inflection rising and falling in a happy sing-song. ]

Therefore I'm sure we'll all be just fiiiiiine~! ♥

[ It is, of course, an act. ]

[ This he notices, but it isn't his place to question it. ]

Agreed. Though, I'm curious as of what you make of all this chaos. Many people refuse to trust the rebels, but even I realize them to be the lesser of two evils.

My, my - so many questions. But perhaps you could tell me a little bit about who you are, if you please. It feels odd having a conversation without introductions, you know.

You've "won wars" so I imagine you must be a general, at the very least.

[Cao Cao paused momentarily. Has he honestly forgotten to state his name the entire time.

A light chuckle escaped him.]

I am the King of Wei, Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty and the Captain of the Imperial Calvary.

I am Cao Cao style Mengde, and you are?

Edited 2013-07-05 10:41 (UTC)

Dear me, that's a lot of names. I think I'd get confused if I had so many. Do they all fit on your calling card? Probably you ought to give people two cards, so the print doesn't have to be too tiny.

Ha ha! I feel a little underdressed, figuratively speaking, for I've got only one name, Xerxes Break, and no title worth mentioning.

[ On and on he prattles, this false cheer being his best defense against despair. It's harder, somehow, to feel a flash of hope and have it disappear, than have no hope at all. ]

But a king, oh my goodness, well I must say, you sound like one, but a diplomat and a military captain too, that sounds exhausting, don't they give you a holiday sometimes?

There's only one name you need to know and that would be the name I wear now; Mengde.

[ From his observation thus far, the people of this realm don't have much in the form of stylized names. Also known as a courtesy name in Asian cultures, a stylized name is a name given in the later years of a young man's life. After reaching the age of twenty, a man chooses his style name to represent him for the rest of his days. This name is typically given by their relatives and teacher or is chosen by themselves. ]

Fear not, Xerxes Break, I will not wear my titles often. [ Though, he's curious as of why this man seemed to like prattling on so endlessly. He seemed so different now unlike earlier. ]

...A holiday? Hmph. There's no time for rest.

No holidays? Dear, dear - that sounds very tedious. What's the point of being king if you can't have a holiday? If I were king, I'd make sure there were plenty of holidays for everybody! But then I suppose that's why I'm not king, as the sorts of people who manage to get themselves crowned aren't the sort who're fond of taking lots of holidays. Which seems dreadfully unfair, but there you have it.

Well anyway, Mengde, Mister Mengde, yes that's much easier isn't it? Or should I say Sir Menge, or Lord Mengde, or King Mengde, or do you have some other exalted salutation? So much to keep track of, I feel myself becoming confused.

Do you think it would be all right if I simply called you "Tim"?

I cannot understand---[ All this mindless prattling is reeking havoc on Mengde's tablet. The translator can't seem to keep up. ]

Silence! Just a moment--

Edited 2013-07-05 22:21 (UTC)

...

[ Hear that strange silence, Xerxes? That's the sound of Mengde mentally cursing you and all of your ancestors for good measure. ]

Edited 2013-07-05 22:22 (UTC)

NO! You may not call me outside of my name!

[ He knows that sound. He knows it well. It's usually followed by yelling. ]

Don't get so upset, Tim is a perfectly nice name, I don't see why you're so put out. You've got a set of titles so big you need a suitcase to cart them around, I'm simply trying to make your nomenclature more portable.

But fine, fine, fine, have it your way, King of Why This, Prime Minister of the Aaaah~nn Dynasty, and Captain of Being Terribly Important. Ciao Ciao style I don't even know anymore, I'm running out of air, come and revive me, thank you! ☆

...You're going to regret every word soon enough.

[ He's in a real sour mood now. It's unwise to ruffle his feathers! ]

[ This unspeakably awful war, no chance of winning, with casualties numbering in the billions--and this fellow is getting upset over a silly nickname?

It's so ridiculous, he can't help laughing: a long, mad, staccato giggle. ]

Ahahahahahahahahaha!

[ Abruptly he breaks off, and murmurs in a hopeless sort of voice: ]

I'm sure I do already.

I. A Message [audio]

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