|
|
Post by FreudTastic on Feb 4, 2024 20:34:00 GMT
He was looking out of the window of his limo as it drove through the streets of Japan, watching the clouds gathering above. It had been forecasted that it'd be a light drizzle in the afternoon, and the clock was reaching 1 PM already. It was as if the planet itself knew how foreboding this meeting was going to be. It had been a mere week since the loss of the former Nr. 10 Pro-Hero Nocturne, and ever since Strive himself delivered the news, along with the rather... sudden announcement of Speed as well, something just did not sit right with the Nr. 2 Hero. And this is why King had personally arranged a meeting at Strive's family abode, and just as the car pulled up to the gate leading into the estate, he felt a small knot twitch in his core. Not necessarily nervousness, but just sheer weight, reminding himself of how heavy this conversation might end up.
He'd step out of the car, dressed in a formal, yet casual black suit as he usually did, his green hair flowing behind him as he marches up through the gravel path leading across his garden -- only stopping briefly to admire a lively koi pond -- as he'd walk up the porch steps and to the front door, giving it a gentle, but loud knock to announce his presence.
|
|
|
|
Post by Beriadan on Feb 7, 2024 12:23:12 GMT
Even before King's knuckled wrapped on the door, it had swung open as if he had been expected this whole time. A young, serious looking woman stood on the other side, dressed impeccably smart and looking at King as if he had interrupted something incredibly important. She cleared her throat, adjusting a thick book under her arm.
"Strive has been expecting you. Though it is three minutes and twenty one seconds past eleven, making you tardy. Come in."
She lead him inside, into a classic Japanese house. For the modern appearance of Strive, Benjiro's house was incredibly traditional. The young woman removed her shoes, slipping into a pair of house shoes and motioning for King to do the same with a pair of guest slippers.
"He's in the living room, through there. Please excuse me."
The woman bowed, but still looked like she was scowling at the pro-hero as she strode away, disappearing down a corridor. Ahead was a large living room, and King would find Strive there. He was wearing casual gear, a simple graphic t-shirt bearing the face of a famous American pro-hero, and comfortable trousers. The Number One looked up as King entered, and grinned.
"Blanche! Sorry I'm in my civvies, but I've absolutely hammered at the office, and just needed... a day. Help yourself to tea, Fumiko made it before you arrived. Did you meet her already? She's been absolutely brilliant with this whole situation. Part-time sidekick, part-time personal assistant, full-time superhero."
Strive rose, bowing at his friend and colleague. Then he rose slightly, eyes watching the other man. Those were eyes which expressed something his face didn't. Emotions that were writhing and surging behind the façade of the Number One. Benjiro motioned to a sofa, perhaps the least traditional part of this room, where brewing tea sat on a table between them.
"Yeah, so... I guess you wanted to meet to talk about everything that happened, huh?"
|
|
|
|
Post by FreudTastic on Feb 10, 2024 21:18:19 GMT
"... Sumimasen."
King quickly responded with a soft bow of his upper body, apologizing for his tardiness. He had not realized the traffic had delayed him this much, but regardless, he would take the responsibility of a guest accordingly. Removing his shoes and slipping into the guest-assigned slippers, he'd give another bow and a soft thanks, even as she scowled at him. But as he disappeared she did earn herself an ice-cold glare from King behind her back, before he'd slip into the living room where Benjiro was. He dressed the man up and down with his eyes alone, but his mouth did twitch into a friendly smile ever so briefly as Strive greeted him.
"No problem at all, Strive. You of all heroes deserve some off-time every now and then."
The statement was a friendly response, but a remark as well. He was always aware of how his Number One 'rival' pushed himself past his limits at all times. Yet even so, where another rival might've claimed a chance to capitalize on the tardiness of the other... King was no such 'hero'. He cared for Benjiro. Accepting a cup of tea, he'd nod as he sat in the sofa on the opposite side of Strive, taking a sip and regarding him.
"I do believe I met her, yes. Greeting me at the front... apparently I was tardy. I apologize, traffic was a nightmare... but enough of that. I do want to talk about your recent statement on national T.V, yes... as well as the event in general. Yoo... Nocturne. While I was admittedly never a real fan of his tactics and morals, he was a hero unlike ANY of us. I still mourn his passing. But... you seem to be taking it even harsher. I could tell from the look in your eyes on that newscast."
"... What happened, Benjiro?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Beriadan on Feb 11, 2024 12:34:05 GMT
Strive was quiet for a while, staring at the mug of cooling tea in his hands. His brow was furrowed, deep in thought, mind hard at work. Eventually he spoke, his words directed to the table between them.
"Hero work... for me, it was always simple. Black and white. I knew that people operated in the grey area in between, sure, but... it was always easy to identify. People like Nocturne were Heroes. They had licenses, agencies, taught our children, protected our civilians. Even people like Nocturne worked for what was right, despite the shadows they lived in."
Strive raised his eyes, looking towards Blanche. His eyes were dull, the conversation obviously something that had been weighing on the man's mind all this time.
"I said what I said because people have to believe Heroes like Nocturne are heroes, no matter what they do. But... Speed and I were there as he walked among the Yakuza. Spoke freely to known, high-profile villains. Stuck... stuck his sword through Speed's stomach."
Benjiro shook his head, leaning back into the sofa. He closed his eyes, the tea remaining undrunk.
"But then I keep thinking about why. I was there because... a villain told me that my sister was alive, but working as a yakuza. I hadn't seen or heard from her since I became Strive. This villain found my weakness. Played me, and Speed too, when I dragged him into it. We went undercover to the base. That's when Nocturne confronted us."
Strive grimaced, placing the tea back down on the table, putting his hands together at his forehead.
"So who was right? Speed and I weren't there officially. I wanted a second to speak to my sister, which didn't need violence. Nocturne shouldn't have been their either. He spoke of being hired, legally, but by yakuza criminals and villains, and he admitted they had his mother. I didn't back down. He didn't back down. If he had asked for our help, then I would have surely changed my mind, but he didn't. Instead, Nocturne stabbed Speed, and now he can't be the hero he always dreamed of being anymore. Then we left, and the Yakuza killed him anyway."
He looked up at Blanche, a sort of desperation in his eyes.
"I don't know what's right anymore. The situation has become so muddied... Nocturne has to remain a hero, no matter what he was doing with the Yakuza. No matter what he did to Speed. But now? Where does that leave me? He kept saying that the Pillar of Justice was crumbling. That I was a hypocrite, that I wasn't the Number One Hero in his eyes. At the time, I took it as a villain showing his true face. A man, born into the yakuza, working for them even as he taught the next generation, turning his blade on fellow Heroes... but if he's a hero in the end, then what does that make me?"
Strive shook his head again, staring at the table with angst in his eyes.
"Where does that leave the Number One, if I can't even tell friend from foe? Hero from villain? Good from evil?"
|
|
|
|
Post by FreudTastic on Apr 18, 2024 18:33:22 GMT
Honestly... this was such a mess. One that could've been avoided, if Strive did not give in to his desires. But were those desires really so bad? To reunite with family long-thought lost? The same went for Nocturne, naturally. Knowing the yakuza had his mother hostage. Both sides were in the right, and yet both were to blame as well. King sighs as he takes another sip of his tea.
"... I know, it is hard. To truly understand the people who work in the grey areas, when our worlds feel so black and white. I've had my issues with Nocturne in the past. I cannot recount the times I've been this close to declaring him a villain... for the times are beyond count. But I know that in the end, he still did what was right, despite his methods. And you..." he pauses for a bit, readjusting himself and letting Strive look deep into his eyes... they were harsh, yes. JUDGING, even. But they were understanding. "You operated on what you thought was right, as well. Albeit for a more selfish reason. And so was Nocturne. I'd honestly say... both of you were in your own right. But neither of you were justified, either. Both wishing to do something out of selfish desires.
He put down his own teacup, and stood up from the sofa as he'd walk over to a large window that showed the outside world, looking out through it, hands behind his back.
"I do not blame you for feeling like this, Benjiro. Truly, I don't. You've always done what you believe is right. In my heart of hearts, I know this. But... that belief in what you think is right is often tainted by selfishness. Doing what feels right for YOU... and what you feel is right for SOCIETY, for the WORLD... they are two different constants. We cannot allow ourselves to stick too firmly to what we, as INDIVIDUALS, feel is right. It is our blessing... and curse... of being Heroes. I accepted this at a very young age, however. You took some time in finding your calling, no doubt."
Another pause, and he turned back to Benjiro, walking over to him, and put a hand on his shoulder. It felt cold... numb... but Benjiro could tell it was trying to be supportive.
"So I guess, what I am trying to say is... do not be too harsh on yourself, Benjiro. But do also be cautious as to not coddle yourself. Accept what has happened, reaffirm to yourself that you have erred, and that you must make it right. I am not asking you to be a machine, though. To just be an automated being working on cold logic. I may seem like that to you, and our other colleagues. I may seem cold. Distant. Working as if all of us... ALL of us... heroes, villains, citizens and bystanders... are merely pieces on a game-board to be shuffled about, used, and tossed aside when their uses are expended. I do not. I still care for the lives we try to save. But I also acknowledge that harsh truth; none of us can save them all. You should not burden yourself with such thoughts, either. It is why you should've given that villain a heel to his face. Whether your sister had been alive, or not, is irrelevant. And even so, if she was, then does that not prove that she is able to fend for herself, if she has been alive for so long?"
His hand slips from Benjiro's shoulder, as he once more sits himself opposite of the other Hero, picking up his tea again, and taking a sip.
"So what is 'right' and 'wrong' anymore? I think it is clearer than ever. These vile fiends... the ones who stalk and prey on our next generation, who try and subvert our morals by treating and teasing us with those that we might hold near and dearest. They are the 'wrong'. It is only a matter of properly upholding the mantle of what is 'right'. To protect ourselves, and society, from these temptations."
|
|
|
|
Post by Beriadan on Apr 19, 2024 11:32:13 GMT
Benjiro sat as King spoke, staring at two hands that he had clasped in his lap. His words hit home, that really it wasn't about Nocturne, or Strive, or the mess born from selfish desires. And it came back to what he said to Nocturne, when he made a decision to cast Benjiro aside and step forward as Strive. He couldn't hold onto his individually any more. His sister was gone, his best friend Mayoi had left, and Strive now stood alone, on a pillar above the clouds. Personal relationships weren't something that the Number One could afford. King was right, in the fact that they made their sacrifices when they chose to become Heroes.
Strive looked up at the man as his hand rested upon his shoulder, and gave a smile. He leaned back, breathing out, allowing some of the tension resting on his spirit to lift. It was clear as day, but Benjiro just hadn't seen it. Strive could, though. Heroes, Villains... there was the line. Men like KK were their foes. The Yakuza, villains across Japan... they all stood for exactly the opposite of what Pro-Heroes did. Slowly he drank deep of his tea, eyes levelled on King.
"You should have been the Number One, you know. Strong and smart. I just got lucky with a charismatic smile and a repeatable catchphrase."
Strive let out the first laugh that he had been able to muster since Speed had been impaled by Nocturne.
"You're right. Through and through. Nocturne and I were just on two sides of the same coin. Heroes getting mixed up with the Yakuza... villains taking advantage of the Hero Commission and the ranked Heroes... that can't continue."
Strive sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"The Number One Hero can't sit by while men like KK twist society however they want! I have to go meet with the Hero Commission board and figure this whole mess out."
Strive leant back, watching King with a faint smile.
"Thanks, Blanche. I needed someone to help me figure out my next move. Strive is a Symbol of Peace, and I can't allow that to be tainted by enemies trying to undermine Japan, or Hero Society. Benjiro lost his sister years ago. I can't keep thinking of the past, not when I have the present to protect. I need to... I need to move on, and focus on what's important."
|
|
