THIRD ORDER ♛ ANONYMOUS TEXT

[decrees]

[Logan has been the King of Albion for twelve years. His reign is at an end, however - his sister staged a coup and will take the throne as soon as he returns to Albion. Logan isn't upset with her - if anything, he's relieved that he no longer has to deal with everything. He's relieved that he doesn't have to face down the threat of incoming darkness - a threat he's known about for four years and hasn't been able to stop. He's confident that his sister can handle the throne, but it isn't a position he ever would have wanted to put her in. He does care about her in his own stunted way, after all.

It's been nearly eleven years since Logan's mother, the previous Queen, died. She was the one who united Albion under a monarchy and ruled for fifty years of peace and prosperity. Yes, there were issues - any country with 6.5 million people is bound to have them - but she handled them all as best she could and will most likely go down in history as a benevolent, wonderful monarch. She would be disappointed in him; Logan's positive of that much. He started his rule as a monarch dedicated to his people, but circumstances drove him to become a tyrant.

He's spent the day being far more subdued than usual, keeping to himself and occasionally examining the 'Gear, but it takes hours for Logan to finally get up the courage to actually post to the network, even anonymously. He's adapted to this world far better than he ever thought he would, and now that he has adapted, he's finding that he rather likes Johto. He doesn't have the same responsibilities and expectations placed on him. He's free. It's not something he ever would have thought he wanted back home, but it's something he's finding that he's desperately needed this entire time.]

How do you deal with failure? How do you deal with not living up to the expectations set for you?

I believe there are some monarchs or rulers here. How do you deal with the people of your nation despising you for what you've done, even if what you've done was for their own good?

[...He's kind of the most obvious anon. Just let him pretend, alright.]

Comments

[pretentions]

[...oh wait just a minute]

...King Logan, I'm going to assume this is you that I'm speaking to...

[anonymous text -> text]

[decrees]

[ALKEMRKNSKEL WELL HE DID JUST KIND OF GIVE HIMSELF AWAY THERE, DIDN'T HE... Just give him a moment to come off anon, then.]

My apologies. I didn't want to state this so openly while there are those from Albion who could see it.

[pretentions]

I'm not faulting you for that; again, I've been in a similar situation to what you're facing, from the sound of it. I wouldn't want anything like this getting to those from Fuyuki City, either.

What sort of supernatural threat are you facing? Have you any idea what it does?

[decrees]

I know far too well what it does. It is capable of communicating without speaking, controlling shadows and shadowy creatures it calls its "Children," and it can manipulate people very easily.

That is how I received these scars. I was the only one who made it out alive - though from the sound of it, my sister encountered it as well.

[pretentions]

[So basically, it's Caster all over again...]

And do you know the source of its power? Any ideas what its vulnerabilities might be?

[decrees]

Unfortunately, I don't remember everything about my battle with it. It does appear to be rather weak physically, however, and I believe that it would be entirely possible to take it out if one were to get close enough to it. The Children can be easily destroyed with swords or guns; I have no doubt that a few well-placed hits would defeat it. The problem is preparing the soldiers to face it; it's like nothing they've ever seen, I can say that for certain.

[pretentions]

I would continue strategizing with you if I felt that it would do you any good; however, as one that's been returned to my own world and brought back to Johto, I can tell you now that anything you do here won't be remembered back in Albion. Whatever advice you receive here can bring you temporary comfort while you remain here, nothing more.

[decrees]

None of it will be remembered?

[That's definitely not promising at all.]

That's unfortunate.

[pretentions]

I wasn't even aware that any time had passed upon returning home; it was as though literally nothing had happened. I was there for what must have been less than a minute before being returned here. I remember seeing my daughter, and then suddenly I was here again, several months apparently having passed in that brief period back in the city.

It was a bit...bizarre, to say the least.

[decrees]

Understandably so. Did you remember everything that had happened here immediately?

[pretentions]

Not immediately. Some of the conversations I had here have needed some reminders; those were mostly unpleasant conversations, however, that it would make sense that I would try to forget.

[decrees]

I see. You didn't do anything special in order to return home, did you?

[pretentions]

No. The man I was travelling with didn't return home, either, and we were engaging in very similar activities the entire time; he's from the same world I am. He didn't seem to recall my doing anything strange, either.

He's currently researching this world, as am I; perhaps we'll find answers eventually, but for now, we aren't optimistic.

[decrees]

That is unfortunate. Thank you for sharing, however. I do want to return home, even if it does mean facing the incoming darkness.

[pretentions]

We don't have much choice, regarding the trials we're about to face; all that can be done is to greet our fate with composure and elegance.

I'm aware of my outcome already. I wish you luck when you discover yours.

[decrees]

How do you know what will happen? Has someone told you?

Composure and elegance... Well, I suppose that is one way of dealing with things. Thank you for the advice.

[pretentions]

I've been told, yes; the reactions of a few others I've spoken to confirm what's been said.

And that particular belief is one that I adhere to in all things; it has yet to do me wrong.

[decrees]

I suppose it would be good to know what awaits you in the future. Is it a good outcome?

[pretentions]

My family is safe, as is the city that I've been delegated to protect.

[And that isn't an answer to the question and he knows it.]

[decrees]

Both of those are good things, but I assume your fate isn't quite as positive.

[Oh Tokiomi, honey...]

[pretentions]

Last we spoke, I told you that there was a war between mages occurring in my city; I was told of the outcome.

I've taken on a student, a man who was selected to participate in this particular conflict; he had no direct training as a mage, and yet he was able to learn some intensely complex processes within a very short span of time. He's a rather clever individual, very pragmatic, full of potential. I'm told he survived as well; I'm proud of him for it.

[He's still not going to directly acknowledge that question.]

[decrees]

You're being incredibly vague. I understand that this must be difficult for you. Did your student win?

[pretentions]

Not exactly. I'm told that there wasn't a clear victor; however, two individuals out of seven survived. My student, and another man that I had singled out as a threat early on. It seems my suspicions weren't unfounded.

I haven't been told exactly how it ends for me, or who makes the final strike against my life. But I know that final strike comes eventually.

[decrees]

I'm sorry to hear that. You have no memories of what you've learned here, so you can't change your fate back home...

[........that's horrible, oh god.]

I'm very sorry. I suppose there's nothing to do but enjoy your time here, then?

[pretentions]

Don't apologize.

As I said, my family and my pupil are safe; I've seen through my duties as best I can. If nothing else, I can take comfort in knowing, for sure, what my fate will be. The uncertainty is no longer present; I know what will come to pass, and I've received conclusive proof that everything will work itself out, as far as the Tohsaka family line is concerned.

That's honestly enough for me.