(no subject)

[undyingcrow]

[A message appears on the network one morning, not long after a certain Ren appears.

Not long after it goes up, some parts are edited out.]

Attention, "Crow" and "Joker."

With the arrival of my Ren, we formally challenge you over your precious codenames. Let us prove to you that we are the ones worthy of the titles, while you are mere variations from a simpler, happier world. despite the power you wield.

You may have seniority within this space, but we were forged in the fires of our hardships and have emerged on the other side of Maruki's reality.

You two have likely grown soft from your domesticity. Perhaps you'll find us worthy opponents after all this stagnation. They say the spirit of competition can bring out one's best and their worst.

[Is it bold to proclaim the challenge over the network? Yes. But he'd have it no other way, really. Everyone deserves to know how serious they are.]

As for the rest of you, I'd like to start a little bonding exercise.

Tell me something about yourself, and I'll tell you something about me in turn. Won't that be fun?

[It should be a simple way to start and prove that he's just as capable of "bonding" as Ren is.]

[ooc: Original parts of the message in strikethrough, with the edits after, if you want your character to have seen the original version.]

Comments

[unfoggedlotus]

hey this whole thing was made because I wasn't here
Im not in the movie B)

[fogbornphantom]

No, you absolutely are.

You come in near the end, sparkling in the sunlight.

If I'm to suffer this shame, so must you.

[unfoggedlotus]

bold of you to assume I have shame

[wicked_plan]

Now I'm curious. @Karasu wanna come over to watch it with me?

[undyingcrow]

Well, we might as well, but you'd better prepare coffee and curry in exchange.

[wicked_plan]

Deal. I'm expecting you to come by later, then (●ˇ∀ˇ●)

[undyingcrow]

Do you need anything else? I suppose I could fetch some konbini snacks on the way.

[wicked_plan]

Ooh, bring some chips! Pickles would be great.

[pancakeboy]

I'm not in the movie either.

[Lies.]

[undyingcrow]

You are. It showed your text messages.

And now that "Joker" has shared the link for all to see, there's little sense in denying it.

[pancakeboy]

I'm sorry, who are you, exactly? I'm sure you'll have a humiliation or two for me to interrogate, sooner or later.

In public.

[undyingcrow]

Shouldn't you blame your friends for bringing it up in the first place?

I don't appreciate "Crow" speculating on my relationship with my Ren, or encouraging others to do the same.

At any rate, I'm Karasu.

[pancakeboy]

Pleased to meet you, Karasu. I'm Magpie, formerly Crow. Your younger self, by all accounts.

Regardless, my concern isn't with my associates. I'll deal with them later.

[undyingcrow]

Yes, I suppose you would be, in some respects, though how much time you've spent here, I doubt you're the same person I was.

But feel free to air your concerns. You wouldn't be the first.

[pancakeboy]

Right now, my major concern is being contradicted about a personal matter by someone I barely know.

[undyingcrow]

Fair enough. I can acknowledge it was out of line.

If it were up to me, Crow wouldn't have brought up that movie in the first place.

[pancakeboy]

Ah. So you admit he is Crow.

[undyingcrow]

It's clear to me that the community values him a great deal and was displeased by our challenge.

But make no mistake. I still fully intend to fight him, and I fully intend to win.

Whether or not that involves reclaiming codenames is rather moot at this point. It's the principle of things.

[pancakeboy]

I suppose I can understand that.

Equally, you shouldn't underestimate your opponents. Joker is strong, and Crow is stronger yet. I think you'll find yourself surprised.

[undyingcrow]

I'm curious how they compare. The Shadows here are much too weak. Only the likes of the Fafnirs in Maruki's Palace present any meaningful challenge.

What better way to hone my potential than against a more "ideal" version of me?

It's a wonder you're so comfortable with him, given everything he represents.

locked to karasu

[pancakeboy]

What's that supposed to mean?

[He knows what it means.]

[undyingcrow]

I get the impression that you're friends. The younger one, Wagtail, certainly implied as much.

It perplexes me.

Granted, I've kept my distance. I haven't gotten to know him as you have.

[pancakeboy]

You keep saying "friends". Are you trying to annoy me?

[undyingcrow]

Am I wrong?

Or are you simply trying to avoid showing weakness or sentimentality?

1/2

[pancakeboy]

[Ugh.]