Because he apparently doesn't want to shut up anymore...

[kingoftruth]

You think to so easily pick me up once more? There is much you have forgotten; my voice is rusty as Master's sword after an extended visit to the Silver Alliance. I would advise you to- refresh, and reconsider.

Comments

[waterfell]

Should you be so eager to boast that your pupil has been taught such lax discipline? [Smirk. She's a brat as ever.]

[kingoftruth]

[He would expect nothing less. She is Mercury.] I would never accept so poor a disciple, as well you should know.

[waterfell]

[There's a coy little smile that suggests she's going to interpret that entirely in her own favor - of course.]

How complimentary!

[kingoftruth]

Oh~? [He gives an amused smirk at her assumption, not that it comes unexpectedly.] How so?

[waterfell]

I already know I've learned quickly. [Pride, in overabundance. But perhaps not entirely unjustified.]

[musicite]

You do not wish to return?

[kingoftruth]

I do not believe such words left my tongue, Zoisite. Merely, that should I return, it should be as myself rather than a pale imitation.

[musicite]

You should make very certain of that. [He's too serious in tone to be entering into the joking. He's seen... many facets of Kunzite.]

[kingoftruth]

[Would you ever doubt this Kunzite's loyalty, Zoisite? He matches the other shitennou's tone with the ease that speaks of his long familiarity with the- facets of his other selves.] She would never dare impugn my honor in the manner of which you fear; I would not allow it.

[musicite]

Then I am very glad to see you once more.

[aroyalpain]

What are you saying? My sword isn't rusted at all! [Hmph. Such talk to your prince, Kunzite.]

[kingoftruth]

Then you practice as oft upon the moon as under my tutelage, Master?

[aroyalpain]

Of course I do. [Are you going to dare call him a liar, publicly?]

[kingoftruth]

Tell me, Master; how many lessons has the princess missed during your visits?

[Such an innocent question. Although- the princess' lesson times coincide with Endymion's sparring matches, do they not?]

[aroyalpain]

[Endymion will not be responsible for the senshi lecturing Serenity.]

She doesn't miss them. [This is definitely a lie. He doesn't like it.]

[shitennou_nephrite]

As always, Kunzite. So true to the missions you are given by Beryl.

[kingoftruth]

[This isn't the face of the Nephrite he is familiar with, but there is no mistaking the other shitennou. Something like anger passes across the face of the darker haired man, mixed with haughty pride.]

I do not, nor have I ever, served that witch. Beryl is dead; burned at the stake for her crimes against the Golden and Silver kingdoms.

[shitennou_nephrite]

Dead? This couldn't be.... [He eyed Kunzite up and realised that this version was differnt from the one he knew.]

Forgive me. You seem to be different from the man I know as Kunzite. Perhaps these are different lands from the ones I am from. [He felt rather foolish for thinking this was his Kunzite.] You are free of Beryl? Then I am pleased for you.

[kingoftruth]

[Kunzite's gaze narrows at the words, and he relaxes only minutely as he calculates the possibilities behind them. It seems this Nephrite has no great love for Beryl, as others have who were under her thumb before, but clearly neither is he from a world free of her taint. He speaks carefully, measured assumptions based upon what he knows of other worlds.]

I am of what you may call the past life. [He never takes pleasure in that description, in knowing that the Golden Kingdom must have fallen to bring about any 'future' life.] Beryl has never been more than the traitorous servant she began her life as. And you?

[shitennou_nephrite]

The past life? [Nephrite jammed his hands into his pockets as he studied the stranger. He wore the uniform of the Shitennou, if not different.]

I....at the moment I am in her service. As are all Shitennou within the Dark Kingdom. The curse....we are under it.

[musical_shitennou]

[Zoisite looked at the man and frowned. This man wasn't HIS Kunzite, just a Kunzite.]

It sounds like your mun needs some lessons in manners.

[kingoftruth]

[No, indeed, he is a very different Kunzite than the one this Zoisite knows. As this Zoisite is far from the ones he has known in the past, but there is no lack of recognition of the other man.]

She has always been sorely lacking in that department, but this is an exceptional example. I have hope that, in time, my presence will perhaps teach her much.

[musical_shitennou]

I'm sure your presence will scare her into changing things for you, Kunzite-sama. [He couldn't help it. He always called him that.] Perhaps you should teach her a lesson? [He grinned wickedly.]

[kingoftruth]

[It is an odd thing, to hear such a title fall from Zoisite's lips, and his gaze slides to the side to look at other shitennou. He says nothing, however.]

She has proved- difficult- in learning in the past. For all her lack of manners, she is as stubborn and hard-headed as Nephrite when she wishes to be.

[musical_shitennou]

[Oh, he adores your other self, Kunzite.]

Like Nephrite, hm? That is a difficult scenario. [He cocked his head to the side. This Kunzite was handsome but not as handsome as HIS Kunzite.]