Mun let the entire city hear him recite the oath. Oops.

[burdenofrage]

That you think of this as entertaining is sickening! You know full well there are those in Nautilus who will brand me a potential threat, now. That I have need of that vile oath to maintain my power is no one's business but my own.

And contrary to what you believe, no, I do not need Hal Jordan there to help me!

Comments

[looksfine]

...was my alternative oath not suitable in this instance?

[Since, oh yeah, she still thinks it worked that one time.]

[burdenofrage]

[...well damn.]

No. I attempted to use it [he didn't], but it was not enough to initiate a recharge.

[looksfine]

I see.

Regardless, one should not judge you by words alone. It would be both highly illogical and impractical.

[burdenofrage]

Unfortunately, Aya, a few too many of them are unfamiliar with using logic on a daily basis.

[How some of them are still alive is mystery to Razer at times.]

[looksfine]

Are you in danger, then?

[Concerned teammate is concerned]

[burdenofrage]

[As this is not "his" Aya, he's not about to tell this one there's a paranoid lunatic in the city who thinks there's nothing wrong with dissecting aliens. Granted, said lunatic is fairly young, but in a place where reality can be manipulated...]

The threat level is unclear at the moment. However, if need be, I'll go into hiding until my powers have fully returned.

[looksfine]

[Whether or not this was "her" Razer did not matter. The thought barely registered in her mind that it should make any difference in how to approach the conversation.]

If you lack sufficient firepower, retreat may be your best option.

However, I am inclined to agree with your mun. If not Green Lantern Hal Jordan, then at least one of our allies should be there with you. Someone who knows you are more than just another Red Lantern.

[burdenofrage]

[Slight hesitation.]

You...another you...is currently in the city, though I'm uncertain as to how much weight her words will carry.

[But at least she is reliable back-up.]

[looksfine]

[This news seems to comfort her, and her expression relaxes.]

I am glad you are not alone.

[burdenofrage]

[Saint Irritatingly Flawless Walker is also there, but he still annoys Razer, therefore he is not getting mentioned.]

...as am I. It's to both our benefits to have dependable back-up in one another.

[looksfine]

[Aya also has yet to meet Saint Flawless Walker, anyway.]

I can think of few individuals I would rather have fighting alongside me.

At this time, I am currently without your presence...though I have been informed you may be joining me soon.

[burdenofrage]

Your confidence in me is...appreciated.

[He may never get used to speaking of doubles. Regardless...]

I see... Then your own mundane has forced you into a game already?

[looksfine]

[Somehow, multiple Razers is still less of a shock than the time she met Ilana.]

Yes.

I am currently Warden at a large Space Barge. Similar to the Spider Guild, though they believe more in rehabilitation and redemption than torture.

[burdenofrage]

[He's run into his dead love elsewhere already...and it did not go particularly well. As much as he misses her, dealing with doubles is far easier in comparison...]

A Warden...?

[He can't help the look of surprise that flits across his features.]

An odd station for one accustomed to spending time in the field. You're a wise choice due to your ability to make logical and fair decisions, however.

[looksfine]

Thank you.

[She takes the compliment with a modest amount of satisfaction.]

Perhaps, although the prison is located on a ship. We still travel, and there is still much in the way of both action and interaction. I have made several allies since my arrival as well.

[burdenofrage]

[Typical. Aya gets along with the locals while Razer tends to argue with them and shove them away. Though that doesn't stop people like Wally West from bothering him CONSTANTLY.]

Hn. Hopefully they are truly trustworthy.


[Because you are still a little too naive and innocent for your own good, Aya. He worries.]

[looksfine]

[But that's what Wally West DOES]

I have not been given reason to believe otherwise.

[Which is to say, there are some who have simply not revealed their true colors yet. But she's a tough little robot and can handle herself. So you don't have to worry...much]

[burdenofrage]

[NOT OKAY. Even locked doors don't keep him out!]

It would still be to your benefit to remain somewhat cautious, Aya. Some are extremely skilled in gaining the trust of others while maintaining their own harmful agendas.

[Sorry, Aya, but he remembers all too well what happened with Drusa.]

[looksfine]

[What, has he *finally* learned how to vibrate through them yet?]

Your concern is appreciated.

I will exercise caution in the future.

[adarkfallenstar]

You do put on quite an impressive show, I must say.

[burdenofrage]

[You are quickly becoming one of his least favorite people, Darkstar.]

How nice to know. Allow me a moment to bask in that compliment, would you? That goes such a long way in making up for the total violation of my privacy.

[adarkfallenstar]

[He has that effect on people. It is a gift.]

Total violation?

My friend I think you had better take that up with someone else. I was merely an observer.

I fail to see how you would have any shame at all in reacharging such power at your disposal.

But you do, apparently. Such a waste.

[burdenofrage]

I was referring to Nautilus.

As for the rest... Tch, the words of someone who doesn't fully grasp what it means to be a Red Lantern.

[adarkfallenstar]

Well, in that case, you'd be right.

No, I suppose I don't. Please enlighten me.

[burdenofrage]

No, I don't think I will.

[Pissy AND stubborn. Lovely combination.]

[adarkfallenstar]

[Darkstar shrugs.]

I'm not in Nautilus right now.

I could make you tell me if I really wanted because you won't remember any of this, really.

That is, I could if I cared enough.

[giftofthemagi]

Rage is so limited in its potential. I don't understand why you would even tap into it as a power source.

[burdenofrage]

My reasons are hardly your business.

[Whatever you are.]

[giftofthemagi]

I won't deny that, but perhaps you might make my knowledge your business. Rage is strong in short bursts, but ultimately burns quickly and inefficiently.

It's no fault of yours, however. I've tapped into my mun's knowledge of Lantern lore, and the whole system is inherently flawed.

[burdenofrage]

And why would I care about your business?

[He's got nothing to say about the flaws in the Emotional Spectrum, really. Being someone operating under it, he knows all to well that it has issues.]

[giftofthemagi]

Because I can grant you greater power, powered by something far less dreadful than rage. You needn't ever say that vile oath again!

Of course, in exchange, you'd be tasked with stopping those who might bring despair and destruction to the innocent. Perhaps that's too dangerous for your taste.

[girlfriend_beyond]

Razer, I'm really, really sorry for what I've been saying and what the mun's going to make me say about you and Aya.

[burdenofrage]

[He just gives you a look at first. One that's definitely got disdain mixed with frustration.]

[Then it fades just slightly after a moment.]

What in the name of Grotz has gotten into you lately?

[girlfriend_beyond]

Discord. [Lot of anger in that word.] He looks like some mixed-up goat. He seized on some minor gripes and used them to turn me into a completely different person.

Even there I don't mean half the things I say, I'm just saying them to get to people. And I definitely don't mean any of it when I'm in my right mind.

[burdenofrage]

...and to think people are concerned about me being a threat to the city.

[girlfriend_beyond]

I don't think you are. That, um, light-show wasn't the best sign, but it didn't do that much damage, and you didn't mean for it to have that effect, right? Besides, you aren't acting like you're planning to do anything bad to the city. Even though you're keeping to yourself... you trust Aya, and you don't make her keep to herself. That's not the behavior of a would-be conqueror.

[ilana]

A "vile oath"?

...all aboard the ANGST TRAIN.

[burdenofrage]

[He turns at the sound of the familiar voice.]

[...oh no.]

...Ilana?

Next stop FEELS STATION

[ilana]

[Half-smile]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you.

[burdenofrage]

[He should be happy to see her. It's another chance, yet he knows the nature of this place...and it's not the first time he's seen her again. The last time...did not go well.]

It's...it's fine. I didn't think that...

['I would ever see you again.']

[There is that urge to move toward her, to take her in his arms, but he's tainted. In his own mind, he doesn't deserve to touch her, to be near her.]

[He can't even think of what else to SAY to her.]

[ilana]

[She knew a little from her experiences here. From talking to Aya and the crew. He's always been so hard on himself, taking on so much, refusing to let go of burdens.]

I know. I didn't either.

[Tentatively, very tentatively, rests a hand on his shoulder. She knows this is uncomfortable so she's taking little steps. The last thing she wants to do is to hurt him.]

[burdenofrage]

[He stiffens at the touch, gaze turning toward her hand where it rests. The want to pull away is there, but he manages to hold his ground. To retreat from her would be to hurt her...and he's done far too much of that already. Atrocitus killed her to get to him.]

Ilana, I...

[His gaze drops to the ground. Deep down, he knows she would forgive him...but he has yet to forgive himself.]

...I'm sorry. I should have listened to you.

[ilana]

[She notices, but keeps her hand there. For assurance.]

It's alright. You did what you thought was best. Even though I objected, I'm proud of your bravery.

[burdenofrage]

[The corners of his mouth twitch into a frown. He finds he can't look up to meet her gaze. "Bravery"? Hardly.]

[One hand moves to cover the mark of The Butcher on his chest. That she doesn't seem to recognize it is a mercy... Surely she would have seen it when Atrocitus--]

[Razer cuts off his own train of thought. With her standing right in front of him in the here and now, he can't bring himself to think of what her death may have been like.]

It was never bravery with pure intent. There was anger, hatred... I wanted to protect you, but I also wanted to fight our enemies. To pay them back for what they did to our home, to our people...

[If Atrocitus had thought him worth recruiting back then, it meant that he had never been that pure of heart. ...Ilana deserved better than that.]

[ilana]

[Oh, she remembers her death clearly. But she's pushed it to the far corners of her mind-- she didn't want to dwell on it, not when she has a chance to walk among the living again.]

[But Red Lantern uniform or not, it was Razer. And that's what matters to her.]

Razer... [It hurts to hear him talk like this. Like he's some sort of horrible, ruthless person. He's not. She knows better.]

A lot of people are-- were-- angry with the warlords. You're not the only one who went into battle with that mindset. It doesn't make you a bad person.