[Voice]

[genuinedemon]

Imagine my surprise when this phone received a signal underground. It's voice-activated as well, truly a godsend for me as they say. I must remember to thank Touma for this gift.

Even so, a phone is only as useful as those it can connect to... And it seems that this is the default connection. Then, I'm very interested in what stories you have to tell me, Drama Drama Duck.

Pleased to meet you. My name is Kaie Karyou.

Comments

[sebastian_verlac]

You are asking for stories?

[permavoice]

[genuinedemon]

Indeed I am. Do you happen to have any?

[sebastian_verlac]

I have many.

But as you introduced yourself already, I should do that first.

I'm Sebastian.

[genuinedemon]

A pleasant name. I wonder if it suits you.

[sebastian_verlac]

Can you see me? I can't see you.

[genuinedemon]

I cannot. But I believe there is some way to turn on the video on this phone. Let's see, was it menu- Menu, video.

[The video clicks on to reveal that the speaker is a rather effeminate-looking teenager lying back in a comfortable bed somewhere. It also reveals that Kaie has no limbs - hence why he's using the voice controls exclusively.]

[sebastian_verlac]

[Sebastian just looks for a moment, his face impassive. He doesn't appear to be all that surprised by any lack of limbs but he still does enquire.]

Have you been in an accident?

[genuinedemon]

Not lately.

[sebastian_verlac]

Excuse me for asking. You were the one wanting the story, not having to tell it.

So what sort of stories do you like? Tales of mystery, perhaps. Or something funny?

[genuinedemon]

True stories are the most fulfilling - I have no further preferences save that they be about people.

[sebastian_verlac]

Fair enough.

Well, let me tell you about a spoilt prince. Or no, he wasn't really a prince but he acted like he was one - and his father gave him every thing he wanted. A huge house. Private tutoring. Weapons with which to train and become strong. Books with which to learn and become smarter.

But he was ungrateful and didn't respect his father as much as he should. He yearned for things he shouldn't even think about and he ran away.

The father mourned because the ungrateful boy was never heard from again.

[genuinedemon]

Is that the end of it?

[sebastian_verlac]

Yes. Not all true stories end the way you would like or with something spectacular.

But you never know. The second part to the story might occur should the boy ever turn up again.

[genuinedemon]

It seemed particularly barebones, but many cautionary tales work best that way.

[sebastian_verlac]

What moral would you take from that one?

[genuinedemon]

You cannot understand or appreciate something without having experienced the lack of it.

[sebastian_verlac]

An interesting take on the matter.

[genuinedemon]

Then what do you believe?

[sebastian_verlac]

That the boy should get what's coming to him for being so ungrateful.

[genuinedemon]

You blame him for this?

[sebastian_verlac]

Yes.

[genuinedemon]

That's quite interesting.

[sebastian_verlac]

I may have left an important point out. The spoiled prince had a brother who was not so well treated.

[genuinedemon]

Now that is important. By what justification did the father act so?

[sebastian_verlac]

Let's say it was an experiment.

[genuinedemon]

Experiments require a degree of impartiality.

[sebastian_verlac]

He had plans for the future that involved his sons. So he tested them.

[genuinedemon]

If he planned to do so, he should have been willing to accept the consequences of his actions.

[sebastian_verlac]

Rebellion? The one he encouraged it in was the most loyal.

Maybe he was doing it all wrong.

[genuinedemon]

Now, I never said that the consequences would be what he expected.

[sebastian_verlac]

The best laid plans... As they say.

Sometimes it's best to be more impulsive.

[genuinedemon]

Are you an impulsive type?

[sebastian_verlac]

Sometimes.

[genuinedemon]

Then it's no wonder you prefer that.

[sebastian_verlac]

I wouldn't want to put all my stock into one plan, no matter how foolproof it seemed to be. Best to be open to other options.

[genuinedemon]

So many men have foolproof plans and so many of them are in opposition to each other.

[sebastian_verlac]

You sound wise.

[genuinedemon]

Do I? I just have very little to do.

[sebastian_verlac]

Too much time to think?

[genuinedemon]

Exactly.

text

[answerer_sword]

And what sort of stories do you wish for?