[Fourze characters/Liveman family/anyone really/go wild]

[catcameback]

To switch, or not to switch?

Why is it called a Switch anyway? It's obviously a button.

To press, then, or not to press? That is the question.

Comments

[catcameback]

I know that face. "You don't like this Libra, do you?" I'm not sure which of them I should side with, if there's a schism going on. Perhaps neither. Perhaps I should continue to operate independently. "And the twelve will supposedly be equal? That seems inefficient." I think he's withholding information, but I'm not sure to what end.

[fanhate]

"We're generals of the commander. And he rewards achievement ... but, in theory, we are equal. Some are more equal than others, you understand." Perhaps the truest line ever spoken, "Libra has not been living up to expectations, so some of us are more equal than he. You were able to become a Horoscope straight away. Perhaps you'll be more equal than I am."

[catcameback]

Ah, of course. "There's a commander, then."

More equal than others. That's familiar too. Ankh thought he was the most equal of us all, I think, that was why he kept siding with OOO, no matter who took the mantle.

I like that last part though. I smirk. "More equal than you?"

I spread my arms and shrug. "You're probably safe from me." I'm not looking for another fight.

[fanhate]

"Maybe ... but we can't always follow a script. Even the best performers must face the unexpected." Perhaps I should return to his first point. That's a safer topic of conversation, "our commander is the founder of the school. He discovered the Switches in space."

[catcameback]

"And he wants to wake these twelve commanders?" That much is easy to piece together.

I have a brief flash, a memory from eight centuries ago. The King, all of our Cores... To become a God, he would destroy us.

I wonder if I'm going to be part of a grand sacrifice again.

"Why?"

[fanhate]

"I don't know." I think he deserves an honest answer, "I was bored. I used my Switch because I enjoyed it. That simple. Could we be disposed of once he's achieved his purpose, probably, but I've always preferred it when the ending isn't spoiled for me."

Some urge somewhere compels me to add, "... sorry." It's probably not genuine. I don't feel anything any more, but it's been a while since I ever even contemplated the idea of trying to be sorry for something.

[catcameback]

"You are certainly special." He's one of those odd cases where he would have either made a wonderful Yummy or a truly abysmal one.

Not that it matters now.

"Don't bother," I can tell he could actually care less, which is perplexing in it's own way. Does he not care that he could be destroyed, even if he doesn't consider himself alive anymore? "I don't intend to be destroyed for some overzealous human's dark plot again."

[fanhate]

"Human?" That elicits a laugh, one that is at least genuinely amused, "He's no more human than you or I. And plot or no plot, you still have that Switch."

[catcameback]

This catches me off guard. I frown a bit, turn a bit to pace a few steps. Restless.

"Not human?" I fix him with a steady stare. "But never human, like me? Or... evolved human, like you?"

I'm keeping the Switch, certainly. No matter what.

[fanhate]

"He wants us to think he's an evolved human. I'd place a guess on never, myself. Audience participation is always fun," I say, with just enough hint of a smile to grate on his nerves.

He's not going to give up Leo. I think our esteemed school chairman will have a struggle to wrench it from his claws.

[catcameback]

He is obnoxious with his obsession with theatrics. Still, at least the jokes are better than Maki's constant insistence on the end.

"I don't suppose it matters, in the end." I shrug one shoulder, and try not to let on how annoyed I am at the idea that I will be perpetually fighting to hold the form I belong in.

"And where do you stand? Do you really have so little care for your own existence?"

[fanhate]

"What are any of us worth? All the world's a stage. I just don't see why I have to be bored while I wait in the wings." I'm not stupid enough to get sent to the Dark Nebula, or to be defeated by one of our friendly neighbourhood Kamen Riders. I'm also not naïve enough to think I'm indispensable.

[catcameback]

"I like to think I'm worth more than I seem." I shrug. "I don't intend to stand in the wings, but I'm not particularly fond of being a prop either."

I pace a bit more. "So you have no intention of defending yourself, should this commander of yours decide to sacrifice you?"

[fanhate]

"Of course. Survival of the fittest. He took that risk when he brought the Switches to earth." Age and treachery may triumph over youth and enthusiasm, but what about youth and enthusiasm and treachery?

[catcameback]

Well, at least he's not a complete idiot.

"Good. I think we're on the same side, then." I smirk and even offer him a little bow.

[fanhate]

I can spare a smile at that, "perhaps we are." In exchange for this little show of faith, I won't tell anyone where the Ursa Major switch went. Wouldn't have anyway. It's more interesting to let them work it out for themselves.

[catcameback]

"Good." Not that he's particularly high on my list of priorities. I do have the family to look out for, after all, the pride.

But I'd certainly rather have him fight beside me than against me, if such an event should arise.

I consider shaking his head, but I think he'd just laugh at the offer.