It usually does and that’s dependent on how strong you are as an individual. Sometimes, family names matter, but... [ Wobbles hand before making his next move. ] So to say, if you’re a nobody from a big sorcerer family, you might not be worth saving.
[ JUJUTSU WORKINGS, REFINED YET ODDLY ARCHAIC. ]
That’s right! I can’t keep using my name to extend every sentence I think is unfair... No, I can, but the elders are probably sick of me and plotting to get rid of me somehow.
[it mostly makes him think about how being under the wing of von karma absolutely gave him a lot of weight and influence to throw around. same with franziska. neither of them want to be attached to manfred's reputation anymore, but neither of them can deny that the von karma name is what got them to where they are now. judging by the expression though, eyebrows furrowed and lips turned down into a light frown, he still doesn't like that idea.]
And yet having any influence at all isn't necessarily an easy task either. [he tilts his head. he assumes gojou being himself and being in a box is part of a scheme to get rid of him entirely, but all the same.] Repeating the same method will get predictable after a while, and somehow I've a feeling you're not great with predictability.
[...but there it is. there's the thing he understands at the core and he settles for a nod.]
That's where you and I overlap, I believe. [it's a lot of why miles always persists the truth of the matter now. life changed. sometimes a person saves you from yourself and you have a giant epiphany that everything around you is actually fucked up and should be fixed.] ...it's a noble endeavor. Even if difficult.
Nope! Regular people can network, but a hefty amount of a sorcerer’s worth is dictated at birth.
[ Gojou had no struggles aside from being raised to be just as alien as curses themselves, but sorcerers will always be unhinged... Even the most human ones, but those are susceptible to spells of depression.
You grow or you don’t. It sounds like therapy can do everyone good?? ]
You think so? I don’t know about noble... It’s not like I bleed for every sob story. I just think it’s annoying because humans are weak, so they easily break.
[ That’s how he would put it. They are not soft, nice words... But yeah he cares about people. ]
It’s either the world becomes better or humans become better and I think the former is easier.
[the fuck is a therapy. but it's a concept he's very familiar with all the same so he simply nods along. he stares at the chess board as if he's trying to figure out how to get out of the trap he's been set in, but he's still very alert and very obviously thinking about this.]
Are you technically not still a subspecies of human? [he would prefer they weren't soft caring words because he always takes logic over emotion. he doesn't seem perturbed by this stance either, even if he raises an eyebrow briefly.]
Considering that humans are a cause of many of the worlds problems, I suppose I'm inclined to agree. [there's a pause.] ...but I do think people can become better. Some people. With effort and time. So those two together should be efficient don't you think?
[ The fact Miles is just like nods this sounds right shows how screwed up this all is... sheds tear. ]
I am, I am. [ HE GETS WHAT MILES IS SAYING BUT WHY DOES IT SOUND LIKE YOURE ASKING IF HES AN ALIEN. ] Sure, I’m stronger than most, but I was broken, too. Crisis situation: you grow or you rot.
[ Jazz hands! ]
I do! It’s not enough for the world to change or for people to become stronger. You need a mix of both. May those people be our allies.
Same stakes?
[ Since they’re a couple of moves till checkmate. ]
[it's fine??? also LOOK with the way gojou talks about humans he just had to ask? also unfortunately this makes sense because that was life for so long. you grow or you rot. you achieve perfection or you bring dishonor to everything.]
Just checking. [there's a small smirk about it though. but it's another similar set of circumstances. he has since learned it takes both prosecution and defense to get the truth and make the world better. having one instead of the other doesn't make the situation the best and balanced it could be. but he doesn't voice that. he assumes the nod of understanding is enough.]
But sure. Same stakes. [it's easier that way, he thinks. and maybe it's easier to discuss things when there are stakes involved.]
[ Gojou and Miles shaking hands if you don’t float you sink mentality. ]
Comparing my notes with yours?
[ He laughs a bit because he understands despite the different problems. They’re similar enough situations with similar ambitions. Are their methods of the same nature? Gojou is thinking Miles is more... Earnest in that regard, maybe.
Guess who won the coin flip this time, it is heads for Gojou. He obnoxiously takes the most important piece and twirls it between his fingers. ]
If you have to ask, I have to wonder how much you really know about me. [it's a joke but also, yes, he is absolutely comparing notes because it's what he does best. it's similar enough with similar ambitions and that's enough for miles to be willing to look deeper at it.
except he blinks suddenly as he looks at the board, looks at the piece in gojou's hand and outright frowns in confusion. how??? why??? no!!!]
...well-played. [huff. he leans back in his seat then, folding his arms over his chest.] Yes, alright. You've earned it this round.
[is he preparing himself for what he knows is coming next? yes. he even waves a hand as if encouraging gojou to continue.]
You’d be surprised or maybe embarrassed by how much I paid attention to you.
[ His Greed impressions!!! Though Gojou didn’t study Miles like he did with Mahito, there were some things that just stuck, some things he related to his own, and some things he kept note just because—like if Miles commented on his snack offerings or not.
Anyway, he keeps playing with the piece which does prevent them from playing another round. This is his win!!!!! Wehehe. ]
I did say what I wanted is that you tell me more about yourself. You can add to my notes!
[ He doesn’t specify, though it was originally about the elevator. He will be Kind and Gracious. ]
[maybe both. but at the same time, it doesn't surprise him that much. isn't that partially why he was interested in gojou in the first place? he paid attention in general. so if he's surprised or embarrassed he says nothing, eyes on the king in his hand.
he makes no move to grab for it though.]
So you did. [he props his head up on his hand.] That does open up many doors for you, doesn't it? But it's also a broad topic. Where would you like me to start?
[he'll explain the elevator, but he's also unsure how much gojou's put together, how much he actually wants to know and where to start.]
[ WHY BE INTERESTED WHEN NANAMI WOULD BE LIKE man is insufferable. I would not recommend making his acquaintance unless you need something from him. Even then, is it worth it...
Anyway, he hums. Does he really want to talk about the elevator? He gets to hear anything! ]
... Your dad died in that elevator, didn’t he.
[ That’s what he pieces together from the snippet of Miles’ history he gave him. It fits the age range, too.
[it would be great if miles just stayed on the path of "this man is insufferable" but also oh well. here we are. so he expects this and at least it's been a few years since the end of everything, nearly twenty since that incident itself and miles is at least in a place he can talk about it.]
...I don't recall if I've told you this, but my father was a defense attorney. I wanted to be one myself when I was a child, so my father would bring me to court with him to sit in on his trials. It was December...a few days after Christmas, and court had been adjourned for the day. We were in the elevator preparing to leave. Us, and one of the court bailiffs. But as we were on the elevator an earthquake struck and shut down the power in the courthouse. We were inside for hours. The bailiff began to panic, and he began to argue with my father. Naturally, I was nine and wanted to make it stop. Throwing the bailiff's pistol wasn't my brightest moment, and the gun went off. All I heard was this terrible scream...I passed out after that, and when I woke up in the hospital I had learned of my father's passing. [so you can see why he believed he was the murderer for fifteen years.]
von Karma was a legend, a prosecutor with a perfect win record. He had been the prosecutor in my father's last case, and...after the trial against the bailiff, he took me in as his ward, I suppose. He raised me to become a prosecutor and strive for perfection.
[he does not necessarily clarify just how that was done or the damage that left behind, because he's pretty sure by now that's obvious. instead, he looks at the ceiling.]
Unfortunately, I was a demon attorney for four years. A perfect record, unstoppable, and essentially exactly what von Karma wanted. [there's a thin smile.] But it was my own murder trial that made me realize the error of my ways. The defense attorney on that case saved my life.
[there's another pause.] That's why I know he would never stoop so low as to present false evidence to the court just to win.
[ Wow, that's awful. There are no curses devouring people, but it's still awful? His expression stays leveled and his smile light, though he wonders why these things have to happen? Part of it is a natural disaster, but he remembers the bit Miles said before with convictions made by this von Karma. Was that necessary? Did Miles really have to go through all of this... They are all just creatures shaped by their upbringing and environment with set options available to them. If only someone else found Miles earlier, maybe put him on the right path earlier, but it's nothing they can change now. They're here, playing chess, talking about this.
Gojou decides to set up the board again, maybe this will be the last time, too. ]
Who would we be if we didn't save the life that saved ours, right?
[there are a lot of things that miles has wondered and had to come to terms with, most of which involve von karma's longcon. he lets him set up the board again, watching quietly as he ponders that.]
I suppose we wouldn't be any better than the people we needed saving from. [...he doesn't think he needs to offer the information, but he does.]
It was a part of von Karma's plan, to raise me to be a prosecutor and them frame me for the murders. All because my father's efforts in court left a penalty on his record. I learned many years later that after I had fired the gun inside the elevator, von Karma had been on the outside. When the doors opened, he saw the opportunity and shot my father, leaving the bailiff to take the fall for it.
[he looks over the board once more.] ...Wright seemed to think I needed saving long before that. I hadn't anticipated seeing him again until we were both acting as counsel in a case against his mentor's sister. He's the one who...changed me, I guess you could say. And so now it's become my own goal to fix what's gone wrong.
[ this von karma dude sounds like a clown, but Gojou is not going to say that. He knows similar people in the Jujutsu world that are just as conniving and fictional evil. This longcon sure is a lot, making Gojou's head tilt as a new round of chess begins again. ]
Just for his record...? [ Gojou knows grudges well, but uh. ] You'd kill for marks on your record? Then raise their kid to damn their kid? You almost have a sorcerer storyline and that's kind of terrifying, Miles. If I were anything like how I was ten years ago, I'd offer to kill the guy for you.
[ Cause he can see this happening in Jujutsu Kaisen. Gojou smiles even wider as he hears about Wright! What a good person, a good man, he wonders what he's like. Time to tease a bit! ]
[he is a clown, it's terrible. they start the next round though and miles nods.]
He was very particular about that for himself, me, and his daughter. Luckily for everyone involved, he's since been executed.
[he doesn't seem bothered that gojou's really out here going "i'd just kill people" and would find that as a viable solution years ago. sorcerers have their own sets of rules. also, no! he looks affronted for a brief moment, eyes narrowed at that.]
It is not romantic. Wright just doesn't know when to mind his own business. He hasn't since we were children.
[ Gojou did say if it was ten years ago. He would not kill anyone now for stuff like that... Fortunately. He is a changed man! Somewhat! Ah, the smile on his face is just filled with MISCHIEF.
EVEN MORE MISCHIEF AS MILES JUST GIVES HIM MORE. But he doesn't let it distract him from making moves and studying the board. ]
Childhood friends... To rivals... To friends... to rivals To friendly rivals... To lovers...
[another nod, more firm than the last. it's...well he still has a lot to acknowledge but for the most part yeah, good riddance. also, wow, he hates this topic suddenly.]
You can stop anytime now. That's not remotely accurate. [he looks at the board again.] Wright is simply the type of person who always takes on things that seem impossible and bumbles his way through them to a victory anyhow.
[ No. It’s okay. He will move this piece and keep it in the same position Miles originally left it. On the cold, hard board. Even if he’s using it to take Miles’ pieces. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[ JUJUTSU WORKINGS, REFINED YET ODDLY ARCHAIC. ]
That’s right! I can’t keep using my name to extend every sentence I think is unfair... No, I can, but the elders are probably sick of me and plotting to get rid of me somehow.
[ Things just happen. ]
... I’m tired of seeing people suffer.
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And yet having any influence at all isn't necessarily an easy task either. [he tilts his head. he assumes gojou being himself and being in a box is part of a scheme to get rid of him entirely, but all the same.] Repeating the same method will get predictable after a while, and somehow I've a feeling you're not great with predictability.
[...but there it is. there's the thing he understands at the core and he settles for a nod.]
That's where you and I overlap, I believe. [it's a lot of why miles always persists the truth of the matter now. life changed. sometimes a person saves you from yourself and you have a giant epiphany that everything around you is actually fucked up and should be fixed.] ...it's a noble endeavor. Even if difficult.
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[ Gojou had no struggles aside from being raised to be just as alien as curses themselves, but sorcerers will always be unhinged... Even the most human ones, but those are susceptible to spells of depression.
You grow or you don’t. It sounds like therapy can do everyone good?? ]
You think so? I don’t know about noble... It’s not like I bleed for every sob story. I just think it’s annoying because humans are weak, so they easily break.
[ That’s how he would put it. They are not soft, nice words... But yeah he cares about people. ]
It’s either the world becomes better or humans become better and I think the former is easier.
[ fucking yikes. ]
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Are you technically not still a subspecies of human? [he would prefer they weren't soft caring words because he always takes logic over emotion. he doesn't seem perturbed by this stance either, even if he raises an eyebrow briefly.]
Considering that humans are a cause of many of the worlds problems, I suppose I'm inclined to agree. [there's a pause.] ...but I do think people can become better. Some people. With effort and time. So those two together should be efficient don't you think?
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I am, I am. [ HE GETS WHAT MILES IS SAYING BUT WHY DOES IT SOUND LIKE YOURE ASKING IF HES AN ALIEN. ] Sure, I’m stronger than most, but I was broken, too. Crisis situation: you grow or you rot.
[ Jazz hands! ]
I do! It’s not enough for the world to change or for people to become stronger. You need a mix of both. May those people be our allies.
Same stakes?
[ Since they’re a couple of moves till checkmate. ]
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Just checking. [there's a small smirk about it though. but it's another similar set of circumstances. he has since learned it takes both prosecution and defense to get the truth and make the world better. having one instead of the other doesn't make the situation the best and balanced it could be. but he doesn't voice that. he assumes the nod of understanding is enough.]
But sure. Same stakes. [it's easier that way, he thinks. and maybe it's easier to discuss things when there are stakes involved.]
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Comparing my notes with yours?
[ He laughs a bit because he understands despite the different problems. They’re similar enough situations with similar ambitions. Are their methods of the same nature? Gojou is thinking Miles is more... Earnest in that regard, maybe.
Guess who won the coin flip this time, it is heads for Gojou. He obnoxiously takes the most important piece and twirls it between his fingers. ]
Ahhh, looks like this king is mine!
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except he blinks suddenly as he looks at the board, looks at the piece in gojou's hand and outright frowns in confusion. how??? why??? no!!!]
...well-played. [huff. he leans back in his seat then, folding his arms over his chest.] Yes, alright. You've earned it this round.
[is he preparing himself for what he knows is coming next? yes. he even waves a hand as if encouraging gojou to continue.]
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[ His Greed impressions!!! Though Gojou didn’t study Miles like he did with Mahito, there were some things that just stuck, some things he related to his own, and some things he kept note just because—like if Miles commented on his snack offerings or not.
Anyway, he keeps playing with the piece which does prevent them from playing another round. This is his win!!!!! Wehehe. ]
I did say what I wanted is that you tell me more about yourself. You can add to my notes!
[ He doesn’t specify, though it was originally about the elevator. He will be Kind and Gracious. ]
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he makes no move to grab for it though.]
So you did. [he props his head up on his hand.] That does open up many doors for you, doesn't it? But it's also a broad topic. Where would you like me to start?
[he'll explain the elevator, but he's also unsure how much gojou's put together, how much he actually wants to know and where to start.]
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Anyway, he hums. Does he really want to talk about the elevator? He gets to hear anything! ]
... Your dad died in that elevator, didn’t he.
[ That’s what he pieces together from the snippet of Miles’ history he gave him. It fits the age range, too.
The scream though. Ugh. No, let’s ask this: ]
What saved you from being a Demon Attorney?
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...I don't recall if I've told you this, but my father was a defense attorney. I wanted to be one myself when I was a child, so my father would bring me to court with him to sit in on his trials. It was December...a few days after Christmas, and court had been adjourned for the day. We were in the elevator preparing to leave. Us, and one of the court bailiffs. But as we were on the elevator an earthquake struck and shut down the power in the courthouse. We were inside for hours. The bailiff began to panic, and he began to argue with my father. Naturally, I was nine and wanted to make it stop. Throwing the bailiff's pistol wasn't my brightest moment, and the gun went off. All I heard was this terrible scream...I passed out after that, and when I woke up in the hospital I had learned of my father's passing. [so you can see why he believed he was the murderer for fifteen years.]
von Karma was a legend, a prosecutor with a perfect win record. He had been the prosecutor in my father's last case, and...after the trial against the bailiff, he took me in as his ward, I suppose. He raised me to become a prosecutor and strive for perfection.
[he does not necessarily clarify just how that was done or the damage that left behind, because he's pretty sure by now that's obvious. instead, he looks at the ceiling.]
Unfortunately, I was a demon attorney for four years. A perfect record, unstoppable, and essentially exactly what von Karma wanted. [there's a thin smile.] But it was my own murder trial that made me realize the error of my ways. The defense attorney on that case saved my life.
[there's another pause.] That's why I know he would never stoop so low as to present false evidence to the court just to win.
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Gojou decides to set up the board again, maybe this will be the last time, too. ]
Who would we be if we didn't save the life that saved ours, right?
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I suppose we wouldn't be any better than the people we needed saving from. [...he doesn't think he needs to offer the information, but he does.]
It was a part of von Karma's plan, to raise me to be a prosecutor and them frame me for the murders. All because my father's efforts in court left a penalty on his record. I learned many years later that after I had fired the gun inside the elevator, von Karma had been on the outside. When the doors opened, he saw the opportunity and shot my father, leaving the bailiff to take the fall for it.
[he looks over the board once more.] ...Wright seemed to think I needed saving long before that. I hadn't anticipated seeing him again until we were both acting as counsel in a case against his mentor's sister. He's the one who...changed me, I guess you could say. And so now it's become my own goal to fix what's gone wrong.
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Just for his record...? [ Gojou knows grudges well, but uh. ] You'd kill for marks on your record? Then raise their kid to damn their kid? You almost have a sorcerer storyline and that's kind of terrifying, Miles. If I were anything like how I was ten years ago, I'd offer to kill the guy for you.
[ Cause he can see this happening in Jujutsu Kaisen. Gojou smiles even wider as he hears about Wright! What a good person, a good man, he wonders what he's like. Time to tease a bit! ]
You know, this almost sounds romantic.
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He was very particular about that for himself, me, and his daughter. Luckily for everyone involved, he's since been executed.
[he doesn't seem bothered that gojou's really out here going "i'd just kill people" and would find that as a viable solution years ago. sorcerers have their own sets of rules. also, no! he looks affronted for a brief moment, eyes narrowed at that.]
It is not romantic. Wright just doesn't know when to mind his own business. He hasn't since we were children.
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[ Gojou did say if it was ten years ago. He would not kill anyone now for stuff like that... Fortunately. He is a changed man! Somewhat! Ah, the smile on his face is just filled with MISCHIEF.
EVEN MORE MISCHIEF AS MILES JUST GIVES HIM MORE. But he doesn't let it distract him from making moves and studying the board. ]
Childhood friends... To rivals... To friends... to rivals To friendly rivals... To lovers...
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You can stop anytime now. That's not remotely accurate. [he looks at the board again.] Wright is simply the type of person who always takes on things that seem impossible and bumbles his way through them to a victory anyhow.
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[ That's a pattern Gojou kind of picked up, but wow... Miles is so ANGY about this Wright guy. ]
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We're friends. We fell out of touch for several years, but we've made amends.
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He wants to laugh so bad, but he’s just in a state of shock?? ]
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...he sets the piece upright again? quit looking at him like that.]
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When you save him, are you going to gloat?
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Why on earth would I do such a thing?
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[ WHY IS THAT A QUESTION? ]
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