A short conversation, mostly between canon character accounts, posted on Paradox Tribe in the leadup to Battle of Unity Round 2 (KARMA), between Iori and the members of AMPRULE, on January 23, 2025. I've excised and summarized all of the fan comment replies and left in only the canon character interactions here!
Iori - 12:03
Guess everyone's busy 'cause it's lunchtime?
[User comment replies; Iori greets users, and explains that the two members of AMPRULE will be coming soon.]
Dongha - 12:05
Oi. What are you doing here?
[User comment replies; Iori replies to one more person before responding.]
Iori - 12:06
Oh, here y'are.
Chungsung - 12:06
I was not made aware in advance that you would be here today.
Iori -12:07
Don't sweat the small stuff! Life's all about improvisation!
Iori - 12:08
And besides that, we're in the same unit, so we may as well get along! Right?
Dongha - 12:09
I suppose there's nothing to be done about it.
Iori - 12:10
Good stuff, good stuff. Just what I'd expect outta the young master of the Yeon family.
Dongha - 12:10
So why are you here?
Iori - 12:12
Yesterday, Danna and his lot in TCW were talking about the photoshoot. Thought I'd like to hear some of that myself!
Chungsung - 12:12
If that is the case, then where should we begin?
Iori - 12:13
Well lemme start out by saying that you were dressed up real nice, weren't you, mister butler, lol
Chungsung - 12:14
Is that so? Only doing things on such a level as we did at the photoshoot is nothing truly impressive at all, I would say.
Iori - 12:15
What exactly do you mean "things on such a level", lol
Iori - 12:16
Any rate, looks like bocchan is used to being photographed, don't it~?
Dognha - 12:16
Naturally. Interviews are a matter of everyday course.
Chungsung - 12:17
Allow me to say that you cut quite the heroic figure, bocchama.
Iori - 12:18
If you say so.
Chungsung - 12:18
We had some poses prepared in advance by the director of the shoot; however, bocchama took the initiative to wrap the ribbon around the cane in his possession and held it towards the camera.
Iori - 12:18
Did he now? Well, that's the spirit.
Chungsung - 12:18
Everyone present held their breath in awe; the sight was so beautiful that it was easily on par with the sight of King Arthur, great knight of the Round Table, drawing his sword from its bed of stone.
Iori - 12:19
I... see, lol
Iori - 12:20
You certainly got a lot to say! I'm startin' to wonder whether this is how our own Zen would talk about me in turn, lol
Iori - 12:20
But of course, he ain't my butler!
Chungsung - 12:20
That is, at any rate, how it appeared to me. Everyone, what did all of you think? I would be most grateful if you could share with me your thoughts.
Iori - 12:21
Yeah, that's right. Heads, you got a chance now to let 'em hear all you got to say~
[User comment replies; Iori continues chatting with users 100% off-topic and all about himself; Chungsung's replies are his general polite ones, though remarks include that there were many photos that worms would not be able to see and that he cannot give the ribbon used during the photoshoot away, Dongha is his usual self.]
Chungsung - 12:40
Bocchama, it is nearly time for your next appointment.
Iori - 12:40
Whoops, looks like time's up already
Iori - 12:41
Well, since I'm sure everyone wants to hear about it, please tell us something about the song you're working on now!
Dongha - 12:41
It incorporates elements of the path that we will continue to walk in the future, while still retaining the majesty, nobility, and splendor of that which came before.
Chungsung - 12:42
Both the path we have walked thus far and the path that awaits us are difficult ones.
Dongha - 12:43
Even if the path may be full of thorns, there is no time to worry about where you will step. Such things are left for the worms.
Dongha - 12:44
What remains is the vast, blank canvas of a yet-unseen future. Whatever I set my mind to accomplishing, I will definitely be sure to accomplish it.
Even if my feet are made to bleed by the thorns and stained, that only means that path I walk will become a red carpet.
Iori - 12:45
Ooh. Just reading what you've got to say about it has got me real excited. I'm really lookin' forward to hearing an awesome song.
Dongha - 12:46
Who do you think I am? Simply sit and wait.
Iori - 12:47
Good stuff, good stuff, you got a real shine to 'ya. Guess I'll just have to wait like you said!
Chungsung - 12:48
Well, you have my sincerest apologies, but we are presently out of time. Suiseki-sama, and everyone else, I hope that you continue to be well.
Iori - 12:48
Sure am! This oughta be a fun one.
Iori - 12:49
Boyo's got some impressive fighting spirit, don't he~?
[User comment replies; Iori continues to linger for a little while and continues to answer completely off-topic remarks, mostly about himself]
Iori - 12:59
Well, would'ya look at that! The sixth men we got here, AMPRULE comin' from the same unit as us, and AMPRULE's heads all gettin' along like one big happy family!
But on that note, sorry to impose myself so much on all of you, AMPRULE heads; hope you'll forgive me for that!
Let's go kick some ass!!
See all y'all later~! Don't let your guard down~