![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
week four, sunday
[A few hours after the execution, Bellamy finds a nice, secluded place for everyone to talk. He's not exactly sure how he should expect this to go, but he sticks close to Lucina, because he knows she's still not entirely comfortable with this plan. Still, Raven told him to find a better way. This is the only one he can think of. Once everyone is settled, he'll start off. It's not the usual rousing, motivational speech he's sometimes capable of. He's too exhausted.]
Thanks. I appreciate that you were all willing to do this.
[It's probably super dangerous, but they're down to the wire here, so what isn't?]
We've got four days to figure something out. I don't want to let anyone else die, and I don't think you do, either.
Thanks. I appreciate that you were all willing to do this.
[It's probably super dangerous, but they're down to the wire here, so what isn't?]
We've got four days to figure something out. I don't want to let anyone else die, and I don't think you do, either.
no subject
no subject
Then let's get chattin' like we're at some kind of world conference and we can't get lunch until we get a decision. I've got the neutral role, [her lips twist in clear disgust at the word "neutral,"] So I'll play Switzerland and hear you guys out.
no subject
But they are indeed out of options. So Vriska draws in a breath and gets started. ]
So color me surprised there was a role I didn't know about, [ she says to Prussia with a greasy smile. ] I just found out two days ago. I should have known a role like yours would exist.
And you! [ points at Lucina, back to frowning. ] Fuck, I've been looking for you everywhere! I've been told you know every possible way to end this game. So spill. What do you know that we don't?
no subject
Well, first things first.
(If I'm wrong, I'm dead—) ]
... You were misled.
There is no volcanic spirit.
[ That hadn't meant much to Lucina, honestly.
It may mean the world to Vriska, however, for all Lucina herself is unaware. ]
no subject
no subject
[Prussia returns the grin before turning her attention to Lucina. The grin fades, replaced by a look of puzzled confusion.]
So you're saying the volcano won't blow us into outer space if we don't follow the rules, huh? How's your role work, explain it to me!
no subject
And then she'll sigh and gesture loosely, her expression somewhat flat. ]
The Sirens have a rulebook, just like the village at large does. The rulebook laid out facts as we knew them, and that included all the shit about the volcano spirit. Everything Battler said at the trial was true, as we knew it! Worse, all five of us Sirens just had this feeling. We were all certain we'd seen it before! I am still certain I've seen it, though I couldn't tell you when or what it looked like. Just know we were operating under the sincere belief that it was real.
I found out yesterday that we were all duped. You're correct. There is no spirit.
[ She sounds tired. ]
Because Hal is a huge gaping asshole and it turns out the Sirens are not immune to his mental fuckery.
no subject
It is not your fault. You had no reason to distrust his word, especially if he was capable of exerting control over your perception, as you said.
[ There's a subtle implication there; he never did that to Lucina, after all. She had been fed scraps of information up until the moment she volunteered to die to end the game, and Hal had taken pity on her. Or something. Perhaps he was always going to reveal his hand at that point.
As for Prussia's question... ]
My role - primarily, I investigate. However, I do know how to end the game. You're both correct in that regard.
The game will not end when the island population is reduced to seven. That would bring out consequences far more dire than I believe any of us want.
[ Is she going to say what those consequences are?
... Apparently not. They're welcome to ask at any point, however. Anyone is welcome to ask whatever they wish at any point. Whether or not they'll like the answer they receive is somewhat else altogether. ]
The game will end when all five Sirens are dead. I've known your identities for a few days, now. I had not yet fully committed to that option; however, my work keeps being done for me. There are only two of you remaining, correct? [ She's asking Vriska. ]
no subject
There's no other way? Nothing?
no subject
There is one other way.
[ -- while refusing to meet anyone's eye. ]
no subject
[Come on, Lucina!]
no subject
no subject
[ And, if you all hadn't fucking voted to execute her partner, perhaos she'd be a little better equipped for it! ]
I would need to locate someone without a role, who has not killed. If I can convince them to end their own life, freely and of their own will, the game will end.
[ Somewhat crumples in her expression, lips going a bit pale. ]
However, it would be permanent, unlike every other killing that's been committed so far.
no subject
[ abruptly incensed, Vriska will stalk away a few steps and then return in a high fury. ]
We're not fucking doing that. I know how to end the game. But I can't tell you.
no subject
And what happens if only seven of us are left?
[Might as well lay it all on the table.]
no subject
[ AND THAT WOULD SUCK
She looks a little grateful for the reassuring contact. ]
no subject
no subject
[ Lucina's brow twists, not unlike the vague stirrings of frustration. ]
Did you not just say, 'now is not the time to fuck around'?
[ Welp. Someone wash a princess's mouth out with soap. ]
no subject
[ Vriska will pace away again, running her hands over her hair, trying to calm down. ]
I'm not even sure what I can say. How much I'm risking everything by being here. I never should have agreed to this.
[ she is failing to calm down. ]
no subject
[Bellamy moves away from Lucina now, reaching for Vriska's hands instead.]
We can figure this out. We can do this. Take your time and think through it. What are you risking?
no subject
[ Unlike Bellamy, Lucina is a little less willing to sit around and wait until Vriska feels like sorting herself out.
Her expression is a bit quarrelsome. ]
What would you have me do, Vriska? I can end this.
no subject
Bellamy, I fucked up. I always think I'm so clever! When am I going to learn I'm not as smart as I think I am?
[ A deep breath in and out, actual attempts to calm down. ]
... I honestly don't know what would happen. I'm just pretty sure none of us would like it.
[ Vriska will give Lucina a long look, her expression now inscrutable. For a long time she is silent, thinking hard. Finally, slowly: ]
... I can't tell you.
[ She'll curl her hands around Bellamy's. The way she talks is very ... clear, deliberate, and she fixes Lucina with a suddenly intense look. ]
But Bellamy can, even though he doesn't know it yet. Trust him. You'll have to do this without me, but he can help you more than anyone else on this island. In fact, he is the only one who can help you now.
no subject
What? Vriska, what are you talking about?
no subject
More crypticisms.
[ You deal with this, Bellamy
!! ]
no subject
There is something only you know. You are the only person who was told. Use that knowledge to win. Help Lucina. Both of you can end this.
[ more quietly: ]
You can figure this out. Show me that I put my faith in the right person.
[ A deep breath and she'll disengage their hands.
At Lucina, very dryly: ]
Trust me, nobody hates this shit more than me right now.
no subject
Who told me? You? Raven?
no subject
Nah, that's my limit for cryptic garbage today! Man. I always hated this nonsense when I had to figure it out back home. I always preferred to just cut right through the bullshit and do things my own way! Serves me right for scheming and meddling.
[ To Lucina, more sincerely: ] I'm sorry I could not do more. My silence isn't by choice! I meant every word I said about tearing this game apart, you know. But it is out of my hands now.
no subject
[Prussia's been getting quietly angrier and angrier the whole time, but she said! She'd play Switzerland!! Now it's time to be even more Swiss than anything else.]
Or do the two of you get to die forever, too?
no subject
[ Which is why Lucina is still heavily favouring that option, especially in the wake of...
all this. ]
no subject
Do you really think I can answer that? Figure it out.
no subject
Enough. Are you two going to help me think or just fight over who gets to slaughter them first?
[That's his mean voice, oops.]
no subject
Then how fucking selfish can the two of you be?! Especially if it's impermanent!! If it meant my people could come back, I'd off myself in a heartbeat!! Even if it was forever!! Even if I never saw West again, even if it meant my name would be erased from the history books, even if it meant nothing I did in my entire life mattered, I'd bring them back!!
no subject
[ Vriska flaps a hand and steps away. ]
You three can have a nice talk. There's nothing more I can do, so honestly, I am going to go take a nap.
no subject
[ A hitch to Lucina's voice, and an inscrutable tinge to her expression. Mistakeable for nothing. ]
Thank you.
[ go nap now, tiny volatile child ]
no subject
and will offer a smile that is sincerely kind, if very wan. ]
You're welcome. I'm sorry I couldn't do more. I have faith in you and Bellamy. You can do this. Save us all like the heroes you are, okay?
[ a brief, brilliant grin. ]
Oh, and...
[ Vriska tilts her head, looking thoughtful. ]
I can probably be a little more direct with this. You're safe this week.
[ turns to go, and with a wave, departs. ]
no subject
HEY!!
Tell me who your target is this week. If they won't let me kill you, at least let me save their fuckin' partner!
no subject
[ #BYE ]
no subject
I cannot help you in this, Bellamy. I don't know the answer. You do.
no subject
You said you'd give me time, so give it to me. Stop pushing this.
no subject
[ His look is met with only light, sad understanding. ]
... I'm trying.
[ but this game has kind of kicked the crap out of her
just saying ]
no subject
[Prussia at least waits until Vriska departs before opening her mouth again.]
This is stupid!! Why play fucking word games, why wait any longer when we can just end it and all go home?!
no subject
[He's so tired! Let him rest!]
Just give me some time. That's all I'm asking.