jettisons | week two, sunday

[ She mislikes being dragged like this, looking rather severe and full-heighted. Really, it's quite impressive, pulling posture like you're pulling rank in a bright yellow sundress.

Her expression is especially quarrelsome, jaw tensing. ]

I already explained the reasoning. This is unnecessary. Bellamy, please. [ ... can we not upset Nino any further? ]

[Nino can take it, it's fine....... Nino stumbles along with the dragging, and then blinks at him slowly.]

... Um... that's right. We couldn't figure out who did it.

And... it wasn't against the rules.

[So they couldn't punish them for it.]

I didn't...want to vote for Miss Austria.

[Unsurprisingly, it's Nino who gets him to soften and he sighs, shoulders relaxing slightly.]

I get it, Nino, but we agreed you wouldn't do this again. We don't know what counts as a protest vote.

[But the more important thing here is Lucina, and when Bellamy looks up at her, his expression is steely again.]

And you. Next time you want to pull a stunt like that, you bring it to me.

[ Her lips seem to go a little white as she presses them together. ]

I beg your pardon?

[ ... No. Forget it. He isn't given a chance to explain as a scowl overtakes her expression. She is utterly unimpressed and it manifests coldly. Although she is typically a creature of manners, courtesy, she was still raised with the expectation of her own power. ]

Let me be very clear. I do not answer to you. My decisions are my own, and I will not be ordered about this way.

[ seriously, do you want to fucking fight X( ]/small>

Ah...

[UM...]

It... it's just a scary thing, I know, but...! We're okay, and that's what matters, and... and maybe there won't be a next time...

[Please don't fight.]

But you might not be okay next time.

[Sorry, Nino, they're gonna fight.]

This isn't an order, this is common sense. If something went wrong, would you want me on the chopping block or her?

[It's pretty obvious Bellamy thinks the correct answer is emphatically "not Nino".]

[ Sighing, she forces herself to calm down. For Nino. ]

I did not foresee the way the votes were skewed. That was my error, I admit it. However, that and your expectation that I need to clear all my choices with you are utterly removed from one another. Nino and I made a choice. I'm sorry, but it had nothing to do with you.

[ Shaking her head -- ] You do not lead this island, Bellamy. Don't presume to tell me what to do, and stop acting like Nino wasn't a willing participant.

[ Respect Nino's agency! As Lucina is speaking, she'll occasionally steal brief glances at the girl in question, to ensure she isn't becoming too upset by all this. ]

[What the fuck, Bellamy!!!!

Nino is upset, but not over the actual argument, but more so--]

Bellamy! You can't say that!

[What the fuck!!]

I don't want you to get voted for either! You have to live too!

Then you should have told her no.

[God, Lucina! Save Nino! Speaking of Nino, she's breaking Bellamy's heart right now, and he turns to her again, shaking his head firmly.]

I'm fine. I don't want you getting hurt again, or worse.

Perhaps I should have. However, what's done is done. I'm sorry.

[ Dropping her stoniness for a moment, Lucina rubs at her face briefly, before giving Nino a comforting touch on the shoulder.

But, when she speaks again, she's only addressing Bellamy. ]

... Hear this. Whatever happens next, no matter what you think or feel -- I am asking you to trust me. [ She catches and holds his gaze, eyes careful on his. ] Will you promise me?

[None of this is okay???

Nino's still frowning, expression tense, even if she settles a little bit at the touch--but she still shakes her head.]

W-wait... it was my choice too. And... you still have to live...

[She's not entirely sure what's going on here with Lucina's request, but...]

[Bellamy locks eyes with Lucina for just a moment before turning back to Nino, reaching out to squeeze her hand.]

Nino, listen to me. I'm going to be fine, alright? I don't want you worrying about me.

[Her safety is far more important, at least in Bellamy's mind. When his attention returns to Lucina, that softness in his expression has disappeared again, and his voice is quiet.]

What's going to happen next, Lucina?

[ It's not the answer she was looking for, but there's nothing she can do about that. ]

I don't know.

[ Her shoulders don't dare sink. The heel of her hand hovers at her side, reaching for something that isn't there. Falchion's hilt, and the comfort it would bring. She's forced herself to live without it.

Lucina looks down, over. ]

Nino, peace. Neither of us are going to leave you, alright? I won't allow it.

[It's hard to be at peace when people keep talking about things like this. She frowns a little, expression tight--but doesn't otherwise argue it.

Instead, she bows her head quietly.]

... I just don't want either of you to get hurt either.

[Bellamy studies Lucina for a moment, then exhales.]

I trust you.

[He does honestly believe Lucina wants the best for Nino, at the very least, and refusing to vote for Austria was admirable even if he didn't agree with it. Besides, he can't afford to push anyone away in this situation. Bellamy runs a hand through his hair, then crouches down to hug Nino tightly. He can't quite bring himself to keep promising to her that neither of them will get hurt, because he knows he can't back it up, as nice as it might sound.]

[ Lucina watches the scene unfold, punctuated by Bellamy's words as they hang in the air.

The smile she gives may be a bit sad, but it's entirely hers. ]

[...Oh.

She's still someone who had an entirely stunted childhood; the hug is unexpected, but...incredibly appreciated. She leans into it, single remaining eye fluttering shut, sighing contentedly.

It's...a help, even if she's still worried about both of them.

Eventually, though--she speaks up.]

... I want you to stay safe too, Miss Lucina... we need you.

[Nino leans into the hug and Bellamy doesn't move. The poor kid probably needs this, and he's not going to cut it short before she does. He glances up at Lucina, giving her the barest nod.]

She's right.

...

[ Nino's words, and Bellamy's own affirmation to them, startles her back to a more solemn expression. The tableau they've created between them is another thing not for her, but - but it feels a little less like she's intruding when they say such things.

It helps her feel less tired, less than bird-boned. ]

I know.

[ It's the wrong promise to make, but... ]

You have my word.

[Nino pulls away eventually, but it's with a bright smile at Bellamy--she appreciates it completely, after all.]

... Okay.

[So first off, to Bellamy:]

I'm sorry we scared you. We'll be more careful in the future.

[And then to Lucina:]

And...thank you. For helping me. I couldn't... I couldn't vote for Miss Austria. [Not when she was so kind to her.]

[Once Nino pulls away, he stands up again.]

I get it. I'm sorry you both had to make that choice. I'm going to do whatever it takes to get us all out of here, I promise.

[ Her eyes widen a fraction. Only briefly, only a moment.

Softly, she says, ]

I hope you will accept help in your effort. There is nothing you need to do alone, Bellamy.

[ Nino will get a belated nod, a tiny smile. ]

Of course. I wouldn't let you take that chance alone.

[And, fiercely:]

Me too!

I want to help too...!

[She's, you know. Nino. She'll do her best.]

I can use all the help I can get.

[He's actually smiling, just barely, and then it's gone.]

I don't want anyone else to die.

No. On that, I think we all agree.

[ Bless you, Nino. Impulsively, Lucina will gather her close for a moment, an affectionate gesture that isn't nearly a hug.

She doesn't really do those.

To Bellamy: ]

Thank you... for trusting me.

[It's fine--Nino will complete the gesture, throwing her arms around Lucina in a proper hug.

So there.]

Heheh... I'm sure that with all of us working together and trying hard, we can do it!

[Bellamy shoots Lucina a grateful look. He wants as many people keeping an eye out for Nino as possible.]

That's right. We'll figure this out.

[ Lucina is a little startled by the hug, as Nino's arms wrap around her slender frame. For a moment, she's floundering visibly, not sure where to put her arms. Eventually, she gets it.

Hey. :') ]

I believe you're right.

[ Over Nino's head, she gives Bellamy a look, lips parting like she's about to say something else. Silence. It only results in another smile, as tenuous as ever.

She's been praying every night, despite her encouraging words. ]

[Good job, Lucina, she's proud of you.

Eventually she does pull away, but it's just to smile at both of them.]

Right! [It's utterly blind optimism--but sometimes, that's all they have.]

But...thank you for looking out for us too, Bellamy. I'm sorry we scared you.

It's okay. I'm not upset with you.

[He just wants to keep her safe. He wants to keep everyone safe, and he's becoming more and more terrified he won't be able to.]

[ Arms thus freed and torso reclaimed, Lucina doesn't find herself reaching for the empty air around Falchion's would-be hilt anymore. ]

Are we all good, then?

[Nino just nods quietly, looking content and far more settled.

It's hard not to feel better about everything when Bellamy and Lucina are both trying so hard to keep everyone safe.

It has to be fine like that. It has to.]

We're good.

[Nino is feeling better, at least, and that's something.]

Hey, Nino, you mind if I borrow Lucina for a minute? We'll be right back.

[ Lucina doesn't allow herself the time to look surprised, not with Nino present. She gives the younger girl a kind nod. ]

It's alright.

Um... okay!

[Nino just shakes her head--naturally she doesn't mind at all.

CARRY ON.]

[Bellamy shoots Nino a smile and then touches Lucina's arm, leading her away. Only when he's sure Nino won't be able to hear does he stop, and even then, he pitches his voice low.]

Lucina, I need to ask you something if we're going to trust each other.

[ She folds her arms together, for whatever message it sends. Her expression is a fair bit more shuttered than it had been a moment ago. ]

Of course.

[ There's a perfunctory note to her tone. ]

What is it, Bellamy?

[That's not the best sign, and Bellamy crosses his arms unconsciously. He's already here. Might as well give it a shot.]

If anything happens to me, make sure Raven and Nino get out of this. Please.

[ She hardly knows what he expects her to do in such a situation. It's a heavy charge, one she barely feels prepared for. Then again, her life has largely been her doing things blindly, because she has to, because no one else will, and hoping direly for the best. Lucina did ask for his trust; it's worth little if she can't offer something in return.

Her body language becomes a little more open. ]

Of course. [ It isn't her intention to abandon anyone, not willingly. ] I promise. I'll do everything in my power.

[He relaxes visibly, exhaling.]

Thank you. Don't worry, I'm not planning on going anywhere.

week two, sunday

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wow look i can actually use my hugging icon this is a miracle

go hug everyone on moron island bellamy

start with lucina

he's gonna

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