week four, saturday

[jettisons]

[After that fun announcement, Bellamy is frazzled, nerves absolutely frayed. There's too much to think about, but that all gets shoved to the back burner when he sees Lucina's vote. He's so wound up that his worry turns into anger, and so he corners her as everyone begins to disperse.]

What the hell was that, Lucina?

Comments

[rightfully]

[ Lucina starts to spread her hands, but remembering she only has one left, the gesture is a bit ... awkward.

A sigh. ]

I could not vote for someone when the end result would bring Magilou pain, nor could I be complicit in your death.

[ She's just tired of deciding who lives and who dies by something as cowardly as papers in a box. Performing executions is one thing; this is another. Both are ways to assert her presence in a situation where she's forced to submit. Only, this time, would she have been able to execute a child?

Or Bellamy himself?

... it's unlikely. ]

[jettisons]

So you put yourself on the chopping block instead? They could kill you tomorrow.

[His voice is wavering just slightly, and he can't seem to control it.]

[rightfully]

... They won't.

[ Shaking her head, her hair swishes about her neck, down her back. ]

Their punishment is only an effective deterrent while I am alive.

[jettisons]

Lucina.

[He grabs for her hand, the movement desperate.]

Why the hell are you so self-sacrificial?

[rightfully]

[ Her hand tenses somewhat in his, fingers spasming. This time, she doesn't pull away. There isn't that familiar, telltale tug of resistance, like he might be used to by now.

Her wrist grows limp. ]

There is nothing they can take from me.

[jettisons]

[He tightens his grip automatically, shaking his head.]

I need you here. I can't do this without you. None of us can. If nothing else gets through to you, that should.

[rightfully]

[ Can he truly afford to think like that, though?

What happened to Serph is proof enough that the rules around this game can be broken if someone wills it strongly enough, that they have no reason to trust that Thursday night is the only night worth fearing, that people are here to die. She had barely recognised the weapon Neku had used, but she isn't confident she can deflect whatever ballistic it had poured into Serph.

Lucina doesn't say all that, not yet. ]

Tomorrow, I will accept whatever punishment they mete out, and I will walk away, because -- [ did it really have so much to do with wanting to protect those she cares about, or is she just... sick of the democratic approach to death? ] ... because I am a soldier. I am tired of not looking those I kill in the eye. I will not be accomplice to this cowardly method a day longer!

[ She's probably going to keep voting for herself until the game ends, at this point.

Calmly, Lucina finishes -- ]

Like I said, there is nothing they can take from me. Not truly.

[jettisons]

[She's so stubborn. Usually, Bellamy can match that intensity, but he's too keyed up from the trial and announcement to manage it this time.]

So you're going to let them torture you so you don't have to vote?

[rightfully]

[ Honestly, without this level of stubborn, she probably would have given up and died in a zombie-infested wasteland, so... be grateful, dude. ]

Yes.

[ Her intensity does ramp down somewhat, expression gentling. ]

If it's only pain, then that is something I can endure.

[jettisons]

[His doesn't ramp down at all. Bellamy's scowling, arms crossed.]

Why do you think you deserve to suffer more than everyone else here?

[rightfully]

It isn't about what I deserve.

[ Don't make her out to be some sort of masochist! ]

It is about what I can take. I would rather let them hurt me than continue to pretend that putting papers in a box is the right way to decide who lives and who dies.

[ FUCK THAT
- Lucina, 2k17 ]

[jettisons]

None of these people deserves to die. You think the Sirens deserve it for being forced into their roles? You think Laphicet deserves it? Nothing we do except ending this game is going to protect anyone, and giving yourself up on a platter to them every week doesn't help.

[Deep down, selfishly, Bellamy just doesn't want to see Lucina hurt.]

[rightfully]

Perhaps not.

[ He's still holding her hand. For the first time, there's a single of line in her tense fingers, clinging faster to his.

She is a little frightened of what will happen tomorrow, although she doesn't dare show it. ]

I am sorry you feel this way, but my mind is made up.

[jettisons]

God damn it.

[He knows he's not going to get through to her, so he drops her hand, pulling back.]

Fine. Do what you want.

[rightfully]

[ At that, she can't help but look a little pained. ]

Bellamy...

[jettisons]

[He doesn't have the emotional energy to deal with this right now, so he just pushes on to the next topic. They have planning to get done, so he closes off.]

I'm going to talk to Prussia and Vriska tonight.

[rightfully]

[ And, at that, she can't help but look a little apprehensive. ]

... Are you going to reveal me?

[jettisons]

No, not until you're ready.

[Except...]

They're going to want to meet with you.

[rightfully]

I would expect as much.

[ With Bellamy, she dares look a little less than composed, her mind repeating the mantra it's been living with for weeks, If I am wrong, I am dead —

Lucina blinks slowly, but there's somewhat in it. ]

Do you trust them?

[jettisons]

Yes. I'll be with you the entire time. Nothing is going to happen to you.

[rightfully]

[ That hardly feels like a promise he can make, but Lucina doesn't say that aloud. At this point, she's weary enough to blindly put her faith in something so untested. ]

As you say.

[ And then, wearily, ]

Bellamy, should the worst come to pass...

[jettisons]

[He nearly cuts her off, because he doesn't want to hear it, but what happened to Serph is proof enough that there's no real way to be safe here. It's clear from his expression that he's not enjoying this line of thought regardless.]

What?

[rightfully]

- thank you.

[ He's being so hostile, she almost keeps it to herself.

Truthfully, though? Lucina is tired of keeping things to herself. ]

... for everything. You've been a good friend.

[jettisons]

[Well, that gets the hostility to ebb... pretty much entirely. He nods, not quite meeting her gaze.]

You deserve it.