week four, sunday

[jettisons]

[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.

Comments

[jettisons]

[He slips his fingers through Vriska's, squeezes back, but it's automatic rather than an active attempt to comfort her. He's utterly thrown by that.]

What? Vriska, what are you talking about?

[rightfully]

[ Lucina sighs, looking impatient and well on her way to unhappy. ]

More crypticisms.

[ You deal with this, Bellamy

!! ]

[hypertoxic]

[ Vriska grips his hands tightly, looking up into his face with that same intensity she directed at Lucina. ]

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.

[jettisons]

[What? Vriska.]

Who told me? You? Raven?

[hypertoxic]

[ She'll grin suddenly, crooked and strange and speechlessly exhausted. ]

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.

[eisenundblut]

Hang on, maybe even my ears are too cool to hear everything, but if one innocent person dying forever is one way, and the two of you dying isn't permanent and brings everyone back, then isn't our course of option pretty damn obvious?

[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?

[rightfully]

No. The death of the remaining Sirens would be inpermanent.

[ Which is why Lucina is still heavily favouring that option, especially in the wake of...

all this. ]

[hypertoxic]

[ Vriska gives her a flat look. ]

Do you really think I can answer that? Figure it out.

[jettisons]

[Bellamy is already scowling by the time Lucina and Prussia speak up, and then he rolls his eyes.]

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.]

[eisenundblut]

[gestures above to lucina tbh]

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!!

[hypertoxic]

Don't call them selfish for not wanting to kill or not wanting to commit suicide, what the fuck is wrong with you? You are beyond obnoxious. Will you ever grow up past your childish, myopic ideals?

[ 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.

[rightfully]

Vriska.

[ A hitch to Lucina's voice, and an inscrutable tinge to her expression. Mistakeable for nothing. ]

Thank you.

[ go nap now, tiny volatile child ]

[hypertoxic]

[ Vriska will pause, turning to look at her,

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. ]

[eisenundblut]

[-Or actually-]

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!

[hypertoxic]

We don't have one yet, we haven't met to vote on it! Come see me in a few days.

[ #BYE ]

[rightfully]

[ Lucina, who certainly understands Prussia's sentiment more than Bellany's at the moment, takes a more practical route to her answer. ]

I cannot help you in this, Bellamy. I don't know the answer. You do.

[jettisons]

[He shoots her a look.]

You said you'd give me time, so give it to me. Stop pushing this.

[rightfully]

Bellamy.

[ 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 ]

[eisenundblut]

I don't get why we have to go this other route!!

[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?!

[jettisons]

Prussia.

[He's so tired! Let him rest!]

Just give me some time. That's all I'm asking.