week five, monday

[jettisons]

[After the tension of the meeting last night, Bellamy disappears for a while to think. There has to be something, some clue he was given that he wasn't aware of, some hint. Raven had said he could come up with a better solution, hadn't she? But the longer and longer he struggles to figure it out, the more certain he is—the only ending to this is the one he hates. At least it's an ending.

Lucina isn't very hard to find, and Bellamy is quiet when he tracks her down, shoulders slightly hunched.]

Can I talk to you, Lucina?

Comments

[rightfully]

[ After how confrontational Sunday had turned out to be, following the dead, the trial, the execution, her punishment — it wouldn't be a stretch to say Lucina is tired. They are all. She's not special.

Bellamy finds her by kneeling by the oasis. She's washing some blood off her arm. He may notice a few light scrapes on the inside of her forearm, a clean knife by her knees. She had been testing the "no pain" thing, to... interesting results.

It's real. Like Hal said it was.

She looks over, not quite giving him her undivided attention... ]

Of course.

[ ... because, awkwardly, she tries to splash off the lingering blood staining her skin. Life is hard with one arm. ]

Please, sit.

[jettisons]

[His gaze lingers on her arm, and though he frowns, he doesn't say anything, just sits. He's not in the mood for another argument.]

I've been thinking about it—about what I've been told that no one else has. The only thing I can come up with is Fie. I never told Vriska that you know the identities of all the Sirens.

[rightfully]

[ That's good, because she would have thrown water in his face if he had tried.

Lucina's hands still, and she sits straight up to better look at him. ]

Do you really think it could be that simple?

[ Part of her had been hoping for an eleventh hour option, a merciful one... ]

[jettisons]

It's the only thing I've got. The Sirens never told me much.

[He sighs, rubbing his hands over his face.]

Vriska said that if the villagers find and kill all the Sirens, the volcano blows. I think she was trying to tell us that you have to be the one to do it.

[rightfully]

[ ... her expression cools. Lucina looks back toward the water, plunging her arm in to the elbow anew. ]

I understand.

[jettisons]

I'm sorry. I should have trusted what you were telling me.

[He looks up finally, trying to catch her gaze.]

I was hoping there would be a better way.

[rightfully]

[ He'll have his work cut out for him. As he looks toward her, she averts her face, letting the fall of her hair obscure it.

... ]

I don't know if you believe me, but I had not killed for this game. I have not been honest often, but when I said I had not lifted a hand in violence toward anyone, I meant it.

[ Jack, Jaffar... A shudder racks through her skin. ]

Is it still mercy, what I will have to do?

[jettisons]

I believe you.

[Bellamy's not sure if this is mercy, but then, he doesn't think there's any mercy to be found here. He reaches out, trying to push the hair back away from her face.]

It might not be, but it's our only choice.

[And he's so, so sick of not having a choice.]

I can take care of Vriska. If all of the Sirens need to be killed by you, then we're already screwed.

[rightfully]

[ Her head shakes, trying to jostle his hand away. It is comforting, and she may need comfort, but the desire to hold herself aloft of everything he could offer her is too strong. What she wants, what she needs - these are two very different things right now. ]

If it cannot be a "villager", then ... you have already played your part.

[ Well, then. Somewhat in her face hardens, likely for the final time. ]

It will be done.

[jettisons]

[He doesn't push the comfort, just pulls his hand back.]

Lucina, I told you I would help you, so let me.

[rightfully]

This has been my responsibility since the very beginning.

[ Still not looking at him. However, she does lift a hand, tracing the spot where his fingers had tried to push her hair.

In a smaller voice, she adds -- ]

I don't want you to see me kill a child.

[jettisons]

And I'm not going to let you do this alone. It's your role, but it isn't only on you.

[rightfully]

You are...

[ auuuughhh ]

- infuriatingly stubborn!

[ in a moment of childish frustration, she ... splashes him with water.

Yeah. That happened. ]

[jettisons]

[Bellamy flinches back instinctively, but it doesn't matter. She gets him right in the face. Now his bandages are damp!]

And you're the most stubborn person I've ever met. You done?

[rightfully]

[ NO SHE HAS NEVER ONCE BEEN DONE ]

... I suppose.

I'm sorry, that was childish.

[jettisons]

It's fine.

[It actually seemed to calm him down a little? Thanks, Lucina.]

So, are you going to let me help or not?

[rightfully]

I meet with Hal and Pal every Monday evening, as per my role.

[ She sits back, picking up the knife with her one hand. It quickly disappears into her person, even though she's only wearing a beach dress and swimming costume.

Look, she has a specific set of skills. ]

If you can wait a day, I can speak to them shortly and then we can decide our path from there.

[ Yes, we. ]

[jettisons]

I can wait.

[Wait to kill a couple of kids. This is awesome.]

I'll follow your lead on this.

[Unless he... thinks she's being stupid.]