voidshift | [superhell pcs] thancred

Whether this 'star' needs them or not isn't really the same question.

[one long brow arches, along with that.]

Has anyone ever told you that you're too clever by half?

[How dare you make him explain himself when he's trying to be cool and self-sacrificing.]

All right, then. There isn't, because I wouldn't be able to look her in the eyes again if I took the chance at a resurrection away from someone else.

Of course they have, but I could always stand to hear it more.

[rynlan.

he's observing him as he answers, though; the tendrils appear to have calmed somewhat.]

So, if the number's true and there are more than twenty of us in the end, what are you going to do? Refuse to go if you get in? I don't think they'd let you hand an invitation off.

None of us are in a position to make any decisions without knowing more about the true particulars of this arrangement. Poor as the method was, Barnes thoroughly proved that earlier today.

[He shrugs.]

The question is, how do we find out?

I wonder. I haven't gotten that direct of an answer out of our demons, so-- what, did he ask exactly the right question to get information? How did he somehow find out a specific number of us would be able to make it? If none of the rest of us knew, then either something different happened or none of us managed to ask the right thing.

However he found out, it was enough to make him kill for it. He must've thought the source was credible.

[He ponders.]

Did you speak with him much at all, this past week?

Well... no. We've never really talked.

I spent some time with him at our little night out this past week. He approached me to play a game. We mutually remarked upon some things we had in common.

It's not much basis to go on, but he didn't strike me as the type to put undue stock in whims and ephemeral promises. I took him for more of a skeptic.

So you think that whatever information he had, he at least thought he wasn't just... being fucked with.

[The profanity actually seems to startle him out of his sour mood for a minute, blinking like he's actually been caught off-guard.]

...Precisely. Also, do that again.

What? Do what again.

Say something profane. It's charming.

Oh, well if it's charming...

[he sounds a little amused. is it really like that?]

Fuck this.

A worthy sentiment indeed.

[urianger would never. his head would explode first.]

But to the point: when I asked our personal demons about the terms of this little endeavor, after a time they accused me of seeking to bribe my way in. It may be that they're under orders not to reveal too much to us in the first place.

[hah. his ears wiggle, very slightly, but-- moving on.]

They might be. But that's another point toward 'why did he even find out?'

...Well. There's the unpleasant option, I suppose.

[yesssssssssssss the wiggles]

Someone wanted a murder, and created an incentive.

Or used an existing incentive to provoke it. But why? Just to watch all of this mess?

It is hell. Or one of them, at least.

I suppose the pertinent question is, are you willing to help me find the answers?

Really? I didn't think you were someone who asked stupid questions.

[of course he is.]

There's too much we don't know about what we're getting into.

A bold position, when 'twas a stupid question that broke the mystery wide open today.

[none of us is free of sin after witnessing all of that]

But as I've already ventured one, I'll try my luck at another. You resisted the pat-down when they were taking everyone's measure. You prefer not to be touched? Or is that only in circumstances where you've not invited it?

[ah. that. his face doesn't show much, but the tendrils shift again.]

Only when invited, and only in the ways I allow when it is.

Should it come up again, will you allow me?

No.

[it's a quick, almost reflexive answer. after a moment:]

I'd say the same to anyone here.

[it's not you, it's that the list of people allowed is still zero; he's not counting agreeing under duress.]

Understood.

[And he's not going to press it; he merely observes: ]

I doubt you'll be the only one. But be careful. The excitable will jump to conclusions on naught but reluctance alone.

...I know.

[his gloved hands curl into loose fists, there, just for a moment. he exhales, relaxing them.]

I know. I'll handle that if I have to.

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onlythans - 2023-02-12 06:39 (UTC) - Expand

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voidshift - 2023-02-12 06:40 (UTC) - Expand