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[ FAIR ENOUGH. He kind of winces, but, honesty! is the best policy? ]
We began deliberations Monday. I … understand greatly the deception is a cruelty that I inflicted upon you, but do believe me when I say I wanted desperately to relieve you of the affliction.
I asked for time to attempt to find a cure, before we would make any move. This had the unintended consequence of delaying us on action longer than would be ideal. But I want to be sure. I … am aware of who your partner is, and I was hoping perhaps a wish could cure the condition. Apparently it cannot. No cure but death exists.
We began deliberations Monday. I … understand greatly the deception is a cruelty that I inflicted upon you, but do believe me when I say I wanted desperately to relieve you of the affliction.
I asked for time to attempt to find a cure, before we would make any move. This had the unintended consequence of delaying us on action longer than would be ideal. But I want to be sure. I … am aware of who your partner is, and I was hoping perhaps a wish could cure the condition. Apparently it cannot. No cure but death exists.
[She listens. Really, she does. The animal crossing emojis flip several times, shuffled like cards. Anger, hurt, distress, sadness, fear.
That last one sticks when he mentions her partner. Camille goes stiff, jaw tight.
Is he bluffing me?]
...When I asked them who they'd trust to tell, your name never came up.
[They will come back to her own bullshit in a moment. This is worse. The very idea makes her gut twist.]
That last one sticks when he mentions her partner. Camille goes stiff, jaw tight.
Is he bluffing me?]
...When I asked them who they'd trust to tell, your name never came up.
[They will come back to her own bullshit in a moment. This is worse. The very idea makes her gut twist.]
[ the thought is just a question mark. ]
I'm-- sorry, I'm afraid I don't quite understand.
I'm-- sorry, I'm afraid I don't quite understand.
[She inhales, thin through the nose. Out through the mouth, through the teeth biting her bottom lip.]
Did they tell you who they were?
Did they tell you who they were?
We exchanged our monsters and I recognized the name, they do not know you were the match.
I swear to you I am not bluffing, nor do I have any insight into why what you were told would be the case. And I don't see what I would gain by lying to you about that?
I'm not trying to hurt you by telling you now.
I swear to you I am not bluffing, nor do I have any insight into why what you were told would be the case. And I don't see what I would gain by lying to you about that?
I'm not trying to hurt you by telling you now.
...
[God. She puts her hands over her face a moment.]
I was the Chimera that week, Gale. I didn't murder Cloud alone. I thought you meant...Christ.
I'll leave my "partner" alone, whoever they are. I'm not going to drag anyone down with me again.
[God. She puts her hands over her face a moment.]
I was the Chimera that week, Gale. I didn't murder Cloud alone. I thought you meant...Christ.
I'll leave my "partner" alone, whoever they are. I'm not going to drag anyone down with me again.
Edited 2024-07-10 01:21 (UTC)
Oh. Oh!
No. I have no idea who the other half of your Chimera is. But yes, I did understand you were the Chimera, you mentioned a we when discussing the poisoning of Cloud.
As for your monster partner, I don't know that it is even possible at this point in time. From what I am given to understand, you may now be entirely free of the cult's influence in that regard. Here--
[ pulling out his notebook, turning it around to show her something:
—been monitoring everyone's conditions upon arrival, and after a month of consistent results, it seems safe to conclude this much: no one here has a connection to their monsters. They lose their power and forego the ability to grant themselves a wish, but in turn, can no longer be possessed and manipulated by the cult in such a way.
Could it have something to do with this place? Meanwhile, they've only been getting themselves into more trouble lately, which is a headache, but I can't discourage their efforts. ]
No. I have no idea who the other half of your Chimera is. But yes, I did understand you were the Chimera, you mentioned a we when discussing the poisoning of Cloud.
As for your monster partner, I don't know that it is even possible at this point in time. From what I am given to understand, you may now be entirely free of the cult's influence in that regard. Here--
[ pulling out his notebook, turning it around to show her something:
—been monitoring everyone's conditions upon arrival, and after a month of consistent results, it seems safe to conclude this much: no one here has a connection to their monsters. They lose their power and forego the ability to grant themselves a wish, but in turn, can no longer be possessed and manipulated by the cult in such a way.
Could it have something to do with this place? Meanwhile, they've only been getting themselves into more trouble lately, which is a headache, but I can't discourage their efforts. ]
[She takes the notebook in one hand. Better to read it with, though her brain still splutters on it. She has to give it a second go through to make sure she's not misunderstanding.]
Are you saying — it's over? [She looks to him. Forgive her, there's too much going on and too many sparking ends in her head to keep it cool. Water is welling at the edges of her eyes.] No one else? I'm not gonna...I'm not going to hurt anyone again?
What makes you so sure?
Are you saying — it's over? [She looks to him. Forgive her, there's too much going on and too many sparking ends in her head to keep it cool. Water is welling at the edges of her eyes.] No one else? I'm not gonna...I'm not going to hurt anyone again?
What makes you so sure?
[ he'll let her take it as long as she wants, stepping back to give her some space, toying with one hand in the other - pulling at the bandages slightly in a nervous tic motion. ]
I believe so. It was not a certainty, but -- everyone was discussing what was to be done. I did not think it was any kinder to leave you to your fate with the monster.
... I would like to see you live, Camille. I think you deserve that.
I believe so. It was not a certainty, but -- everyone was discussing what was to be done. I did not think it was any kinder to leave you to your fate with the monster.
... I would like to see you live, Camille. I think you deserve that.
[She watches him, air caught in her chest. Eyes flicking to the hand — what happened while I was out? — then to his own gaze. The sincerity in it cuts her nearly as deep as the glass did.]
I'm...
[Grateful? Frightened? Certain you made the wrong call? Send me back, the rest of them need to live more?
Her hand flies to her face and she turns away, but there's no disguising the sudden flood of tears. Words scream at her from across her body, scars tingling with accusations. She never considered herself at risk of suicide. Just rending her own skin. Living seemed like a non-negotiable condition. She could spiral all she wanted, but she'd put up with carrying on. But did she want to live?
Now that the question's been asked and answered for her, she isn't sure she agrees. Not at this price.]
I'm sorry. [A failed attempt at a collected response. She heaves and tries again.] I'm sorry. I'll — fuck. Jesus Christ, I'm sorry, give me a second, I'm...
[She should be saying thank you. The words are too big. They're blocking her up, damming the thin slit her throat has closed to.]
I'm...
[Grateful? Frightened? Certain you made the wrong call? Send me back, the rest of them need to live more?
Her hand flies to her face and she turns away, but there's no disguising the sudden flood of tears. Words scream at her from across her body, scars tingling with accusations. She never considered herself at risk of suicide. Just rending her own skin. Living seemed like a non-negotiable condition. She could spiral all she wanted, but she'd put up with carrying on. But did she want to live?
Now that the question's been asked and answered for her, she isn't sure she agrees. Not at this price.]
I'm sorry. [A failed attempt at a collected response. She heaves and tries again.] I'm sorry. I'll — fuck. Jesus Christ, I'm sorry, give me a second, I'm...
[She should be saying thank you. The words are too big. They're blocking her up, damming the thin slit her throat has closed to.]
[ he stops fidgeting with the bandage and presses a hand over the mark on his chest, where it's still glowing slightly from the effects of the swamp - burning into the skin.
to be dragged kicking and screaming back into life and being unsure if grateful is the correct emotion is not unfamiliar. after all, his own actions had been a desperate seeking of relief. The orb, the potentiality of massive destruction, Mystra's forgiveness or lack thereof, the tadpole, the isolation and fear and rotting from the inside out. and then to finally decide to let go of the struggle, to feel the thud of the knife into his chest and all that power and energy start to unwind and still find himself here was something of a system shock. he isn't sure he would thank anyone for it. he does not expect a thank you.
but ... to condemn camille to death for something she had no choice in was an equally wretched choice. it's also so easy to tread down a garden path of who is deserving. that way lies only madness and pain and misery, a devil's bargain of weighing the price of a life against another. one at a time. whoever you can.
he isn't sure she wants him in particular for any sort of comfort - after all, he is at least partially the cause of the distress to begin with - but he steps in a little bit, raising a hand like he's going to put it on her arm. ]
Nothing at all to be sorry for, Camille. All the time you need, of course.
to be dragged kicking and screaming back into life and being unsure if grateful is the correct emotion is not unfamiliar. after all, his own actions had been a desperate seeking of relief. The orb, the potentiality of massive destruction, Mystra's forgiveness or lack thereof, the tadpole, the isolation and fear and rotting from the inside out. and then to finally decide to let go of the struggle, to feel the thud of the knife into his chest and all that power and energy start to unwind and still find himself here was something of a system shock. he isn't sure he would thank anyone for it. he does not expect a thank you.
but ... to condemn camille to death for something she had no choice in was an equally wretched choice. it's also so easy to tread down a garden path of who is deserving. that way lies only madness and pain and misery, a devil's bargain of weighing the price of a life against another. one at a time. whoever you can.
he isn't sure she wants him in particular for any sort of comfort - after all, he is at least partially the cause of the distress to begin with - but he steps in a little bit, raising a hand like he's going to put it on her arm. ]
Nothing at all to be sorry for, Camille. All the time you need, of course.
[The step in and the hand up don't send her flinching away. She looks back to him with half her face veiled, by hair and hovering hand alike. It's not a fit that can stop easily. Too fresh. The inciting sentiment too grand for her grim trains of thought. They each derail in spectacular collisions, no survivors.
And of course there is Gale. He'd supervised the slitting of her throat. Helped arrange the plan, organized the kids. But there's also the Gale that was doomed. Arcane bomb ticking away in his chest. It's gone off once already, and his sad carcass was dragged here and resuscitated to wait on a new chopping block.
She doesn't want to think of him as a villain. Because he's not. He's running on the same borrowed time as the rest of them, with the same mixed blessing she now has.
Camille doesn't turn away. She lifts a hand in turn. Catches his. Winds her fingers through his own, grip soft over his knuckles, palm dwarfed against his. She still paints a perfect picture of misery, all red blotches and tear tracks, but she holds fast.]
I'm no saint, Gale. I've got a lot to be sorry for.
[Her grip tightens.]
But I guess now we've got one thing in common.
And of course there is Gale. He'd supervised the slitting of her throat. Helped arrange the plan, organized the kids. But there's also the Gale that was doomed. Arcane bomb ticking away in his chest. It's gone off once already, and his sad carcass was dragged here and resuscitated to wait on a new chopping block.
She doesn't want to think of him as a villain. Because he's not. He's running on the same borrowed time as the rest of them, with the same mixed blessing she now has.
Camille doesn't turn away. She lifts a hand in turn. Catches his. Winds her fingers through his own, grip soft over his knuckles, palm dwarfed against his. She still paints a perfect picture of misery, all red blotches and tear tracks, but she holds fast.]
I'm no saint, Gale. I've got a lot to be sorry for.
[Her grip tightens.]
But I guess now we've got one thing in common.
[Sets this on the sad return from watching a bear run off with Kanda. Camille keeps shooting heartbroken glances behind them.]
Can't the overseers do something? Track it down?
Can't the overseers do something? Track it down?
[ YEAH NO KIDDING. he will be clutching all of his evidence. ]
They are unreachable on these nights-- it's funny, I've never asked them why. I would only assume they are unable to intervene.
They are unreachable on these nights-- it's funny, I've never asked them why. I would only assume they are unable to intervene.
You'd think there could be exceptions. If we can't get him until tomorrow there may not be enough evidence for anything.
[Lavi deserves better than that. Kanda deserves better.]
[Lavi deserves better than that. Kanda deserves better.]
I passed the sword to Lavi [ the nature of investigation means he isn't SURE if its kanda's but you know. it probably is. ] so he could hold onto it. I hope it will be a minor comfort, for what it is.
But yes, I expect the body will be ... not of much use.
Camille - I have a partner now, and with that partner comes increased abilities. I would like to pass on some of that information for you to know during trial.
But yes, I expect the body will be ... not of much use.
Camille - I have a partner now, and with that partner comes increased abilities. I would like to pass on some of that information for you to know during trial.
Good.
[Whether it'll give the kid any peace is up in the air, but it's better than nothing. They probably won't catch the killer with the body all chewed up, if they manage to retrieve it at all.]
Astarion, yeah? [Then he keeps talking. Oops.]
...Oh. All right, yeah, lay it on me.
[Did he get to make his wish?]
[Whether it'll give the kid any peace is up in the air, but it's better than nothing. They probably won't catch the killer with the body all chewed up, if they manage to retrieve it at all.]
Astarion, yeah? [Then he keeps talking. Oops.]
...Oh. All right, yeah, lay it on me.
[Did he get to make his wish?]
Not that sort of-- [ the way camille was like, gale comes here on the night of kanda's death to tell me about his boyfriend? ] ... Nevermind.
[ GOD. honestly he's amused. today is so terrible, they saw someone eaten by a bear, but. still funny. ]
Our combined ability allows us to see some insight into events that take place at a location on the night of the murder. We chose to concentrate on the Boardwalk, for the record.
My partner's dream is as follows: They saw a person at the boardwalk, near the games, setting several objects down. And then another person appeared and approached them. They threw something at them and then both fled.
Mine is this: Someone is being chased incessantly by a raging pursuer, wrecking havoc as they go. The two split briefly. They meet again, armed, and the battle comes to a nasty head. There is fire, fire, fire. The two figures flee elsewhere.
I believe they must be different attacks. So at least there is a way to distinguish between them.
[ GOD. honestly he's amused. today is so terrible, they saw someone eaten by a bear, but. still funny. ]
Our combined ability allows us to see some insight into events that take place at a location on the night of the murder. We chose to concentrate on the Boardwalk, for the record.
My partner's dream is as follows: They saw a person at the boardwalk, near the games, setting several objects down. And then another person appeared and approached them. They threw something at them and then both fled.
Mine is this: Someone is being chased incessantly by a raging pursuer, wrecking havoc as they go. The two split briefly. They meet again, armed, and the battle comes to a nasty head. There is fire, fire, fire. The two figures flee elsewhere.
I believe they must be different attacks. So at least there is a way to distinguish between them.
Sorry.
[Maybe he wanted to ask for help watching out for him!! Idk!!!
Anyway whoa.]
You're kidding me. [And here she was ready to give up on the venture all together. If it actually gave them a material edge, then maybe she ought to ask around?] That's...huh.
[She thinks a moment.]
Well, first off, thanks for trusting me with that. I'll keep it in mind and keep my mouth shut about the sources, obviously, but we can try to steer the conversation tomorrow in the right direction.
Otherwise, um... I guess I've got two things for you.
First off, I'm not linked to my old monster anymore, but I'm more like a "widow"? Unaffiliated. If I find someone else in the same position, I can match with them.
Secondly, I had a dream too. I was ready to pass it off as just random bullshit, but...Aerith had one a bit like it, the week she died. And if you're having prophetic dreams for real, maybe it's not so stupid to at least tell someone.
[She purses her lips.]
Though I warn you, it's stupid. The only reason I took note is because I don't normally have them. Not ones like that.
[Maybe he wanted to ask for help watching out for him!! Idk!!!
Anyway whoa.]
You're kidding me. [And here she was ready to give up on the venture all together. If it actually gave them a material edge, then maybe she ought to ask around?] That's...huh.
[She thinks a moment.]
Well, first off, thanks for trusting me with that. I'll keep it in mind and keep my mouth shut about the sources, obviously, but we can try to steer the conversation tomorrow in the right direction.
Otherwise, um... I guess I've got two things for you.
First off, I'm not linked to my old monster anymore, but I'm more like a "widow"? Unaffiliated. If I find someone else in the same position, I can match with them.
Secondly, I had a dream too. I was ready to pass it off as just random bullshit, but...Aerith had one a bit like it, the week she died. And if you're having prophetic dreams for real, maybe it's not so stupid to at least tell someone.
[She purses her lips.]
Though I warn you, it's stupid. The only reason I took note is because I don't normally have them. Not ones like that.
Of course. You have my trust entirely, and you are not alone - we have been doing our best to spread it amongst the crowd so hopefully enough will be aware and be able to speak upon it without singling us out as the source.
And thank you for that information - it is most helpful, actually. It could be very useful. I imagine as we progress, there may be a need for such partnerships.
[ he ....... makes a bit of a face at the dream part and goes sort of pink? ]
I-- Um. I believe I have an inkling of the origin those dreams, but if you think it related. Perhaps it is relevant.
And thank you for that information - it is most helpful, actually. It could be very useful. I imagine as we progress, there may be a need for such partnerships.
[ he ....... makes a bit of a face at the dream part and goes sort of pink? ]
I-- Um. I believe I have an inkling of the origin those dreams, but if you think it related. Perhaps it is relevant.
...Gale.
You wanna tell me what your theory is before I make a fool of myself?
You wanna tell me what your theory is before I make a fool of myself?
I believe it is someone's power.
[ TRYING NOT TO BE FLUSTERED. ]
I-- erm. Was sent a somewhat ... [ intimate ] personal dream myself. Probably as something of a prank.
[ TRYING NOT TO BE FLUSTERED. ]
I-- erm. Was sent a somewhat ... [ intimate ] personal dream myself. Probably as something of a prank.
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