[ wow, this is a lot more than she expected. what did she say about having a chill and fun relationship where they just drink tea and chill and have fun?
why did she have to be right about this? why didn't she just close her eyes during trial? for what it's worth, she looks... just surprised. not disgusted or afraid. ]
I... yeah. Wow.
[ just wow? this is a lot. ]
Okay, I have—I have a lot to ask, but let's start with this. Why was she trying to kill you?
and he's just going to let his back rest against the trunk of the tree as he explains:]
She lost a memory of someone very important to her, and she wanted it so badly that she was willing to kill me to get it back. Based on our conversation on Monday, I believe she thought that I would be the most willing to understand. And...
[there's - a flash of sadness.]
... I did. I do. I don't blame her for trying to kill me.
Though it's why there was tea and why I was surprised to hear she had pretended to lose her ability to cook - it was a ruse, and likely done to cover up her true motivation.
But I informed her that I am a king and while that position matters little here, I need to return to my country - and so I cannot die.
Given that, she challenged me to a duel of honor instead.
[ She listens, unusually quiet, letting it all soak in. Kano is dead, but is that really Soo-Won's fault? She's seen death—been on battlefields. This doesn't stoke that sense of righteous vengeance in her that it might with some people.
But a sort of sadness settles in her face, too. Because... it is sad—this is all just so needlessly tragic.
Her shoulders just sag a little as she sighs. ]
I see. What an awful position to be put in...
[ She closes her eyes a moment, though it doesn't take her long to settle on a decision. ]
Don't worry, I'm not making you face justice or whatever. I'll tell people it wasn't planned out if I get the chance. But... why did you trust me with this?
and there is a sort of sadness that he carries with him, now that there's on this topic. he knows that he failed yesterday, for all that he tried to get people back on track. ultimately, he wasn't able to locate the person who harmed cater. that was his mistake, and he can take credit for kano's death along with everyone else.
but he tried to find the right person - the one who set out with malicious intent.
he is alive, but he knows that there is a cost for that too. eventually, he will pay for it.
nothing in his gaze seems to shy away from this, or his answer to hilda:]
You already thought I did it - after all, you approached me with theory in mind. You're correct, and I do feel bad for harming everyone else in the plaza... but I will apologize when I can.
But from our conversations...
I think you are a person who can prioritize on what is best - and I intend on making it up to you for placing this burden on your shoulders as well. I know that I am asking you to keep a heavy secret, even if it is only my identity and confirmation.
Even still... I admire your courage, and your compassion. I truly don't intend to take advantage of your heart - but I thought that you might understand not only my circumstances but... everyone's.
I want to help and while this isn't the way that I wanted to do it - I cannot deny the information that it's helped me glean about our situation.
[ goddess, why does she get caught up with these types... as if claude weren't trouble enough. hilda drops any form of her usual flippant sweetness, just looking exasperated. ]
Oh no. Please don't go on with that courage and compassion spiel—you don't need to win me over, okay? You're not taking advantage of any kindness, I just don't believe we should kill more people for any idiotic reason like getting even.
[ she believes him, he doesn't need to get all embarrassing about it. besides, what a silly thing to lose her trust over—defending his own life? how could she blame him? it wouldn't have been better to just let her kill him; someone would be dead either way. there was no avoiding a tragic ending.
then, a little more softly: ]
You've said it before, right? Not everyone gets the luxury of easy choices. Your options were kill or be killed—I'm not going to sit and pretend things could've turned out nicely.
[ . . . . . there's a brief moment at that where he seems surprised - before he eases himself into a smile. there's still a hint of sadness in his eyes but:]
... I'm not trying to win you over. You asked why I trusted you - and I explained why. I don't mean it as flattery... only what I see when I look at you.
[and it's someone who can both prioritize and express empathy.]
But I appreciate your pragmatism. I do think that you're kind, and I'm afraid I have no intention of taking my words back.
[ She rolls her eyes, pushing his good(?) shoulder a little. ]
Okay, sure, sweet-talker.
[ She looks faintly amused, a small smile breaking through the murk of sadness that's followed everyone around today. They'll bounce back. Because he's not wrong—they need to root out what's really going on here and sort out the larger truth. ]
Honestly, I don't think it's me being nice. I wanted to know the truth behind Sharon because... there's just something more to these killings than there is on the surface, you know? [ So she's not going into this with a whole lot of prejudice. ] Even what Virid did isn't as simple as it seems, I think.
[he matches her smile to the best that he can - going with the push easily enough so that it doesn't actually aggravate his injury. but he nods at that]
Mm, you're right.
There's currently the belief that Virid might've guided to kill by a Leader - but we don't know which Leader that is, I'm afraid. The accusation was first leveled by Swan, and when I checked with Wolf, who was in the highest place, they'd said that they can't confirm who was on their team even after death. So we're unfortunately left without a lead.
However -
Based on what I learned today, if you choose to kill, then that means that your leader will gain more information whether it's based on their own memories or the Realm.
I'd tell you what it is... but there's an experiment I'd like to try. Could you ask Rabbit if they know what happens to the removed? There's a chance that by the time you ask, they might've already overheard from another conversation -
But I'd like to see what they can tell you freely on their own, and then confirm if we two receive the same information.
Currently, what I'm looking to see is if someone needs to kill in order for their Leader to get the information that they seek - or if all Leaders suddenly remember so long as a death happens sometime during the week.
Furthermore, if the animal icon on your PHS starts blinking on a Sunday, please let me know.
[ SHE DOESN'T WANT IT but unfortunately the stakes are high enough that even hilda feels the need to get involved. this is the worst day of her life. ]
...Fine. I like floral and fruity teas—don't forget it. [ she sighs, rolling back. ] What does a flashing icon mean?
Those are my favorites too - I'll make sure it's an excellent selection.
[but he maintains his smile]
I'm afraid I don't know yet. Mine was flashing today, but I haven't been able to discern why. If anyone else experiences it, it may help me understand.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
why did she have to be right about this? why didn't she just close her eyes during trial? for what it's worth, she looks... just surprised. not disgusted or afraid. ]
I... yeah. Wow.
[ just wow? this is a lot. ]
Okay, I have—I have a lot to ask, but let's start with this. Why was she trying to kill you?
no subject
and he's just going to let his back rest against the trunk of the tree as he explains:]
She lost a memory of someone very important to her, and she wanted it so badly that she was willing to kill me to get it back. Based on our conversation on Monday, I believe she thought that I would be the most willing to understand. And...
[there's - a flash of sadness.]
... I did. I do. I don't blame her for trying to kill me.
Though it's why there was tea and why I was surprised to hear she had pretended to lose her ability to cook - it was a ruse, and likely done to cover up her true motivation.
But I informed her that I am a king and while that position matters little here, I need to return to my country - and so I cannot die.
Given that, she challenged me to a duel of honor instead.
no subject
But a sort of sadness settles in her face, too. Because... it is sad—this is all just so needlessly tragic.
Her shoulders just sag a little as she sighs. ]
I see. What an awful position to be put in...
[ She closes her eyes a moment, though it doesn't take her long to settle on a decision. ]
Don't worry, I'm not making you face justice or whatever. I'll tell people it wasn't planned out if I get the chance. But... why did you trust me with this?
no subject
and there is a sort of sadness that he carries with him, now that there's on this topic. he knows that he failed yesterday, for all that he tried to get people back on track. ultimately, he wasn't able to locate the person who harmed cater. that was his mistake, and he can take credit for kano's death along with everyone else.
but he tried to find the right person - the one who set out with malicious intent.
he is alive, but he knows that there is a cost for that too. eventually, he will pay for it.
nothing in his gaze seems to shy away from this, or his answer to hilda:]
You already thought I did it - after all, you approached me with theory in mind. You're correct, and I do feel bad for harming everyone else in the plaza... but I will apologize when I can.
But from our conversations...
I think you are a person who can prioritize on what is best - and I intend on making it up to you for placing this burden on your shoulders as well. I know that I am asking you to keep a heavy secret, even if it is only my identity and confirmation.
Even still... I admire your courage, and your compassion. I truly don't intend to take advantage of your heart - but I thought that you might understand not only my circumstances but... everyone's.
I want to help and while this isn't the way that I wanted to do it - I cannot deny the information that it's helped me glean about our situation.
I hope you can believe me.
no subject
Oh no. Please don't go on with that courage and compassion spiel—you don't need to win me over, okay? You're not taking advantage of any kindness, I just don't believe we should kill more people for any idiotic reason like getting even.
[ she believes him, he doesn't need to get all embarrassing about it. besides, what a silly thing to lose her trust over—defending his own life? how could she blame him? it wouldn't have been better to just let her kill him; someone would be dead either way. there was no avoiding a tragic ending.
then, a little more softly: ]
You've said it before, right? Not everyone gets the luxury of easy choices. Your options were kill or be killed—I'm not going to sit and pretend things could've turned out nicely.
no subject
... I'm not trying to win you over. You asked why I trusted you - and I explained why. I don't mean it as flattery... only what I see when I look at you.
[and it's someone who can both prioritize and express empathy.]
But I appreciate your pragmatism. I do think that you're kind, and I'm afraid I have no intention of taking my words back.
no subject
Okay, sure, sweet-talker.
[ She looks faintly amused, a small smile breaking through the murk of sadness that's followed everyone around today. They'll bounce back. Because he's not wrong—they need to root out what's really going on here and sort out the larger truth. ]
Honestly, I don't think it's me being nice. I wanted to know the truth behind Sharon because... there's just something more to these killings than there is on the surface, you know? [ So she's not going into this with a whole lot of prejudice. ] Even what Virid did isn't as simple as it seems, I think.
no subject
Mm, you're right.
There's currently the belief that Virid might've guided to kill by a Leader - but we don't know which Leader that is, I'm afraid. The accusation was first leveled by Swan, and when I checked with Wolf, who was in the highest place, they'd said that they can't confirm who was on their team even after death. So we're unfortunately left without a lead.
However -
Based on what I learned today, if you choose to kill, then that means that your leader will gain more information whether it's based on their own memories or the Realm.
I'd tell you what it is... but there's an experiment I'd like to try. Could you ask Rabbit if they know what happens to the removed? There's a chance that by the time you ask, they might've already overheard from another conversation -
But I'd like to see what they can tell you freely on their own, and then confirm if we two receive the same information.
Currently, what I'm looking to see is if someone needs to kill in order for their Leader to get the information that they seek - or if all Leaders suddenly remember so long as a death happens sometime during the week.
Furthermore, if the animal icon on your PHS starts blinking on a Sunday, please let me know.
no subject
stares ]
You want me to do... all of that?
no subject
I'd like you to have a chat with Rabbit about the removed, and let me know what they say?
[HE DUMPED INFO
BUT FOR THE RECORD HE THINKS HIS REQUEST WAS VERY SMALL]
I can do the rest.
[a beat]
And I'll deliver tea to your bedroom every morning. ♥
no subject
...Fine. I like floral and fruity teas—don't forget it. [ she sighs, rolling back. ] What does a flashing icon mean?
no subject
[but he maintains his smile]
I'm afraid I don't know yet. Mine was flashing today, but I haven't been able to discern why. If anyone else experiences it, it may help me understand.