Ah, I'm sorry - though by the sound of it, I wouldn't consider it awful... It sounds as though the person tasked with doing so was given a rather heavy burden to hold onto. Even if you did tell me that it was you, I wouldn't have been upset.
Then if I may, could you divulge the source to me?
[ her expression settles and hilda's feelings are—a little complicated, at that. a mix of hesitation, resignation. there's something there—not quite regret or fear—but more serious and somber an emotion than she likes.
but still, she's relaxed, meeting his eyes with a curious tilt of her head. ]
[ . . . . well. he thinks on that for a moment, emotions turning contemplative, before settling on - ]
I'd like to ask if they trust me not to lead them to danger, because given the current circumstances, it may work better for us to collaborate rather than oppose one another.
[and that reads as - well, nothing short of sincere.]
No one here deserves to die - but no one deserves to be put in a position where they have to kill either.
[ she turns thoughtful a moment. she doesn't like the emotion sharing aspect of this week when the conversation turns this way, exposing the truth of her feelings if not the truth of her words.
there is a sort of relief at his reaction, a slow settling of her feelings, like sediment. does she trust him? does she believe him?
it's too early to say, but he's not wrong. it's better to work together because they've both been backed into the same corner. she doesn't consider it some huge leap of faith, but a little hop: she gets his situation.
neither of them had the option to come out of this a flawless person. ]
Mm. I agree.
[ she stretches out her arms, like shedding a weight, before settling in and cupping her hands around her mug with a smile. ]
he returns her smile then - and there's no grand epiphany or shocked feeling from him, but rather a sense of relief and understanding. so they found each other, is it? or rather, they let each other find one another, even when the option to hide away or disagree was there.
if nothing else, he thinks that he can understand the depth of that sentiment.]
So we do.
You're aware of what happened in my case - Sharon attacked me, we made a deal, and now I'm seeking to reap the benefits of the situation that I was put into so we can help everyone else the best that we can.
[he states the facts unflinching - there they are, and he has no interest in ignoring what happened between the two of them]
Would you mind telling me how you ended up in your situation?
[ there's not much room for her to judge. virid, sharon, him, her—they'd all made a choice, and while she doesn't agree with all of them, even if there is a note of genuine sadness there, her feelings are set, steady and determined.
at least they can both understand each other, and the costs it took for them to have this conversation at all. ]
...Rabbit found me last week and told me that there was some sort of disturbance. It wasn't Cater's fault or anything she did—she was just the source of whatever this weird splintering was.
[ she frowns a little. ]
Basically, her nova was going to break apart. When that happens, it doesn't heal or recover back—you lose yourself. And then it spreads to more people, and...
[ well, hopefully he can use his imagination for the worst case scenario. she sighs, running her finger along the edge of her mug in idle circles. ]
Basically, since the Realm is weak, those disturbances can show up and disrupt the whole system while it's still recovering. Rabbit can't harm any of the participants, so they asked me to deal with Cater. I don't think they were happy to ask, but the other leaders didn't seem to notice anything, so it kind of fell on them to do something.
[ . . . . ah. soo-won seems to nod at that, and his feelings are ones that lean more toward empathy and compassion than anything else. the idea that no one else could or would do anything, and so hilda took the action that she could because it meant preventing further harm.
in truth - ]
.... I'm sorry that it fell upon your shoulders and Rabbit's. Thank you for being willing to take that responsibility away from the rest of us, even though it was difficult for you.
You acted alone? Did Rabbit suggest that this situation might happen again?
[ her emotions stir as uncertainty for a moment, before reaching something simpatico and shaking her head. ]
You don't have to thank me—I didn't exactly go into Saturday with any noble intention, you know?
[ did either of them expect kano to do... that? it doesn't seem that way, but neither of them really stopped him, either. in the end, she and soo-won had unwittingly kept each other alive and damned the same person. ]
And it was totally solo—I didn't even realize you were awake and around, actually. We're hoping it doesn't happen again, but I've been trying to keep an eye out for any signs... I think they'd manifest as someone with really, really bad memory problems. Or something along those lines?
... neither did I. However I don't believe that nobility is something that can truly be considered in a place like this, when none asked to be in this situation.
[no one can be blamed for not wanting to die - and even though soo-won had an obvious preference on how sunday should have ended, it's not as though he condemned kano for fighting for his life either.
everyone should get to have that right.]
I hadn't realized that you were awake either... and if you didn't even see Sharon, it's possible that we wouldn't have been able to cross paths due to some interference of the Realm.
But I'd heard about someone's memory issues last week.... Has Xie Lian come to you about Claude and Hua Cheng's recent unexplained spat? It would appear as though there are additional powers in play, given that I find myself affected by one as well.
Nothing particularly notable - I only seek to give additional information about myself when I would normally refrain.
[ she's glad he doesn't expect much in the way of good and bad—they're just doing what they have to, and it isn't fair to anyone. so long as they both understand that...
but her more somber feelings are interrupted by a little hop of surprise. ]
Oh, shoot—I need to catch up with Claude today too! [ SHE'S BEEN DISTRACTED BY HER MURDER CLAUDE STAND-IN ] No, he hasn't mentioned anything... what happened?
It sounds as though Claude and Hua Cheng have been compelled to dislike one each other rather suddenly, even though they got along fine last week. It's to the point where mentioning one of their names can cause the other to express incredible distaste.
[someone got mutiny'd and it wasn't me, hallelujah]
Apparently he wasn't feeling well last week either, but I have less information on that given that it was secondhand. Couple it with this mention of memory loss... who experienced that one?
[ dear mr or mrs mutiny please hit dana next week ]
Woah, really? I'd love to see a catfight between those two.
[ there is a genuine note of entertainment alongside the uh, concern. but as he continues, she lets out a sheepish little laugh. ]
Ahah... that was also Claude last week. [ poor guy. ] I think it was a symptom of the nova starting to splinter, because he got better after I—you know. Cater's memory didn't seem to be in good shape either when I saw her.
[ . . . huh. he can't help but tilt his head at that, curious.]
How odd.... Xie Lian wonders if people might be targeting Claude specifically - though I can't imagine why. While he can be rather outspoken, given the feast that he provided to all of us, I don't consider him someone who especially painted a target on his back. I would say that perhaps these powers are being used without being aware of who they're hitting -
But I think that mine feels rather targeted and purposeful, given the most recent trial and how everyone was unhappy that I kept the extent of my injury to myself.
You think people can... target these things? Then it sounds like they might just be testing the waters a bit to see what happens. Claude is the sort of guy who attracts trouble—maybe he just got on someone's nerves.
But last week I wouldn't be surprised if he was just hit at random as a sign that nova was starting to splinter. Could've just as easily been me or you who started getting affected.
[ that's what she's been trying to keep an eye out for. what were these... powers, though? she'll have to think about it. ]
Oh, I want to see how this affects you. Who would you say was your first love, Won?
[weirdly enough, that question doesn't seem to get much hesitation from him, effect or not effect]
I don't know if I really understand things like love or romance.... I'm sorry I can't give you a more interesting answer, Hilda. [though the effect hits in a very light way - ] I think I've always loved everyone that I've gotten a chance to meet, even if it's only a little bit.
[and for some reason that's... sincere.]
As for the memory loss... That's possible - though I can't say that I've noticed anyone else experiencing it. Was it enough of a notable disruption that it caused him distress? I'll look around for any other signs and tell you if I find them.
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hilariously
there is only the slightest feeling of exasperation and interest - any feelings of judgment are nowhere to be found even as he asks]
Hilda, did you kill Cater? Or did you find the person who did it?
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[ she looks upset at the very suggestion, though her emotions are more subdued. ]
All I'm saying is I found the source. [ one way or another! ]
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soo-won shakes his head at that]
Ah, I'm sorry - though by the sound of it, I wouldn't consider it awful... It sounds as though the person tasked with doing so was given a rather heavy burden to hold onto. Even if you did tell me that it was you, I wouldn't have been upset.
Then if I may, could you divulge the source to me?
no subject
but still, she's relaxed, meeting his eyes with a curious tilt of her head. ]
Why, is there something you want to ask?
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I'd like to ask if they trust me not to lead them to danger, because given the current circumstances, it may work better for us to collaborate rather than oppose one another.
[and that reads as - well, nothing short of sincere.]
No one here deserves to die - but no one deserves to be put in a position where they have to kill either.
no subject
there is a sort of relief at his reaction, a slow settling of her feelings, like sediment. does she trust him? does she believe him?
it's too early to say, but he's not wrong. it's better to work together because they've both been backed into the same corner. she doesn't consider it some huge leap of faith, but a little hop: she gets his situation.
neither of them had the option to come out of this a flawless person. ]
Mm. I agree.
[ she stretches out her arms, like shedding a weight, before settling in and cupping her hands around her mug with a smile. ]
I think we have a lot to talk about, Won.
no subject
he returns her smile then - and there's no grand epiphany or shocked feeling from him, but rather a sense of relief and understanding. so they found each other, is it? or rather, they let each other find one another, even when the option to hide away or disagree was there.
if nothing else, he thinks that he can understand the depth of that sentiment.]
So we do.
You're aware of what happened in my case - Sharon attacked me, we made a deal, and now I'm seeking to reap the benefits of the situation that I was put into so we can help everyone else the best that we can.
[he states the facts unflinching - there they are, and he has no interest in ignoring what happened between the two of them]
Would you mind telling me how you ended up in your situation?
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at least they can both understand each other, and the costs it took for them to have this conversation at all. ]
...Rabbit found me last week and told me that there was some sort of disturbance. It wasn't Cater's fault or anything she did—she was just the source of whatever this weird splintering was.
[ she frowns a little. ]
Basically, her nova was going to break apart. When that happens, it doesn't heal or recover back—you lose yourself. And then it spreads to more people, and...
[ well, hopefully he can use his imagination for the worst case scenario. she sighs, running her finger along the edge of her mug in idle circles. ]
Basically, since the Realm is weak, those disturbances can show up and disrupt the whole system while it's still recovering. Rabbit can't harm any of the participants, so they asked me to deal with Cater. I don't think they were happy to ask, but the other leaders didn't seem to notice anything, so it kind of fell on them to do something.
no subject
in truth - ]
.... I'm sorry that it fell upon your shoulders and Rabbit's. Thank you for being willing to take that responsibility away from the rest of us, even though it was difficult for you.
You acted alone? Did Rabbit suggest that this situation might happen again?
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You don't have to thank me—I didn't exactly go into Saturday with any noble intention, you know?
[ did either of them expect kano to do... that? it doesn't seem that way, but neither of them really stopped him, either. in the end, she and soo-won had unwittingly kept each other alive and damned the same person. ]
And it was totally solo—I didn't even realize you were awake and around, actually. We're hoping it doesn't happen again, but I've been trying to keep an eye out for any signs... I think they'd manifest as someone with really, really bad memory problems. Or something along those lines?
no subject
[no one can be blamed for not wanting to die - and even though soo-won had an obvious preference on how sunday should have ended, it's not as though he condemned kano for fighting for his life either.
everyone should get to have that right.]
I hadn't realized that you were awake either... and if you didn't even see Sharon, it's possible that we wouldn't have been able to cross paths due to some interference of the Realm.
But I'd heard about someone's memory issues last week.... Has Xie Lian come to you about Claude and Hua Cheng's recent unexplained spat? It would appear as though there are additional powers in play, given that I find myself affected by one as well.
Nothing particularly notable - I only seek to give additional information about myself when I would normally refrain.
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but her more somber feelings are interrupted by a little hop of surprise. ]
Oh, shoot—I need to catch up with Claude today too! [ SHE'S BEEN DISTRACTED BY HER MURDER CLAUDE STAND-IN ] No, he hasn't mentioned anything... what happened?
[ one curse at a time. ]
no subject
It sounds as though Claude and Hua Cheng have been compelled to dislike one each other rather suddenly, even though they got along fine last week. It's to the point where mentioning one of their names can cause the other to express incredible distaste.
[someone got mutiny'd and it wasn't me, hallelujah]
Apparently he wasn't feeling well last week either, but I have less information on that given that it was secondhand. Couple it with this mention of memory loss... who experienced that one?
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Woah, really? I'd love to see a catfight between those two.
[ there is a genuine note of entertainment alongside the uh, concern. but as he continues, she lets out a sheepish little laugh. ]
Ahah... that was also Claude last week. [ poor guy. ] I think it was a symptom of the nova starting to splinter, because he got better after I—you know. Cater's memory didn't seem to be in good shape either when I saw her.
no subject
How odd.... Xie Lian wonders if people might be targeting Claude specifically - though I can't imagine why. While he can be rather outspoken, given the feast that he provided to all of us, I don't consider him someone who especially painted a target on his back. I would say that perhaps these powers are being used without being aware of who they're hitting -
But I think that mine feels rather targeted and purposeful, given the most recent trial and how everyone was unhappy that I kept the extent of my injury to myself.
no subject
But last week I wouldn't be surprised if he was just hit at random as a sign that nova was starting to splinter. Could've just as easily been me or you who started getting affected.
[ that's what she's been trying to keep an eye out for. what were these... powers, though? she'll have to think about it. ]
Oh, I want to see how this affects you. Who would you say was your first love, Won?
no subject
I don't know if I really understand things like love or romance.... I'm sorry I can't give you a more interesting answer, Hilda. [though the effect hits in a very light way - ] I think I've always loved everyone that I've gotten a chance to meet, even if it's only a little bit.
[and for some reason that's... sincere.]
As for the memory loss... That's possible - though I can't say that I've noticed anyone else experiencing it. Was it enough of a notable disruption that it caused him distress? I'll look around for any other signs and tell you if I find them.