[ oohhh miss dorothy oohhhh ]

[recrowns]

Comments

[recrowns]

.... you're right. We should regardless be prepared to make choices that we can live with.

[but he'll then move to sit on the edge of the bed if... only because he too needs to sit.]

But ah... I suppose that's true. She's a dear friend.

[a beat]

Dorothy, would you mind if I asked you a series of questions that err on the side of topics that are a bit... unpleasant?

[misstrust]

[ She... blinks. ]

You... may, but I can't guarantee I'll be able to answer them to your satisfaction?

[ What does that even mean-- ]

[recrowns]

It's alright. They're just questions I need to ask, in order to be prepared for the coming week.

We've talked before about the requirement to revive the removed...

Has your team all gathered together? And do you know if you have managed to hit the threshold of your requirement?

[misstrust]

Yes and no.

[ Simple enough. ]

[recrowns]

[that is simple]

Do you know if your team intends on acting this week to ensure that you are able to reach the requirement?

[misstrust]

I imagine we're running out of time... but I can't say if anyone will act yet. Or which of them, rather.

[ Dorothy sounds very tired. ]

[recrowns]

... the deadline is this Thursday.

[so unfortunately they are very much running out of time]

I'd like to ask that... if one of them announces their intentions, then you tell me.

[misstrust]

[ To that, Dorothy meets his eyes. ]

Why?

[recrowns]

[ . . . . ]

I'd like to help.

And... in truth, the ways that I can do so are not entirely transparent, and I might not be able to answer if you ask me how I can.

But I won't use the information against them, if that is something you are concerned over.

[misstrust]

... I don't believe any of us would want to involve you in a murder. And, speaking personally, I would not want you doing anything to defend me and therefore incriminate someone else instead.

So if it's anything along those lines, then I'm sorry. But I can't speak of anything more than this.

[recrowns]

[ . . . . . . he shakes his head.]

No. I'm neither self-sacrificing nor do I presume that you would be someone who would let an innocent who would fall in your place.

You don't have to tell me if it truly makes you uncomfortable but... I would still like to assist, if you would trust me with the knowledge.

[misstrust]

[ Dorothy stares at him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. ]

... Are you able to tell me your Faction yet? Or if it's at least met its own requirements?

[recrowns]

[he looks thoughtful, as if just trying to make sure that he's not pushing any rules but....

upon deciding he hasn't:]

Goat.

And yes, we have.

[misstrust]

Then at least two Factions... probably more, have taken care of it.

[ Dorothy closes her eyes briefly, looking slightly pained. ]

Please... let me think about it. I'd also like to discuss it with the others.

[recrowns]

[ . . . . ]

Four out of six have completed it with certainty.

I am simply following up with the last two remaining. One of them being the Foxes.

[misstrust]

[ Okay, now she's just flat-out grimacing. ]

I see.

... Of course it would come to this.

[recrowns]

[ . . . . . ]

May I recite to you something that I heard they found in their adventure this week?

[misstrust]

If it isn't the final realm contest report, yes.

[recrowns]

[ . . . he tilts his head]

.... that was my intention.

Do you then find it difficult to accept even now?

[misstrust]

I... have watched people die. People I was unable to save, and that sort of thing remains with me, always.

You may call me a coward if you like, and I'll accept that, because even knowing what I do, the act of taking a life is still a burden.

Even if it's a necessary one. Even if it's to save everyone. I suppose a part of me just strongly dislikes the notion of killing to save.

[ And she shakes her head. ]

But please don't misunderstand. The Foxes won't fail.

[recrowns]

[ . . . . . . there's just a pause for a moment, before he shakes his head.]

.... some may call the same act of refraining from violence... either cowardly or kind. To want peace, to feel a distaste for harming others, and wanting to avoid it where possible... it cannot be called a bad thing on its face.

Because we all want to save each other, and we all want to make sure that no harm comes to the people that we care about. The responsibility and duty of taking a life, even for reasons that others may call noble... it is a weight nonetheless.

I would not ask that anyone hold that weight by choice, if they do not feel as though they are ready to bear it.

I only hope that once all the Foxes come to their decision.... Please let me know who will elect to carry it.

[misstrust]

If they agree to it, I'll tell you.

[ Dorothy closes her eyes briefly; apparently, she's not particularly looking forward to that conversation, for some reason. ]

But if they don't, please just have faith in us regardless.

[recrowns]

[ . . . . he nods.]

I will. I don't mind.

Though if I could pass on a word of advice... If possible, when deciding who to remove.... avoid Goat and Wolf's teams. I think that should be simple enough but...

We may be in danger of failing again, if either of those teams are removed entirely.

[misstrust]

I know. I heard from my Leader that it's a problem [ "problem" ] if any one team were to lose all of its members.

[ And she musters a smile. ]

We don't want that to happen, so we'll be as cautious as we can.

[recrowns]

[ . . . . . he pauses at that

and then:]

You heard this today?