[He smirks briefly at Blanca's light statement at a pay raise, but it just reminds him that they both are now tied to this. Its not like he or Blanca can exactly step away from this. Soo-won trusted them with this information, and now its up to them, whether to protect Soo-won, or let him eat his just desserts.]
Hm. Said so properly for a man with blood on his hands.
[And then a shake of the head.]
Ah, but I can't say a thing like that, being me. If you had murdered the poor woman for your own selfish needs, we'd be having a very different talk right now.
[But he can see what Soo-won is saying. The man is shrewd thinking ahead, and shining like sunlight that also can pierce through the hearts of many. A terrifying sort of charisma. He almost can't look at it.]
I understand what you're saying. I would pray to the Lord for forgiveness if I were you...but the matter of the fact is, your life is on the line, here. [He frowns, deeply.] We can do our best here, but if we fail...we won't be able to pluck you from the inevitable.
[His expression softens despite how Done he is with having to be told after the fact, now that the only thing he can do about it is mitigate a trial and evidence.]
We'll do what we're able. If we can bring more focus to the other killer, I think even if you are found out, others may be more willing to forgive for self-defense.
[Here's hoping the other one wasn't also self defense either.]
Are you all right, Soo-won?
[This is not the first time he has asked this, and it probably won't be the last. There's still a great deal more to taking a life and surviving than losing one.]
[ . . . . he doesn't flinch away when Hansa accuses him of having blood on his hands. after all, they both know now that he is a king - and all that he must do in order to maintain that position.]
... I am not someone who expects to live happily or die peacefully. [he's said this before, and yet] ... the consequences of what I've done may come, but I would like them to come after everyone has been sent home safely.
You needn't worry after me, or care for me. I ask only that you protect my life, if you are able.
[because that's what bodyguards are meant to do - though there is something... sad in his expression, as though he expects to lose their friendship from this moment as well. but -
would that come as anything new to him?]
... I've told you both I don't particularly care for any wish. I asked Sharon for hers... for this will confirm whether killing someone generates nova for a team. If my team receives a boost in rankings, it will be because of her - and so I intend to carry out her wish should my team win.
[she may have attacked him but... it's hard for him to turn his back on her completely, when she knows what it was that she lost.]
It's been brought to my attention that Virid may have been directed by another Leader to kill Hajime - and if Sharon came to me of her own volition, that means that the person who killed Cater could have also been influenced by a Leader.
Even if you feel no interest in protecting me - that is the information I've collected that lead me to believe it would be in our best interests to pursue Cater's murderer regardless.
To think my first job at being a bodyguard would be this complicated...I'm not leaving priesthood for this anytime soon.
[More of a muttering to himself than anything else, but its a wisecrack that's more said to try to lighten this situation in some way rather than just let it stand as it is. They're in a bad situation here. Or rather, Soo-won is.]
...Directed by a Leader? [His gaze snaps to Soo-won, a hint of anger shining in his eye.] So our dear benefactors are the one behind this nonsense? Are you sure? Because that would make their seemingly helpless roles far worse than they seem.
I told you once before: it's part of our job to ensure your safety; otherwise, we are without an employer. And, sometimes, without our payment. So you don't have to continue trying to reassure us of our option to keep to ourselves.
It's done, and we have to follow through. We have more dignity than that, right?
[He gives Soo-won a pointed look, and then glances from him to Hansa, and then back. He frowns.]
It sounds like we're going to have to get to know our leaders a little better than we already do.
But different pieces have been brought to my attention. Multiple leaders have confirmed that things have been tense since the last Saturday - Swan apparently levied the accusation that one of the Leaders might have encouraged Virid to kill someone. Virid alluded to someone else that we have something more to worry about than individual killers - like some type of ominous threat that we have to deal with.
Thus - if there is someone who is killing for reasons that are decidedly not self-defense, then we ought to find them.
From the sounds of the current evidence... [since not all of it disappears] Cater was awake and wanted to lure the killer away from Yona, given that they were connected this week.
So we ought to find her killer.
Sharon came from the direction of the inn when she went to find me - and any evidence found in the Emporium was a mess I created in order to pull attention away from what actually happened.
I believe that the Northern area is where a certain amount of bloodlust fell - and a group of girls who were in the garden have been acting strangely since they awoke. Given that no evidence was found there that I've heard, they are the ones that I would like to look at more closely to begin with.
[a beat]
And... I would like to ask one of you to hold onto a knife for me. Having it on my person or found in my room will draw suspicion to me - but without it, it would be harder to believe that I could fight against Sharon.
Given that I was also stabbed in the heart and died twice yesterday, people are less likely to believe I could win against an assassin.
[btw sharon was an assassin
and soo-won had to get through three murder attempts on him in one day
Well... [He looks over at Blanca.] I'm not exactly getting paid here. I thought it would be fun to be a bodyguard and because I want to. When I stick to something I want, I'm not leaving it anytime soon.
[Sometimes you just want to be a bodyguard for?? The kicks???????????]
The Northern area, Cater luring the killer away, and... [Now he's frowning.] A knife? You could've just thrown it away somewhere, you know.
Never do something you're good at for free, Mister Cervantes, is my only advice.
[Blanca will let Hansa take the knife.] I'll check you tomorrow, if you'll allow me. [So they can cover for fuckiNG SOO-WON.]
What did Miss Sharon have to use against you, Soo-won? That is, what should we be steering people away from which relates to you?
I think we should see where they take themselves first, and don't try overly hard to distract them. Or they will get suspicious. Just deflect casually if they bring up something serious.
[and he does seem sincere about this - he was insistent about paying hansa somehow before and now that he has... you know... the royal treasury....]
Sharon attacked me using some combination of wires and weights - however it's worth noting that everyone seemed to have awoken with something odd apparently. The garden girls feel oddly, the cafeteria individuals can't keep down food. [he got this information late] Since our group only woke up with the injuries, it's possible to pass them as that. She also used a scalpel to attack me - which I then used to obscure her wound so it was less obviously from a knife.
I wiped my fingerprints from everything and tore my own cloak to shreds where it was bloody - but there's a chance I could have left a hair behind. However she was carrying a blonde doll around, so it's possible to attribute all blonde hairs to that.
But I agree - I would rather earnestly pursue Cater's murder than deflect too largely from mine. The alien with a knife on the moon was not there when I left Sharon's body - and it sounds like a number of rooms were affected. I only went to the plaza, the bridge, the Emporium, the questionable room to return the scalpel, and the moon. Sharon must've been in other places.... but I think the Northern Area, planetarium, and railroad station will contain more clues about Cater's murder.
Guess I'll make a big donation to the Church and leave it at that, hm.
[He turns to Blanca.]
I think that would be fine. Though, just a heads-up. When you see my body...its not what you think it is. I'm seventy-percent metal. Soo-won knows.
[That bomb being dropped on poor Blanca, he turns back to the other as he speaks. Wires and weights? He raises an eyebrow at that...and didn't he mention she was an assassin? Yikes. Its lucky he walked away from something like that, though with the faces the young man has shown him, he's not surprised at this point.]
Got it. Northern Area, planetarium, alien on the moon...who was in the Northern area, again? We'll need to focus on them during the trial.
[Both of his brows rise up in bewilderment at the news, but he doesn't, like... make any joke, or even bring it up. Slowly, he exchanges a glance with Soo-won.
WHY ARE THERE SUDDENLY SO MANY SECRETS? HELLO?]
If worse comes to worse, we can try to rally others behind the notion something bigger may be in play than... a mere duel. It'd be more imperative for us to find Miss Cater's killer if they really are being pulled by strings. I'm sure a lot of the rest of us would understand that.
But you may be a target later if anyone thinks you should be punished, [to soo-won] so we have to be careful. If they happen to find out at all.
[even as he pulls the knife from his sash - clean, and difficult to see that he was carrying it at all - he.... pouts.... a little....]
... while I wish it didn't come to this, I was hoping Hansa would let me check him this week... Is this another of my punishments....
[SOO-WON IS NOW THE TIME
but he'll move to wipe the handle of the knife with his sleeve before, a bit too dexterously, turning the knife over in his hand so that it balances instead of holding it - offering it handle first to Hansa. there, no more soo-woo fingerprints]
... in truth, most here think me a bit more defenseless. Given my injury - which is recent enough that there is no sign of reopening - they likely wouldn't anticipate me able to fight to begin with. [he glances at Hansa to explain] There's a stab wound over my heart. While I'd rather not announce it, since it does make me a rather easy target for the future - if it comes to that, so be it.
If a few hours in we have not made any progress - I will pull on one of your sleeves, and you can begin to suggest the self-defense argument if absolutely necessary. Given that Sharon's weights and wires were found in the water, you could suggest that it was pre-meditated on her part, given that she fashioned herself a weapon. She also made the tea to approach me with - which would suggest it was her initiative.
Only as necessary.
In truth - I believe that condemning me for self-defense will only create further disruption within our ranks. None will ever seek to come forward again with anything helpful, and it would be an emotional burden on everyone. Helpful for generating nova, perhaps, but a disadvantage to us in the long run.
[there he is, thinking long-term and about everyone else's well-being again. but maybe that's just what happens when you're a king]
Come now, Soo-won, if you want to check me out that badly, you can just ask any time. Anyways, I don't mind either of you.
[DON'T. SAY IT LIKE THAT, HANSA,]
[He does take the knife with the tips of his fingers, gingerly, looking it over to make sure there's no other marks or stains that he can see. It looks clean. That's good.]
Honestly, while coming forward might be the right thing to do...people would just vote for you anyways, since they have to vote for a culprit, and they don't want to get it wrong. [He frowns.] I don't want an innocent sacrificed on your behalf, though, Won. We all have to put in our best efforts to find the other murderer and bring them to justice.
[A beat.]
That is, barring the fact that the other murderer didn't do it in self defense, either.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Hm. Said so properly for a man with blood on his hands.
[And then a shake of the head.]
Ah, but I can't say a thing like that, being me. If you had murdered the poor woman for your own selfish needs, we'd be having a very different talk right now.
[But he can see what Soo-won is saying. The man is shrewd thinking ahead, and shining like sunlight that also can pierce through the hearts of many. A terrifying sort of charisma. He almost can't look at it.]
I understand what you're saying. I would pray to the Lord for forgiveness if I were you...but the matter of the fact is, your life is on the line, here. [He frowns, deeply.] We can do our best here, but if we fail...we won't be able to pluck you from the inevitable.
no subject
We'll do what we're able. If we can bring more focus to the other killer, I think even if you are found out, others may be more willing to forgive for self-defense.
[Here's hoping the other one wasn't also self defense either.]
Are you all right, Soo-won?
[This is not the first time he has asked this, and it probably won't be the last. There's still a great deal more to taking a life and surviving than losing one.]
no subject
... I am not someone who expects to live happily or die peacefully. [he's said this before, and yet] ... the consequences of what I've done may come, but I would like them to come after everyone has been sent home safely.
You needn't worry after me, or care for me. I ask only that you protect my life, if you are able.
[because that's what bodyguards are meant to do - though there is something... sad in his expression, as though he expects to lose their friendship from this moment as well. but -
would that come as anything new to him?]
... I've told you both I don't particularly care for any wish. I asked Sharon for hers... for this will confirm whether killing someone generates nova for a team. If my team receives a boost in rankings, it will be because of her - and so I intend to carry out her wish should my team win.
[she may have attacked him but... it's hard for him to turn his back on her completely, when she knows what it was that she lost.]
It's been brought to my attention that Virid may have been directed by another Leader to kill Hajime - and if Sharon came to me of her own volition, that means that the person who killed Cater could have also been influenced by a Leader.
Even if you feel no interest in protecting me - that is the information I've collected that lead me to believe it would be in our best interests to pursue Cater's murderer regardless.
no subject
[More of a muttering to himself than anything else, but its a wisecrack that's more said to try to lighten this situation in some way rather than just let it stand as it is. They're in a bad situation here. Or rather, Soo-won is.]
...Directed by a Leader? [His gaze snaps to Soo-won, a hint of anger shining in his eye.] So our dear benefactors are the one behind this nonsense? Are you sure? Because that would make their seemingly helpless roles far worse than they seem.
no subject
It's done, and we have to follow through. We have more dignity than that, right?
[He gives Soo-won a pointed look, and then glances from him to Hansa, and then back. He frowns.]
It sounds like we're going to have to get to know our leaders a little better than we already do.
no subject
I am not sure just yet.
But different pieces have been brought to my attention. Multiple leaders have confirmed that things have been tense since the last Saturday - Swan apparently levied the accusation that one of the Leaders might have encouraged Virid to kill someone. Virid alluded to someone else that we have something more to worry about than individual killers - like some type of ominous threat that we have to deal with.
Thus - if there is someone who is killing for reasons that are decidedly not self-defense, then we ought to find them.
From the sounds of the current evidence... [since not all of it disappears] Cater was awake and wanted to lure the killer away from Yona, given that they were connected this week.
So we ought to find her killer.
Sharon came from the direction of the inn when she went to find me - and any evidence found in the Emporium was a mess I created in order to pull attention away from what actually happened.
I believe that the Northern area is where a certain amount of bloodlust fell - and a group of girls who were in the garden have been acting strangely since they awoke. Given that no evidence was found there that I've heard, they are the ones that I would like to look at more closely to begin with.
[a beat]
And... I would like to ask one of you to hold onto a knife for me. Having it on my person or found in my room will draw suspicion to me - but without it, it would be harder to believe that I could fight against Sharon.
Given that I was also stabbed in the heart and died twice yesterday, people are less likely to believe I could win against an assassin.
[btw sharon was an assassin
and soo-won had to get through three murder attempts on him in one day
surprise!]
no subject
[Sometimes you just want to be a bodyguard for?? The kicks???????????]
The Northern area, Cater luring the killer away, and... [Now he's frowning.] A knife? You could've just thrown it away somewhere, you know.
[JUST. GIVING A LOOK AT SOO-WON.]
I'll take it from you, though.
no subject
[Blanca will let Hansa take the knife.] I'll check you tomorrow, if you'll allow me. [So they can cover for fuckiNG SOO-WON.]
What did Miss Sharon have to use against you, Soo-won? That is, what should we be steering people away from which relates to you?
I think we should see where they take themselves first, and don't try overly hard to distract them. Or they will get suspicious. Just deflect casually if they bring up something serious.
no subject
[and he does seem sincere about this - he was insistent about paying hansa somehow before and now that he has... you know... the royal treasury....]
Sharon attacked me using some combination of wires and weights - however it's worth noting that everyone seemed to have awoken with something odd apparently. The garden girls feel oddly, the cafeteria individuals can't keep down food. [he got this information late] Since our group only woke up with the injuries, it's possible to pass them as that. She also used a scalpel to attack me - which I then used to obscure her wound so it was less obviously from a knife.
I wiped my fingerprints from everything and tore my own cloak to shreds where it was bloody - but there's a chance I could have left a hair behind. However she was carrying a blonde doll around, so it's possible to attribute all blonde hairs to that.
But I agree - I would rather earnestly pursue Cater's murder than deflect too largely from mine. The alien with a knife on the moon was not there when I left Sharon's body - and it sounds like a number of rooms were affected. I only went to the plaza, the bridge, the Emporium, the questionable room to return the scalpel, and the moon. Sharon must've been in other places.... but I think the Northern Area, planetarium, and railroad station will contain more clues about Cater's murder.
no subject
[He turns to Blanca.]
I think that would be fine. Though, just a heads-up. When you see my body...its not what you think it is. I'm seventy-percent metal. Soo-won knows.
[That bomb being dropped on poor Blanca, he turns back to the other as he speaks. Wires and weights? He raises an eyebrow at that...and didn't he mention she was an assassin? Yikes. Its lucky he walked away from something like that, though with the faces the young man has shown him, he's not surprised at this point.]
Got it. Northern Area, planetarium, alien on the moon...who was in the Northern area, again? We'll need to focus on them during the trial.
no subject
[Both of his brows rise up in bewilderment at the news, but he doesn't, like... make any joke, or even bring it up. Slowly, he exchanges a glance with Soo-won.
WHY ARE THERE SUDDENLY SO MANY SECRETS? HELLO?]
If worse comes to worse, we can try to rally others behind the notion something bigger may be in play than... a mere duel. It'd be more imperative for us to find Miss Cater's killer if they really are being pulled by strings. I'm sure a lot of the rest of us would understand that.
But you may be a target later if anyone thinks you should be punished, [to soo-won] so we have to be careful. If they happen to find out at all.
Let's try not to let that happen.
no subject
... while I wish it didn't come to this, I was hoping Hansa would let me check him this week... Is this another of my punishments....
[SOO-WON IS NOW THE TIME
but he'll move to wipe the handle of the knife with his sleeve before, a bit too dexterously, turning the knife over in his hand so that it balances instead of holding it - offering it handle first to Hansa. there, no more soo-woo fingerprints]
... in truth, most here think me a bit more defenseless. Given my injury - which is recent enough that there is no sign of reopening - they likely wouldn't anticipate me able to fight to begin with. [he glances at Hansa to explain] There's a stab wound over my heart. While I'd rather not announce it, since it does make me a rather easy target for the future - if it comes to that, so be it.
If a few hours in we have not made any progress - I will pull on one of your sleeves, and you can begin to suggest the self-defense argument if absolutely necessary. Given that Sharon's weights and wires were found in the water, you could suggest that it was pre-meditated on her part, given that she fashioned herself a weapon. She also made the tea to approach me with - which would suggest it was her initiative.
Only as necessary.
In truth - I believe that condemning me for self-defense will only create further disruption within our ranks. None will ever seek to come forward again with anything helpful, and it would be an emotional burden on everyone. Helpful for generating nova, perhaps, but a disadvantage to us in the long run.
[there he is, thinking long-term and about everyone else's well-being again. but maybe that's just what happens when you're a king]
no subject
[DON'T. SAY IT LIKE THAT, HANSA,]
[He does take the knife with the tips of his fingers, gingerly, looking it over to make sure there's no other marks or stains that he can see. It looks clean. That's good.]
Honestly, while coming forward might be the right thing to do...people would just vote for you anyways, since they have to vote for a culprit, and they don't want to get it wrong. [He frowns.] I don't want an innocent sacrificed on your behalf, though, Won. We all have to put in our best efforts to find the other murderer and bring them to justice.
[A beat.]
That is, barring the fact that the other murderer didn't do it in self defense, either.