W3, Monday-Wed (look i kept forgetting to add the dates)

[bittybat]

[Damian is kind of prickly and terse because Shit Escalated, so apologies to Xion... He kind of pretty much hunts her down some while after the execution.]

What you said about knowing of the other roles--who told you that?

Comments

[ceded]

... it's because of what they might use the knowledge for, [ she murmurs, trying to figure it out for herself. Well ...

The thought of it, the terror, claws at her chest like hot knives. The idea of Noctis or Shinnosuke getting killed because of this--

Well, it would really be because they had a role, wouldn't it? And if killing either of them would end the game, and send them all home...

Xion is thoughtful for a long moment, a kind of pensive unhappiness overtaking her. Finally, she just ... nods. ]

I don't have a role, [ she says softly, with a strange little smile. ] The more we find out about them, the more I think I can see why. I don't think I could ever do what you're doing, even though ... someone has to, to put a stop to all this.

[ A deep breath, and she tries, very, very hard, not to imagine the heads of the two boys she named propped up, bloody, on pillows. ]

I'll help you as much as I can. [ She looks up, her brow pinched tightly over a searching expression. ] People here, they ... trust me. I don't really get why, but no one here seems to think that I could be capable of committing a murder.

[ Shinnosuke might. Damian himself might. But most people, well...

The fact that not a soul accused her during the last trial was proof enough. ]

If that means I can help you get answers, I will. I'll talk to the Sheriff and I'll let you know what he says as soon as I can. I was going to talk to him about the roles, too, so... maybe I'll learn something else.

[ She is .... so tired. ]

Just, please, Damian ... tell me what I can do.

[bittybat]

[Frankly, he hates the way she looks at him. It feels too much like promises, and he hates making promises. Mostly because he's too worried he can't keep them like he wants.]

Don't tell everything you know, even to people you might trust. Tell them just enough. Keep a list of people who you've spoken with about anything like this in private. If something happens, we may have some suspects to investigate. I'm going to do the same.

In that regard, you can talk to Jackson, Papika, and Todd. I can't say whether they are one-hundred percent trustworthy, but I trust them enough.

[ceded]

[ Given that she's had a habit of being quite open with the people she trusts ... that will be a strange and difficult shift for her. Her expression clouds, but she nods nonetheless.

A list ... not unlike what Riku had done. Well, she can do that, if she must. It would help her keep track of all that's happened anyway. ]

Percy...

[ Said very soft. Well. Yes. The two of them have become quite close now, given What Happened. ]

Okay.

[ For a moment, she presses her face into both of her hands. The strain of this, of knowing what she now knows and trying to do what she'll be trying to do, makes her feel physically sick. If anything happens to Shinnosuke or Noctis, she already knows she'll blame herself, and she's already wondering how she can possibly live with it.

But these are her problems to figure out. Given this moment to calm herself down, she uncurls again, and everything about her is just ... neutral. Held in, and quiet.

Xion pushes off of her bed and gets on her feet. ]

I'll come find you as soon as I know anything new.

[bittybat]

[Even when Xion stands up, Damian doesn't stop frowning. Despite rigorous training in all manner of things, he can't say he enjoys or likes any of this.] Fine. If you can't locate me, you can tell Papika, and she will get the message to me. Unless it's private.

Don't do anything stupid. [Which has been, so far, his way of saying, "Be careful."

He turns around and makes for the door, but then stops when he's almost there. He doesn't look back.]

Do you want help getting back outside?

[ceded]

[ For what it's worth, she'll try to smile at him a little. She can read the underlying concern of that message. ]

I'll try.

[ His offer gets her to blink at him, and then...

even though he's not looking at her, she smiles for real. ]

Sure. It'd take me forever on my own.

[ So she'll join him at the door.

It's too bad his warning for her comes before she'll really need to hear it, after Shinnosuke and Jason get themselves blown up and she starts reevaluating her priorities all over again. ]

[bittybat]

[Stupid!

But anyway, he at least doesn't force her to get on his back again.

They don't have to rush anywhere, so he's content to just offer his arm and shoulder, to help her down the stairs to keep her from flying past and landing on her face near the bottom.]