week 5, post trial.

[robitussin]

[Another week draws to a close, but as more culprits are led away, something is different all the same. After this particular trial, perhaps it's not a surprise that there's no note or offer to meet in a specific place tonight. Can any of them say they have any energy or desire to do something like that at a time like this? The place they regrouped last Saturday evening stands there, burned nearly beyond recognition, and the townspeople look at them with the distrust that's been steadily building. Not to mention... Those are the least of the losses they've faced in the last few days.

Of course, even as so much changes day by day, the town remains, with plenty of places for people to go if they don't want to stay inside the motel. Where can you be found tonight?]

Comments

[robitussin]

[She's still angry. She will be for a good while - she's certainly not above holding grudges, and the apology she received leaves a bad taste in her mouth.

But she's curious, too.]

You didn't volunteer.

[quickpersuader]

...I liked talking to Millium. Mr. Dazai was right - she was a bright girl.

But it's much more personal for him than it is for me. Additionally, I don't feel the need to try to figure out an instant death for her.

So this time, I decided I wouldn't interfere with his chances of being executor.

[robitussin]

...So you thought someone else had more of a stake in it than you did, basically?

[quickpersuader]

Pretty much.

[She had been angry with Jughead's death enough to want to take the execution for herself. But for Millium... it's probably better to leave it to someone else.]

The other times... I meant to give them quick executions. But I don't see a reason to give Miss Olympia that, and Mr. Dazai will make sure of it.

[robitussin]

[She tilts her head.]

You think? His biography mentions he knows a lot about torture tactics.

[quickpersuader]

I wasn't trying to imply Mr. Dazai should give her a quick death, either.

[She doesn't know what constitutes torture for a robot, but she won't protest it.]

[robitussin]

...I'm not sure she can feel pain either way, so I'm not sure it matters how fast it is.

[quickpersuader]

Mm. I'll just have to see what he comes up with tomorrow.

[robitussin]

...Will you tell me afterwards?

[quickpersuader]

[...]

Are you sure you want to know?

[robitussin]

Yes. I went last week. I'm getting... kind of used to the whole constantly surrounded by death thing. It's whatever.

[She tries to make it sound casual, but it doesn't come out quite right.]

[quickpersuader]

[Kino regards her quietly. Considering. ]

...There's a lot of things you hate here, but you keep facing them anyway.

I think that's good.

[robitussin]

[It's clear from her expression that she wasn't expecting that, and it tightens almost immediately, trying to hold back some more extreme emotion.]

...It's not like I have a choice.

[quickpersuader]

There are others who break under the pressure. [It happens. Not everyone has the will to keep shouldering through it.]

But if you can keep going... that's good. It'll help you survive this.

[robitussin]

...I told you before, right? I'm pretty much incapable of not doing the most challenging thing possible.

[The words themselves are almost positive, but they're delivered with a bitter, unhappy tinge.]

[quickpersuader]

Then that's good too. Because right now...

The most challenging thing is surviving. [Not getting an advantage. Not tricking the Sergeant. But living through everything this town brings.]

I hope you're successful.

[robitussin]

...No, it's not.

[She says, without elaborating.]

[quickpersuader]

[Kino watches her for a bit.]

Doing things without dying also counts, you know.

[But she won't push beyond that.]

[robitussin]

That's not...

[What she meant, but she doesn't say that. She just continues on for a tense moment.]

Everyone who's died left their rooms where other people could find them, or tried to escape, or attacked the Sergeant, or killed someone. It's not hard not to do any of those things. I don't get why everyone is so...

[She rubs a hand over her face.]

Never mind.

[quickpersuader]

...I don't think staying in your room necessarily makes a person here safe from murder.

[robitussin]

That doesn't mean that we couldn't give it a shot for one fucking week.

[She runs her hands through her hair, taking in a breath.]

[quickpersuader]

We'd probably end up with a corpse in a room instead.

[As people here have proven, they can be very determined when it comes to claiming the motive.]

[robitussin]

And at that point you can say it's more of an accomplishment to still be alive. But not now.

[quickpersuader]

Then I'll be sure to congratulate you if that happens and you don't become involved in the trial.

[...And she means it.]

[robitussin]

Why are you...

[She pauses.]

You're acting weird.