misstrust | Blanca; catch-all

I see. She's very pretty, if I may say so.

[He doesn't get up, but he does motion for her to sit, if she'd like to do so. Please don't stand when you're hobbling around on crutches.]

I'd like to talk to you about what we should do for our team, yes. If you don't mind. But what I'm going to tell you is more confidential. Are you still planning to kill for us, Miss Dorothy?

[ The horse is clearly pleased and trots right on in to butt at his arm for a muzzle scratch.

Dorothy watches this with a faint smile, sitting herself down-- though then the smile is gone as she sighs. ]

I'm afraid so. We're running out of time and I can't even guarantee Fox can point me to someone whose nova is splintering in time. It might just be my instinct, in the end.

But I can't risk waiting-- I need to guarantee this team's safety.

[Well! Reaching up and over his shoulder, he gives the mare a very nice muzzle stroke and scratch while talking to Dorothy.]

Our time limit is about two weeks. This week, and the next. There are several other teams who also have not made two kills yet, so I'm afraid this week may turn out to potentially be a bloodbath.

Which could help us, but we shouldn't bank on whether there will be more than two kills.

I do not like making you do this, especially considering you're injured. But I know the team with the most numbers, and one or two people who we could chance to lose for a short duration. I also know a handful of people who you shouldn't target.

[ Dorothy is quiet, her eyes bright and alert as she listens-- and then she sighs, running a hand through her hair. ]

I don't want to put the kids through it, and I'm a little more likely to blend in among suspects than you are. I'll be as careful as I can.

But please, tell me what you can-- who I should avoid and viable candidates especially.

I understand...

[He doesn't want the kids to be involved either, but he also! doesn't want Dorothy! or any of the other ladies to be involved! Terrible.]

I'm afraid I can't explain why exactly, in full detail, but you should not harm Xie Lian, Emet-Selch, or Sora. It's best if you don't question them about anything. I'm sorry to force you to simply trust me. [His smile is a bit weak, but there.] And please don't tell anyone else those names.

There is another person, but... we haven't found out who they are quite yet.

[ Dorothy will survive!!

Or maybe she won't, we just don't know. ]

... I understand. I won't aim for any of those three, and I'll keep it to myself. [ Rather, Sora is a child and she would die for him?? ]

[KIA STOP]

Thank you. I believe one of the people you may safely remove is Miss Elsa, though... I don't know if you would be willing to do so.

[Elsa has done nothing wrong, she is simply... collateral.]

The person who is able to help you... is me. As long as I'm not targeted, I suppose... so you still should be as careful as possible. We should do something about your crutch to obscure it. Or we should find you something else with a different bottom shape you can use for that night.

To be honest, I was considering Elsa. I think I'd like to ponder that a little more before committing but I think it would be better to remove someone so gentle sooner rather than later when she finds herself having to kill someone.

... Well, I say that, but it will still be very horrible of me. [ With a saddened smile; the horse lowers her head. ]

As for my crutch... I'll do without it. It won't be for long.

[ It will hurt like a bitch, but it will eliminate one problem at its source. ]

But you mean you'll vouch for me?

[He offers the horse's head a comforting stroke.]

A little more than that, I'd hope.

I'm... able to remain awake on those nights. To look for clues to help us. I could possibly leave something behind, or take something away.

[ And now both eyebrows shoot up. ]

You've been awake every Thursday?

[Haha!]

I have, yes.

... Doesn't that mean you know all of the murderers?

[ Oh my god, Blanca. ]

I do wish it were that easy, Miss Dorothy, but no. I am only aware of two of them; one because they informed me, and the second because they had been missing from where they said they stayed.

I cannot interfere in anything that happens, and I don't see anyone but those who are asleep. Just as I saw you asleep in the graveyard by yourself.

I see... that's why you were able to say it so confidently the other week [ when... was that again-- ] that certain people were asleep.

... Then yes, I do believe I could use your assistance with the... aftermath.

[He nods.]

Yes, that's why. [His smile is slight.] I'll help you, but you will have to tell me how you think you might go about doing it, so I will know not only where to look, but what to look for.

... I finally get you alone in a beautiful environment and instead of falling into each other's arms, we're discussing the intricacies of murder.

[ Dorothy says this with a weary sigh. ]

I'll tell you when I have a better idea of what I'm doing. Likely Wednesday.

[He really shouldn't, but he chuckles in amusement. LISTEN. The image is funny, sue him.]

All right. Hopefully, things should go according to plan. If not, I can speak to you about it on Friday.

Let's hope we're both here by Friday.

[ Help these adults. ]

Edited 2020-11-02 22:03 (UTC)

I know things are grim and dire beneath the surface, but let's try to be at least a little optimistic, Miss Dorothy.

We'll both be here by Friday.

[He hopes.]

And we'll fall into each other's arms.

[ Clearly. ]

[This gets him to laugh quietly.]

I'll tell you what: if we're both here by Friday, I'll allow you to fall into my arms once.

[ She wags a finger at him. ]

I shall need it, so please remember you said that.

I promise to remember.

[Get it?

because they keep

losing memories.

It's a bad joke, he's so sorry.]

[ She just.

Reaches out to flick him in the forehead. ]

[OOF. He make a dramatically pained expression even if it doesn't hurt.]

It was in bad taste, I'll admit.

(no subject)

misstrust - 2020-11-03 21:35 (UTC) - Expand