...he died by an arrow to the head. You could. But 'twould be a detriment to lose you, Archer, particularly when they will know if you are chosen. Do you think they will not see who you lied for?
If the situation should turn so dire, all I will need is ten minutes at the end to throw the trial into chaos. The children scare easily when conflict arises, Emet-Selch, you know that.
... I am not saying they will not suspect you soon after, but before anything else can be done, you must live.
And should I die, go to Blanca and Hansa. At the very least, you will have allies to your cause.
...only if it is truly dire. Only if you think it a certainty that I will die. It was a kill in self defense-- we may make use of that, instead. Ensure he is painted as the aggressor, for it is the truth, and try to guide others away from seeking a killer who had no choice. If we can only deter it from ever reaching that point, we may set this course of action aside.
... More likely, if we can simply force the group to focus on one body at a time -- Yoshizawa's head is still missing, and there will be time wasted trying to find it.
[He hasn't exactly agreed to Emet's insistence, but his tone has cooled for the moment]
Shiro was well-loved by the group, but so was she -- perhaps more so. There will be plenty eager to find her killer.
Would that it had been anyone else, honestly... 'tis a shame for him to be dead. It cannot be helped, but I would not have ended his life if I had the choice, in part because of how many are attached.
[Another chuckle, almost... something. Perhaps melancholy and tired. And Chiron opens his mouth as if to say something, a hand half-hovered in the air in Emet's direction.
But he drops it and instead settles into place himself]
In the morning, I will make you a tea for your throat -- enough that it should suppress the coughing. Tell the others I have been giving it to you for the last two days if necessary.
You may insist upon it, if it pleases you, with the understanding that I will not promise to be in a receptive enough mood.
[it all depends on what it is he meant to say, of course. there are things he would still readily discuss if this all goes wrong, and there are things that would anger him to hear.
but he likes chiron enough to give him fair warning of that.]
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[...]
Tomorrow, I will insist on searching Shiro's body, though with my blindness, I expect that to be quickly contested.
[... Gritting his teeth, briefly, but he is too full of adrenaline and planning to stop himself from speaking]
If we can hold out until the very last hour of trial... Should it prove necessary, I will claim to be one of the killers.
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1/2
And I will not suffer you to be targeted when you have a purpose here. I do not--
[want to die
...]
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Only if there is no other choice.
But you are more important than I in this ... game.
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... I am not saying they will not suspect you soon after, but before anything else can be done, you must live.
And should I die, go to Blanca and Hansa. At the very least, you will have allies to your cause.
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[He hasn't exactly agreed to Emet's insistence, but his tone has cooled for the moment]
Shiro was well-loved by the group, but so was she -- perhaps more so. There will be plenty eager to find her killer.
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[No, he can't let this go]
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[sharper, this time.]
I have seen sacrifice enough for my lifetime. Do not be so eager to add another to the list.
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[And there is perhaps regret in his voice when he speaks now]
I would not make you suffer again if I could find another way.
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[he finally settles in, there, taking a seat with a heavy sigh.]
...it will be a trying day. Rest. You will need your wits about you, as will I.
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I fear there will be no rest for me.
[not when he knows the stakes, and will spend every hour he can looking for a solution.]
... You will -- stay for a while?
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[he knows perfectly well that this could be the last night they both get to spend free, after all. if he's caught...
well. not thinking about that, for now.]
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But he drops it and instead settles into place himself]
In the morning, I will make you a tea for your throat -- enough that it should suppress the coughing. Tell the others I have been giving it to you for the last two days if necessary.
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[but he doesn't miss that abandoned gesture or the way chiron almost speaks, pausing a moment before:]
If there is aught you would say, then speak your mind, Archer.
[especially now.]
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Of course he did.
Chiron's answer is mild]
I would... answer you after the trial, come what may.
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[it all depends on what it is he meant to say, of course. there are things he would still readily discuss if this all goes wrong, and there are things that would anger him to hear.
but he likes chiron enough to give him fair warning of that.]
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[This is a serious discussion about one of them potentially dying but Chiron has the nerve to laugh in a goodnatured fashion]
Should you not want to hear me, I will graciously keep my mouth shut.