[It's basically their house at this point tbh, will they ever meet anywhere else? Science points to no.
And so, Chiron passes a cup of tea -- the type that's been meticulously brewed by someone who has been doing this for many years -- nodding quietly in agreement]
Virid went willingly as well. Had it been someone more... aggressive in their last moments...
[Well, that certainly would have changed the tone, wouldn't it?]
Most likely, yes. Having seen what is coming will make it no easier for some of them to accept, judging by how they reacted this time.
[all of that upset and yelling and hitting the barrier... when they themselves helped decide that outcome. they honestly can't complain about the results.]
But I should ask-- did you speak with him, or do you know of any others who did?
[Emet-Selch isn't wrong. Just imagining their reactions if they vote for someone innocent... Chiron has to close his eyes at that and place the thought away for another time.]
I did not. But others did, though what they told me more or less aligns with what Virid shared with us in his final moments.
[...]
I will need to talk with the Leaders later, but it does seem to insinuate that spilling blood with give you back your memories.
That it was simply because he wished to remove others in the competition, yes? He did mention having nothing to lose, yesterday.
[of course he went to bother him, he was bored and curious. he folds his arms, considering.]
It is implied that it will at least help. We have lost little as of yet, and there is nothing to say that it would assist with everything lost, should more have slipped away by the time one acts. Something that will require further evaluation when it happens again.
[he has little doubt of that. someone will have lost something they desire, or even act on simpler motivations.]
[A drop of salt from his end -- the only vocal irritation he'll allow himself -- still remembering how he'd warned what would happen if you add a prize at the end of a road; it quickly becomes soaked in blood.]
I have spoken with a few of the others, that it might be best to share what memories we think will tip our motivations into more aggressive territory.
[A desperate bid at negating the worst effects. But... mm, he hums]
Of course, the dangers there is one might open themselves up to being killed by anyone who believes it necessary to remove those with a higher likelihood to murder.
[There are. some with that type of temperament. The kind who might bloody their hands in the name of justice and make a further mess of things.]
Well, if you can get them to share with you-- I suppose you to be one of the few here capable of evaluating that more objectively, not to mention more likely to be told in the first place.
[he is well aware of their differences in temperament; emet-selch could fake it, yes, but he's grown quite weary of wearing these faces over the ages.]
But I asked because there may yet be more at play, if what I have heard is to be believed.
[He was going to make a quip about Emet-selch being perfectly capable of being told things as well, he certainly has a way of getting the information he wants, but--
Mmmmmm craning his neck around, expression displeased]
[he does have his ways... case in point coming up.]
Not quite. I would ask you to keep this to yourself for now, as it may need further evaluation, but... I received a slightly different answer when I spoke to him.
[he takes a slow sip of his tea.]
He claimed his actions were not his original intentions. That he was asked for his assistance, and did so at someone's request, though he would not say who to avoid others going after them. Only that it could likely be guessed at.
That is what I understood him to mean, yes. According to him, he did not disagree with their reasons for asking his help, and they had no need to offer anything in exchange.
[his fingers tap idly on the cup, there.]
Though he also said that the one requesting it of him is not necessarily the one to be careful of. He did not know who is.
It is in line with what he'd expect of a competition. If anything, they're a little ahead of schedule, as Chiron had not expected this level of secrecy so soon]
Did he mention his reasons for targeting the girl?
Given the implication that it could be guessed at? I would assume his own leader. Mine informed me they are discouraged from getting too close to participants on others' teams, and that they can only observe those of us they are linked to-- though they were not certain the other leaders would actually follow the first of those.
Yes... mine admitted that not all of the Leaders are equally enthused by some of the rules. They are united in fixing the core problem, if even that much is to be trusted -- but that is all.
Whether that can be trusted remains to be seen. We will simply have to be observant.
[but, hm. he glances back to chiron, a little more thoughtful.]
Though I have been considering something. If each of us cares little for this competition, then it should matter not if we know who we each are linked to-- and in the event that they are different, we may learn more of them that way.
[given that their own leaders may be more likely to share things with them than opposing ones.]
Something of the sort, yes. You are more or less the most tolerable person I have met here, and the only other with such a long history.
[they may have their disagreements about humanity, but-- they're on similar wavelengths otherwise, it seems. particularly when it comes to how much they want to bother engaging in the competition itself.]
If neither of us is truly competing, then there are more benefits than detriments.
I can't be allowed to forget that I've already died.
[Speaking plainly on the matter because... Chiron knows himself very well. He knows what drives him, his weaknesses, his strengths, and the dangers at play here]
There are children here, so I am confident that would be enough to stay my hand in most cases. However, if I think there is some greater purpose waiting for me, there is always the chance I would manipulate situations to my advantage, and place myself on the board.
At present, there's only five here that I think could face me on equal footing, either on merit of their wit or strength.
[It's not his intention to overstate his importance. Just what he views as a pragmatic truth. He prefers to be an ally, but would make a formidable enemy in his own worst-case scenario.]
Well, depending on the functions of missing memory, I may be unable to properly remind you... but I will at least be able to evaluate whether or not you are yet aware, and know what may occur if you've forgotten.
[and deal with it as necessary. should it be necessary, anyway.]
Should you truly forget, what would you have done? Or would you rather make no explicit plans, bearing in mind the fact that you will likely remember them even after losing the memory of your death?
[he nods in turn, noting that momentary shift in expression... and as it was his own proposition, it does seem appropriate enough for him to answer first.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
And so, Chiron passes a cup of tea -- the type that's been meticulously brewed by someone who has been doing this for many years -- nodding quietly in agreement]
Virid went willingly as well. Had it been someone more... aggressive in their last moments...
[Well, that certainly would have changed the tone, wouldn't it?]
I've no doubts it will be messier the next time.
no subject
[all of that upset and yelling and hitting the barrier... when they themselves helped decide that outcome. they honestly can't complain about the results.]
But I should ask-- did you speak with him, or do you know of any others who did?
no subject
I did not. But others did, though what they told me more or less aligns with what Virid shared with us in his final moments.
[...]
I will need to talk with the Leaders later, but it does seem to insinuate that spilling blood with give you back your memories.
no subject
[of course he went to bother him, he was bored and curious. he folds his arms, considering.]
It is implied that it will at least help. We have lost little as of yet, and there is nothing to say that it would assist with everything lost, should more have slipped away by the time one acts. Something that will require further evaluation when it happens again.
[he has little doubt of that. someone will have lost something they desire, or even act on simpler motivations.]
no subject
[A drop of salt from his end -- the only vocal irritation he'll allow himself -- still remembering how he'd warned what would happen if you add a prize at the end of a road; it quickly becomes soaked in blood.]
I have spoken with a few of the others, that it might be best to share what memories we think will tip our motivations into more aggressive territory.
[A desperate bid at negating the worst effects. But... mm, he hums]
Of course, the dangers there is one might open themselves up to being killed by anyone who believes it necessary to remove those with a higher likelihood to murder.
[There are. some with that type of temperament. The kind who might bloody their hands in the name of justice and make a further mess of things.]
no subject
[he is well aware of their differences in temperament; emet-selch could fake it, yes, but he's grown quite weary of wearing these faces over the ages.]
But I asked because there may yet be more at play, if what I have heard is to be believed.
no subject
Mmmmmm craning his neck around, expression displeased]
More competitions?
no subject
Not quite. I would ask you to keep this to yourself for now, as it may need further evaluation, but... I received a slightly different answer when I spoke to him.
[he takes a slow sip of his tea.]
He claimed his actions were not his original intentions. That he was asked for his assistance, and did so at someone's request, though he would not say who to avoid others going after them. Only that it could likely be guessed at.
no subject
[Speaking slowly, just as much for clarity's sake as to keep from growing more irritated with the situation]
He murdered on the behalf of another, and someone we could guess at with proper speculation.
no subject
[his fingers tap idly on the cup, there.]
Though he also said that the one requesting it of him is not necessarily the one to be careful of. He did not know who is.
no subject
It is in line with what he'd expect of a competition. If anything, they're a little ahead of schedule, as Chiron had not expected this level of secrecy so soon]
Did he mention his reasons for targeting the girl?
no subject
[he didn't. really care about that part.]
1/2
no subject
I had only spoken to him once before, and he was rather focused on my strength and ability to protect myself.
no subject
no subject
Yes... mine admitted that not all of the Leaders are equally enthused by some of the rules. They are united in fixing the core problem, if even that much is to be trusted -- but that is all.
no subject
[but, hm. he glances back to chiron, a little more thoughtful.]
Though I have been considering something. If each of us cares little for this competition, then it should matter not if we know who we each are linked to-- and in the event that they are different, we may learn more of them that way.
[given that their own leaders may be more likely to share things with them than opposing ones.]
no subject
Now this is interesting.]
You wish to form an alliance?
[The tone of his question is mild -- no surprises there, he is almost always mild -- but he does look to Emet-Selch with some level of amusement.]
no subject
[they may have their disagreements about humanity, but-- they're on similar wavelengths otherwise, it seems. particularly when it comes to how much they want to bother engaging in the competition itself.]
If neither of us is truly competing, then there are more benefits than detriments.
no subject
Very well.
[He doesn't deliberate long on the matter; he agrees that pooling their resources is beneficial, and Emet did gift him information for free.]
There is one stipulation, however.
no subject
[he'll wait, head cocked slightly as he observes chiron.]
no subject
[Speaking plainly on the matter because... Chiron knows himself very well. He knows what drives him, his weaknesses, his strengths, and the dangers at play here]
There are children here, so I am confident that would be enough to stay my hand in most cases. However, if I think there is some greater purpose waiting for me, there is always the chance I would manipulate situations to my advantage, and place myself on the board.
At present, there's only five here that I think could face me on equal footing, either on merit of their wit or strength.
[It's not his intention to overstate his importance. Just what he views as a pragmatic truth. He prefers to be an ally, but would make a formidable enemy in his own worst-case scenario.]
no subject
[and deal with it as necessary. should it be necessary, anyway.]
Should you truly forget, what would you have done? Or would you rather make no explicit plans, bearing in mind the fact that you will likely remember them even after losing the memory of your death?
no subject
[Leaving it at that, though his expression does dip a little into something old and tired.
And then he bounces back and turns a smile in Emet-Selch's direction]
Thank you for your cooperation.
[So you first]
no subject
[he nods in turn, noting that momentary shift in expression... and as it was his own proposition, it does seem appropriate enough for him to answer first.]
Tiger, for me. And yourself?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)