The future's in doubt, you're on your own [Week 6, Friday]

[hydrokinetics]

[Silence fills the room. They've lost one of their own and their biggest chance to end the game. It's no surprise no one's in a good mood, but they all know they have to be here.

So...who will speak first?]

Comments

[impulsiveness]

It seems like it. I got one, you got one, Natalie, Milla and Noctis got one. He was busy.

[... Which makes him wonder if there were any for Shinnosuke and Xion, but. He doesn't want to linger too long on that thought.]

Do you have yours with you?

[hydrokinetics]

Uh, yeah. [He fishes it out of his pocket, unfolding it and squinting a little at the scrawling, loopy writing.]

"Percy,

In truth, when you came to visit, I had already written another letter addressing in fewer words what we spoke of. I already knew that I was going to die, as the Sheriff is quite forthcoming. It's all in the name of entertainment, and so knowing that I would not survive until next week is surely fitting to that end. There was unfortunately never any hope that I would make it to next week to speak with the rest, I imagine despite your best efforts.

Though away from practical matters, I would like to express that I'm thankful that you did come to speak with me. Perhaps if it had come earlier, that more peaceful resolution may have been possible, but I would say you shouldn't dwell on this. Instead, you had courage and respect that I have seen lacking in seasoned adults. It is refreshing, naturally, but it also speaks well to your character. You might find it ironic that I would speak of character, but it's something I value quite highly. I have had my doubts about the word "hero" being used to describe oneself, since this is a title bestowed, not taken, but upon further reflection, I believe you are one that can bear the word in all its virtue and all its weight."

[He stops reading for a minute because...it's kind of a lot, now that he thinks of it.]

"This weight is important, after all. You are not Achilles, who fights in glory and praise, untouchable minus a fatal flaw. You are Aeneas, the survivor, and from the ashes of this war, you are a hero that will do more than rest upon your laurels. I don't know if you will lead to the next founding of Rome, but considering the comparison to uniting armies both Greek and Roman, it would be apt. I hope you will continue that effort all the same. They may not need to unite to find common ground with me any longer, but they will need to unite to find it with each other. The peaceful way is lost, and so now, only blood remains.

I truly wish you in particular the best of luck with this task. It is not one I envy, since the town is impulsive and reckless at best. As is evidenced by this letter. Though if it may help, I do leave you with a final gift: I have given you all the "merit" left that I had accrued. I certainly have no use for it anymore, so it's yours to do with as you wish.

And finally, I will at least apologize to Annabeth. Considering your bond with her, I do believe I owe her one.

Best of luck, Hannibal Lecter."

[A long silence.] So. That's mine.

[thatsthespirit]

[. . .]

[Perhaps if it had come earlier, that more peaceful resolution may have been possible, but I would say you shouldn't dwell on this.]

[PERCY MIGHT NOT, but Milla does. just a little bit]

. . . we should have been quicker.

[hydrokinetics]

I know. But we didn't know for sure who he was. [He's pretty unsettled, too, despite Hannibal saying not to dwell on it.] I wish there's something else we could have done before now.

[thatsthespirit]

. . . as do I.

[and just the other day they had been talking about killing him, god. make up your mind, kids. although Milla had wished for a peaceful solution from the very beginning]

Nevertheless, he has given you his merit. What do you intend to do with it?

[hydrokinetics]

I don't know yet. [An honest answer, at least.] Use it for good, I think. See what it can get me from Hal. An answer. Something to give us direction now. I don't want to think the peaceful way is really lost.

[thatsthespirit]

I really don't either.

[a breath]

The game isn't over yet.

[hydrokinetics]

We still have time to turn the tides. We can win, can't we?

[impulsiveness]

[That is... a lot. And Jason's kind of impressed by how much respect Percy earned from Hannibal, but there is one bit he's immediately going to have to react to—]

He gave you ALL his merit?

[hydrokinetics]

[A shaky breath and he nods in disbelief.]

So it seems. Maybe...maybe I can use it to leverage with Hal after tomorrow. Earn merit from tomorrow's trial and go to him. This has to stop. And he has to have a better answer for us.

[impulsiveness]

It's worth a shot. Worst case scenario is he slams the door in your face.

[hydrokinetics]

He won't. Not if I tell him where my merit came from, I bet.