hydrokinetics | With everything falling down around me Id like to believe in all the possibilities [W4 Tues Evening]

[the sense of accomplishment Milla feels right now is soothing, a stark contrast to the defeat she felt after the trial on Saturday. week three was rough. . . but at least week four is shaping up to be better??? maybe??? well, the debacle with Jason and Shinnosuke the other day aside]

[Milla is the next to arrive behind Percy, and she's peeling an orange as she does so. she's hungry, what can she say??]

Thank you again for your assistance. I feel like we're taking a step in the right direction.

[she discards a part of the orange peel as she speaks]

Are they here yet?

[Mrs. O'Leary gives the first signs of Damian's approach.

Typically, he likes to be first, and he likes to be staked out somewhere hidden, but this time he comes up last, looking apprehensive. Percy he knows well, and Mrs. O'Leary is a relief, but Milla--

Milla is unexpected and his eyes are harsh and judgmental until they slide to Percy, questioning and cautious.]

Is this who you meant?

[He's about to answer Milla when Mrs. O'Leary gives a short bark. He looks and sees Damian, not at all surprised by his reaction. There's a slight smile to assure him and he sits up, nodding even if he isn't expecting Damian to come closer right away.]

I found you a Bounty. [And to Milla, he gives another look that says everything. He knows what they discussed, being mad at the people behind this game even if it wasn't the Sheriff entirely. She should know why now.] And I think this is your leader. Have you two really met before now?

[Its a polite question meant to keep everyone calm. There is a lot of ground to cover here.]

[give her]

[a moment]

[she knew Percy had concerns, but seeing these concerns in person. . . seeing that the Bounty Leader is a child and a child who specifically argued with her on the morality of killing. . .]

[she snaps her mouth shut and composes herself quickly. no. they can figure something out, here. for now, it's good that they've found each other]

We've spoken before, yes. Though only once.

[a nod at Damien]

I am Milla Maxwell. I am a Bounty, and I know which role you are searching for.

[Yeah, it's a ten year old. Blame the Sheriff!!]

And you likely know who the other Bounties are, too. You just aren't aware of it yet. [He glances from Milla to Percy, and then once more to Milla.] What role am I looking for?

Edited 2017-02-07 14:11 (UTC)

[This is about where he has to let Milla take over, but he knows that he also has to be a little protective of Damian and help him be somewhat at ease. He's figured out that the bat-brat doesn't trust people and wants to work alone most of the time. Percy can't have that for him.]

Milla explained that at least one of the Bounties was killed by a Coal Miner. [He sounds a bit bitter, too. There goes some of the help they could have used, he thinks. But he'll let Milla answer that question.]

Edited 2017-02-07 16:58 (UTC)

[Milla totally understands why someone wouldn't be so quick to trust in a game like this one. as such, she doesn't push it. at least, not yet]

[she does confirm what Percy said with a solemn nod, though]

. . . yes, that's right. He offered that information to me freely, so I imagine he told the other Bounties already. He also confirmed that I've been speaking to them, even if I don't realize it.

[so perhaps she's getting close to finding the rest of them. as for Damien's question--]

The role you're searching for to kill is the Deputy. The Sheriff confirmed this for me yesterdy.

Edited 2017-02-07 17:13 (UTC)

[Well, shit. One down. But now they don't have to worry about the coal miner. RIght...]

The Sheriff said the rest of you were "hanging out without me." Whoever you're frequently with, some of them must be Bounties. But you all have to reveal your roles to each other for it to count. [He's still frowning.

He still seems pretty wary of this entire exchange.] Does that mean the Deputy is looking for me?

Furthermore, do you have any idea who it may be?

[He just slides his eyes over to Milla, solely because of something they spoke of. That's a great point.]

At least I was right when I said the Deputy was probably working alongside the Sheriff. I just had the basis of the idea wrong. [So. Who the hell could the Deputy be?]

[props a hand on her hip and frowns]

The Deputy is searching for all Bounties, including you. What the specific terms of their role are, I don't know. Nor do I have any idea who occupies it. All I know is that the Bounty Leader killing this role and avoiding capture is one method of ending the game.

[. . .]

Did the Sheriff not tell you there was a role looking for you in return?

[THAT SEEMS IMPORTANT HAL!!]

[fuck hal tbqh]

No, I just assumed that was the case considering I was required to find someone. The Sheriff didn't divulge what role I was to find either.

[Slowly, he crosses his arms over his chest.] While this is useful information, this still isn't going to help us in the long run. [His gaze stays on Milla.] The game isn't going to end based solely on me finding this person.

To end the game, I have to kill them.

[...something occurs to him then.]

There's two other Bounties out there, right? Maybe the smartest idea is to start figuring out who you've talked to a lot, Milla. But did Hal say what would happen if somebody besides Damian killed this Deputy?

[she nods at Percy to acknowledge the entirety of what he said, but only directly responds to his question]

I didn't ask him that. [but she can file it away for later] But I did ask him if the Bounty Leader killing the Deputy was the only way to end this charade early.

Originally, he said yes. But then he added something interesting to his answer.

[her gaze flickers back to Damien as she repeats the Sheriff's words from memory]

"This doesn't mean I ain't open to other suggestions though, but they'd have to be really good ones. Something very clever."

[inclines her head slightly]

If we're clever as a group, we may be able to find another way. A way that doesn't involve killing anyone.

[Of course, Damian gives Percy a look that seems to say, I told you.]

The game hasn't been about the outcome. The Sheriff nor the employers care about the lives of anyone here. They only care about entertainment. If we can find another way, we can also end the game, but the way we find must be entertaining to them.

If it's boring, the Sheriff will try to stop us, or, in the end, it won't matter. We'll still be lost.

[He peers at Milla.] The Sheriff told me the ones who have died are not truly dead. They are in limbo until the game is finished. He alone gets to decide what happens to us at the end of this: if we played the game badly, we will likely be trapped here forever; if we play the game well, he will send us all, including those who are "dead" back to home.

The Sheriff also said his employers played this game among themselves until they grew bored. I assume needless slaughter is what gives our ratings disapproval. We have to try to do this without killing anyone. It's something they wouldn't expect out of us.

Thus, they would be "entertained."

[Don't give him that, he brought you a bounty!!! Also at the mention of people not truly being dead he seems to shift uncomfortably because...that's both a good and a bad thing. He won't explain himself, simply listening for once.]

So if we were more clever about this and found a way to circumvent the killing rules we could still win. That still means finding the other Bounties and the Deputy though. [Mm.] It'd help if we had any ideas or leads of what else the Deputy might be doing besides being an opposing force to the Bounty Leader.

Also I'm still not sure about the idea that they played this among themselves. Too bad Hal won't actually give us information on past games.

[boys what are you doing!! looks between the two of them, eyebrow quirked]

The Sheriff told me the same thing about those who have died.

[which is actually a comfort for her, because it means they can actually win this game and send everyone home safely. she also gives a small smile, because even if she got MORALLY RIGHTEOUS vibes from Damien during the trial the other day, she approves of the way he is talking now]

And I like the way you're thinking, Damien. I, too, would prefer to avoid needless slaughter. And I think we can if we discover a sufficiently entertaining and clever way to end this.

But for now, Percy is right. We need to find the other two Bounties and the Deputy. Perhaps when our group is complete, we can come up with a plan.

[what Milla does next is a little weird, but she had defintely noticed the hesitancy in her Bounty Leader. in one smooth motion, she unsheathes Higekiri's sword at her side and bends down on one knee. the blade lays flat in her hands, the pointed end towards the ground and the holster extended in Damien's direction. it's a very knightly gesture???]

For now. . . please allow me to be your shield. To protect you with everything I can. I believe you are the key to saving everyone, and if you put your trust in me, I shall place mine in you.

[It's strange. Damian is startled by the gesture, and it actually shows on his face. His arms fall to his sides, and he peers at Milla, kneeled, then at the sword.

Unfortunately, it makes him sick. It reminds him of being trained to expect devotion from men and women willing to die for any cause he deemed necessary. Heir to the al Ghul empire, shadows, Assassins. How many had he sent to their deaths for reasons ten times more petty?

He had been trying to atone for the abuse of that kind of power.

Carefully, he reaches out and takes the hilt. But he doesn't knight her. His skill in handling this kind of blade is evident in the flourish around his shoulder, over his head. Fast. He doesn't even have to pivot his shoulder, only his elbow and wrist, and the blade stops half an inch at Milla's neck.] First, a man's sword is his soul. Never again make deals with a soul that doesn't belong to you.

Second, don't take out your sword unless you're going to use it.

Finally, don't ever give your life to anyone else. That's the quickest way to die worthlessly. I don't want your chivalry, and I don't want a servant or a guard. I only want an alliance. [He pulls the sword away, and then returns it to her by placing the blade on the back of his wrist and offering it.]

I'm the Bounty Leader. If either of you can think of anything more to ask the Sheriff, I can try, and he may be more revealing to me with this title.

Otherwise, we should focus on finding the identity of the Deputy and the rest of the Bounties before we progress forward.

Damian. [The tone is sharp and it's purposeful that he calls him by his real name instead of Robin. It's to make a point and he's sitting up, staring at him with a hardened expression. He's not happy and this is precisely why he's here to mediate.]

This is an alliance. [He thinks of the people who have died thanks to helping him fight, those who gave their lives both in the Titan War and the Giant War. He thinks of the two who sacrificed themselves even right before he and Annabeth got here. He takes a breath.] This is how being a team and being a part of an army works.

[Who said anything about an army?] Milla and I are right behind you and making sure you keep the suspicion off yourself. I never even gave her your name when she approached me this morning. It's not about giving our lives to you, it's about protecting everyone. Do you understand that? I think Milla and I are both capable enough not to blindly follow or endanger ourselves, but we will be helping you. We all want the same goal. We want to get out of this game and...[He only pauses briefly.] We want to bring people back. But the thing about alliances is that sometimes include being willing to sacrifice and taking some risks, so...let us make that choice. Aren't you the one who wanted to risk yourself to go down in those mines in the first place? This isn't any different.

[With that said, he straightens up again.] Besides finding Milla, I also spoke with the Sheriff about the stocks. [Just like Damian asked. It's his way of proving his point.] I asked him some questions about roles as well. And furthermore...Milla and I might have someone we suspect to be a part of this game.

[He'll let Milla take it from here.]

[Milla doesn't move when Damien takes the sword. doesn't move when he brandishes it, swings it through the air and stops it inches from her neck. her gaze remains locked on him, firm, steady, fearless. there's pride in her eyes, glimmering brightly, and she listens to what he says with the slightest of smiles]

[it seems whatever test her gesture had been-- one of trust? a demonstration of his skills? proof of his resolve in addition to proof of her own trust? who knows, she sure isn't saying-- Damien had passed. she stands when he offers her the sword again, and slips it easily back into its sheath at her waist]

I am happy to accept an alliance with you, Damien Wayne. [yeah, they never formally introduced themselves to each other, but she has read the wanted posters] What Percy says is correct. I don't intend to throw my life away unnecessarily; after all, I have every reason to survive this charade. I am needed back home, and I am needed alive.

[she had said it to Shinnosuke in the very beginning, hadn't she? she will survive]

But I recognize my role in this game limits my actions, and I am willing to take necessary risks to protect the king on our chessboard. That is all.

[Percy has pretty much said everything else she wanted to say, so she moves on after that]

And we do have a suspect, based on something he said during the meeting Percy and I had the other night. Noctis knew the details of the Bounty Leader role when either I nor Percy told him of them. I think it'd be wise to watch him for a while.

And those I have spoken to at length-- Yuna, Xion, Barnham, Sara, Jason, Seizaburo, Natalie, and Papika-- may also be worthy of your scrutiny.

[she thinks that's everyone she has spent the most time with, anyway]

Edited (I SAID JASON TWICE) 2017-02-08 03:59 (UTC)

I'm not an idiot, Jackson. [He cuts the other teen a sharp glance, as if offended Percy thinks he would just toss everything out the window for the sake of pride. (He would have before.)] I've already been commander of an army, and I'm not going to be one again.

If people choose to fight on their own, so be it. Their deaths are their own choices.

[His attention turns back to Milla.] I don't know if Lucis has a role, but he may have merely learned the information from Xion.

She claims to have told him about things Riku had told her. I don't know if Riku had a role as well, but Xion says he told her he didn't. He may have been lying to protect her. Regardless, he's now dead. Xion doesn't know who else he spoke to before his death, so I can't pin-point who may have tried to target him because he knew too much.

Naturally, Xion is suspicious herself. [He frowns at both of them.] If I die, I want you to take Todd and find Pennyworth. On his collar will be a list of names of people I have spoken to, and you'll at least have something to work with if it isn't chosen at random.

[Damian, if you knew the things he knew about pride you'd see why Percy's paranoid as shit. But he sets his jaw and seems like he'll back down for a moment...]

Some of us still are. [And that's all he says in the way of an apology.]

...Xion told me that Riku left her a letter. Obviously I didn't ask her to show me because we were about to go into a trial. Seemed a little callous. [A hand comes up, fingers twisting around one of the leather-corded bead necklaces he's wearing. It's Annabeth's, of course. Somehow his hand always finds that one.] Riku spoke with me, but never about anything that could help us now. His letter might be able to give us hints, but that would mean getting it from Xion.

[He doesn't like that Xion could be suspicious, but it's a thought he tucks away.] ...I think Jason will trust us enough for that. I take that to mean you spoke with him about this. [He glances at Milla then.] And you and Jason are obviously familiar with each other, aren't you?

The Sheriff confirmed that none of the victims of last week had roles. So if Noctis learned his information from Xion, who learned it from Riku, who heard it from someone else. . .

[she frowns. that's way too many people in a game of telephone]

I trust Xion. [Xion is good people] And while I don't want to be callous, perhaps if we explain to her our motives, she'll be willing to tell us if the letter is relevant or not. If it is, then we can ask to see it.

[POOR XION they're talking about snooping into her private business. at Damien's request, she nods]

I believe Jason trusts me enough for that task, yes. As I trust him. I'd prefer to hope that you don't die anytime soon-- [she says to Damien] -- but a backup plan just in case is a wise idea.

There's no need. [It's pretty much an interruption, but at least it's a good one.] I've already spoken to Xion about the letter, and I've already read it myself.

Riku claimed there is a system of rewards: trial rewards, and a reward for "winning" the game. I don't know what the trial rewards are; Riku didn't know either. He knew the reward for winning the game: everyone goes home, you go home, or a restart. At first, I thought the choice was obvious. However... if the game is based on participation with the Sheriff making the final choice, then "everyone" may not be everyone.

It's foolish, but I can understand why someone may think restart would provide a different, better outcome.

I don't know if this means Riku was a Bounty or he just heard everything from one. He told Xion he didn't have a role.

He also seemed to think that the forty graves and the bodies inside them could be related to the restart reward for winning. I'm not sure. A lot of what the Sheriff does are scare tactics. This may be one of them.

[A derisive snort.] Of course you did. [But at the same time there's a twinge of a pleased smile. Somehow, he's still happy that Damian's bullying people besides him for information.]

...I could buy that, given a conversation I had with the Sheriff yesterday. I don't think Riku was a Bounty though, the Sheriff would have told us when Xion and I asked if any of them had roles. Annabeth and Nui are obviously out, too.

Riku also could have just asked him based on merit. The Sheriff told me some stuff as a reward for my work in trials and in getting a horse out of my room. [There's a pause.] Scare tactics or not, he did say there's a way for the game to end and have multiple winners. I got that much out of him.

[well, Damien saved them a bit of time and snooping, and that's good in Milla's book]

And even if this game doesn't wind up having multiple winners, couldn't the one who does survive until the very end use their "reward" to bring everyone back? Even those who died early or didn't participate?

That would be much preferable to a restart that hopes for a better outcome. [ha] Although, even then that doesn't help us conquer those who decided to run this game in the first place. The Sheriff's "employers."

[because she'd like to take THEM down too, but. focus on one thing at a time]

That depends entirely on how the Sheriff words the offer. [Which makes Damian frown.] If there's only three options for rewards, no one could bring people back because that isn't one of the options. Besides, your reward has one flaw: he could very well bring everyone back, but back where is the catch.

They would just be brought back here because a) you wouldn't think to specify where, or b) the place of resurrection is a second reward you weren't given. Two parts. He'd uphold the first as promised, but the second he wouldn't.

Essentially, it would just be a restart. That could be what happened before.

I don't know if it's more about how the Sheriff words the offer, or how people ask. You guys gotta remember he's a robot. He's already kind of made it clear that he's only capable of understanding and doing so much. That's the problem here. I'm not saying not to blame Hal, but it's on us, too, to phrase it just right.

So what we need to do is make this cut and dry to where there's no way it can be a restart. [He licks his lips.] He also said the game could end early so long as the people remaining have zero chance or temptation to kill any of the other survivors. Whatever that means.

[she thinks about all this for a moment, hand pressed against her chin]

What if you phrase it, "as my reward I'd like you to send everyone home alive?" Do you think that's specific enough?

[and she glances at Percy]

By having zero chance or temptation to kill any other survivors, he must mean. . . well. Say Damien, myself, and the other Bounties are the only ones left. It wouldn't make sense for a Bounty to kill another Bounty, would it?

I think to ensure the continuation of the game, he will probably try his best to get around giving exact rewards unless we do word it specifically without any loopholes.

[Great.]

And I don't think it would matter to him if Bounties killed each other when they are the only ones remaining. I can ask--if he would extend the reward to each Bounty, or if it would be a group reward. [That would suck.]

We are going to have to find a way to incapacitate everyone.

You realize that means you or someone else would have to kill me if the Bounties are the only people remaining. [Just. Sort of flatly. He doesn't really feel like dying, friends.] Though I think Damian might have a point that he'd try to get around it unless we're careful.

It's definitely worth asking, but what do you mean incapacitate?

[JUST. JUST LOOKS AT PERCY]

That's not what I-- i-it was only an example.

[oops now she's a bit flustered. IMAGINE THAT?? it's all she says for now because PErcy has already asked Damian (WHOSE NAME I HAVE BEEN MISSPELLING THIS ENTIRE TIME) the question at the forefront of her mind]

[IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, IT'S FINE. HE'S STILL A P.O.S. REGARDLESS.]

If we can't win against the odds, we're going to have to change the game. Continuing on a linear path is only going to result in the expected outcome.

If we want to win with the fewest casualties, we are going to have to change how we play.

[He thinks of saying he's used to beating odds, but that won't help right now. So...a deep breath, and he nods.]

Any ideas then? I'm willing to listen to your lead on this to see what we can do, if you'll let me.

[And if he won't then Percy's going to do things his own way anyway because Percy's a jerk sometimes. He's determined to help? Stop this.]

I'm willing to listen as well. There aren't any ideas that come to the forefront of my mind, so brainstorming seems to be our best option.

[lay it on them, Damian]

[Ha ha, jokes on you, Damian has no plan yet...]

The Sheriff is the one who orchestrates everything week by week. If we remove him for at least a while, I'm wondering if it will leave the rest directionless and unable to act or kill.

[He sighs.] This, however, doesn't stop a rogue from killing instead. But incapacitating everyone would take a great deal of planning and, more importantly, cooperation.

Furthermore, there is likely consequences for restricting the Sheriff.

[GODDAMNIT!!]

I don't think removing the Sheriff is a good idea, Damian. Aren't you the one who told me about Lord of the Flies? It'd make people more likely to act, especially since one of the rules is you have to tell Hal if you're killing anybody. Without someone to tell, people are more free to do whatever they want.

[Although.] It's not a bad idea in theory, but it has way too many traps.

. . . as much as I hate to say it, Percy is right. And we likely need the Sheriff to be cooperative in sending us home in the first place.

[that idea fills her with uuuugh, but. the Sheriff is a good resource, even if he is terrible]

Fine. [Look, you both asked for ideas!!] Then people are going to continue to die until we find the Deputy.

Then we kick it up a notch. I'm pretty sure the Sheriff knows by now that I'm working with you guys, so I think I can get some answers from him. As long as I can confirm I know some things already, he'll answer based on what I know.

...we'll find the other Bounties. That's the first step to minimizing casualties.

[ideas are good, even if Milla doesn't think them totally feasible!!]

I think that's right. Finding the other Bounties is step one. Locating the Deputy is step two.

[step three is ???? and step four is profit. hopefully]

With everything falling down around me Id like to believe in all the possibilities [W4 Tues Evening]

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