Some people have it other people dont, though the road that we've paved still goes both ways [W5 Th]

[hydrokinetics]

[It's starting to wind down around the hotel, and Percy's making himself a sandwich before going on bat-watch. He's in the kitchen and finishing up easily enough before he makes his way out of the kitchen, nearly running into Shinnosuke in the process.

He thinks about what Damian told them and he tilts his head, keeping his tone light and friendly as he sidesteps him.]

Sorry, dude. I didn't know you were there.

Comments

[hydrokinetics]

Considering my better half is gone, sure. I can count as half a person. [It's said casually but leaves little room to actually say anything about it.]

That's true. That should count as some form of trust for a half-person. But also being a Bandit wouldn't exclude me from helping the Bounty, but at the same time maybe I should have phrased this differently. Why would I want to? I want to end the game, but killing everybody isn't the answer. Hal even told me there's a route we can take that doesn't end in the last man standing.

[insincerely]

Didn't we establish before that anyone would fulfill their role as Bandit with the right threats?

I mean, I'd also rather not have this be a "last man standing" thing [he's been there, done that] but if I were in your shoes, I'd still kill if I was told to and then continue helping the Bounty—ah, I hope you know that when I said "end the game as soon as possible", I meant the condition where if Damian kills the Deputy and pulls it off. Not killing everybody, or whatever you were thinking of.

What's the other route, though?

[hydrokinetics]

We did. But I have a failsafe in place for if I ever have to be a Bandit. Someone I trust enough to tell so they know what to do. My point stands.

The other route is to have a group of people that won't backstab each other, won't kill each other or anything like that. If a group can exist without going through with the kills at all, then Hal said the game can end. There's no limit on how big that can be either.

[insincerely]

I've lost track of what your point even was, but this is a pointless line of conversation since I don't think that we're actually disagreeing.

[... Okay, Shinnosuke lets out a disbelieving scoff, because he's far too cynical to believe that that can be achieved.]

Ah. I see. That's funny.

[hydrokinetics]

We're not. [Probably? Gods, whatever.]

You think it's unbelievable? [He's had his doubts, but he's also trying to be optimistic all the same.]

[insincerely]

Hmm... it's a nice dream.

[Which is all that it amounts to, as far as Shinnosuke's concerned.

... It really would be great if they could achieve it, but he's too tired of being let down to make that leap of faith.]

[hydrokinetics]

[A heavy sigh.]

Shinnosuke, come on. It's possible if we figure out how to swing it the right way. Everything is possible if you figure out a plan.

[insincerely]

[While he's still smiling, he doesn't look very impressed, or as not-very-impressed can be when you're a guy with a blindfold.]

And what's your amazing plan, then? Or the start of it?

[hydrokinetics]

The start is to start figuring out who we can trust. That's what this entire game is based on is trusting each other not to kill no matter what. There is a group of people here willing to work together toward that end. If we can keep making that grow, get help from the other side, maybe there's a way.

...not to mention if we rule out the sociopaths still running around, that'll probably help.

[insincerely]

[It's honestly hard for him to have faith in that (however much he wants to), considering how prone people are to abandoning one another, even when it defies logic. That's how humanity is, in the end.

The last couple of days have taken a toll on him—Sei's death is just one problem of many. Even if he's kept up his usual attitude, right now he's tired, and he's confused, and it makes him wary of believing in something better when he doesn't know how rational he's currently being or if he's just giving into weakness instead.]

Trusting each other not to kill no matter what? And what's your basis for that trust? Case in point: I know I said I don't kill for sport, but what reason do you have to believe that? There's a reason "murder" is written on my poster. I've admitted as much before.

[hydrokinetics]

...I have a lot of reasons for believing this can work. Call it experience. But for you in particular? You could have killed me already. You could have taken that sword and stabbed me out here for knowing too much, left me for dead in the bottom of the bath, nobody would know until tomorrow. But you haven't yet.

Why is this, Shinnosuke? [This is a very dangerous and probably stupid game to play, but he's playing. He's bargaining, trying to make a point, reaching for what he can to make said-point.] You've told me you've killed before. And I still have Annabeth's knife. I have the advantage of sight here. Why did you come to me if you didn't have some sort of trust already?

[insincerely]

[From the way Shinnosuke's mouth presses into a line and his body tenses, it might seem like he's seriously contemplating the merits of stabbing Percy, if only to shut him up.

...

Then, finally, his shoulders sag and he lets out a tired breath. Quietly:]

Because I'm an idiot.

[Fine, Percy. You win.]

[hydrokinetics]

[ Thank you, Shinnosuke.]

If we start second-guessing each other now, we're completely screwed. You don't have to like me. We don't even have to be friends. But you have to trust me, and the other Bounties, that we will figure out a way to stop all of this in the best way possible with as few casualties as possible. All right?

[insincerely]

[Shinnosuke just looks away, making an irritated noise. Given that he doesn't argue, though, it could be taken as agreement.

... Which it is, but this topic—and being asked to trust people in general—just pisses him off.

(Also, he actually does have some fondness for certain people involved in the group, and that annoys him too, so.)]

[hydrokinetics]

[Yeah, it's okay Tsunnosuke, he gets it.]

...we need to lay low tonight. I'm keeping Damian with me to watch out for him. Milla is going with Yuna, and Noctis is keeping an eye on Ash. Tomorrow after...whatever happens, we should all probably talk. What do you think?

[insincerely]

[Shut up.]

Yeah, works for me. Seeing as how my latest roommate got himself killed too [damn it, Sei], it's not like I've got anyone to deal with at night.

[hydrokinetics]

[A pause.]

...you could always crash with us if you felt like it. I know you'll probably say no for tonight and hopefully I see you alive in the morning, but next week. If you want.

[He's just interested in keeping everybody alive, sue him.]

[insincerely]

...

[Shinnosuke just makes a baffled face, because he actually does not comprehend where this offer is coming from. What the hell???]

[hydrokinetics]

You can stop looking at me like that annnny time now.

[insincerely]

[Then stop being weird??]

You don't even like me, right? Why would you offer for me to crash at your room?

[no comprendo]

[hydrokinetics]

I think you're annoying and you're kind of an asshole, yeah. [A lull.] ...but Annabeth liked you. Likes you. Whatever. And you're part of the Bounty and that means you're automatically someone I need to protect whether you like it or not.

That, and you've already proven you won't kill me in my sleep so I'm cool with that.

[insincerely]

[??????? there is not enough selfishness in that reasoning, percy, still no comprendo]

... You're a moron and I don't get you.

[hydrokinetics]

Yes, I know. [He's very aware it's stupid, but whatever.] You don't have to get me, you just have to work with me. There are things I've been learning about this game that I've been trying to use to our advantage to bring the whole thing to an end. The more people we can clear and get working on the same side, the better.

[He thinks for a minute.] I'm sort of used to leading armies, so this isn't really new to me.

[insincerely]

And I'm used to my teams dying on or backstabbing me, so better pray that it's your expertise that gets used here, not mine.

[Reasons why Shinnosuke prefers to be a lone wolf. Sorry, Percy—but he'll make the (very grumpy) effort, at least.]

[hydrokinetics]

Considering my expertise also includes people dying on me and backstabbing? [How Percy can stay even a shred hopeful we just don't know.] That's not gonna happen here if we can help it. It just means working together.

...and it's Milla and Noctis. They're not so bad, are they?