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]

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?

[insincerely]

[He shrugs.]

I'm not exactly part of your little buddy-buddy group, remember? We might as well be strangers, so it's not like I have an informed opinion of them.

[hydrokinetics]

And whose fault is that? [Just lightly.] Noctis and I have been friends since the beginning. Damian I don't think trusted me until, like, last week, and Milla only came to me because Natalie suggested she come to a meeting we were having in our room. I said something that resonated with her, Milla approached me.

So. Just because you're not doesn't mean you can't be. You don't even have to be enthusiastic about it.

[insincerely]

[...]

Okay, pretty much all of that sounded gross to me.

[He's allergic to anything that isn't just people straight-up wanting to stay away from him??]

[hydrokinetics]

[A shrug.]

Before we got here, Annabeth and I hadn't seen another person at all for nearly three weeks. So it wasn't that gross for us.

[insincerely]

Coincidentally, it was similar for me. [Percy might recall Shinnosuke looking for someone on the first day.] Still gross.

[hydrokinetics]

[He does remember, actually.]

Is this the part where I just tell you you're gross and threaten to dunk you in the water again? The water might not listen to me like it usually does but it shouldn't be that hard.

[Hm.] Just think about what I said. That's all I'm asking.

[insincerely]

You'd drown a blind guy? How horrible.

[...]

I've already forgotten everything you said.

[Nope, nope, you can't make him socialize with people.]

[hydrokinetics]

Yeah, yeah, I'm a really bad person. Haven't you heard? [He rolls his eyes.]

We're probably meeting tomorrow. You can join us or not. [He's shifting to stand up.]