Oh? What'd you do? [she would normally not just outright go "is this your own doing" but he brought it up first, and she kind of wonders if it's just that he pushed his limits given what she knows about him so far.]
And nothing happened to antagonize them at all? Not even a little? [she holds up her hand to pinch her fingers together like "itty-bitty measurement." granted, this also means that her bracelets slide down a little and reveal that stupid word again. she seems to not notice because she's thinking on the conversation.]
Maybe I'll just have to ask them myself. I can't say I'm not curious now. [haha. curiosity is also the reason her eyes drift back to his face and that number. and, now that she's here, her expression shifts to something more thoughtful.]
...hey. I did want to ask you what you thought of yesterday and what they said. As someone who likes high stakes. [what are your thoughts on our ritual sacrifice and finding partners, aventurine?]
Seems to be the conclusion a lot of us are coming to. [hum.] It's a pretty big drawback for something that sounds like a reward people would want. A power and a wish. [...] Is it worth it to you?
Then I guess that's another one of us who isn't planning to find a match. [she doesn't sound judgmental about it or anything. actually she seems a little relieved it's one (two, technically) less person to worry about.]
[she turns and begins to walk! come along, new friend. there's another easier glimpse at the "loss" on her arm as she goes. of course she has other reasons, but...]
Mm...well. The same reason's a pretty big one! It feels kind of cruel to be responsible for someone else when we don't know how to get ourselves out, doesn't it? [if you screw something up for yourself, you could easily take another person out with you while they're totally innocent.]
With as many people here who're so young or people who might not know how to fight back if something happens, it feels even more unfair. Some people seem to think that they'll be able to protect both themselves and their match, but it still doesn't feel like a guarantee. And...I don't know. The idea of trading that safety just for power is a little scary. If someone's willing to risk that much without knowing if their partner agrees, then who knows what other risks they could take after they're matched?
[she doesn't seem embarrassed about it or anything. more like 100% believing everything she just said, but she nods softly.]
Being here isn't just about me. I have two other people to look after while we're here, so...it's about keeping them safe, too. [and she thinks that dying might not be great for that. just a feeling.]
[believe in her who believes in you, aventurine...]
I hope so. [and for a moment she does seem a little more reserved, like the belief is something that might still be a little difficult for her. but it still isn't enough to deter her.] ...they've done a lot for me. So I want to keep doing everything I can for them while we're here. It wouldn't be just about whoever my match is. It'd be about all of them.
[sir. who hurt you. that's not her question, that's mine. she seems to realize she's maybe speaking a little too much from a softer and less pragmatic standpoint than some people would like, so she shakes her head as if to wave it off.]
I like to think so. But even if that's what I think now, we know there's always the possibility that something can change. I won't blame anyone else for changing their mind later as long as they're sure of what they want to do.
[ SOMETIMES MURDER HAPPENS... They really don't know. ]
Fair enough. [ If the game changes, he will have to change with it. ] According to those masked cultists, we still have some months ahead of us before our scheduled sacrifice. Let's use the time we have.
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Nothing! They're the one who couldn't play along.
[ Yes, it was his own doing. ]
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Well... maybe a very, very small something happened. But it was harmless.
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...hey. I did want to ask you what you thought of yesterday and what they said. As someone who likes high stakes. [what are your thoughts on our ritual sacrifice and finding partners, aventurine?]
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[ There's something somber in his tone. ]
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[ Without hesitation. ]
I'm afraid I can't be responsible for another life.
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Then I guess that's another one of us who isn't planning to find a match. [she doesn't sound judgmental about it or anything. actually she seems a little relieved it's one (two, technically) less person to worry about.]
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For the same reason or is there something else weighing on your mind?
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And if I said it was the latter?
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Mm...well. The same reason's a pretty big one! It feels kind of cruel to be responsible for someone else when we don't know how to get ourselves out, doesn't it? [if you screw something up for yourself, you could easily take another person out with you while they're totally innocent.]
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That's right. If it was just myself I'd be putting on the line, that's one thing, but another person entirely?
[ Shakes his head. ]
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... You've given this a lot of thought, Miss Aerith.
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Being here isn't just about me. I have two other people to look after while we're here, so...it's about keeping them safe, too. [and she thinks that dying might not be great for that. just a feeling.]
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With your conviction, I'm certain you'll be able to.
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I hope so. [and for a moment she does seem a little more reserved, like the belief is something that might still be a little difficult for her. but it still isn't enough to deter her.] ...they've done a lot for me. So I want to keep doing everything I can for them while we're here. It wouldn't be just about whoever my match is. It'd be about all of them.
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His expression softens, an ache in his heart because he can't share in this feeling. Not anymore. ]
I hope they know how fortunate they are to have you. And since they're your companions, I'm certain they're thinking the same.
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I like to think so. But even if that's what I think now, we know there's always the possibility that something can change. I won't blame anyone else for changing their mind later as long as they're sure of what they want to do.
[situations change...sometimes murder happens.]
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Fair enough. [ If the game changes, he will have to change with it. ] According to those masked cultists, we still have some months ahead of us before our scheduled sacrifice. Let's use the time we have.
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Right. [a firm nod!] It isn't a lot of time, but it's more than we can ask for in a situation like this. As long as we use it well, no one has to die.
[except for aventurine.]
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No one has to die.
[ WHEEZING... imagine if this was their last conversation and this is how i closed out. ]
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And in the interest of nobody dying, we should try to keep settling in here as best as we can, right?
[yuul we can handwave the rest of this if you'd like to be free!]