Week 6 Post-Trial

[ballooncaged]

[So that was yet another depressing culmination of multiple people's emotional development arcs for good or for bad. People who had at least somewhat originally believed in the unification of the group. Maybe it wouldn't be appropriate to demand a gathering immediately. Surely people are at liberty to make stuffed animals and take their feelings out on furniture, if they see fit. But hoping not to be alone, Mizuki is in the dining hall.]

Comments

[battlestations]

So long as you don't overdo it. [hi he's catching the tail end of this conversation but he can about guess.]

What do you have there?

[ballooncaged]

[gives a single weary but wide smile as he's closer

holds letter up towards his big cartoon hand]

It's a letter that Allen found in Nagisa's room for the two of us.

[MADE IT THROUGH THAT WHOLE PAINFUL SENTENCE!]

[xxxx_me]

[Oh... It's Nigel. Allen looks dissatisfied with Mizuki's answer, but his expression clears again and he gives a nod of acknowledgment. Read away.]

[battlestations]

[So he gets to read it, does he? Fine. He doesn't officially have a vice leader anymore, double shifts for Numbuh One. Clearing his throat, he dictates it. After he reads the last part, his name, he hands it back to Mizuki to yeet it properly if so desired and then grumbles.]

Hmph... if you were so confident in these leads, you could have just tried it with us first. Afraid of more disappointment, you coward?

[now he's flopping into a chair in front of some food to sulk and not eat it yet.]

Of course, it would be a waste to ignore them.

[ballooncaged]

They're pretty faint leads. Practically, recycled. I can see why he hesitated. But... If he explored every avenue like this... Then maybe it's true. Behind that door could be our freedom.

[For now she's holding the letter in front of herself a moment longer to get some closure from visually reading the names.]

[xxxx_me]

...So our next goal is going to be getting through that door?

[battlestations]

It does seem like the last place we have left to explore.

[Forgive him for now if his heart isn't entirely in it yet. Leading the charge against Nagisa... it took a lot out of him.]

Though I have to ask... do you guys still trust me?

[On the one hand, he is so tired of things turning out this way when no one actually reaches out, even if they pretend they did. On the other, half the sector leaders turned traitor and it's making him neurotic that things will just fall apart now.]

[ballooncaged]

YES.

[She puts her hand on top of Nigel's hand on the table. Then she turns to Allen, raising her determined fist in the air, not wanting to touch him suddenly.]

Even if we're empty, or paranoid, or angry, we can work together. If I stop trusting people because of what happened, the demons win!!

[xxxx_me]

[...

He'll lay his own hand on top of hers, then.]

The way this game is set up, I don't think any of us can escape on our own.

I trust you to keep trying to get us out, down to the last second.

[battlestations]

[Nigel looks down at the two layers of hands, feeling their warmth and determination. The strength he feels in his heavy heart is faint, but it's enough. He nods toward Allen, looking for a while at him and eventually turning more to Mizuki's direction, even though he's really talking to both of them.]

You're right. I don't think I could stop, even if everyone wanted me to... I'm certain Nagisa and I appeared quite similar, so... I wouldn't blame you if you didn't. But I'm thankful. Not just for this, but for cooperating with me all this time. I'll repay your trust with interest. We're going to break out of this place.

[ballooncaged]

I'm grateful too. That you showed me what it meant to have pride as a kid, ever since we first met.

[She thinks that Nagisa didn't have it in the same way, but that distinction is too depressing - and she has something she wants to say to Allen, sensing a fatalism in his words.]

I think that the punishments and everything that have happened until now show that the kings aren't all-powerful. Even just gathering information and taking care of yourself to make it this far is totally worth it.

[xxxx_me]

[He looks up as he's addressed, eyes on Mizuki as he absorbs her words in silence.]

...Yeah. I want to get everyone out of here, no matter what, so... if either of you need me to do anything, tell me. I'll do everything I can.

[No matter what.]

And besides that... [Or... hm. Perhaps rethinking his words, he trails off, shakes his head, and starts again.] No, never mind. We should just focus on escaping if we can.

[battlestations]

We will, but speak your mind. We have enough regrets already.

[He wonders if he's thinking about bringing back the dead. It'd explain the hesitation. That might be tough without getting caught in the time loop...]