[W4, Post-Trial]

[zerotohiro]

[So that was a mess. He waits a little before he finds himself on the beach, wandering in the dark before he spots a familiar set of horns. He would yell, but he doesn't want to draw attention.

So instead like. He quickly moves and ignores the way his blistered skin twists and pulls as he races down the beach, barreling straight into Vriska and knocking her into the sand. He doesn't pull back to punch her or anything but well now here they are.]

What the hell did you do?

Comments

[hypertoxic]

[ oof.

vriska will topple over into the sand and just kind of stay there, wondering why her life is like this. very dully: ]

Can we back up to the part before you full body tackled me to the ground and focus on why you're pissed at me? Is this about Kirigiri?

[zerotohiro]

[He's also not moving so sorry, Vriska.]

Of course it's about her. Did you seriously think I didn't know about her role in this game? What the hell were you guys thinking going after her!?

[hypertoxic]

We had no idea who she was, Hiro. To us, she was just someone with a good eye for investigations. The other Sirens picked her, and I just kind of went along with it. She would not have been my first choice, because of exactly what happened today. It looked really obvious!

[ still kinda dully, just kinda chilling on the sand. ]

Might've helped to tell me who she was if you wanted her to stay alive.

[zerotohiro]

I couldn't have. For the same reason I never told anyone your role. [He was protecting her. Like that, the fight sort of fizzles out and he rolls over into the sand instead.]

...she was a detective, like I said in the trial. Naturally she had a good eye for investigations and yeah, she was looking into an alternative route to stop the killings. That meant going against the Siren agenda. I talked to her because I wanted to see about everyone working together, but if she'd said no I wasn't about to be responsible for the Sirens knowing who she was and going after her.

Apparently that was the wrong choice since you guys went after her anyway.

[hypertoxic]

[ to be honest, even once she's freed, vriska doesn't sit up. she just kind of lays there and stares at the sky. ]

I am sorry, Hiro. I can prevent only so much collateral damage. I can tell you cared about her, but all we can do now is try to honor her legacy by ending this fucking game. That is all the comfort I can offer you.

[zerotohiro]

I don't. ["Need comfort." But he stops and changes direction and here they are both staring at the sky like a couple of dumbasses.]

...I almost wish you hadn't told me about Raven, but I'm also glad you did. I don't know where she is though and that means we have to work a lot faster.

But there's probably something else you should know. Have you talked to Lief lately?

[hypertoxic]

... there are people I need to save too, Hiro. At this point, we are in this together.

[ She'll tilt her head to look at him. ]

I talk to Lief a lot. Why?

[zerotohiro]

I know. But you saw what happened today.

[He gives a light, humorless laugh.] He came to me and asked if I was a Siren. I'm not sure what it is, but people seem to want to give me roles I definitely don't have.

[hypertoxic]

[ gives hiro a totally blank look. ]

Did he really? He's getting desperate. Lief knows I am a Siren, for the record. If he's sneaking around behind my back trying to find the others, that is not a good sign. I may need to cut him off.

[ vriska will sigh a curse under her breath, pressing the heels of her palms into her eyes. ]

Fuck. I thought I could trust him.

[zerotohiro]

I figured. He asked me if I knew about Raven's role. So I assumed he was told by you, but he didn't confirm it and I obviously didn't share anything I know about it. I did tell him I knew though. I needed the leverage.

But did he tell you about the neutral role that supposedly exists?

[hypertoxic]

I did confirm Raven's role to him after she disappeared. It's fine you told him that, Hiro. I trust you to use your discretion.

Apparently I can't trust Lief, though. [ there's an edge to her voice, now. ] What neutral role? That's news to me.

[zerotohiro]

I didn't confirm it was a Siren who told me, but I did confirm that I knew. I'm not namedropping any more than necessary.

As for the neutral role? I don't know. Lief told me that he learned about Raven from two sources. One was you, obviously, and the other he wouldn't tell me. He said that his reasoning for thinking the Wickie might be working against the general public is because there's a neutral role that exists that's supposed to provide dissonance in the game itself. So maybe the Wickie's the same. Just like the Siren role.

I think we might all be getting played here. I started thinking that during today's trial, but that sort of proves it.

[hypertoxic]

Yeah. At this point, we absolutely need to avoid any unnecessary risks.

[ Vriska finally sits up, idly brushing the sand out of her hair as she thinks. ]

Dissonance in the game itself, huh. Well, that's fucked up. Whoever they are, they're either doing a flawless job, or we all just suck so much that we're doing their job for them! Still, I think it's important that we find out who this person is. Keep pressing Lief, since he's the only source we've got right now. Meanwhile, I have a lead to pursue that could blow this whole thing wide open. I'll keep you updated about what I learn.

[zerotohiro]

[What if he just lays in the sand and wishes to drown. What if.]

I think it could probably be both at this point. That's the really messed up part. I'll do what I can with Lief, I'll see what other sources I can find out on my own, too.

[...] Stupid question. Is your lead someone you can actually trust?

[hypertoxic]

Alright. Thank you, Hiro.

As for my lead, yes. At this point, they are the only person left I completely trust.

[zerotohiro]

Be careful anyway.

...meet up again later? Trade notes, and I'd still like to look at that rulebook if you think that's okay.