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[Every single one of these PCs have to involve alcohol in some way.
And by that I mean, Jae-ha is going to sit at a table in the dining room. He's already conjured up two cups, and a bottle of sake. When Souji walks into the room, he smiles even if it doesn't reach his eyes.]
Just the person I was hoping I'd find.
And by that I mean, Jae-ha is going to sit at a table in the dining room. He's already conjured up two cups, and a bottle of sake. When Souji walks into the room, he smiles even if it doesn't reach his eyes.]
Just the person I was hoping I'd find.
[AH YES, DRINKING TO DEAL WITH THE MESS THAT THEIR LIVES HAVE BECOME... Sign Souji up. His stupid ass is definitely sick, but he won't turn down a cup just because of some sniffles, okay.]
Shall I take that as an invitation?
[Because he is, and he's claiming his rightful seat at the right hand of King Drinking Dragon.]
Shall I take that as an invitation?
[Because he is, and he's claiming his rightful seat at the right hand of King Drinking Dragon.]
[Let the dying man drink, Jae-ha!!
Except he'll be nursing his very slowly so chances of him drinking too much on his own are pretty slim.]
Fair enough. [They all need 100 years of nap now.] ...I can't say I'm any happier to have that mystery solved - what "happily ever after" means.
[ANN PROBABLY ISN'T EITHER.]
Except he'll be nursing his very slowly so chances of him drinking too much on his own are pretty slim.]
Fair enough. [They all need 100 years of nap now.] ...I can't say I'm any happier to have that mystery solved - what "happily ever after" means.
[ANN PROBABLY ISN'T EITHER.]
[He's probably one of the only people in this castle who does.]
If it were for someone guilty of being cruel, the term might apply.
[A "happy ending" for those who want revenge, maybe. Certainly not for whoever is being executed.]
...But it's one more thing that we can keep in mind now, moving forward.
If it were for someone guilty of being cruel, the term might apply.
[A "happy ending" for those who want revenge, maybe. Certainly not for whoever is being executed.]
...But it's one more thing that we can keep in mind now, moving forward.
... though I do hate these limitations.
[That they have to keep these things in mind, that they have to be pulled into the game at all.]
It's been two weeks now that we've had to see young women sent off to their deaths, and each of us guilty of condemning them.
[That they have to keep these things in mind, that they have to be pulled into the game at all.]
It's been two weeks now that we've had to see young women sent off to their deaths, and each of us guilty of condemning them.
[There's a little hum in response, tuneless and drifting. He can't say he regrets being guilty of that condemnation - with Sharpay, especially, even if he holds no personal ill will toward her. With Ann, he certainly wishes the vote for Akechi had been stronger, but he'll accept blame for his role regardless, which he holds just by being an active participant.
Still, there are consequences to any given action. In the context of life and death, any person who has taken a life before understands that.]
Even with their choices made, it would be unkind to discount the situation they were likely in. [Or, "yeah they did shitty things but I bet their backs were up against a wall". Still--] It's better than condemning someone for a crime they didn't commit.
[where's kondou to hear that Souji's quiet for a second after, thoughtful.]
It feels like we're playing out a script written for us, doesn't it?
Still, there are consequences to any given action. In the context of life and death, any person who has taken a life before understands that.]
Even with their choices made, it would be unkind to discount the situation they were likely in. [Or, "yeah they did shitty things but I bet their backs were up against a wall". Still--] It's better than condemning someone for a crime they didn't commit.
[
It feels like we're playing out a script written for us, doesn't it?
It's the nature of war, isn't it?
Only the people who live to talk afterward, who aren't the ones who have their hands bloodied past the point of retribution, who can move forward without nightmares - [and he knows, with each qualifier the number gets smaller and smaller] - are the true victors.
None of us will be in that number by the time this game ends, if they have their way.
Only the people who live to talk afterward, who aren't the ones who have their hands bloodied past the point of retribution, who can move forward without nightmares - [and he knows, with each qualifier the number gets smaller and smaller] - are the true victors.
None of us will be in that number by the time this game ends, if they have their way.
[It's a little strange. He's always been a piece in someone else's chess game. Acutely aware of that, it's never really bothered him before. He prefers it - being useful, being told "do this", receiving compliments for his hard work and ability to follow orders.
But it's only his dedication to the people giving him orders that makes it so easy to stomach. He's rediscovering that very quickly here.]
Then we find a way to prevent that from happening.
[Big talk, for all the Big Fat Nothing they've managed to accomplish so far. Still, hope dies last.]
But it's only his dedication to the people giving him orders that makes it so easy to stomach. He's rediscovering that very quickly here.]
Then we find a way to prevent that from happening.
[Big talk, for all the Big Fat Nothing they've managed to accomplish so far. Still, hope dies last.]
I'm in agreement -
But where do you propose we start?
[He doesn't ask out of laziness - but out of sincere curiosity. The endless aspects in which he's sought answers haven't worked out well. Maybe someone else has more insight, more information than he possesses.]
But where do you propose we start?
[He doesn't ask out of laziness - but out of sincere curiosity. The endless aspects in which he's sought answers haven't worked out well. Maybe someone else has more insight, more information than he possesses.]
[THAT'S a very good question... Souji doesn't look outwardly frustrated, but that sure is the bigass mood of the hour. Day. Week. Last two weeks.]
I wish I could say. [A tiny, tight smile.] To be honest, organizing and planning - I'm not well-suited for things like that. We're looking for answers but no one seems to know where to start.
[And he sure can't help, because if people like Sousei or Hijikata don't know, how the hell would he?]
I wish I could say. [A tiny, tight smile.] To be honest, organizing and planning - I'm not well-suited for things like that. We're looking for answers but no one seems to know where to start.
[And he sure can't help, because if people like Sousei or Hijikata don't know, how the hell would he?]
[ . . . hah. Jae-ha manages a soft laugh at that and he admits - ]
I was the Captain's right hand. Gathering information, delivering it, helping form more specialized plans of attack... that's what I did for her.
But I wasn't the leader, not by any means.
I understand what you mean.
I was the Captain's right hand. Gathering information, delivering it, helping form more specialized plans of attack... that's what I did for her.
But I wasn't the leader, not by any means.
I understand what you mean.
[Not a leader, but still efficient and smart, able to get things done, able to serve his captain well as a right hand. It's admirable, honestly, and Souji smiles a little.]
She was lucky to have someone like you by her side.
[He can only hope someone will say the same to Hijikata, after he's dead.]
...Well, we have enough intelligent people here that I'm sure we'll be able to start figuring things out once we've found our starting point. That's the first hurdle.
She was lucky to have someone like you by her side.
[He can only hope someone will say the same to Hijikata, after he's dead.]
...Well, we have enough intelligent people here that I'm sure we'll be able to start figuring things out once we've found our starting point. That's the first hurdle.
[ . . . ah.]
Mm. I intend to make her proud even still.
[Though he only mentions that briefly, moving away from that topic as soon as he can.]
That starting point seems to be the issue. The first step being the hardest... is unfortunately quite true. It's hard to say what can be done in order to dismantle the current system when we hardly understand what drives it.
Mm. I intend to make her proud even still.
[Though he only mentions that briefly, moving away from that topic as soon as he can.]
That starting point seems to be the issue. The first step being the hardest... is unfortunately quite true. It's hard to say what can be done in order to dismantle the current system when we hardly understand what drives it.
[Souji won't press further, at least, content to slide right along with the subject shift.]
...What do you think of speaking to our hosts? Some seem to think we may get a better idea of what to look for if they're talked to privately, but I can't say I agree.
...What do you think of speaking to our hosts? Some seem to think we may get a better idea of what to look for if they're talked to privately, but I can't say I agree.
Then maybe we should look into that. ...Though I don't think it's wise to leave it to one person alone, even if only one person can speak with them at a time.
[Maybe they'll entertain a small group, who knows, HE DOESN'T TRUST THEM EITHER WAY. But at least three people have voiced varying degrees of "maybe we should"s to him by now.]
[Maybe they'll entertain a small group, who knows, HE DOESN'T TRUST THEM EITHER WAY. But at least three people have voiced varying degrees of "maybe we should"s to him by now.]
[Souji definitely lost because he sure wasn't trying hard to win. HE ENJOYED SOME DRINK, THOUGH. More than a sick person should be drinking, probably, but look. He's here for a good time, not a long one??
Anyway, he's a pretty tactile person to begin with, and that just kind of amplifies the tipsier he is. He's not flatass drunk by any means, but his face looks a little more alive since his cheeks are red, and he's kind of faceplanted into Jae-ha's arm.]
Hm... This feels like a mistake?
[HE SAYS LONG AFTER ALL THE DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE.]
Anyway, he's a pretty tactile person to begin with, and that just kind of amplifies the tipsier he is. He's not flatass drunk by any means, but his face looks a little more alive since his cheeks are red, and he's kind of faceplanted into Jae-ha's arm.]
Hm... This feels like a mistake?
[HE SAYS LONG AFTER ALL THE DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE.]
[Jae-ha was definitely trying hard to win and the unfortunate thing is that his tolerance is actually quite good - but given his extra effort, he still managed to get tipsy?
It's a little hard to tell, aside from the fact that he's just.
Humming.
Anyway, he interrupts his humming when Souji says that and he laughs, reached over to run his fingers through Souji's hair because why wouldn't he,,
you know i already hate this]
Do you think? I think we did quite well.
[why]
It's a little hard to tell, aside from the fact that he's just.
Humming.
Anyway, he interrupts his humming when Souji says that and he laughs, reached over to run his fingers through Souji's hair because why wouldn't he,,
you know i already hate this]
Do you think? I think we did quite well.
[why]
[i hate everything about this immediately
Especially because Souji!! Loves it when people play with his hair!! And it doesn't happen very often anymore, since he's been confined to his TB sick quarters for a little while. Understandably, no one wants to touch a plague demon?? He's enjoying this while it lasts then, leaning in like a dang cat.]
You did well. [He's actually impressed! Jae-ha could probably drink most of their captains under the table, with the exception of one or two.]
...You know, it would have been a good idea to play this game last week when it was cold.
Especially because Souji!! Loves it when people play with his hair!! And it doesn't happen very often anymore, since he's been confined to his TB sick quarters for a little while. Understandably, no one wants to touch a plague demon?? He's enjoying this while it lasts then, leaning in like a dang cat.]
You did well. [He's actually impressed! Jae-ha could probably drink most of their captains under the table, with the exception of one or two.]
...You know, it would have been a good idea to play this game last week when it was cold.
[that's horrifying. like that's honestly the worst because if souji is going to let jae-ha play with his hair, he's more than happy to continue it?? he's gonna run his fingers through souji's hair just to ease all the tangles out while he can
even as he listens and
souji is faceplanted into his arm but jae-ha will also lean closer so that they're talking closer]
Ah? Are you overheating on me now? Shall we take a walk outside?
[at least the night air will probably be cool]
even as he listens and
souji is faceplanted into his arm but jae-ha will also lean closer so that they're talking closer]
Ah? Are you overheating on me now? Shall we take a walk outside?
[at least the night air will probably be cool]
[Souji will happily let him and i hate this too. In fact, he'll actively encourage it!]
It's been a while since anyone's brushed my hair for me. I miss it.
[Blunt and honest on a regular day, and now Souji is EVEN MORE BLUNT AND HONEST... But the idea of taking a walk outside also sounds nice, so don't mind him as he just starts to get out of his seat with all the enthusiasm of a tipsy idiot.]
Let's go look at the flowers!
[IN THE DARK.]
It's been a while since anyone's brushed my hair for me. I miss it.
[Blunt and honest on a regular day, and now Souji is EVEN MORE BLUNT AND HONEST... But the idea of taking a walk outside also sounds nice, so don't mind him as he just starts to get out of his seat with all the enthusiasm of a tipsy idiot.]
Let's go look at the flowers!
[IN THE DARK.]
Do you...? Ah, even more reason for me to find a hairbrush then.
[he'll look into it now. SIGHS.
but also if souji's getting up then, jae-ha will too - laughing as he does]
Flowers and the stars both? Along with the pleasure of your company.... as an appreciator of beauty, I couldn't ask for anything more.
[though as he stands he's also going to offer his hand to souji with a flourish, and it's definitely not because souji is sick, but more because he is cute and tipsy
(it might be a little bit of everything)]
[he'll look into it now. SIGHS.
but also if souji's getting up then, jae-ha will too - laughing as he does]
Flowers and the stars both? Along with the pleasure of your company.... as an appreciator of beauty, I couldn't ask for anything more.
[though as he stands he's also going to offer his hand to souji with a flourish, and it's definitely not because souji is sick, but more because he is cute and tipsy
(it might be a little bit of everything)]
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