[ dani comes in. he doesn't really look around; he would under better circumstances. but he's full of energy, full of anger.
nothing is okay. and honestly, he's having a hard time just keeping his light chained inside. ]
I was betrayed. I trusted that Koby. I told him about our world, I told him how vampires treat humans there. Now he's told those others and they're throwing it against Lexi as if it's any sort of proof for this.
I hate them. But I think they're watching me, too. The woman said they would. What do you think we should do?
And now you have learned that their "trust" is a lie unless you are one of their own. Which you are not.
[ Set breezes past the angry man, swinging his door shut behind him before he flops indulgently upon the bed. ]
I think we should break them up. I doubt we can then them against one another, but removing some of their votes by having them thrown in cells ought to satisfy for now. It is what they conspired to do unto your Alexei.
[ A pause, and. ]
There is also physical harm. If you have the stomach.
[ Angry and smart. Set's appreciation for Daniil has risen quite a bit now; as he sits forwards a little on the bed, eyes bright and studious. ]
There are several clever ways we could do it, provided our legwork is clear, concise and we are patient.
[ He lifts his hair, long and scarlet-red. Rips a few out and sheers them in half with a flash of raw power. They're shorter now, and have a gentle wave — ]
Frame and remove Shanks from play.
[ Option one. ]
If you think you can swallow your anger and pretend long enough, Koby's misery and guilt could be preyed upon. Make him think he owes you a vote of confidence, and target someone else — have him do the legwork to draw the crew into it. Use their vote while it lasts.
[ Option two. ]
Lastly, we need more votes. Anyone sympathetic to you who you know well, ask them to join your coalition. That Furiosa woman might help counter the pirates' number.
We need a better candidate. There has to be actual proof somewhere of who really did all of this. There's more people who haven't voted at all. Before this happened, I didn't want to get involved, I wanted to keep our heads down until they came for Lexi. Maybe others feel the same.
While the other man begins to pace, frantic as anything, he stays on the bed and watches him. Back and forth, back and forth, eyes raking over the animated slice of his hand and ears listening to the pitch and roll of his voice. ]
There is still a chance that your Alexei will not be voted out. Someone may be presentable as a better choice than he, and that means ensuring in the subsequent rounds that your "better candidate" is found. Still, others who fear persecution or being mobbed by greater numbers can be located based on this. The pirates opened an opportunity to rally together quite soundly, by showing what we can do.
[ Slowly, he rolls off the bed and onto his feet, crossing to press his hands to the motions of Dani's own. ]
I must admit, I'm a little less interested in finding out "who did it" than most. I am aiming to have the greatest number of my team left at the end, is all. I would not mind that and you and you Alexei remaining as well. That could satisfy us all, hm? His safety for you, your safety for him. My victory.
[ dani pauses in his pacing, turns to look at set. ]
You mean the masks? I...
Yes, that would satisfy. I don't care about the teams or the game. But why do you? People have died, more might still die. This is serious, we can't just play the game.
[ he sees that flash, but it draws him closer, gets him to come sit next to set and train interested eyes over his face. ]
They changed.
[ his eyes, behind his mask. a little smile ticks at dani's mouth, despite this situation, despite the heat that still bubbles in his chest. ]
I'd like that. If we could change. I'd rather pick my own alliances, this is--
I don't know how I'm to trust anyone.
[ that doesn't just apply to the game. he had trusted people here, he'd found them friendly. kind. helpful. it was nice to be in a place where he didn't feel like everyone he looked at might be his enemy.
[ Those eyes blink, and Set touches his hands to the sides of his face — as if the state of his eyes being pointed out is a surprise ( it is, if only because the things his body does are natural to him ). The stupid green mask still sits over his face, annoying him as he cannot draw his divine emblem over it for the time being. He's used to wearing a mask, but the green one is decidedly unpleasant. ]
I... would not say I am someone who even could tell you to learn to trust again. It is not something I know to do anymore, for sure.
[ Those hands tuck into his lap, and Set draws his shoulders back. Formal, and stiff. ]
I am the origin the sickness that caused those women agony.
[ Even as he says it, there's no real pride in his words. No gleam in his eye or flash of sneer to reveal him as someone reveling in the cruelties he'd introduced and empowered in his tenure as God Supreme. His hands twist together, because unbeknownst to him — it is right. What Dani thinks is entirely right. There is a "why" that nobody asked him; an ease in which they had thought the worst of their strange, solitary god of war. ]
My sister, Isis. We were best friends. She and I confided everything in one another: secrets, struggles, doubts, fears, desires. She was my greatest ally, and I hers — together, we could have outlasted any troubles set before us.
[ His mouth twists. ]
Understandably, we fell apart after the night I killed Osiris. And we used all those private moments between ourselves as tools to hurt one another, afterward. So. I comprehend Koby, and I comprehend you. That's why I was not about to let his companions... "protect you". Like you were an afterthought.
[ his pain is plain to see. how long ago had all this happened? and yet there it is, so striking, impacting set even now.
dani scoffs, at the thought of koby's friends protecting him. ]
I don't need their protection, I'm not defenceless. I can throw my own punches, as well as any of that crew.
[ and more beside. very many things feel possible to him when he lets his anger burn through him.
though the more it does, the more he also feels tired. ]
But I'm glad you said something, I'm glad you were there. [ he reaches to gently touch set's twisting hands. ] Some day I would still like to know your story. Thank you for being my friend today.
They will not heed your wishes. They have it in their heads that it is their way, or none.
[ He'd hated their attitudes, too. The dry, exasperated way they'd spoken of protecting Daniil — like it was a chore, or something to use speed along their atonement. ]
But, a friend, hm? I warn you that I am not good at being "a friend". I already told you I want to use your vote, perhaps even your Alexei's... I want to vote everyone out, killer or not. Wipe the entire board, and win.
[ If that has the added bonus of ending the game? He won't claim it as part of his scheming. He wonders if the Balfours, the manor, whatever power might be here — if it's ever dealt with someone like him. ]
Maybe I wished to woo you — then, have you convince Alexei to help me and my team.
[ Set's mouth curls a little, crooked and enigmatic. He's not exactly lying — his motives are often indiscernible to others. A mind like his does not exactly think in the way a human's might. ]
— I told you why, though. Having someone betray one's trust so precisely is... unforgivable.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
nothing is okay. and honestly, he's having a hard time just keeping his light chained inside. ]
I was betrayed. I trusted that Koby. I told him about our world, I told him how vampires treat humans there. Now he's told those others and they're throwing it against Lexi as if it's any sort of proof for this.
I hate them. But I think they're watching me, too. The woman said they would. What do you think we should do?
no subject
[ Set breezes past the angry man, swinging his door shut behind him before he flops indulgently upon the bed. ]
I think we should break them up. I doubt we can then them against one another, but removing some of their votes by having them thrown in cells ought to satisfy for now. It is what they conspired to do unto your Alexei.
[ A pause, and. ]
There is also physical harm. If you have the stomach.
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what they're conspiring to do.
though, he stops short at that last. ]
No.
[ a beat. ]
They'd only use that against us. Accuse us along with Lexi. He wouldn't want us to do that, he'd want us to be clever.
[ actually, he'd want dani to stay far out of it, and dani knows it. but cooler heads are not prevailing, currently. ]
But breaking their vote? We must do that. So far he has the most votes of anyone, solely because they've banded together.
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[ Angry and smart. Set's appreciation for Daniil has risen quite a bit now; as he sits forwards a little on the bed, eyes bright and studious. ]
There are several clever ways we could do it, provided our legwork is clear, concise and we are patient.
[ He lifts his hair, long and scarlet-red. Rips a few out and sheers them in half with a flash of raw power. They're shorter now, and have a gentle wave — ]
Frame and remove Shanks from play.
[ Option one. ]
If you think you can swallow your anger and pretend long enough, Koby's misery and guilt could be preyed upon. Make him think he owes you a vote of confidence, and target someone else — have him do the legwork to draw the crew into it. Use their vote while it lasts.
[ Option two. ]
Lastly, we need more votes. Anyone sympathetic to you who you know well, ask them to join your coalition. That Furiosa woman might help counter the pirates' number.
no subject
Koby can go and fuck himself.
[ a beat. ]
But the others I can work on, maybe.
[ he turns, pacing, and talking with his hands. ]
We need a better candidate. There has to be actual proof somewhere of who really did all of this. There's more people who haven't voted at all. Before this happened, I didn't want to get involved, I wanted to keep our heads down until they came for Lexi. Maybe others feel the same.
no subject
While the other man begins to pace, frantic as anything, he stays on the bed and watches him. Back and forth, back and forth, eyes raking over the animated slice of his hand and ears listening to the pitch and roll of his voice. ]
There is still a chance that your Alexei will not be voted out. Someone may be presentable as a better choice than he, and that means ensuring in the subsequent rounds that your "better candidate" is found. Still, others who fear persecution or being mobbed by greater numbers can be located based on this. The pirates opened an opportunity to rally together quite soundly, by showing what we can do.
[ Slowly, he rolls off the bed and onto his feet, crossing to press his hands to the motions of Dani's own. ]
I must admit, I'm a little less interested in finding out "who did it" than most. I am aiming to have the greatest number of my team left at the end, is all. I would not mind that and you and you Alexei remaining as well. That could satisfy us all, hm? His safety for you, your safety for him. My victory.
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thankfully not today. ]
Your team...
[ dani pauses in his pacing, turns to look at set. ]
You mean the masks? I...
Yes, that would satisfy. I don't care about the teams or the game. But why do you? People have died, more might still die. This is serious, we can't just play the game.
[ can they? ]
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[ Someone else might be ashamed to admit to it, but he's got an alien, unknowable brain. He can definitely play a game that people die in. ]
This is akin to a war, in my eyes. Someone will lose and someone will win, so why not my team?
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Do you like your team? I've not met the half of mine, and Lexi's on a different one.
I'd rather me and mine win, I don't feel special attachment to people wearing blue.
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[ He has a Possessiveness Thing. An inhuman sense of Ownership over things he should be a cohesive part of. ]
And we are the underdogs. We started out with the most number of deaths attributed to us, after all. Erik, Parisa and Grace.
[ His eyes do flash, pupils thinning into cat-like slits, as Dani speaks a few words that SOUND TO HIM LIKE CHALLENGE. ]
— like, you and Alexei? I wish you could convert to another team! We'd take you both!
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They changed.
[ his eyes, behind his mask. a little smile ticks at dani's mouth, despite this situation, despite the heat that still bubbles in his chest. ]
I'd like that. If we could change. I'd rather pick my own alliances, this is--
I don't know how I'm to trust anyone.
[ that doesn't just apply to the game. he had trusted people here, he'd found them friendly. kind. helpful. it was nice to be in a place where he didn't feel like everyone he looked at might be his enemy.
he regrets letting go of that mentality, now. ]
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[ Those eyes blink, and Set touches his hands to the sides of his face — as if the state of his eyes being pointed out is a surprise ( it is, if only because the things his body does are natural to him ). The stupid green mask still sits over his face, annoying him as he cannot draw his divine emblem over it for the time being. He's used to wearing a mask, but the green one is decidedly unpleasant. ]
I... would not say I am someone who even could tell you to learn to trust again. It is not something I know to do anymore, for sure.
[ Those hands tuck into his lap, and Set draws his shoulders back. Formal, and stiff. ]
Remember, I am known for being a traitor.
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Yes, in human stories. That doesn't mean they're true, humans get things wrong. They don't know everything.
[ this set is a different creature from the god of evil dani's stories have talked about. detail is missing. or context. something. ]
You wanted to help people. The women you talked about.
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[ Even as he says it, there's no real pride in his words. No gleam in his eye or flash of sneer to reveal him as someone reveling in the cruelties he'd introduced and empowered in his tenure as God Supreme. His hands twist together, because unbeknownst to him — it is right. What Dani thinks is entirely right. There is a "why" that nobody asked him; an ease in which they had thought the worst of their strange, solitary god of war. ]
My sister, Isis. We were best friends. She and I confided everything in one another: secrets, struggles, doubts, fears, desires. She was my greatest ally, and I hers — together, we could have outlasted any troubles set before us.
[ His mouth twists. ]
Understandably, we fell apart after the night I killed Osiris. And we used all those private moments between ourselves as tools to hurt one another, afterward. So. I comprehend Koby, and I comprehend you. That's why I was not about to let his companions... "protect you". Like you were an afterthought.
no subject
dani scoffs, at the thought of koby's friends protecting him. ]
I don't need their protection, I'm not defenceless. I can throw my own punches, as well as any of that crew.
[ and more beside. very many things feel possible to him when he lets his anger burn through him.
though the more it does, the more he also feels tired. ]
But I'm glad you said something, I'm glad you were there. [ he reaches to gently touch set's twisting hands. ] Some day I would still like to know your story. Thank you for being my friend today.
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[ He'd hated their attitudes, too. The dry, exasperated way they'd spoken of protecting Daniil — like it was a chore, or something to use speed along their atonement. ]
But, a friend, hm? I warn you that I am not good at being "a friend". I already told you I want to use your vote, perhaps even your Alexei's... I want to vote everyone out, killer or not. Wipe the entire board, and win.
[ If that has the added bonus of ending the game? He won't claim it as part of his scheming. He wonders if the Balfours, the manor, whatever power might be here — if it's ever dealt with someone like him. ]
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You admit it, at least.
[ his head tilts. ]
But Lexi isn't on your team. Voting him into the dungeons would've helped your caught, wouldn't it? But you stuck up for him, instead. And for me.
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[ Set's mouth curls a little, crooked and enigmatic. He's not exactly lying — his motives are often indiscernible to others. A mind like his does not exactly think in the way a human's might. ]
— I told you why, though. Having someone betray one's trust so precisely is... unforgivable.
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[ another little smile. ]
Do you think the prize they offer will be worth it?
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[ So, he wants it. ]
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then shrugs. ]
All I want is Lexi safe. You and your team are welcome to it, as far as I'm concerned.
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[ And he pats Daniil's hand, looking at him with curious eyes, but little hope. He's not one for hope. ]
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[ he lifts his shoulders. ]
He'd be better at playing the game than I am, but he'd need not to feel threatened first.
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[ He rises, as if ready to Go Back Out there. Pauses to add. ]
You can stay here in my room until you are ready. Okay?
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It's alright. He'll be waiting for me, I don't want him to worry something's happened. Thank you, again.
[ he touches set's hand, squeezes it. ]
We'll talk soon.