week 6 | Saturday, Post-Trial

[concasse]

[At some point, Belph will realize someone is following him.

Maybe it's just a sixth sense. Maybe he swears he hears a footstep. Looking over his shoulder doesn't give him anything, but eventually:]

Just walk somewhere private, Belph. I'm behind you.

[That sure is Sanji's voice coming from out of thin air]

Comments

[axilium]

... I asked Dragon—the objectives don't actually have to be balanced, despite semi-common belief, so that's one thing we have going. We just need to hit seven.

I've completed two. If Veronica, Varian, and Kyouka have completed three between them, we'll have enough.

[concasse]

Alright, just let me know if shit changes.

[And because he doesn't want to draw this out]

We'll have to decide on my death, soon.

If Tiger-san orders me to kill another Villain this week, it'll tip the game into her ending.

I'll let you know as soon as possible, and if the worst comes to it... someone has to kill me before Friday.

[axilium]

I plan on talking to Akechi later. He should have an idea of how many objectives have been completed, so... come and find me later and I might be able to give you an update.

[...

he doesn't want to talk about this. but pragmatically, they have to—and they've come too far to think in idealistic terms.]

So... are we waiting until after your meeting with them, or should we...?

[concasse]

After my meeting. It's on Tuesdays.

... You have to find out how many people are planning to kill, and who.

I'm sorry to ask this of you, Belph. But no one's gonna trust me after the shit that happened today.

[axilium]

... I don't know what I can do, but I'll see. If we've completed enough objectives, then no one outside of the Blotters needs to kill—I'll try and get that through everyone's skulls.

[concasse]

Alright. I'll do the same, as well.

At the very least, I'm in contact with Beauty -- uh, I mean, Hiro. If necessary I can have him send owls to as many people as possible and get them to calm their shit down.

[axilium]

I'll have an announcement made tomorrow, Vizier-approved.

[he smiles dryly, even if his heart isn't in it.]

But maybe if we spam people enough, they'll get it?

[concasse]

Who the fuck knows?

[Matching the smile, even if it doesn't really reach his eyes]

This shit is like herding kids towards the better playground.

But it can't hurt, right?

[axilium]

Right? We're all going insane anyway. [...] Ion's going to be so disappointed that we didn't even listen to his letter.

[they were not great at this "no fighting" thing.]

[concasse]

Heh, poor kid.

We had one job and couldn't even manage it.

[Shaking his head]

... We'll get them back, though.

We gotta.

[axilium]

... Yeah.

[they've both literally killed to reach this point. they can't fail now.]

Dragon told me we need "trust and communication" for this. I'm a shitty option for that... but I'll get everyone to cooperate. One way or another.

[concasse]

Tch, didn't I tell you to stop putting down your accomplishments?

[Mother hen, through and through.]

If you think it's best to out my role, go ahead. I don't have anything else to hide at this point.

[axilium]

[... heh. he smiles at that. also, ignores it.]

Well, I don't think it'd really hurt or help at this point. So... do whatever you want, I guess.

Though ideally, if you don't have to die yet, I'd rather you not recklessly charge to your death by telling the wrong person.

[concasse]

[Wow it's like Belph knows Sanji is unhinged upon losing Ion, Varian, and Natsuo in one go, having to protect Eichi from the crowd even though he killed someone, and getting to probably watch his partner die tomorrow.

... but he still manages a smile, and it's... real. A little cracked. But real.]

Noted.

... I guess Zelos would punch me if I died only a few days after him, so...

[axilium]

[mmmmmmmm.]

He probably would, yes. And possibly send the rest of us passive-aggressive letters for it? Please don't inflict that fate on us.

[concasse]

Heh, forget passive-aggressive. He'd start going for the throat at that point.

[...]

I'll try... to keep going.

[axilium]

[pragmatically speaking, another reason to keep sanji alive, past all sentimentality, is that—if they need to cull the numbers, it might be worth it to keep those around who'd do the dirty work instead of others.

but that's... an awful thing to think, let alone say, and belph hates that this is what his mindset has been warped to by this point.]

... I know it's hard.

[he's wanted to die since long before this war. this place has only made it worse.]

But that's our obligation, right?

[concasse]

... Yeah.

[It's alright, Belph. Sanji would agree with everything you thought.

It's the big reason he decided to be an Editor in the first place; a proper story needs villains, people to do the dirty work to reach that happy ending.]

No quitting until we reach the finish line.