[But not much, considering they only caught a single killer this week.]
...I spoke with Beau-san. [He didn't go there for that purpose--he mostly went because they're two very emotional beings, and his heart has been aching for her since yesterday.] She said she couldn't tell me much, but it sounds like Nie-san had a reason for killing.
[For whatever that's worth. The reason could've been the same as theirs, but still.]
[Hm. Another considering pause. Sanji's made it clear that Nie means nothing to him other than the fact that he killed Percy, but the chef can't ignore the move if it was a tactical one.
-- Still would've beaten the shit out of the guy if he'd found out later, but...]
Alright. I'll have to snoop around and find out why. If it's to keep the factions even, or even bend the numbers in a certain way, I need to know sooner rather than later.
[...]
Also, we both know people who are Winter's team, yeah? Let's figure out what items they got to keep a working list of what bullshit's out there.
Whoo-jii might know. Just-- [He doesn't think he needs to say this, because it's Sanji and Beau is a girl, but still.] --if you speak to Beau-san, be gentle to her. Please.
[Nie Huaisang was guilty, sure. But what kind of a sword would Yasusada be, judging someone for murder? Especially when they've been discussing the same thing? More than any of that, though, Beau reminds him a lot of himself. A strong heart with emotions too big to rein in, forced to watch someone she loves leave her behind in a horrible way. Today's execution was cruel, whether Nie Huaisang was guilty or not.]
Mm, alright--
[Someone on Winter--that's Yin Yu. Yasusada's eyes widen, and he sits up straight, whipping around to look at Sanji.]
Yu-kun has a dagger. A pink one. He found me doing drills earlier, and we sparred a little.
[They hadn't really come to any satisfying conclusions about the injuries on Giyuu's side, even after the fact. But it's important, he thinks, to mention this. He'd been so distracted by his own turmoil over the execution, by how he'd gone to comfort Beau, that the whole thing had slipped his mind until now.]
[That first sentiment Sanji can acknowledge with a small smile. He gets it, he really does, and there's an accommodating nod to follow.
But oh, that second part, when Yasusada whirls around with the news...
Sanji grows quiet, and the longer the silence lingers, the more his eyes start to narrow with venom.]
If he killed Giyuu--
[Stopping himself before he continues to speak, and briefly closing his eyes. He's a hypocrite and knows it, ready to go to war over a death that might have been necessary in the long run.
... But y'know what? He doesn't care. If people are gonna die, Sanji will be selfish in the proceedings and pick the ones he wishes to live as the camp's most petty grim reaper.]
I don't know him too well. What's his skill like with a dagger? You think he could take Giyuu in a fight?
I didn't spar Tomioka-kun, so I don't know for sure how strong he was. [He believes the people who vouched for Giyuu's strength at trial, though.] ...But he's strong, and fast. He didn't go on the offensive at all, but he held his own against me.
[He'd parried and blocked and let Yasusada work out his frustrations, and he'd wielded his dagger with ease. At the time, Yasusada had been more focused on settling his own emotions, but the dagger had caught his attention even then. He'd given Wei Wuxian one just like it, earlier in the week.
Does he know Yin Yu well? They've spent a decent amount of time together, but Yasusada isn't sure he'd say he knows him. He'd told Flayn he thought Yin Yu was strange, for being so fussy over a group of murderers--Flayn had been offended, but he's used to that.
He doesn't think Yin Yu would kill for no reason. But they've already established that there is a reason--they just haven't figured out what it is, yet, if it's anything more than what was initially presented to them. The same is true for anyone else they'd been contemplating, really.
Though, that said...]
We all checked our curfew effect in the morning, though. How could he have known?
No fuckin' clue. Even if he was gonna take an educated guess, he got damned lucky.
[Which means either they're on the wrong track and Yin Yu can't be the killer, or there is a trick to knowing what the curfew effect will be.]
You know of any items that would allow him to read minds? I mean, we got shit that improves strength and dexterity... I don't think it's a stretch to imagine there's something out there that'll let him get around curfew effects...
He's on Yuki-kun's team, right? And if Flayn-kun was telling the truth about what their item does [From the "wedding" task, since Yasusada himself can vouch for the furniture building], then he shouldn't have had any useful items, unless someone gave it to him.
[Flayn... he doesn't know her terribly well, but aren't they close? If they're working together... but he doesn't know what either of their abilities are, and he doesn't know what team she's on, either. He sighs, rubbing his eyes with his good hand. WHY CAN'T PEOPLE JUST MAKE SIMPLY KILLS THAT ARE EASY TO SOLVE.]
[it's a lot of speculating with little information to go on, and Sanji finds himself scowling in irritation as he tries to find a pathway for his anger.
Because he knows what they're really deciding here:
Whether or not Yin Yu is worthy of being their target for the week. If he killed Giyuu, then frankly, that's all the excuse Sanji needs to make the kill, the other's strength as a warrior be damned, but if they're wrong -- hell, if neither himself or Yams can take the asshole in a fight...]
Lemme ask you this. Do you think he's worth taking out?
...I'm not really used to deciding things like this. [He has to admit it, in case Sanji is counting on him for expertise he doesn't have. Okita was a captain, sure, he led his men and made tough choices, but more often than not, he followed Hijikata and Kondou's orders. Still, Sanji is asking him, so he'll think it over seriously.
It's not a matter of whether he likes Yin Yu or not. That's never been a part of the equation. Whether or not other people like Yin Yu--that's an important consideration, because it'll determine how motivated people are to seek revenge, how much time they'll spend on finding them. Although, that said--]
If he is, it would be kinder to kill Flayn-kun too. [Again, it's not about liking or disliking. But they all saw how Beau reacted to being left behind. It's selfish of him, wanting to prevent that for someone else--but isn't this a selfish situation to begin with?
As far as "worth it", though... well, anything is worth it, if it means protecting Okita's happy ending. They probably don't have to worry so much about Purple Heart's team being intentionally targeted, after the mess of this weekend. But--]
...Kage-kun's team has won the tasks two weeks in a row. We might still have the most people left alive. [They won't know for sure until tomorrow.] Whether people are trying to keep the balance, or they're trying to win, they'll be targeting us next.
[So, if it's kill or be killed...]
I don't really know Yu-kun's intentions. But if he did kill, and he chooses to do it again, I think it would be difficult for people to win against him.
[He has a hard time picturing Yin Yu targeting someone like Natalie, or Beau. He doesn't seem the sort for dishonorable kills. But if Winter Wizard's team decides to even the numbers, he'll be someone they'd have to worry about.
It's not really an answer, but these are his biggest considerations right now. It's what he thinks is most important to convey to Sanji.]
[Maybe it's no clear-cut answer, but killings have always been a messy business; Sanji can't pretend he was expecting this to be clean. The least he can do is listen to Yasusada, nod along with his assessments, and come to his own conclusions.
He owes the sword that much, for trusting him so explicitly. And maybe it isn't fair, but -- the idea of disappointing the other is a fear that cuts so deep, Sanji pretends he's not bleeding from the prospect already.]
... There's one other thing we gotta keep in mind, before we decide to move forward or not.
[A ... beat of hesitation, because this will indeed be a problem and alter how they decide to "play" this game to its fullest potential:]
There's shit out there that can rat out who killed who, even if the killer is already dead. So if we do a kill together, we're both equally on the chopping block.
[All it will take it someone swearing revenge, getting their hands on that item, and -- well. It doesn't matter their intentions. Beau and Hie, and the rest of them proved that feelings will triumph over logic. Sanji and Yams won't survive another week with a target on their backs.
... It's a chance Sanji will take if Yasusada will, but he needs the sword to know first]
[It's clear from the look on Yasusada's face that this is news to him. He's never been one to hide his feelings, and this is no different--his eyes widen, searching Sanji's face, as if even he knows what else he might be looking for.
It doesn't last long, though. He's wavered on the thought of letting Sanji come along this whole time, torn between the idea of keeping Sanji safe and of working with--not a master exactly, but more than a partner. With the state of his arm, he'd allowed himself to be swayed towards the latter, but now...
When his expression shifts, it settles into nothing more than determination.
Wasn't this a foregone conclusion from the start?]
I'll do my best, then.
[One of them has to survive, in order to bring back Okita. The alternative is unacceptable. No matter his form, he is, at his core, a tool to be used--even if he dies, be it at Yin Yu's hands or by damnation via evidence, at least he will have done so serving his purpose.]
Sanji knew damn well the reaction Yasusada would give him once he found out. In order for Sanji to survive, to keep his promises, to hold onto the goodwill of the camp so that he can win, the sword must fight alone and take the fall by himself. Anything more is an unnecessary gamble.
Sanji knew it.
And still his expression freezes up with pain, jaw clenched like he's suddenly seconds away from crumbling. He locks himself in place to keep from snapping out an order he can't take back, a plea for Yasusada to rethink this -- and shit, do they need to kill at all? Is it even worth it?
(And was he always this indecisive when it came to the hard decisions? What happened to the Editor who damned at least eight souls? Where did Dragon's champion go?)
He feels so old and young at the same time. A twenty-one year old war veteran without his crew, without Zelos... and maybe soon without Yasusada, too.]
[Forcing the words out despite the physical pain they cause him, eyes bright but dry, and Sanji tosses him an understanding nod. A smile.
He has no right, does he? To ask the sword to make this one exception and take him along, and risk the chance of being left behind again.
Sanji lived and breathed that memory. He saw Souji wither and die with Yasusada unable to save him. And he's watched this sword cling to a chef, chasing an imitation of leadership.
Ha. If he were more selfish, if he'd never seen the trauma that Yasusada has lived through -- but no. There's no point wishing on a path that's already been cut away, and so Sanji brutally refuses himself the luxury of pity. This shit isn't even about the killing anymore.
It's about giving Yasusada the chance to pick his own closure, should the end arrive. No matter the stakes, Sanji... can't take that away from him, even if he wants to die more.]
[The thing is, Yasusada has always been more observant than people give him credit for.
He has to be. Okita's prowess in battle was due, not only to his strength and speed, but to his sharp eyes, his ability to assess an opponent and compensate for moves they hadn't realized they'd decided to make. It's a skill that translated seamlessly outside of battle, helping him say and do all the right things to get his men in top form, to build friendships and loyalty of his own, bound by the sincerity they all wear on their backs.
Okita, of course, was--is much better with other humans than Yasusada will ever be. Yasusada's fine with that; not once has he ever wanted to be more than the best sword he can be. But that doesn't mean he can't recognize pain when he sees it. It doesn't mean he's oblivious to the fact that, this time, Sanji could very well be the one left behind.
(If he isn't caught, that's one thing, but he will not frame someone else. He doesn't think he needs to say that out loud, for it to be clear.)
He opens his mouth--but, no. Now isn't the time for goodbyes, is it? Saying any sort of "goodbye" before a battle, isn't that bad luck? And they have enough of that already.
So instead, he tilts his head to the side just slightly, and smiles. It's the same relieved smile he gave Okita, when Okita agreed to be his executioner at the castle. Sanji has no way of knowing that, of course--nor does he have any way of hearing the parallel, in what Yasusada decides to say instead.]
Sanji-kun, will you tell me about them? That swordsman, and the others. From your home.
[He'd been granted the chance to look at Sanji's memories, before they'd gotten so severely sidetracked by his own. Thoughts of Okita, and Kashuu, those short, brilliant days they'd spent so happily together--that's what brings Yasusada the most comfort, even when he knows how it all ends. Surely Sanji, too, draws his strength from memories like that, right?
Whatever snow was left on him has melted by now, chilling his skin. But that's fine. He dislikes hot summer days anyway.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[But not much, considering they only caught a single killer this week.]
...I spoke with Beau-san. [He didn't go there for that purpose--he mostly went because they're two very emotional beings, and his heart has been aching for her since yesterday.] She said she couldn't tell me much, but it sounds like Nie-san had a reason for killing.
[For whatever that's worth. The reason could've been the same as theirs, but still.]
no subject
[Hm. Another considering pause. Sanji's made it clear that Nie means nothing to him other than the fact that he killed Percy, but the chef can't ignore the move if it was a tactical one.
-- Still would've beaten the shit out of the guy if he'd found out later, but...]
Alright. I'll have to snoop around and find out why. If it's to keep the factions even, or even bend the numbers in a certain way, I need to know sooner rather than later.
[...]
Also, we both know people who are Winter's team, yeah? Let's figure out what items they got to keep a working list of what bullshit's out there.
no subject
[Nie Huaisang was guilty, sure. But what kind of a sword would Yasusada be, judging someone for murder? Especially when they've been discussing the same thing? More than any of that, though, Beau reminds him a lot of himself. A strong heart with emotions too big to rein in, forced to watch someone she loves leave her behind in a horrible way. Today's execution was cruel, whether Nie Huaisang was guilty or not.]
Mm, alright--
[Someone on Winter--that's Yin Yu. Yasusada's eyes widen, and he sits up straight, whipping around to look at Sanji.]
Yu-kun has a dagger. A pink one. He found me doing drills earlier, and we sparred a little.
[They hadn't really come to any satisfying conclusions about the injuries on Giyuu's side, even after the fact. But it's important, he thinks, to mention this. He'd been so distracted by his own turmoil over the execution, by how he'd gone to comfort Beau, that the whole thing had slipped his mind until now.]
no subject
But oh, that second part, when Yasusada whirls around with the news...
Sanji grows quiet, and the longer the silence lingers, the more his eyes start to narrow with venom.]
If he killed Giyuu--
[Stopping himself before he continues to speak, and briefly closing his eyes. He's a hypocrite and knows it, ready to go to war over a death that might have been necessary in the long run.
... But y'know what? He doesn't care. If people are gonna die, Sanji will be selfish in the proceedings and pick the ones he wishes to live as the camp's most petty grim reaper.]
I don't know him too well. What's his skill like with a dagger? You think he could take Giyuu in a fight?
no subject
[He'd parried and blocked and let Yasusada work out his frustrations, and he'd wielded his dagger with ease. At the time, Yasusada had been more focused on settling his own emotions, but the dagger had caught his attention even then. He'd given Wei Wuxian one just like it, earlier in the week.
Does he know Yin Yu well? They've spent a decent amount of time together, but Yasusada isn't sure he'd say he knows him. He'd told Flayn he thought Yin Yu was strange, for being so fussy over a group of murderers--Flayn had been offended, but he's used to that.
He doesn't think Yin Yu would kill for no reason. But they've already established that there is a reason--they just haven't figured out what it is, yet, if it's anything more than what was initially presented to them. The same is true for anyone else they'd been contemplating, really.
Though, that said...]
We all checked our curfew effect in the morning, though. How could he have known?
no subject
[Which means either they're on the wrong track and Yin Yu can't be the killer, or there is a trick to knowing what the curfew effect will be.]
You know of any items that would allow him to read minds? I mean, we got shit that improves strength and dexterity... I don't think it's a stretch to imagine there's something out there that'll let him get around curfew effects...
no subject
He's on Yuki-kun's team, right? And if Flayn-kun was telling the truth about what their item does [From the "wedding" task, since Yasusada himself can vouch for the furniture building], then he shouldn't have had any useful items, unless someone gave it to him.
[Flayn... he doesn't know her terribly well, but aren't they close? If they're working together... but he doesn't know what either of their abilities are, and he doesn't know what team she's on, either. He sighs, rubbing his eyes with his good hand. WHY CAN'T PEOPLE JUST MAKE SIMPLY KILLS THAT ARE EASY TO SOLVE.]
no subject
Because he knows what they're really deciding here:
Whether or not Yin Yu is worthy of being their target for the week. If he killed Giyuu, then frankly, that's all the excuse Sanji needs to make the kill, the other's strength as a warrior be damned, but if they're wrong -- hell, if neither himself or Yams can take the asshole in a fight...]
Lemme ask you this. Do you think he's worth taking out?
no subject
It's not a matter of whether he likes Yin Yu or not. That's never been a part of the equation. Whether or not other people like Yin Yu--that's an important consideration, because it'll determine how motivated people are to seek revenge, how much time they'll spend on finding them. Although, that said--]
If he is, it would be kinder to kill Flayn-kun too. [Again, it's not about liking or disliking. But they all saw how Beau reacted to being left behind. It's selfish of him, wanting to prevent that for someone else--but isn't this a selfish situation to begin with?
As far as "worth it", though... well, anything is worth it, if it means protecting Okita's happy ending. They probably don't have to worry so much about Purple Heart's team being intentionally targeted, after the mess of this weekend. But--]
...Kage-kun's team has won the tasks two weeks in a row. We might still have the most people left alive. [They won't know for sure until tomorrow.] Whether people are trying to keep the balance, or they're trying to win, they'll be targeting us next.
[So, if it's kill or be killed...]
I don't really know Yu-kun's intentions. But if he did kill, and he chooses to do it again, I think it would be difficult for people to win against him.
[He has a hard time picturing Yin Yu targeting someone like Natalie, or Beau. He doesn't seem the sort for dishonorable kills. But if Winter Wizard's team decides to even the numbers, he'll be someone they'd have to worry about.
It's not really an answer, but these are his biggest considerations right now. It's what he thinks is most important to convey to Sanji.]
no subject
He owes the sword that much, for trusting him so explicitly. And maybe it isn't fair, but -- the idea of disappointing the other is a fear that cuts so deep, Sanji pretends he's not bleeding from the prospect already.]
... There's one other thing we gotta keep in mind, before we decide to move forward or not.
[A ... beat of hesitation, because this will indeed be a problem and alter how they decide to "play" this game to its fullest potential:]
There's shit out there that can rat out who killed who, even if the killer is already dead. So if we do a kill together, we're both equally on the chopping block.
[All it will take it someone swearing revenge, getting their hands on that item, and -- well. It doesn't matter their intentions. Beau and Hie, and the rest of them proved that feelings will triumph over logic. Sanji and Yams won't survive another week with a target on their backs.
... It's a chance Sanji will take if Yasusada will, but he needs the sword to know first]
no subject
It doesn't last long, though. He's wavered on the thought of letting Sanji come along this whole time, torn between the idea of keeping Sanji safe and of working with--not a master exactly, but more than a partner. With the state of his arm, he'd allowed himself to be swayed towards the latter, but now...
When his expression shifts, it settles into nothing more than determination.
Wasn't this a foregone conclusion from the start?]
I'll do my best, then.
[One of them has to survive, in order to bring back Okita. The alternative is unacceptable. No matter his form, he is, at his core, a tool to be used--even if he dies, be it at Yin Yu's hands or by damnation via evidence, at least he will have done so serving his purpose.]
1/2
Sanji knew damn well the reaction Yasusada would give him once he found out. In order for Sanji to survive, to keep his promises, to hold onto the goodwill of the camp so that he can win, the sword must fight alone and take the fall by himself. Anything more is an unnecessary gamble.
Sanji knew it.
And still his expression freezes up with pain, jaw clenched like he's suddenly seconds away from crumbling. He locks himself in place to keep from snapping out an order he can't take back, a plea for Yasusada to rethink this -- and shit, do they need to kill at all? Is it even worth it?
(And was he always this indecisive when it came to the hard decisions? What happened to the Editor who damned at least eight souls? Where did Dragon's champion go?)
He feels so old and young at the same time. A twenty-one year old war veteran without his crew, without Zelos... and maybe soon without Yasusada, too.]
no subject
[Forcing the words out despite the physical pain they cause him, eyes bright but dry, and Sanji tosses him an understanding nod. A smile.
He has no right, does he? To ask the sword to make this one exception and take him along, and risk the chance of being left behind again.
Sanji lived and breathed that memory. He saw Souji wither and die with Yasusada unable to save him. And he's watched this sword cling to a chef, chasing an imitation of leadership.
Ha. If he were more selfish, if he'd never seen the trauma that Yasusada has lived through -- but no. There's no point wishing on a path that's already been cut away, and so Sanji brutally refuses himself the luxury of pity. This shit isn't even about the killing anymore.
It's about giving Yasusada the chance to pick his own closure, should the end arrive. No matter the stakes, Sanji... can't take that away from him, even if he wants to die more.]
Good luck.
THROWS YOU INTO THE SUN
He has to be. Okita's prowess in battle was due, not only to his strength and speed, but to his sharp eyes, his ability to assess an opponent and compensate for moves they hadn't realized they'd decided to make. It's a skill that translated seamlessly outside of battle, helping him say and do all the right things to get his men in top form, to build friendships and loyalty of his own, bound by the sincerity they all wear on their backs.
Okita, of course, was--is much better with other humans than Yasusada will ever be. Yasusada's fine with that; not once has he ever wanted to be more than the best sword he can be. But that doesn't mean he can't recognize pain when he sees it. It doesn't mean he's oblivious to the fact that, this time, Sanji could very well be the one left behind.
(If he isn't caught, that's one thing, but he will not frame someone else. He doesn't think he needs to say that out loud, for it to be clear.)
He opens his mouth--but, no. Now isn't the time for goodbyes, is it? Saying any sort of "goodbye" before a battle, isn't that bad luck? And they have enough of that already.
So instead, he tilts his head to the side just slightly, and smiles. It's the same relieved smile he gave Okita, when Okita agreed to be his executioner at the castle. Sanji has no way of knowing that, of course--nor does he have any way of hearing the parallel, in what Yasusada decides to say instead.]
Sanji-kun, will you tell me about them? That swordsman, and the others. From your home.
[He'd been granted the chance to look at Sanji's memories, before they'd gotten so severely sidetracked by his own. Thoughts of Okita, and Kashuu, those short, brilliant days they'd spent so happily together--that's what brings Yasusada the most comfort, even when he knows how it all ends. Surely Sanji, too, draws his strength from memories like that, right?
Whatever snow was left on him has melted by now, chilling his skin. But that's fine. He dislikes hot summer days anyway.]