[Undine] Shore did sea some bodies (This okay?)

[lightdecrement]

[ He actually goes to seek out his partner, already done with everything that was this night. He wasn't connected with anyone, but peopling with others can be exhausting. This is why he enjoys Lenka because he is not technically people?

Approaching with a bag full of apple pies from McDs. ]

Did you know anyone that died?

[ Cutting to the chase and not mincing words. ]

Comments

[alchemicalwater]

[Vanitas already said he'd keep it quiet, so.]

Akira.

He's...he's a good person. And a lot of shady people in this game are mad at him because he's solving murders. I didn't want him to get killed.

[lightdecrement]

[ Oh. The guy petting Lenka. ]

Yeah, I could see that.

[ Thinking. ]

He's just one of those good doing detective types. Do you remember what Chuuya was yelling at him?

[alchemicalwater]

Something like...'be erased if you have such a problem with killing', and 'you're not living eight weeks.'

Also Akira was invisible so there was a lot of yelling for him to come out of hiding.

[lightdecrement]

He might be in on the game, but not on the reapers side. [ Some more factions bullshit. ]

How well liked are you with the others here?

[alchemicalwater]

Well enough, I think? I've made a lot of friends here.

...but at the same time, I thought Chuuya was my friend, before last night. So you never know, they might turn on me in the end. It's probably better that I don't get discovered in the first place.

[I mean she and Akira did a pretty good cleanup so maybe she won't get caught?]

[lightdecrement]

That's the thing about friends. They will turn on you in the end.

[ Touching his own chest for a moment. ]

This is a game about everyone serving themselves, after all. Sure, we have some softies here, but everyone has something on the lines. Including the reapers.

[ Thinking. ]

We should think of a back-up plan in case the truth comes out.

[alchemicalwater]

I...I can't lie. I mean, I could, but I'm a really bad liar. And if they do find me out, I'd like to at least try to reason with them first. I'm not a reaper, and I didn't go out to kill him on purpose. So maybe they'll see things differently?

[lightdecrement]

How good are you at turning on the water works on command? [ There is a pause. ] I mean crying.

[alchemicalwater]

[He just. Gets a flat look.]

All I have to do is think about how I just killed one of my friends and I'll be able to cry just fine.

[lightdecrement]

Sounds like it's not the first time. [ Because he can't go long without being an ass. ]

Good. Just start crying while you share. There's enough bleeding hearts in the bunch. You were defending yourself and a friend.

[alchemicalwater]

It's not.

[Since she. Really does blame herself for her team's death. Survivor's Guilt is a hell of a thing.]

I'll try. Just talking about the whole thing, I think I'll start crying anyway. I...I cried that night, too. That's why I cleaned him up: he was my friend, I couldn't just leave him in a heap on the ground like that. Even if he tried to kill me, he deserved that much at least.

[lightdecrement]

[ He can already put together it's an accident.

Or she's an amazing actress that could rival his own Master. ]

If it comes to spilling, then share it all. [ A pause. ] I doubt you'll reveal which friend, but it could help protect him if people are reminded he's useful

[ There's already a big target on his back so it won't change anything. Maybe he should talk to the guy if things go smoothly in the trial tomorrow. ]

[alchemicalwater]

[Go do it, go befriend Akira.]

Maybe. I...I hope nobody goes after him again. I don't think I'll be allowed to protect him every time like I was last night, even if I do make it through the trial.

[lightdecrement]

[ What is this befriending? Is it edible? ]

It might depend on how helpful he is. [ Thinking. ]

Chuuya was liked, which means he might have shared his plans for that night with someone. Pay attention to anyone with an interest in Akira tomorrow. [ You know, anyone paying more attention. ]

[alchemicalwater]

Right, I'll keep that in mind.

...I might have to say that I was protecting Akira, in the end. But it's the truth, so at least that will be easy to say.

[lightdecrement]

[ Narrowing his eyes. Gurl ]

It almost sounds like you want to be at fault. Do you want to be executed for ending a friend? Or is this about whatever guilt you're carrying about the past?

[alchemicalwater]

[She flinches, but she does answer.]

I don't want to be executed, no. You would die too. But...

Too many people have died because of me. Innocent people, who deserved better than what they got. This situation was a little different, but Chuuya was still my friend. And his death will go unsolved if I live through this.

[That's the guilt there, that she can't actually confess and see punishment for what she did. Because even if it was in self-defense, there's still a lot of guilt.

But her drive to protect Vanitas is stronger than her drive to confess, at least?]

[lightdecrement]

[ Vanitas doesn't deserve it. But Ven does at least? ]

Even if you were found out, it still wouldn't give anyone any answers. You pulled the trigger, but you weren't the reason he died. He and those he might have been working with got him killed.

[ There is an important distinction. ]

Look at it this way, you now have something that could be used to flush out more killers. And keep Akira safe.

[alchemicalwater]

[AND SOMEHOW HE GAVE HER A LITTLE HOPE?]

I...you're right. That's true, maybe we can find out who's doing all the killing this way. I'm sure they didn't expect one of their people to die like that.

[lightdecrement]

[ Wow no. He's can't be giving out hope? That makes it weird. ]

Their only clue to what happened was Akira. [ Rubbing the back of his head. ] Don't get too close to him, but if you do notice anything during the trial... pull out Terra's wayfinder. [ Pulling out the green matching one to show her what he means. ]

[alchemicalwater]

[Yeah she still has that on her, actually!]

This thing? Why?

[lightdecrement]

Wouldn't raise any suspicion if you held it.

[ He'll offer a shrug. ]

It can be a signal. In case something strikes you as odd. I can do the same if I notice anyone gunning for your friend.

[ He's kind of staring at the one in his hand longer than necessary. It does fill him with an ache that annoys him. ]

We're partners. Having matching accessories shouldn't be amiss.

[alchemicalwater]

[OH...that does make sense, yes.

And look, Undine is smiling for the first time tonight.]

Vanitas...thank you.

[For...well okay, not CARING, but. For stepping up to help her here.]

[lightdecrement]

[ He's taken steps but still has a long way to go? Shaking his head. ]

Just stay alive.

[alchemicalwater]

I will.

And you too, alright?

[Because he. Might get blamed for force rounds being used.]

[lightdecrement]

[ he is the only one left that can use it. ]

I might already have a target on my back.

[ Just getting that out there ]

[alchemicalwater]

...

what did you do?

[lightdecrement]

Talk theories with Lenka. [ Look, he didn't upset anyone with his... cheekiness at least ]

It could be nothing. [ Making sure she knows there's nothing definite. ] The books they got from the little adventure wound up confirming I might be on the right track. And if people are going after your friend for being right at trials.

[ Who knows. They might think Vanitas has a role in this. ]