IC Inbox (Imeeji)

[firstworldproblem]

[It just goes directly to the beep.]

Comments

[deicider]

I've been here long enough to be better at them.

[They slip into the cadence of a report.]

At the start, Valour indicated there was no way to make him cry, and that he wouldn't be cooperating. Everyone freaked out. Kohime became agitated and stabbed herself to get a reaction. She did some more of that and then moved to cut her own throat. I grabbed the knife. At that point Valour... [they pause, looking for a word] - requested that we switch methods to a mannequin he was close with, Delores. Delores was smashed into pieces. After that, Kohime remembered onions existed, and we used that.

[firstworldproblem]

Do you know what is wrong with Kohime?

[deicider]

Wrong with her...?

[they frown thoughtfully.]

I don't know her well. I thought her behavior was strange, but I assumed it was something about the dynamic between her and Valour.

[firstworldproblem]

I can't imagine anyone Kohime would willingly injure herself for. She never acted as such in the games we played together. Her knives are mostly for show, but she is skilled in them.

I do believe something is wrong.

And when your unit feel under duress, I imagine they were not in their right minds. Though what did they say to Five. And why would they go to great lengths to traumatize him so. I don't recall you playing that hard before.

[deicider]

[They look up, staring at him, eyes widening slightly.]

We've been playing harder ever since she joined the team. She went for the knife so soon...

[They track back.]

Things just snowballed. Nemesis is - that was out hostage - a delicate subject. So it was the worst starting circumstances.

[firstworldproblem]

You've been known for your softer antics. That is no surprise she would want to win to protect both you and Avante. But she has her limits and that action is one I would consider crossing them. At least in my experience wit her.

Though she and I rarely see eye to eye. It is simply my observation.

But to absolutely destroy what they love in front of them? That's not a tactic you would normally employ. And if you tell me you only did it to spare Kohime, I'm going to be cross.

[deicider]

She has no interest in me. It's mutual.

[There is another crack in Cardinal's expression, gone again as quick as it appeared.]

I objected. I was overruled.

[firstworldproblem]

By?

[deicider]

My unit leader.

[firstworldproblem]

Is that what they are going to do now? Be upset and torture people. I imagine they are a wreck after the fact.

[deicider]

[Cardinal's neutrality slips again just a little, their fists clenching against the grass.]

No. This was my fault. I mishandled the situation; my judgement was flawed. It won't happen again.

[firstworldproblem]

Cardinal Chases Dawn, what is really bothering you?

[deicider]

[They squeeze their eyes briefly. It takes longer for them to regain their mask of calm, and their clipped, objective tone.]

I had a duty to protect Valour for your sake, and I didn't. Trying to court avante's favor is pointless. They'll never trust me, or they'll trust me too much.

1/2

[firstworldproblem]

[firstworldproblem]

Flattered, I'm sure.

However, Five doesn't even care for you, and I imagine you for him. I wouldn't expect you to protect him. I would rather you protected your own unit while not being needlessly cruel. And it sounded as if you weren't.

[deicider]

[Looks taken off guard, for sure. They almost say something, but stop themself. They do pull their expression back together, and say something else.]

You're correct.

[firstworldproblem]

You're holding back, and I'm having trouble deciphering out why.

[deicider]

[Doesn't seem to know how to take this; seems faintly distressed for a moment.]

I'm not trying to conceal anything. I assume Valour told you everything in detail.

[firstworldproblem]

He told me his version, but it is colored in his opinions and preconceptions. I trust him implicitly, but he also was... is under duress.

[He folds his arms lightly and tilts his head.]

I'm not trying to be antagonistic. You are just taking this rather hard, and is not being able to protect Five really the core? I will admit I was livid at Avante in general earlier, but that is what emotions do. There is no shame in it.

[deicider]

[Cardinal looks at Emet-Selch like he is an alien and totally stalls out on a response for a long moment.]

I'm not- [and then, trying a different sentence:] It doesn't- [stopping again.]

[One more time.] I'm taking this at an appropriate level. How - how else should I be taking it? [Their tone is trying for reasonable and rhetorical and landing somewhere in "I don't know if I'm allowed to be asking this question".]

[firstworldproblem]

[At that expression, he takes a moment to reflect.]

Now, I wonder if I'm seeing specters and ghosts where there are none. Mayhaps I am more rattled than I originally thought.

[He looks up at Cardinal.]

I do believe I've been unknowingly unkind to you. I do not mean to judge, dictate or belittle your actions and feelings.

[deicider]

[¿¿¿¿???

Cardinal looks like they're trying not to look confused.]

You're allowed to.

[firstworldproblem]

Allowed perhaps, but I do not wish to.

[He laughs.]

I've had a rough realization recently. It has left me little more upset than normal. However, you do seem a bit more upset yourself.

[Goes to touch them.]

Forgive me for checking.

[deicider]

You haven't ever treated me unfairly.

[Cardinal says firmly. They're tense, but they don't move away from being touched. They just look like they're not sure what to do, watching for a cue.]

[firstworldproblem]

[He doesn't have CR check!]

Did you not say earlier that at times when you get emotional, your feint gets away from you? I simply had to check.

[Pulls his hand back.]