Audience: Flayn

[gatonina]

Comments

[fishingforcompliments]

[unexpected, but she follows the bunny in. she wouldn't have blamed purple heart at all if they'd told her to get lost.

anyway, once she's inside and the door is shut behind her -]

I am so sorry!

[...it's a relief to be able to say it.]

[gatonina]

[they don't reply immediately, though they seem to be watching her while paying attention to their bunny.]

It's the nature of the game, Flayn. I'm not upset. Or at least not as upset as I could be.

[fishingforcompliments]

[they really should be... but that might be flayn's guilty conscience speaking]

Well, the nature of the game is awful. And yet... I played along with it. Even though this is not something any of you wanted.

[gatonina]

It may have been worse if this was something you wanted, you know. I don't know if that helps, but it's something to keep in mind.

[fishingforcompliments]

...

[it doesn't really help much. she can hardly see how any of this could be worse than it is. whether she wanted it or not, she still took the same actions. yu died for it, and ogata very well might die for it tomorrow.]

There must be some way out of this. Some way that does not involve killing.

[gatonina]

You know the rules, Flayn. I wish things were different, but if no one kills everyone will lose. And that's a greater evil I refuse to accept.

But that doesn't mean we can't be sorry this is happening.

[fishingforcompliments]

I know them, but I rather dislike them.

[she hates the rules, actually!]

...the three of you said that we carried parts of the places we came from here with us, did you not? "Residuals"... or something to that effect. Nearly every place we came from had some alternative way to escape.

Is it not possible that this competition has been influenced by that, as well?

[let her HOPE]

[gatonina]

I do, too. [they shake their head.]

You have brought residuals, but not necessarily full mechanics. I'm sure you've noticed that while there are many similarities between the places you were and this place, nothing is quite the same. Right?

[fishingforcompliments]

...correct. This place is quite different from the island, at any rate.

[although the island seems to be pretty different from the rest anyway.]

[gatonina]

Then I believe you know the answer. If this place has been influenced by something good, then we don't know about it and it's not the same as what you came from.

[fishingforcompliments]

[no hope for flayn. her shoulders slump a little.]

I see...

[gatonina]

I'm sorry. I know it isn't ideal, but...I don't have another answer.

[fishingforcompliments]

[there's still the chance the people in the graveyard will find something, she supposes...]

...I understand. But that will not stop me from searching for one.

[gatonina]

And it shouldn't. The rules must be followed for as long as the competition is going, but technically we can't stop any of you from trying to figure out something else. But as it stands, someone must die each week and only one team can survive.

[fishingforcompliments]

I know.

[how long can this possibly go on, she wonders. if they take it slowly - if they only go after one person a week... can they buy themselves enough time to find another solution?

she wants to ask, but the words stick in her throat.]

...as you said, it was - it was how the game needed to be played, but... if ever there is anything I can do to make up for my part in lowering your team's numbers...

[gatonina]

...Flayn. You were only doing your job. I get it. Sometimes...it happens. You have to lose teammates for the bigger picture even if it isn't the best solution.

It's the design of the game itself. A certain amount were let in, but only a certain amount may leave.

[fishingforcompliments]

What sort of twisted individual would design a game that way..?

[ugh.]

...that may be its design, but that does not mean we should not be kind to each other when we can. I may be playing for Winter's team, but I do not want to be your enemy, either.

[gatonina]

Do you believe I consider myself your enemy now?

[fishingforcompliments]

Well, no, but you are also not going out and killing people after curfew. I believe that is our job.

[gatonina]

Maybe so, but I think you and I can agree on that. Despite this being a competition, there's no reason not to be kind until the end. Even if...the betrayal others may feel will be a lot to handle.

But I think as time goes on, you'll find things in this game to be a little easier.

[fishingforcompliments]

...because I will have grown used to it, or...?

[gatonina]

Only time will tell, Flayn. That's really all we know.

[fishingforcompliments]

I see. Thank you, for telling me what you can.

[gatonina]

Of course. I wish I had something more reassuring to say, but...this is the best we can hope for right now.

[fishingforcompliments]

...well, perhaps with a bit of luck, it will be better in the future.