![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
[after feeding the purple bunny, it almost casually begins to hop its way down the hall and toward the door marked 3C 💜. the door opens for it, and inside is a standard camp director's office. the bunny hops it way across the floor and toward the desk, running up a makeshift ramp to the desktop to stop near purple heart's elbow. they remain seated at their desk, but they lift their non-bandaged hand in greeting.]
Dimitri. Welcome...please have a seat.
Dimitri. Welcome...please have a seat.
Purple Heart.
[ his eyes go to the bandaged hand anyway, lingering there for a moment before he nods and sits.
he'd been angry—furious, really—the day before, as though shouting at the door would bring the directors out. but there doesn't seem like a point in directing the anger at them, not anymore. it's still there though, simmering in his eyes. he doesn't waste time on niceties today. ]
Have you and the others lost control of the campgrounds? [ those voices... ]
[ his eyes go to the bandaged hand anyway, lingering there for a moment before he nods and sits.
he'd been angry—furious, really—the day before, as though shouting at the door would bring the directors out. but there doesn't seem like a point in directing the anger at them, not anymore. it's still there though, simmering in his eyes. he doesn't waste time on niceties today. ]
Have you and the others lost control of the campgrounds? [ those voices... ]
The voices we heard yesterday—I could not distinguish them. Between that and the reactions of the other campers, they were clearly not your own. Additionally, your injury, as well as Flayn's... [ his eyes narrow slightly ] Whoever or whatever hurt you both must have powers that extend beyond your own.
To go along with this theory, I would ask if you adjusted our rulebooks.
To go along with this theory, I would ask if you adjusted our rulebooks.
When you are facing down an otherwise impossible enemy, you must utilize your units' strengths to seize victory.
[ that's what you do in war, anyway. and what is this, if not war? he recites his lessons faithfully. ]
In my case... I am good for nothing but battle. [ for hurting others. ] You are aware of my history, are you not? I already have blood on my hands. There are already those who believe I deserve death, and I would not argue with them.
Knowing that, what do you suppose someone like me should be used for? What am I besides a sword and shield for all of you?
[ that's what you do in war, anyway. and what is this, if not war? he recites his lessons faithfully. ]
In my case... I am good for nothing but battle. [ for hurting others. ] You are aware of my history, are you not? I already have blood on my hands. There are already those who believe I deserve death, and I would not argue with them.
Knowing that, what do you suppose someone like me should be used for? What am I besides a sword and shield for all of you?
[ right. if he's a piece on a board, he's a knight. that much he knows, but. ]
What I want?
[ what an odd question. it takes him a moment to consider it, less certain than before. ]
Um... I've never given it much thought. I suppose... [ there is a long, thoughtful pause, as though he's considering it for the first time. ] My real wish can't be granted here. But otherwise... I want to be someone who can help others out of the dark. Though I don't know if I'm capable of such a thing.
What I want?
[ what an odd question. it takes him a moment to consider it, less certain than before. ]
Um... I've never given it much thought. I suppose... [ there is a long, thoughtful pause, as though he's considering it for the first time. ] My real wish can't be granted here. But otherwise... I want to be someone who can help others out of the dark. Though I don't know if I'm capable of such a thing.
...this is gonna sound kind of cheesy but hear me out. It's...I think you can be capable of great things, especially things you weren't sure you could be capable of when presented with the right opportunities. You want to help people? Do tasks, help keep people safe, don't act recklessly until you actually have to. You're not going to be help to anyone if you lose sight of what you're doing.
But I get it. I...I kind of want the same thing.
But I get it. I...I kind of want the same thing.
That is so. [they pause again to carefully choose their words.] I simply wish to be someone that can fix wrongs and make them right again. I'm still learning how to do so, however. It's a process and it will take time, but...I want to be someone people can rely on. Especially those who feel as though they can't rely on anyone.
You can see where there's a conflict of interest.
You can see where there's a conflict of interest.
...Yes. [ they'd spoken on this before—how difficult it would be to earn anyone's trust here. how broken it was, so many times already. ] It is difficult, but those are also the sort of people who need help the most. The ones who ask for it the least... the ones who struggle to take a hand extended to them, for fear that it might let them go.
To rely on others is both a comfort and a threat. You are taking on a difficult wish. [ but he doesn't say it's a bad one. ]
To rely on others is both a comfort and a threat. You are taking on a difficult wish. [ but he doesn't say it's a bad one. ]
I know. A difficult, impossible wish, but I've always liked the challenge of trying to be better. [with that, they tilt their head in reply.]
So the question for you, Dimitri. Are you the person who can give help, or the person who struggles to ask for it?
So the question for you, Dimitri. Are you the person who can give help, or the person who struggles to ask for it?
[ ah, the ever-impossible task of becoming a better person than they really are.
he smiles, small and mirthless. ]
Could I not be both? [ a beat. ] But I want to rely on you. Until the end, until that moment—I want to rely on you all. To be relied on, even if the tasks ahead seem insurmountable.
That is my sincerest hope. I cannot save everyone alone, so it is all I can do to hope. Until someone betrays that faith... [ he almost sounds like he's expecting it. after the first time... he knows better. ] I will cling to it, with all my might.
he smiles, small and mirthless. ]
Could I not be both? [ a beat. ] But I want to rely on you. Until the end, until that moment—I want to rely on you all. To be relied on, even if the tasks ahead seem insurmountable.
That is my sincerest hope. I cannot save everyone alone, so it is all I can do to hope. Until someone betrays that faith... [ he almost sounds like he's expecting it. after the first time... he knows better. ] I will cling to it, with all my might.
Then I think you and I will get along perfectly fine. We'll have to help one another until the end, but please put your trust in me as much as you're able and I'll do my best to ensure we get you out of here alive. I have so many mistakes to make up for...this is the least I can do.
And I will rely on you as much as I can as my own sign of trust to you.
And I will rely on you as much as I can as my own sign of trust to you.
[after feeding the purple bunny, it zips down the hall and toward the door marked 3C 💜. the door opens for it, and the bunny hops it way across the floor and toward the desk, running up a makeshift ramp to the desktop to stop in front of purple heart. they seem to be staring straight at the door though, as if they expected dimitri's presence.]
Are you alright?
Are you alright?
[ He considers something for a moment before nodding, taking a seat. ]
I do not know how much he told you, but we found a strange cabin out in the forest fog. I was hoping you might know who was living there.
[ amongst other things, but that is chief among them. ]
You set the cabins up for our arrival, but that one seemed... different.
I do not know how much he told you, but we found a strange cabin out in the forest fog. I was hoping you might know who was living there.
[ amongst other things, but that is chief among them. ]
You set the cabins up for our arrival, but that one seemed... different.
I believe so. There were indications of someone being there just before we arrived. The kitchen, the bathroom, the back room with all the televisions—all of them showed signs of recently being used.
[ he stalls on his words for a moment, eyes cut aside to the wall. ]
The cabin was not empty either.
[ he stalls on his words for a moment, eyes cut aside to the wall. ]
The cabin was not empty either.
Page 1 of 4