Audience: Lili

[gatonina]

Comments

[coastal]

[ . . . lili will sigh then, reaching out to poke one bunny cheek. it makes her feel about 2% better.]

... that 'stay out three times and you're killed' thing from another game. Is that relevant here?

Next, when does evidence from this trial disappear? If we were to use the stethoscope on Yu's shoes even now that it's done, would we be allowed to do so?

And... can you tell me nothing about why people are dying again in the first place?

[she said fury for later - but the last question reveals her frustration. not at him, but at the situation. the way that the fire of her anger licks at her words even without her permission.]

[gatonina]

[the bunny accepts this.]

No. Their game was...unusual, but that rule does not apply here. In theory, you could spend every night outside of your cabin and every Thursday outside and you could live. As for evidence, we collect it after the trial. We can't present it after the trial's over, so even listening to the shoes would be a bit impossible now.

...but I think you know why this is happening, Lili. The competition calls for it.

[coastal]

[ . . . dammit. she scowls a bit at that, angry at the way that it's getting more and more difficult.]

That's not enough. I want to know why. Who hurt Yu like this? For what reason? What compelled them? I refuse to just - accept it without any other explanation.

Akira's power.

Is he going to get punished from everyone talking in circles about it today?

[gatonina]

It's not an answer I can give you. It's something you have to find yourself, as much as I wish it wasn't. It's not like I'm enjoying this either.

[...] Akira never quite admitted it, and you covered for him well enough that perhaps...it should be alright. Do you suspect people suspect him?

[coastal]

I know that you're not, it's just... frustrating.

[and maybe some of her fury is leaking into her business. but she's just going to sigh.]

I don't think they suspect him, but I think they have some kind of idea of what the power is. Belph was infuriatingly close, even though Akira said that he's not the other one who knows his power.

But... we wasted so much time arguing today, back and forth. I want to know what the lines are... Was speculating about fake evidence powers and weightless powers and mind altering powers too much? Or is that fine?

[gatonina]

...then keep an eye on Belph. See what he says, if he pursues the lead or if he lets it go. It's the only way to know either way.

Speculation isn't inherently wrong. We can't confirm ourselves, of course, but speculating is fine. And if someone decides to come forward to you to confirm based on that...then that's that.

[coastal]

[ . . . she sighs at that. the idea of relying on belph!! is exhausting to her! wow!]

Fine. If those are alright then... maybe it'll lead to less arguments next trial.

[or maybe not! who can say!]

... how are you feeling? After having to sit there - and watch us go in circles for a few hours before condemning a man innocent of the given crime?

[gatonina]

I'm pretty sure you'll all find reasons to argue anyway. Tensions are high, you all have strong personalities...it's bound to happen. But even something small to lesson the stress may be helpful.

[but the question is something that makes them pause and sip their tea quietly.]

...it all started with trying to fight a bear to rescue Yu's body. That was bad. Then it was...the influx of information about what happened. That was also bad. And then it was waking up with a headache I couldn't shake and knowing we couldn't do anything to help you guys that sort of sealed the deal. So to tell you the truth? Not so great. [there's a shake of their head.] I'm sure you understand how frustrating it is to have to sit by and be powerless.

[coastal]

Fine - but maybe I just want less arguments between Akira and Ookurikara.

[shE'LL BE HONEST ABOUT IT, SHE WAS SOOOOOO ANNOYED. anyway she's just going to listen to the rest of it, frowning more as they go on.]

... I do understand. But - is there anything else that we can do? Now that we've voted wrong, don't we all just... have to watch and see what happens at execution tomorrow?

Even if it's unjust? Even if it's wrong?

[gatonina]

Have you considered setting them up for a bonding experience? [they may be joking, but also??]

...we do have to watch and see what happens tomorrow, even if it's unjust, even if it's wrong. Especially because it's unjust and wrong. But it keeps the game "fair."

[coastal]

I'm annoyed with Akira, but I'm not trying to get him stabbed. [SHE JUST HAS NO DOUBTS THAT KARA WOULD JUST SKEWER AKIRA]

.... is it really fair? To have everything stacked against us like this - these secrets, not even aware of what anyone is capable of doing... Is that fair?

[gatonina]

That's considerate of you at least. [thanks lili.]

...okay, it's not fair but it's fair in the rules of the competition. But that wording doesn't make it feel better, does it?

[coastal]

It'd be poor form for me to treat my allies like that. [getting them stabbed....]

... It doesn't. Not really. And there's no way for us to rewrite these rules at all? Who even came up with them?

[gatonina]

It's complicated to say. Who comes up with the rules of any game?

[coastal]

Depends. Is it a fair game? Or is it geared to the people who want to win it, so they rig the board?

[CAPITALISM,]

But I guess it's technically the people who come up with it, right...?

[gatonina]

Something like that. [they tilt their head.] It may be best to think of it just like another kind of war. That's how it feels, anyway.

[coastal]

What, like a war game...?

[ . . . ]

I'm not suited for that kind of battle. Very few people here are. And war is rarely just in the first place...

[gatonina]

Of course it's not. Murder is hard to justify on a normal basis, but something like this makes it harder. But...you asked me why people have to die.

...you've heard what happens if no one kills at all here now that we've begun, haven't you?

[coastal]

[ . . . ]

No. All I've heard from you and Black Shadows is that someone has to die, and that's just how the game is. And going against that means that everything will go very, very poorly.

So what is it? This threat that's looming over us.

[gatonina]

If no one kills at least once a week now that the competition has started, everyone will die and everyone's endings will be erased. It's considered a forfeit, basically.

[coastal]

But how many people know that?

[she actually looks startled - ]

Akira didn't mention it to me. Neither did Dick. So wouldn't someone need to find that out from one of you?

[gatonina]

Oh. [they seem genuinely surprised.] Shit, I thought I told him...[they do not specify.] A few people know and we thought that information would spread but I...suppose that was an oversight on our part, not to mention we were hoping it wouldn't come to this. But it has. There isn't another way out of that.

And the thing is...if we announced it ourselves to everyone at large, do you suppose people would really believe us? No. It has to come from individual parties because that's far more likely to stick.

[coastal]

... I mean - there's always a chance one of them didn't get around to telling me...

[there's been a lot going on. stares in akira's direction.]

... but is this even something you want to spread? Isn't it a problem still if a lot of people are going to act on their own and then you'll get far too many of us killed instead?

We need time in order to figure out how to dismantle all of this.

[and yes she is still on that, will always be on that, etc.]

[gatonina]

[they don't answer for a second, leaning back against the wall and petting their bunny while holding their cup of tea.]

Do you trust them? People like Dick and Akira. I'm not asking about Ookurikara because that's a given. But do you trust them enough to help protect your life?

[coastal]

[ . . . ]

I trust them to protect other people's lives - and to keep innocents out of harm whenever possible.

[and that's ultimately what matters to lili more than her own? she's alright with it, if dick and akira will ever choose to sacrifice her if it means saving the greater group]