week 5, sunday w/ fane

[alchemenace]

[ let's pretend this is post-execution. anyway, fane might have noticed a kind of nervous energy with varian throughout the week, though by sunday he's practically vibrating with him at any point in time. which is probably why he simply blurts out: ]

I know the numbers needed for what Dragon called the happy ending.

Comments

[faceripper]

[ They couldn't be more opposite in this, since after learning about what happened to his people, Fane has been decidedly much more pensive instead of rude and reactionary. Is this why he didn't say shit in the trial? I'm assuming so, yes, because look, ]

Have you, now? That's good news. Far better than guessing and hoping for the best.

[alchemenace]

It did involve a fair amount of guesswork, actually.

[ and that guesswork then led to real answers, but that's not the point! ]

Three people from each faction must remain, and seven objectives must be completed for each of them. Now, I don't know for certain that we should go along with it entirely. I've been in contact with Beauty and the Beast, and they've said there's a possibility Dragon will use the ink for her own gain, which we might not be able to stop if there isn't enough of us left? But they've still emphasized the collection of ink via objectives if nothing else. I also know that the trick to killing either Tiger or Dragon lies to killing both at the same time, so that's good for a back-up plan if worst comes to worst.

[ he has too much info from the past like three days and he is kind of nearing the word vomit territory, feel free to pause him at any time. ]

[faceripper]

[ As usual, Fane listens attentively as Varian explains, and it's difficult to get a read on him. However, at this point, Varian can probably understand his body language a bit better than most, and the way he takes his thoughtful pose would probably imply a frown on his face. ]

Hmph. That's quite a lot of variables to ensure a positive ending.

[ He's already thinking about just how easy it would be to mess up. Just one person unaware of these requirements could ruin the whole thing, and his tone gets a little more sour with that realization. ]

...Why, is there a reason that this is some sort of secret to be kept?

[alchemenace]

No, which is why it'll be shared with everyone come Monday. Anonymously, using the owls. [ in a tone that says he's not willing to put his name out there as the bringer of news on that one. doing that favor for a historian was enough thanks ] So long as we know at least three are needed, I'm hoping people will be more careful, and that everyone will finish as many objectives as we may need.

[ though hope is ... yeah. the key word there. ]

[faceripper]

[ Fane shakes his head ]

Well, good. That’s at least something, since it’s far too easy to imagine some idiot mucking it all up. Though if the message isn’t believed, that would be quite troublesome. But I suppose we’ll simply have to wait to see on that...

[ He trails off thoughtfully, but he continues after only a short pause ]

Do we have any idea how many have been completed?

[alchemenace]

No. The Historians know which ones they've helped with for rewards, but that doesn't help me, considering I only know the one. I've been thinking of a way to set up an anonymous system to find that out? The easiest solution so far was jars that people fill with the appropriate colored buttons, but that doesn't account for the dead. Still, it's... a start.

[ arts & crafts projects: the murder edition. but speaking of objectives, varian heaves out a sigh, grabbing at his arm and looking away ]

About objectives. Akechi's a Historian-- he's the one who gave me that letter to share, though I, I had to lie and say we'd been talking for a lot longer than we actually were-- and he ... he offered to help me with mine? I tried to get him to back off by mentioning it was kind of-- murder-y, but he said we could work together on ours. Because his is to drown someone. I-- I told him I'd think about it.

[ so that's. been on his mind. ]

[faceripper]

[ He listens, though his posture does shift as Varian gets to the matter of Akechi. He's still attentive, but concerned, since even before he finishes, it's not hard to guess where this is going. ]

...I see. That's... quite ironic timing, really. But are you considering it?

[ Though thoughtfully, he adds, ]

...Though, he got another? Hmph. I suppose that means he accomplished the first, doesn't it?

[alchemenace]

... Whether I help him with it or not, I know he's going to kill again. In fact, I'm sure of it. At least this way, I could know who. And ... it might help us out? I don't know.

[ from his tone, it's obvious he's uncertain and looking for fane's opinion on the matter. ]

Yeah. He didn't tell me what his first objective was. [ though the way fane says it ... ] Did you know it?

[faceripper]

Hmph.

[ Fane considers that, and his tone is a bit gentler. He definitely cares about Varian at this point, so he can't flippantly encourage him. ]

...If it is what you want to do, you'll have my support in whatever way you may need. I'll not discourage you from it completely, but at least be careful if this is a path you want to pursue.

[ ...Though that objective. He nods ]

I do. It's what I assume all the-- [ He waves his hand dismissively ] dramatics were about. It was quite sickening, really, but I'm somewhat impressed with his continued tricks all the same. It was to receive a heartfelt confession of love.

[alchemenace]

... If Akechi's the one doing the kill, I won't have to worry about you getting caught. [ that's a big part of why he's considering it, for numerous reasons. ] So I--I think that's the safest option. And I'm not worried about him throwing me under the bus. That's what the role is for. I think ... I'll be okay.

[ if he throws in enough fake evidence, it should be fine. (should.) and then there's that objective and... oh, wow. ]

Oh. That's ... definitely not great for Eichi.

[ LET'S GO WITH YIKES OVER THERE ]

[faceripper]

[ A more reasonable father figure would probably object to Varian feeling as if he has to do this at all. But this is Fane, and Fane comes from the sort of world where this isn't reprehensible. It's simple logic: kill or be killed. So he just nods, but considering how Varian still has hesitation in his voice, he does close that distance to lightly and encouragingly place a hand on his shoulder. ]

Still. To say that I don't trust him is an understatement.

[ Everyone forgave Akechi (enough), but not Fane... He sees what Akechi has been doing and finds it distasteful, but he's not exactly invested in Eichi's well-being enough to actually intervene. Whoops. ]

Would you like a bit of extra protection? Just in case things go quite sour.

[alchemenace]

[ he smiles a bit at the hand on his shoulder. he does appreciate that. ]

Ha, yeah, no, trust is-- trust is definitely out of the picture. [ he has no qualms throwing akechi under a bus. ] I'm not telling him anything important, don't worry.

[ though ... he blinks at that offer ]

Extra protection? Like what?

[faceripper]

[ With his encouragement given, Fane withdraws his hand, though it's also to reach into his coat. By that gesture alone, it's not hard to guess what he means, but he pulls out the Face Ripper to wave it lightly. ]

What else? It's hardly clean, and would certainly leave anyone to believe that I was the guilty party, but I would say that's vastly preferable to an instantaneous death.

[ He holds it out for Varian to take ]

...And besides, if you do need to use it, well, I imagine fire would hide its rather unique impression.

[alchemenace]

[ oh god. varian pales a little at the idea of using it, and he hesitates just staring at it. ... but he eventually does take it, holding it and staring ]

... Are you sure? What if someone tries to attack you?

[faceripper]

[ Fane's answer comes perhaps surprisingly quickly ]

Well. Then it is my time, should they be successful. [ Though he says it matter of factly, it's clear why he's not too worried as he continues with a dismissive wave of his hand ] Besides, to be honest, I'm significantly more difficult to actually injure than you are. It's a very slight advantage of not having flesh. If whatever they're doing is enough to shatter bone, well, I stand a better chance at staying alive than any of you, to be frank.