pc catchall for shess (nonbelligerent)

[foodbin]

Comments

week five, sunday.

[foodbin]

[It’s a while after their talk with North that she finds him in the garden. When she sees him, she pauses.]

...Hey. There’s something else I wanted to talk to you about.

[nonbelligerent]

... Would it by any chance have to do with the last one remaining?

[foodbin]

[She takes a breath.]

Would you have told me if I didn’t bring it up first?

[nonbelligerent]

No, because I thought you would tell Axel. Besides, Miki was going to have Kaoru tell you, anyway.

Though it turns out my worries were unfounded. Axel took the news rather well.

[foodbin]

...Thank you for your honesty.

[She doesn’t exactly sound pleased.]

[nonbelligerent]

[he just looks back at her passively. sorry, emma, but while he expected anger, he doesn't feel guilty about his decision and he won't pretend he does]

I'm aware that Milla and Axel want me to be the last one standing, if it comes down to that. Is that all?

[foodbin]

[It’s a moment before she responds, but it seems like the calm way he looks at her serves to make it worse. Where she was angry before, now the expression is mixed with hurt.]

...I really thought I could trust you.

[nonbelligerent]

What would you have done differently this week if you'd known from the start?

[foodbin]

You think that’s what I’m upset about?

[nonbelligerent]

No. But I consider it a valid question: I had no intention of acting on that info until I gathered more pieces, so why would I have gone around telling others about it prematurely?

[foodbin]

Because for something that big, I would have told you immediately. But you didn’t tell me, and Lea didn’t tell me, so I had to hear it from fucking North, who immediately told me to get a grip!

[nonbelligerent]

I don't see how I'm responsible for North's behaviour towards you.

[...]

Where you may feel like the other shoe was dropped on you, it was never "news" to me. I suspected from the start that this was our intended fate, so to have it confirmed was merely disappointing, rather than shocking. For me, it has changed nothing but the way others are reacting.

[he shakes his head.]

In any case, what is it you want from me, Emma? Or are you just here to yell at me?

[foodbin]

Well, that's wonderful for you, isn't it. You know, you could at least pretend to care. I thought you were... [...] Fuck it. Apparently I was wrong, whatever.

[She runs a hand through her hair, blinking a few times.]

No. There was something else I wanted to ask you.

[nonbelligerent]

If I gave you the impression that this would be unusual for me, then I apologize for that.

[shess has never pretended to be anything other than who he is, so truthfully, he doesn't see how emma would consider this unexpected from him.]

What is it?

[foodbin]

Maybe you didn't, but you gave me the impression that we were friends.

[...]

You said Milla and Lea wanted it to be you. What do you want?

[nonbelligerent]

We were, from my perspective. Though if you would prefer that not to be the case, then that's your decision.

[he tilts his head, mildly surprised.]

Why do you ask?

[foodbin]

...I would have thought you'd at least care that I was upset, if that were the case.

[She tilts her head.]

We only brought you up because you have the item that protects you from being corrupted. But... You can give that to anyone. I'm just saying - I wouldn't blame you if you didn't want it to be you.

[nonbelligerent]

I care that you're upset, but I'm not ashamed of my decision, so I won't give a false apology. Again, as I asked: what would you have me do?

Is there someone else you'd rather it be?

[foodbin]

[She leaves the first part alone.]

No, that's not what I'm saying. It's not that I think you'd be a bad choice, just... I don't want you to feel like it has to be you, or that we're pushing you into it.

[nonbelligerent]

[... well, he feels that it's a bit unfair, that he's to let emma yell at him as she likes but not be given the chance to do anything about it, other than apparently pretend to be someone she'd rather have.

but there's no point in expressing that.]

I don't particularly intend to die, although I'd rather not have Milla die for my sake either.

[foodbin]

I don’t think anyone particularly intends to die.

[But.]

She’d be your choice if it wasn’t you?

[nonbelligerent]

Her or Ookurikara, most likely—as much as the latter option might surprise some.

But they're two of the most sincere people here, and they've demonstrated that they will put their duty above their personal feelings. [...] Well, though it depends exactly on what's meant by the final survivor getting to decide the fate of everything.

[foodbin]

...You really think he should be making a choice like that?

[nonbelligerent]

Yes. I understand why you don't think he should, but I've had quite a few conversations on what motivates him and what should be the ultimate outcome of things. He's not just some angry, vengeful element to watch out for.

[foodbin]

What would you say he is, then?