[Week 5, Friday: Varian]

[doublecrows]

[THE PC THAT AL CAN'T TAG BECAUSE SHE'S MIA THIS WEEKEND BUT REALLY NEEDS TO HAPPEN]

Varian-san.

[Akechi is curt today, his tone clipped and businesslike]

A moment of your time.

Comments

[doublecrows]

[. . . . . . HE'S A HISTORIAN HOW DID HE NOT FIGURE THIS OUT???]

I see. Then that's even more reason to ensure the remainder of our villains stay alive. Because out of all of the objectives that I know have been completed, only two of them belong to villains.

[Akechi arches a brow]

Depending on their reward, convincing them may not be an option.

[alchemenace]

[ DO YOUR JOB BETTER, ASKETCHI ]

I know of one villain who's done two, but they... might overlap.

[ shrugs. ]

You said their prize probably wasn't linked to eliminating a faction, right? Either way, I'm not going to go after villains at this time. The numbers aren't in our favor.

[doublecrows]

They might. The two villain objectives I know of were completed by two different people. One of them being the Vizier.

[also shrugs]

It isn't my plan to go after villains, either. Certainly not with their numbers so low, and certainly not when we need them to complete at least seven objectives.

[SPEAKING OF--]

Considering we're both laying it all out into the open now, why don't you tell me your title and objective? Perhaps I can assist you in the completion of same.

[alchemenace]

... Hm.

[ there's a half thoughtful, half judgmental look on Varian's face ]

I'll share mine if you tell me yours.

[doublecrows]

[uGH]

Swan Princess.

[he says blandly]

[alchemenace]

[ ...honestly he'd make fun but: ]

I'm the Gingerbread Witch, and I have to set someone on fire.

[ just as blandly. ]

[doublecrows]

[. . . . . . HM]

[easily, without hesitation, or like. any sign of hesitancy]

There are chemicals in the laboratory that can help with that, correct? If you need someone to be a distraction, I don't mind offering my assistance.

[alchemenace]

You are... seriously gung-ho about murder.

[ just. noting that. he's not surprised? but. anyway. ]

I'd rather keep away from the laboratory, since I'm kind of obviously familiar with everything in there.

[ yeah he's given it some thought himself. ha ha. ]

[doublecrows]

I'm not "gung-ho" about murder. I simply am willing to do what needs to be done, regardless of how unpleasant the task may be.

[the conversation is so casual for what the subject matter is]

I can understand that. The Crafters do provide materials to those who choose to kill, so perhaps you could ask them for bonfire materials?

[alchemenace]

Yeah, I know a thing or two about doing things because it's necessary.

[ he's still judging akechi a little for immediately jumping aboard. ]

I'm not burning someone at the stake, that's. That's a bit much.

[doublecrows]

[what, don't judge him, just DO YOUR OBJECTIVES!!!]

It's merely a suggestion.

Perhaps a flamethrower?

[aKECHI]

[alchemenace]

... Okay, I get "doing what needs to be done", but torture isn't actually part of the clause.

[doublecrows]

Oh, no. It isn't about torture. It's just that lighting someone on fire isn't an easy task.

[. . . a thought!!]

Do they have to be alive when it happens?

[alchemenace]

[ yea he KNOWS it's not easy smh

Varian looks away with a shrug ]

Technically, no.

[doublecrows]

. . . then I have a proposal for you.

[the most casual!! of shrugs!!]

My newest objective requires me me to kill someone via drowning them. I, of course, intend to complete this at some point.

[AKECHI!!]

If I were to provide you with the body, you could do with it what is necessary.

[alchemenace]

[ well that's. well. Varian grabs at his arm as he considers ]

Hm. And it would be a bonus to you, since it would muck up the cause of death on top of counting for your "rewards", right? [ he knows how this be!!! ] ... did you have someone in mind already?

[ that ain't a yes or a no. ]

[doublecrows]

[another unfriendly smile]

I did, yes.

Don't worry; they're a civilian. Although I'd much rather target a hero, considering our numbers. But the only two other heroes I know are people I cannot kill.

[alchemenace]

[ that's a mood. why is learning titles intrinsically tied to giving a shit varian has regrets ]

No offense, but I'm not going to make a deal about murdering someone when I don't know who, title or not. There's-- there's at least a few people I'd rather not kill.

[ "a few". listen. ha ha? ]

[doublecrows]

[there's a pause. . .]

. . . tell me who they are. I'll tell you if the person I have in mind is on that list. But I won't give you a name unless you agree to assist me.

[alchemenace]

... Except that would out them as not-villains.

[ you see the dilemma, here. what a stalemate. ]

I don't care if you murder, at this point. You know what ending I'm going for, and that requires some killing.

[doublecrows]

Not necessarily.

[oh?]

You could simply give me a list of people you'd rather not see dead. Villain, hero, and civilian. We may be down quite a few villains, but we're still not yet at three, are we? More will have to die before this game ends.

[arches a brow]

You may not care if I murder, but I'd still be putting quite a bit on the line if I told you my victim's name. Your list is the best way for us to negotiate, as you have very little to lose simply by telling me who you'd like to survive.

[alchemenace]

[ ... why does this feel like a deal with the devil. well. he's sold his soul for less, so: ]

Fine. On top of my partner-- obviously-- it's both Ions, Veronica, Stephie and Sanji.

[ this list is so fUCKING SHORT ]

[doublecrows]

[8)]

[there's a tsk from Akechi]

I was intending to target Hikage-san.

[ah]

I suppose you'd prefer I didn't, because of his connection to Steph-san?

[alchemenace]

I'd rather not put her in danger unless you can somehow guarantee she'd survive it.

[ i mean he cares very little for hikage himself but also he has 0 trust in the partner title so??? ]

[doublecrows]

[a quirked brow]

As it just so happens, I know the person who chooses which partnerless to pair together.

Should I ask them to ensure that Steph-san is taken care of, I know they'd heed my request.