doublecrows | [Week 6, Thursday: Nico]

[He's currently settled somewhere dark and quiet and hiding out with Reyna's dog. He's right, he's a little rattled still. Granted, the detective wouldn't have a problem finding him so he doesn't even look surprised when Akechi speaks up. He gives him a level look as he nods.]

What is it?

[now is probably not the time for such a businesslike conversation, but. . .]

I see little reason to beat around the bush. And so, I'll be blunt.

[hm]

What is your faction, and how many objectives have you completed?

[AKECHI??]

[...oh. Give him the briefest of moments to look affronted.]

Are you asking because you're behind that button jar project, you're a Historian, or both? [There's a Reason he's asking but also come on!!]

[listen!!]

The second one. I found the jars fairly clever, but they're also easily manipulated, aren't they?

In the sense that anyone could throw a few buttons into a jar and call it a day? They are, but I'm willing to commend somebody for trying.

[...but oh. Thanks for just flat-out admitting it? Akechi what in the fuck.]

...what sort of bargaining position am I in here? Am I allowed to ask a couple of questions?

[he's like. done being subtle. basically. HE WASN'T VERY GOOD AT BEING SUBTLE IN THE FIRST PLACE!!]

You are, though I can't promise answers. Anything that might require me to reveal the identities of my comrades is out of the question.

I already know one of them, Akechi. And I highly doubt I can get any useful information out of him, much like I'm not entirely sure I can trust you not to tell your comrades everything I'm saying to you right now.

[...he's a little more fight-y without Reyna, but at least he can admire being up-front.]

Oh? And which one do you know?

[notably not. addressing the part about telling his comrades anything, because uh. yeah, that's the first thing he's gonna do. SORRY NICO]

[he does realize he'll have to give a bit more to get what he wants, but. . . for now, let him think about what he's willing to offer before he makes any true deals]

You're clever. I'm sure you can figure it out. [He rolls his eyes though.] But also to be clear, I'm not outting him or you to anyone else. I'm interested in that group staying alive if your goal truly is to encourage objectives.

[...but, since Akechi asked, he can give him a partial answer.] I'm on my third.

Oh? And do you think I'm lying about being one of them in an attempt to get their identity out of you myself?

[Nico!! there's a pleased look when he hears Nico's objective count, but it means little without the faction behind it]

. . . there are four Historians still alive. Sousei-san was one of us. Three men, one woman. Two adults, two teenagers.

No. [Strangely, he means that.] People don't ask me for information so for you to come and ask me now...I figure you guys are desperate.

[It's maybe a little self-deprecating but he's factual mostly and also assumes it's true.]

The one I know isn't a teenager. The one besides you, that is.

[ah]

El Melloi.

[that's an easy one]

We aren't "desperate" as much as we have a rough idea of how many objectives have been completed. Of course, our "rough" idea may not be the most accurate, as I'm sure there are people who haven't reported the completion of their objectives to us.

We're simply trying to ensure each faction reaches the requisite seven.

[The fact that he doesn't confirm it is confirmation enough. Of course it's Waver. Hm. On the one hand that sounds believable and he can buy it. On the other hand, his father is Hades and he's not a moron, he knows he has to be careful.

...still...]

...do you sincerely want this game to end on a good note? To bring everyone back.

[...he'll do anything if it means saving Reyna, including telling Akechi everything he knows.] What's your estimate at right now?

Edited 2018-07-19 05:30 (UTC)

[haha. . . it'd be a lie for Akechi to answer "yes" to that. not because he wants the game to end on a bad note, but because he doesn't. . . care. so long as he and his survive, so long as he gets his reward? he is just fine]

[he's been honest about this with some people. but for Nico, he keeps the real answer under wraps]

Yes.

[it's just a coincidence that his goals-- the goals of the Historians-- align with the "happy ending" everyone covets so much]

Eleven for Heroes. Nine for Civilians. Five for Villains.

You can see why we encouraged the Villains to work harder earlier this week.

[A quick calculation tells him that those are objectives and not people remaining, so. Hm.

Stupidly, he takes Akechi's word on that and leaves it alone. He doesn't care anymore, he just wants people to get out and go back to the way things should be. He wants Reyna to come back, he wants Yasusada to return where he's supposed to, and he wants to see Magnus in their own world. He wants the world for a few others that are alive, too.

So he cooperates.]

So what's your suggestion for if a villain is worried about how to complete their objective without it backfiring?

[. . . that gets a quirked brow from Akechi]

That would depend entirely on the nature of the objective. Are you saying you're a Villain?

[The quirked eyebrow doesn't bother him, and instead he debates how to reply.]

My other objectives weren't bad. But this one involves physically harming someone. You know how that's going to look to other people.

I do.

[he doesn't seem bothered by the nature of Nico's objective. why would he, when he was a Blotter all those weeks ago?]

Then I suppose the best course of action would be to complete the objective in secret, or find a volunteer. Even so--

[Nico never confirmed he was a Villain, but Akechi finds the need to point this out, anyway]

We have a full list of every Villain in this game. We know that you are either a Hero or a Civilian. In that case, you wouldn't need to complete your objective at all, since those two factions are well accounted for.

[...

Well. That's not at all surprising. Not all Historians are useless, it seems, but it also doesn't change anything that he said. It does allow him to course-correct for a bit.]

How short are you on your Villain objectives? [He'll explain why shortly. But since Akechi already has that information...]

You would be correct about my faction though. It's good to know the other two have met their minimums.

["not all Historians are useless" ARE YOU SURE THEY GOT ALL THEIR GAME INFO FROM NON-HISTORIANS]

We need at least two more. The White Rabbit has completed two, and an unknown Villain has completed three.

[which doesn't seem too bad, but with the low number of Villains in the game and the difficulty of Villain objectives, it's. . . a bit stressful]

Why do you ask?

Edited 2018-07-19 18:44 (UTC)

Because I've been trying to get a villain to complete their objective and I'm not sure how else to do it without consequences for them. [So if you have any ideas, Akechi, by all means.]

[it's hard to give suggestions when he doesn't know the nature of the objective, but. . .]

If it involves killing someone, then again, you could assist them in finding a voluntary victim. You could also frame someone, or find someone willing to take the fall on their behalf.

There's no pleasant way to go about it. I imagine, based on our low Villain numbers, that the populace would be far more willing to spare them despite their crime, anyway.

I already volunteered myself and was told no. [Bemused. It would have solved everything and yet he got a bigass resounding no.]

...you think everyone will really protect and spare the villain faction?

[they must really like you Nico!1]

If they care about reviving the dead, then yes. If they don't? Then of course not.

But I do recall how everyone tried to ensure they weren't voting for a Villain at the last trial.

[He's under zero impression that Akechi doesn't know who he's talking about, but whatever.]

True. [He ponders for a brief moment.] ...I'm currently tied to a Villain, as you know. I need to keep her alive.

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