[Week 6, Friday: Belph]

[doublecrows]

[anyway after that breakdown, Akechi is going to find his favorite Vizier! he looks. um. not. . . well, expression haggard, gaze darting about like he's expecting someone to have followed him]

[when he finds Belph, he doesn't waste any time]

Who have you told about me?

Comments

[axilium]

[okay then.]

... Well, it depends. Are you going to stab me once you hear my answer, detective?

[doublecrows]

N-- no.

[despite how unraveled he is, that answer seems sincere. now isn't the time for lashing out like that]

Natsuo and El Melloi. A week after Sousei-san.

[the implication is clear, even if he isn't saying it]

I need to know, Belph.

[axilium]

[...]

My partner, and I know he wasn't responsible for their deaths. The other Vizier, who definitely didn't go around killing them.

That's it. I can't exactly tell people about you without revealing myself, after all.

[doublecrows]

Sanji-san.

[he looks over at Belph, as though asking for confirmation]

[axilium]

[he blinks.]

What about him?

[doublecrows]

[a flash of annoyance, but. he pulls it in]

. . . he knew about me, and I'm aware he has an extra title. It's either Vizier or Editor. He refused to confirm either way. Because he knew who I was, and because you said you told your partner, I assumed he was the second Vizier.

Is he not?

[axilium]

... I can't confirm that for you, Akechi. [...] But what I can tell you is that Sanji is dead-set on protecting you.

1/2

[doublecrows]

[a low snarl, and Akechi slumps against the wall, bringing his fist down against it. hard]

What kind of fucking-- what bullshit answer is that! Two more Historians are dead, and you say you can't confirm something as simple as a fucking title--

[doublecrows]

[-- he cuts himself off]

[he presses his hand against his forehead, fingers raking through his bangs. when he next speaks, it's with a whole lot of exhaustion]

. . .

Nevermind. [. . .] I understand the importance of secrecy.

[axilium]

[...]

Sousei was probably killed because he refused to go along with this war. Natsuo, probably because he was causing an imbalance—completing too many objectives as a hero.

I don't know why El-Melloi died.

[doublecrows]

[. . . . .]

Editors.

[axilium]

[he supposes it'd be cruel to keep akechi guessing, even now.]

They had no idea that Sousei and Natsuo were Historians. If there's anyone targeting you, it's the Crafters themselves.

[doublecrows]

[. . .]

[laughs a little, airy and desperate and not really put together, as he rubs his hand against his face]

You've known them this whole time. . . and you didn't say anything to me? Why, do you suspect I'm going to kill them myself? How much of a loose cannon do you think I am?

[I mean]

[he did kill a man]

[axilium]

... If I told you, would you have told your fellow Historians? Would you have told Varian?

[putting akechi's whole murder schtick aside—]

It's not personal against you. If I'd had the choice, I don't know if I'd have even told the other Vizier.

[doublecrows]

The Historians, yes! How the hell else are we supposed to do our jobs?!

[not including Varian on that list, but ya know]

[a frustrated noise, and his fingers dip into his pocket, pulling out a folded up letter]

Sousei-san wrote to us earlier this week. If you read it, then maybe--

[he'll. understand why Akechi is so. gestures at his everything]

[anyway if Belph does, the letter says:]

Rebecca,

Continue along your ████. If this is what we must ██ ██ ████ our happy ending, then I must regretfully ████ ██ ████████ for it. It is ████ to ██████ ████ no villain objectives have been accomplished on this side. I have not spoken with ████████ here, but it seems unlikely at best. I will attempt to get more █████ ██████████ for you when I can.

Encourage those who remain to do theirs, if you can.

Additionally, be wary. I believe there is something out there attempting ██ ████████ us.

Abe no ██████.

[axilium]

[he reads it, his expression unchanging.]

... Like I said, the Editors barely understand why they're ordered to kill the people they are. If you have a problem, take it up with the Crafters.

I don't expect you to forgive me for withholding this from you—though I confirmed their identities only recently, for what it's worth. However, if you're looking for an apology, you won't be getting one.

[in the end, everything has been built on secrecy and lies. belph's almost forgotten what it's like to tell the truth.]

[doublecrows]

[he just]

[deflates]

. . . I'm not looking for an apology.

[he's just. . . terrified. terrified and devastated over Ion and exhausted and a complete and utter mess]

I want to talk to them.

[axilium]

[...]

This isn't a refusal just yet, but—why?

[doublecrows]

I want to-- understand the nature of their role. Particularly because Beauty and the Beast had it. We Historians are the ones receiving memories from the past games. We can't put them all into proper context without knowing the ins and outs of this one.

[a. . . surprisingly level-headed response for someone who is still so clearly upset]

. . . I don't want to kill them. [. . .] I don't want to kill anyone. Not again.

[axilium]

[he's quiet for a while.]

I'll ask the one I'm in contact with. I can't make any promises—it'll be up to them.

[doublecrows]

V-- . . . very well.

[he straightens, and for the first time this conservation, makes a conscious effort to pull himself back together]

I apologize for my crude behavior.

[axilium]

... Tensions are high. I think this war is soon coming to a close, one way or another.

[doublecrows]

[smooths out his tie, fingers toying with the edges]

I agree.

We are down to seven Heroes, five Civilians, and five Villains. We have a list of every Narrator, along with their faction alignment. We don't have every title, but at this point. . . factions matter more than titles.

[axilium]

[well, someone here has every title, but eh.]

We've reached around the length of the previous war too. I doubt the Crafters will drag this out for much longer.

[doublecrows]

[BINCH SHARE!!!]

Dragon-san is ready for it to end. She grows weary.