[Week 7, Tuesday: Tiger and Dragon]

[doublecrows]

[well]

[someone is going Crafter hunting]

Comments

DRAGON

[doublecrows]

[to the Dragon first, only this time, he calls out to her from the pews of her shrine]

Dragon-san. May I have a moment?

[themodsgrimm]

[There is the sound of a door opening behind him, and the faint click clack of heels as Dragon picks up her skirts and walks up to him.]

What is it that you seek?

[doublecrows]

[HOOT]

[Akechi stands to greet her, hand on his tie to smooth out the wrinkles]

Merely a clarification. The Viziers got a half-answer from you today.

I'm here to get the other half so they don't have to waste the rest of their limited resources.

[themodsgrimm]

Oh? You seek to collaborate?

[doublecrows]

Yes. I assisted Varian-san with his objective, so I believe I have the payment for an answer.

[themodsgrimm]

Very well.

Then the other half is that the war truly escapes all chances of ending in my favor if the number of Narrators falls below nine and the factions are not balanced.

[doublecrows]

Even if only for a moment? Even if someone were to change to the Villain faction after the number fell to two, to bring it back up to three again?

[themodsgrimm]

As long as the Villain faction is not entirely removed from play - there is still hope.

[doublecrows]

[and Akechi nods]

Thank you. That covers it, I believe.

Are we missing any further secrets to this war game, or do we have all of the pieces necessary to bring it to an end?

[themodsgrimm]

[She shakes her head.]

No, there is nothing vital regarding the possible endings that remains a secret to you.

... have you all made your decisions?

[doublecrows]

. . . I can’t speak for anyone but myself.

But I’ve decided not to go down easily. Even though I’m prepared to die.

[themodsgrimm]

... I suppose I am not surprised.

[Her expression twists into something... torn.]

I am happy that you will not give up... even if I worry it might cause you both more pain in the end.

But more than that, I am unhappy that I cannot properly show my support for you.

[ . . . ]

I have enjoyed meeting you.

[doublecrows]

[hmph. . .]

And it has not been entirely unpleasant to work with you, Dragon-san.

[WHAT KIND OF BACKHANDED. . . okay he’s trying give him credit!1]

[themodsgrimm]

[That actually makes her smile.]

Yes, that is about what I expected.

I'm sorry that I was not able to do more for you.

[doublecrows]

. . . not treating us as pawns for your little conflict with Tiger-san would have been a start.

[okay, slightly bitter, but. he drops it there]

I'm trusting you to do as promised with the ink you collect, Dragon-san.

[themodsgrimm]

[She blinks in confusion.]

I will.

[That, she says confidently.... but then she continues - ]

Did I treat you as a pawn...? [Her brow furrows.]

... I'm sorry, if you ever thought that I found you disposable.

[doublecrows]

[. . .]

[he sighs a little, his bitterness waning, because in the end Dragon is his favorite of the Crafters for a reason]

If I die this weekend, then keep your promise to the others and bring me back. If that happens. . . I'll forgive you.

[themodsgrimm]

[There's the smallest spark of amusement in her eyes as the edge of her mouth quirks up into another smile.

why does this boy make her go through emotion olympics]

I would never dream of leaving you behind in the Other Side, Akechi.

Your story will not end here, as long as I have a choice in it.

[doublecrows]

If I were younger, I might force you to turn that into a pinkie promise. But I've long since outgrown those sorts of childish rituals.

[themodsgrimm]

[what if she wanted to pinkie promise...

Regardless she holds one hand out to him.]

Then might I take your hand for a moment instead?

[doublecrows]

[slow blinks at her, but. holds out his hand obediently!1]

[themodsgrimm]

[thanks akechi

She'll just take his hand between both of hers, holding onto it gently so that he can pull away at any moment if he feels too much like a trapped animal.]

I do not wish to see you perish here.

You have my word, Goro Akechi.

TIGER

[doublecrows]

[and Tiger next, again from the pews of her shrine]

Tiger-san. . . would yo ucare to share a bit of tea this afternoon?

[themodsgrimm]

[And off to the side, Tiger reclines on a pile of pillows, as if she'd been there all along and he'd simply never noticed.]

I suppose I wouldn't mind the company. What did you need?

[doublecrows]

[oh]

[he inclines his head towards her, nodding in greeting. he is being perfectly pleasant!!]

. . . you do realize I won’t go quietly, yes?

[themodsgrimm]

Of course I know that. We're so similar, remember?

[A tea set appears between them. Come, sit!]

I've made the same declaration, myself. I wouldn't expect anything less of you.

[doublecrows]

[there isn't any hesitation when he stands and moves to take a seat near the tea set. there's also no hesitation when he reaches for a glass cup. despite the subject matter of this conversation. . . he is calm]

Similar enough to see the deaths of people we may like and admire.

[. . .]

[yeah. he isn't even mad. because he gets it. he isn't sure if he should hate that or not]

. . . I won't go without wrapping up loose ends, of course. I hope you can answer a few questions for me.

[themodsgrimm]

I'll answer what I can.

[She can't make any promises--she never can. But it's late in the game, now. There's not much that hasn't been said.]

[doublecrows]

Who did the Blotters choose this week, if not me?

[his first question. because obviously, if it's an Editor who has his name, then the Blotters must have gone after someone else. right. . .?]

[he doesn't expect a response]

[themodsgrimm]

I'm afraid that information isn't mine to share.

[That's just the rules.]

[doublecrows]

[boo. but that's as expected, so he ain't too bothered]

Naturally. . .

My next question, then.

Have we uncovered all of the secrets there are to know about this war game? Or are we still missing pieces?

[themodsgrimm]

I don't believe you're missing anything. Do you feel as if you are?

[doublecrows]

. . . a little, yes. With the information we have now, we could end it this week.

[themodsgrimm]

I'm aware.

[And her mouth twitches in displeasure.]

So, why do you think there's more?

[doublecrows]

Because Dragon-san’s ending is not true balance. Is it?

[he takes a sip of his tea, eyes slipping shut]

The simple act of ending this war in her favor skews the balance towards her, regardless of the promises she’s made. I know you will die if she wins, and she intends to die as well, but for as much as she preaches balance. . . it seems she wants us to upset it, too.

But I am not sure what other options we have.

[themodsgrimm]

With her victory, she'll return everything to balance.

[She laughs mirthlessly.]

But it's a joke. Happy endings...there's no such thing. There can only ever be harmony for so long. Eventually, there will always be someone to come along and upset things, as I had.

[doublecrows]

By killing you, and then herself?

[the most logical conclusion to make from the answers he has so far]

. . . but you're not wrong. Evil can't be eliminated from this world entirely, because evil is inherent within every living, sentient being.