[Week 3, Sunday: Cardia]

[doublecrows]

[. . . it's after the execution that he comes find her, expression muted, voice low. he's obviously still affected, even if he's trying to seem unflappable]

Miss Cardia. A moment of your time?

Comments

[discardia]

[ He doesn't have to hide it, really, because Cardia looks absolutely drained. But she'll look up after a few seconds, quietly. ]

What is it?

[doublecrows]

[well]

[now that his mask has been broken, there's no point in feigning social niceties, is there? he gets right to it]

You're the one who binds together the partnerless. Aren't you?

[discardia]

[ In response, he gets a very startled stare. ]

How--?

[doublecrows]

Connections.

[is all he says in response, and her reaction definitely comports with what he was told]

Did you link Okita-san and Ion-san because Yasusada-san requested you to?

[discardia]

[ ... Cardia might look troubled now, and incredibly wary, but she also shakes her head. ]

I was already planning to protect Souji, even before Yasusada asked me to look after him.

[doublecrows]

[he notices that troubled look, and sighs]

. . . don't worry. I'm not happy about your choice, but there's nothing I can do about it now. I'm not here to be angry at you.

[especially not when she was one of few who told Akechi she wouldn't vote for him. that she would stand at his side throughout the course of the game, even if that promise was made while Akechi was still pretending to be someone he isn't]

I did wish to tell you that you sentenced one of this week's Blotters to death, though.

[discardia]

I--

[ That... is definitely a statement that she didn't expect, and Cardia's eyes widen in shock. Akechi being angry at her, she might have at least handled with a little more composure, but this is-- ]

What?

[doublecrows]

[i'm so sorry cardia]

2B is partially responsible for the death of Fitzgerald. The lack of fingerprints on the katana was actually quite telling, considering she was the one who wielded it.

[yike]

I assure you, however, she was not involved in Monika's death. Even if the knife suggested otherwise. This is why I asked Tiger-san the number of people she provided the knife to.

[discardia]

... But I thought the Blotters had to agree--

Does that mean someone else entirely was responsible for Monika? Did she kill Hijikata, too?

[ ... Her head hurts, and now she looks even more distressed, but she's at least struggling to understand what exactly went down this week. ]

[doublecrows]

One at least one victim, yes. There's nothing stopping them from acting beyond their role as Blotters.

[so that's fun!!]

As far as I know, no. She wasn't responsible for Toshizo. Perhaps the same culprit is responsible for Monika and Toshizo, but it's hard to say.

And that person could have been 2B's partner, or perhaps someone who wasn't a Blotter at all. Again. . . I don't know for certain.

[discardia]

I didn't think her anger over Monika's death was a lie.

[ But she also had never thought that 2B would have been the one to kill Fitzgerald. It's still a lot to take in, but Cardia's Trying. ]

So in the end... we still don't know who did it.

[doublecrows]

[yeah those smudges on the katana? totally from 2B. their fingerprinting was USELESS]

No. We don't. Perhaps we'll find out later, but as for now. . .

[discardia]

... I understand.

Akechi, I... don't know exactly what connections you were referring to, but can I ask that you try not to share who I am with anyone unless it's absolutely necessary? I realize I'm asking a lot of you, and I'm prepared to listen to any requests you might have, but...

I don't know if I'd be considered an enemy to some roles or not.

[doublecrows]

[quirks both brows at her]

My connections and I believe you're one of the most important assets in this game, Miss Cardia.

I don't intend to share your gift with anyone else.

[discardia]

Thank you.

[ No, seriously, she's bowing her head. It's been a very frazzling week. ]

[doublecrows]

[a nod]

May I also ask you a favor, Miss Cardia?

[discardia]

I'll listen.

[ She can't promise anything, not until she knows what he has to say, but he's welcome to ask it. ]

[doublecrows]

[. . .]

[he knows she can't, so while he looks irritated for a moment, he otherwise doesn't fault her for her answer]

If I die, can you protect Eichi?

[discardia]

[ Oh. Cardia blinks for a moment, and then-- ]

Of course I will.

But I hope it doesn't come to that.

[doublecrows]

Naturally, I hope it doesn't come to that as well.

[he still has no particular desire to die]

We'll see what the coming weeks have in store for us.

[discardia]

... No one's threatened you, have they?

[ Look, she's been concerned about this for awhile. ]

[doublecrows]

Oddly enough, no.

[BELIEVE HIM, IT BEWILDERS HIM, TOO]

But Fitzgerald was targeted this week, wasn't he? Likely for being a Blotter. It's only a matter of time before I'm killed as well.

[discardia]

[ She doesn't look too thrilled by this, but she also can't entirely protest. Damn. ]

I meant what I said, when I told you I'd stay beside you. So I'll do my best to protect you, too.

[ ... Somehow. ]

[doublecrows]

[just]

[starts once at that, and frowns]

Even now? Even though I knew who killed Fitzgerald, and said nothing?

[discardia]

Weren't you just supporting 2B? I can understand if you wouldn't want to trust me with that-- I was trying to help Ion at the time.