[And he's quick to follow, Mrs. O'Leary in his arms and stretching out his shoulders before he nods.]
I think so, too. C'mon. [He seems a tiny bit more spirited from Sunday, not anywhere near back to his old self but still more willing to interact with the world around him. He keeps his dog in his arms, still determined to carry her the whole way. Being this size helps, at least. He begins to walk, though he turns to look at her anyway.]
[...naturally. Why wouldn't that be it? He takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, closing his eyes for a moment even as they walk.]
Oh yeah? [Keep it light for now.] Can I ask why you think it might be you? [He doesn't sound disbelieving, but more resigned that this is happening at all.]
[Somehow, the way she says it is what's convincing and he's more than curious now. Mrs. O'Leary woofs uncertainly and he shifts her in his arms.]
Being able to do something and feeling that it's your job two are two different things, Milla. [He should know, considering what just happened with Annabeth.] Is this something you were told by someone else, or a hunch? If the person with this role doesn't know who they're looking for, it wouldn't surprise me if everybody else was just as in the dark.
Hmm. . . I suppose it's a bit of both. Something someone told me, and a hunch.
I was specifically advised that this role is looking for me, and that it's my job to assist them. And that's why I asked you the name of this person's role the other day. I wanted to make sure it was the correct one.
[as a super straightforward person, Milla doesn't like to mince words, and yet. . . here she is. trying to be vague and clear all at once]
From your description, I think it is. And if I'm right. . . if you tell them, "I know of someone for whom you are looking, but not supposed to kill," then they should understand immediately who I am to them.
Huh. Does your job have a title? [It makes sense.] I asked the other person and he didn't have a specific title. Just said Bandits and Bounties, we've been trying to make sense of it since then.
...you think that'll work? [Considering who it is, he has some concerns, but it can't hurt.] Never mentioned there were multiple people but I also don't know if I got the whole story.
It does. [. . .] As far as I know, the other person should have a title as well. One similar to mine.
[which, briefly, makes her wonder if her hunch was wrong, or if the other person is just being coy and avoidant. but she's already come this far, hasn't she? Percy's the only person to whom she has dared give this much information]
If I'm right, it should work. [she sounds certain of it] But if I'm wrong, it might just confuse them and expose myself to unnecessary danger.
. . . but unless there are two people who can kill to end the game-- which I don't think there are, according to the answers I've been given-- then I should be right.
[Give him a moment to puzzle something together what he knows.]
The only roles that really work together are the Madame and the Bartender. [He won't explain how he knows yet.] Are you one of those?
[He wants that answer, first, before he'll explain the rest. He kicks a stray pebble out of his path.] I won't even mention this to our group from Sunday, by the way. There's no need to unnecessarily freak everybody out.
And the Bandits don't count in the roles. The Sheriff told me there's eleven people. Two Coal Miners, The Deputy, The Doctor, The Madame and the Bartender which work together...which leaves five extra people, which is what you are and what this other person is. A Bounty.
[He's doing a lot of guesswork thanks to a bunch of conversations and information, but it feels as vague as ever.]
I get it. We trust people here a lot but this game is still really, really dangerous. And I think I completely misunderstood what they were trying to tell me. [He now feels like a moron, but what else is new.] The other one I spoke to. I think he's a Bounty, too. Prior to me telling him, he only knew about Bandits and Bounties and obviously he's not a Bandit. That has to be it, right? The other five people are the Bounties.
[she inclines her head slightly, her mouth twisting upward into a smile. Percy can see a few hints of relief in her expression]
[she feels like she chose well, trusting him. and as such, she drops the vague hints and opts for honesty]
That's correct. The other five people are the Bounties. Four of them now; one of ours was killed by a Coal Miner.
Our job is to keep our heads down and find each other. There is one of us in particular-- let's call them the leader-- whose job it is to kill the role that is specifically searching for us. If they get away with it, then they can choose to end the game, keep it going, or leave the game themselves.
While I am, of course, not fond of that method of ending the game, our leader may have another option entirely.
[props a hand on her hip]
This news came directly from the Sheriff's mouth yesterday.
[It's clear that this is all very brand new to him and yet his eyes light up with something...that looks...weirdly like hope. It's the first sign of something positive for days and he laughs softly, like he can't believe this is real.]
I think...I might know your leader. [Oh gods what the fuck.] Came to me a few weeks ago because he thought I might be one of you, or that I might know of the others. And while that's flattering, that's unfortunately not the case. I was just as clueless as most of this town until Natalie told me about the roles at all.
He said..."I have to find someone. If I find them, the game will be over." The Sheriff wouldn't tell him who or what they were, but he had to find them. And kill them.
[the hope that lights up in his eyes is much, much preferable to the expression he wore when Annabeth was killed. it energizes her, causes her to unconscious square her shoulders and lift her chin in a stance that says we can do this]
[she also lifts a hand to her mouth and laughs]
The Sheriff did just say yesterday that our leader has. . . ah. "Got their knickers in a twist" trying to find us. It's a strange expression, but I think I understand its meaning. [ha] So yes, that sounds exactly right.
[her hand drops to her side as the laughter fades, but the smile remains]
I do know what role our leader is looking for. Unfortunately, I don't know the person who occupies it. But that's why I'd like to meet them.
[This is almost too good to be true. He remembers past conversations, feelings of knowing that it's possible to save everyone if they really can figure this out. The game itself is completely unfair, of course, but somehow knowing where Milla stands helps him a lot.
It's something to hold on to.]
Considering who it is? I can see why. [There's a more genuine smile.] The role I think is important. The leader doesn't even know that part. [And his smile fades.] I...would be willing to bring you to him, but I'd like to stay if that's okay. It's important to me to keep them safe, too, even if I'm not a Bounty.
Considering...you'll see why when you meet him, Milla. [He looks worried suddenly.] I'm kind of mad at the Sheriff for it, but obviously I can't tell your leader that. So we'll just have to do what we can. And...it kind of worked, right? I wasn't expecting to find you at all.
[but that's more of a rhetorical question than anything, and she gives her head a shake]
Either way, I'm glad Natalie gave you my name as someone who can be trusted. Otherwise, it may have been several other weeks before the bounty lead and myself found each other. I'm grateful for your assistance.
Maybe. Either him or his employers. They screwed up pretty big with this. [Rhetorical though it may be, he answers. It's bothered him for some time now. But he ducks his head, grinning a little wider.]
I told the leader I would help as I could. And Natalie suggested you and Jason when we were first planning this. Since she's one of the only people here who knows what I am and she hasn't run away screaming yet, I gotta trust her judgment a little. Besides, you've been nothing but helpful during the trials. It felt like the right decision.
[well now she's almost afraid of who the Bounty Leader is, but. . . that can wait for later]
Helpful. . . [that means a lot, because the sting of her fuck up this past Saturday which resulted in Tarvek getting convicted is still fresh. she gives her head a small shake]
There was something else I noticed during that meeting. Noctis. [and they're launching straight back into business] He seemed to know exactly how the Bounty and the Bounty Leader roles worked. I couldn't tell if he got the information from a third party or directly from the Sheriff, though.
You think maybe Noctis is a Bounty, too? [He sort of wondered the same, idly, now that the conversation's open.] ...I didn't even think about it, but you're right. I know I didn't tell him, and I don't think the Bounty leader did since he's been kind of drowning by himself from what I can tell. So how would Noctis know?
[Who the fuck else has Noctis been speaking to?] I almost wish I'd thought to ask, but there was so much going on. But wouldn't the third party have to be another Bounty, too?
The thought crossed my mind. But he may also be the role the Bounty is supposed to kill. Or perhaps he knows a Bounty, yes.
[it's difficult to say at this point, but Noctis has made his way onto her radar. she's going to keep an eye on him]
There isn't anything I want to do about that now, but perhaps our leader could pursue it. The Sheriff said the leader can ask one question about the identities of the other Bounties each week, after all.
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[THAAAAT'S THE SHERIFF FOR YOU. . . also, she lifts a hand to her chin]
It's best if we go somewhere else, I think. I don't want to risk being overheard.
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Up for a walk? We can head to the lake. The trail's usually empty and it'll take a while anyway.
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A calm walk to the lake sounds nice. It'll help us both keep our heads clear for the discussion ahead.
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I think so, too. C'mon. [He seems a tiny bit more spirited from Sunday, not anywhere near back to his old self but still more willing to interact with the world around him. He keeps his dog in his arms, still determined to carry her the whole way. Being this size helps, at least. He begins to walk, though he turns to look at her anyway.]
So...what's on your mind?
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. . . the person you said could end this game.
[she begins slowly, purposefully]
I still don't want you to tell me who they are, but if it's possible I'd like to meet them. I believe there's a good chance they're looking for me.
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Oh yeah? [Keep it light for now.] Can I ask why you think it might be you? [He doesn't sound disbelieving, but more resigned that this is happening at all.]
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To be clear, I don't think I'm the one this role has to kill to end the game.
[just in case he was worried about that]
But I believe I'm in a position-- no, I believe it's my duty-- to assist them in this game so it can end as soon as possible.
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Being able to do something and feeling that it's your job two are two different things, Milla. [He should know, considering what just happened with Annabeth.] Is this something you were told by someone else, or a hunch? If the person with this role doesn't know who they're looking for, it wouldn't surprise me if everybody else was just as in the dark.
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I was specifically advised that this role is looking for me, and that it's my job to assist them. And that's why I asked you the name of this person's role the other day. I wanted to make sure it was the correct one.
[as a super straightforward person, Milla doesn't like to mince words, and yet. . . here she is. trying to be vague and clear all at once]
From your description, I think it is. And if I'm right. . . if you tell them, "I know of someone for whom you are looking, but not supposed to kill," then they should understand immediately who I am to them.
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...you think that'll work? [Considering who it is, he has some concerns, but it can't hurt.] Never mentioned there were multiple people but I also don't know if I got the whole story.
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[which, briefly, makes her wonder if her hunch was wrong, or if the other person is just being coy and avoidant. but she's already come this far, hasn't she? Percy's the only person to whom she has dared give this much information]
If I'm right, it should work. [she sounds certain of it] But if I'm wrong, it might just confuse them and expose myself to unnecessary danger.
. . . but unless there are two people who can kill to end the game-- which I don't think there are, according to the answers I've been given-- then I should be right.
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The only roles that really work together are the Madame and the Bartender. [He won't explain how he knows yet.] Are you one of those?
[He wants that answer, first, before he'll explain the rest. He kicks a stray pebble out of his path.] I won't even mention this to our group from Sunday, by the way. There's no need to unnecessarily freak everybody out.
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[she answers without hesitation, and she already can venture a guess as to how he knows]
Remember: there were two Coal Miners. There is one other role, other than the Bandits, that I know for certain is filled by multiple people.
[as for the second part, she lets out a breath as her eyes slip shut]
. . . I was afraid you might think I didn't bring it up with them because I didn't trust them. That's hardly it. So. . . thank you for the discretion.
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And the Bandits don't count in the roles. The Sheriff told me there's eleven people. Two Coal Miners, The Deputy, The Doctor, The Madame and the Bartender which work together...which leaves five extra people, which is what you are and what this other person is. A Bounty.
[He's doing a lot of guesswork thanks to a bunch of conversations and information, but it feels as vague as ever.]
I get it. We trust people here a lot but this game is still really, really dangerous. And I think I completely misunderstood what they were trying to tell me. [He now feels like a moron, but what else is new.] The other one I spoke to. I think he's a Bounty, too. Prior to me telling him, he only knew about Bandits and Bounties and obviously he's not a Bandit. That has to be it, right? The other five people are the Bounties.
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[she feels like she chose well, trusting him. and as such, she drops the vague hints and opts for honesty]
That's correct. The other five people are the Bounties. Four of them now; one of ours was killed by a Coal Miner.
Our job is to keep our heads down and find each other. There is one of us in particular-- let's call them the leader-- whose job it is to kill the role that is specifically searching for us. If they get away with it, then they can choose to end the game, keep it going, or leave the game themselves.
While I am, of course, not fond of that method of ending the game, our leader may have another option entirely.
[props a hand on her hip]
This news came directly from the Sheriff's mouth yesterday.
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I think...I might know your leader. [Oh gods what the fuck.] Came to me a few weeks ago because he thought I might be one of you, or that I might know of the others. And while that's flattering, that's unfortunately not the case. I was just as clueless as most of this town until Natalie told me about the roles at all.
He said..."I have to find someone. If I find them, the game will be over." The Sheriff wouldn't tell him who or what they were, but he had to find them. And kill them.
Sound about right for who your leader could be?
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[she also lifts a hand to her mouth and laughs]
The Sheriff did just say yesterday that our leader has. . . ah. "Got their knickers in a twist" trying to find us. It's a strange expression, but I think I understand its meaning. [ha] So yes, that sounds exactly right.
[her hand drops to her side as the laughter fades, but the smile remains]
I do know what role our leader is looking for. Unfortunately, I don't know the person who occupies it. But that's why I'd like to meet them.
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It's something to hold on to.]
Considering who it is? I can see why. [There's a more genuine smile.] The role I think is important. The leader doesn't even know that part. [And his smile fades.] I...would be willing to bring you to him, but I'd like to stay if that's okay. It's important to me to keep them safe, too, even if I'm not a Bounty.
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Of course. I think, at this point, it's important we take any help we can get in keeping him safe.
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Should I be angry at him, too?
[but that's more of a rhetorical question than anything, and she gives her head a shake]
Either way, I'm glad Natalie gave you my name as someone who can be trusted. Otherwise, it may have been several other weeks before the bounty lead and myself found each other. I'm grateful for your assistance.
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I told the leader I would help as I could. And Natalie suggested you and Jason when we were first planning this. Since she's one of the only people here who knows what I am and she hasn't run away screaming yet, I gotta trust her judgment a little. Besides, you've been nothing but helpful during the trials. It felt like the right decision.
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Helpful. . . [that means a lot, because the sting of her fuck up this past Saturday which resulted in Tarvek getting convicted is still fresh. she gives her head a small shake]
There was something else I noticed during that meeting. Noctis. [and they're launching straight back into business] He seemed to know exactly how the Bounty and the Bounty Leader roles worked. I couldn't tell if he got the information from a third party or directly from the Sheriff, though.
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You think maybe Noctis is a Bounty, too? [He sort of wondered the same, idly, now that the conversation's open.] ...I didn't even think about it, but you're right. I know I didn't tell him, and I don't think the Bounty leader did since he's been kind of drowning by himself from what I can tell. So how would Noctis know?
[Who the fuck else has Noctis been speaking to?] I almost wish I'd thought to ask, but there was so much going on. But wouldn't the third party have to be another Bounty, too?
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[it's difficult to say at this point, but Noctis has made his way onto her radar. she's going to keep an eye on him]
There isn't anything I want to do about that now, but perhaps our leader could pursue it. The Sheriff said the leader can ask one question about the identities of the other Bounties each week, after all.
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