[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.
I can't believe none of you know who the other Bounties are. [That's pretty annoying honestly.] ...Noctis is one of my closest friends here. I'll do my best to keep an eye on him, too.
I think that explains why your leader came to me. He was guessing and taking a shot in the dark when he asked me if I'd ever spoken to the Sheriff or knew anyone who had. This was about a week and a half ago? Maybe two weeks by now. What exactly has the Sheriff told you guys?
Finding each other is part of the game. It forces us to get out and talk to people. To take "leaps of faith" when it comes to trusting others. That must be what counts for "entertainment."
[she almost spits the word out, but anyway. internally, she's grateful Percy has offered to keep an eye on Noctis. she's already resolved to do the same]
Do you wish to know what the Sheriff has told me regarding my role, or the town as a whole?
['cause she's been asking him a lot of questions and he has told her a lot of stuff by now]
Guess that explains why he told us not to shoot each other right away. [It's a grumbled response, more annoyed now than ever. It's a dangerous stupid game.] Games of risk and chance are always more entertaining. The problem is that you have a lot more to lose if you trust the wrong person, too.
[He doesn't say anything for a moment, though he fixes her with a curious look that's too hard to hide.]
Milla, I think I'd like to know whatever you think is okay for me to know. You already know I'm not a Bounty. [That is to say she really doesn't have a reason to tell him anything more than she has.] I wouldn't mind learning about both, but I think I'd understand if you said no, too.
[it is a dangerous game, but for some reason Percy's response just makes Milla chuckle wryly. he's right; games of risk and chance are always more entertaining. Milla doesn't shy away from risk, but she hates having to take it at the command of some unknown group of people]
I believe I've told you everything there is to know about my role. [everything she knows about it, at any rate] But I can also tell you why I'm completely certain that the Sheriff wants us to snoop around the town as much as possible.
It's because he told me snooping was part of the point of this charade.
We're supposed to be breaking into these places and poking around where we shouldn't? [That sure does sound a little bit dangerous, shit.] Why? Some other reason outside of risk?
He only mentioned that this town is full of secrets. He said if we didn't brown nose them-- [she means "stick their noses into them," god Milla and her failed idioms] -- then what was the point?
[...] I don't think Hal knows what that means, but I get the point. [Yeah he's just sort of assuming Hal screwed up and not Milla, whoops.]
Pretty sure the point is to maybe not get ourselves totally destroyed, but maybe that's just me. But there's still a lot of buildings left. How are we supposed to get all of them open when we're starting to lose so many people?
Shinnosuke and Jason opened the post office yesterday. [THAT WAS A DISASTER] Xion and I plan to open the gunsmith later this week.
That will be three buildings. We'll still have nine more to go. It's an impressive task, but if we all split up into groups who then each search a different building. . .
[yeah that's a good way for almost the entire population to get wiped out]
Yeah, I heard. [He's very unhappy about that to be honest!!! And he's even unhappier because...]
Wait, what? [UH.] Milla, take somebody else. Why Xion? [THIS SMALL BEAN?] Or send somebody besides you two? Have you not noticed what kind of stuff happens when we break into these buildings?
[...like, he sounds panicked but at the same time he's a little interested because those buildings are, in fact, tempting.]
She's much stronger than she seems, but she's also recovering from last week. She might not even be thinking clearly. [Like. He would know, considering his own mess of a thought process right now.]
[He raises an eyebrow, but says nothing. Thanks for giving him ideas for next week, Milla.]
That's better than how Jason and Shinnosuke handled things. [He sighs heavily.] Just try to get out with as little damage as possible? We don't know what kind of stuff is in the gunsmith.
Probably. Just stay alive, okay? If you're really the one who can help the Bounty Leader we need you to stay on your feet. And Xion...she's young. I don't want her out of commission and in a position she'll be unable to defend herself, you know?
I don't know. Maybe I'm not giving her enough credit.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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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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I think that explains why your leader came to me. He was guessing and taking a shot in the dark when he asked me if I'd ever spoken to the Sheriff or knew anyone who had. This was about a week and a half ago? Maybe two weeks by now. What exactly has the Sheriff told you guys?
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Finding each other is part of the game. It forces us to get out and talk to people. To take "leaps of faith" when it comes to trusting others. That must be what counts for "entertainment."
[she almost spits the word out, but anyway. internally, she's grateful Percy has offered to keep an eye on Noctis. she's already resolved to do the same]
Do you wish to know what the Sheriff has told me regarding my role, or the town as a whole?
['cause she's been asking him a lot of questions and he has told her a lot of stuff by now]
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[He doesn't say anything for a moment, though he fixes her with a curious look that's too hard to hide.]
Milla, I think I'd like to know whatever you think is okay for me to know. You already know I'm not a Bounty. [That is to say she really doesn't have a reason to tell him anything more than she has.] I wouldn't mind learning about both, but I think I'd understand if you said no, too.
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I believe I've told you everything there is to know about my role. [everything she knows about it, at any rate] But I can also tell you why I'm completely certain that the Sheriff wants us to snoop around the town as much as possible.
It's because he told me snooping was part of the point of this charade.
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He didn't say.
He only mentioned that this town is full of secrets. He said if we didn't brown nose them-- [she means "stick their noses into them," god Milla and her failed idioms] -- then what was the point?
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Pretty sure the point is to maybe not get ourselves totally destroyed, but maybe that's just me. But there's still a lot of buildings left. How are we supposed to get all of them open when we're starting to lose so many people?
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Shinnosuke and Jason opened the post office yesterday. [THAT WAS A DISASTER] Xion and I plan to open the gunsmith later this week.
That will be three buildings. We'll still have nine more to go. It's an impressive task, but if we all split up into groups who then each search a different building. . .
[yeah that's a good way for almost the entire population to get wiped out]
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Wait, what? [UH.] Milla, take somebody else. Why Xion? [THIS SMALL BEAN?] Or send somebody besides you two? Have you not noticed what kind of stuff happens when we break into these buildings?
[...like, he sounds panicked but at the same time he's a little interested because those buildings are, in fact, tempting.]
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[and everybody thought Milla was reasonable. I mean, she is, but you know. she's also not afraid of danger]
We both know it'll be dangerous, but we plan on taking proper precautions.
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What kind of precautions?
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[which is why she hadn't tried to talk Xion out of going]
We'll both arm ourselves before we go, and properly scrutinize the building before we enter. Neither of us intend to barge in recklessly.
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That's better than how Jason and Shinnosuke handled things. [He sighs heavily.] Just try to get out with as little damage as possible? We don't know what kind of stuff is in the gunsmith.
[You know. Besides guns, probably.]
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Of course. But judging from the name, I imagine there will be many things that shoot st us.
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Probably. Just stay alive, okay? If you're really the one who can help the Bounty Leader we need you to stay on your feet. And Xion...she's young. I don't want her out of commission and in a position she'll be unable to defend herself, you know?
I don't know. Maybe I'm not giving her enough credit.
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[and she FULLY intends to stay alive. she said that from week one]
Thank you for your concern, though.
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