AUDIENCE: DOROTHY

[retellers]

Comments

[misstrust]

[ Dorothy takes a minute to just... limp over to the closest chair and lower herself down into it before she speaks.

And then, tiredly-- ]

I wanted to apologize. I was incredibly rude to you and I should have at least made more of an attempt to trust you.

[retellers]

[ ...

with a slight slant of their head, ]

It's fine. I apologize for losing my patience--it's understandable that you wouldn't trust us.

[misstrust]

I'm at the point where if I can't at least trust you, I'm not going to be able to help stabilize this place.

[ So, crutches neatly balanced against the table, she extends one hand. ]

Will you let me try again, Fox?

[retellers]

--Ah, hold on.

[ they stop steeping the tea, before they pause. then, they take dorothy's hand, smiling--though as usual, it's hard to tell exactly what that smile means. ]

All right.

[misstrust]

[ Like that's anything unusual to her. She just grips for a firm shake before she releases their hand. ]

I was told each team needed to commit a certain number of murders to revive their members. And now there's this rule about Leaders losing their powers if they lose too many members.

[ Dorothy rests her elbows on the table. ]

Are you in trouble?

[retellers]

[ ...

they're quiet for a while, as if trying to figure out if they should answer that, before-- ]

Well, depends on if anyone wants me dead, I suppose.

[misstrust]

... You've lost that many--

[ Oh. ]

[retellers]

[ they just smile, though it's without mirth. ]

[misstrust]

[ Dorothy just-- pinches the bridge of her nose. ]

I-- [ God. ] Can it be reversed at all?

[retellers]

As far as I know, no.

[misstrust]

And there's no way to protect you? What happens to your Faction if you're killed?

[retellers]

... We're not sure. I'm sorry.

[misstrust]

[ Dorothy's quiet for a long moment, for once clearly distressed over this. ]

... Is there anything I can do? [ Finally, a little quieter. ]

[retellers]

[ lightly, ]

Well, if by any chance someone entertains thoughts of killing a Leader, it would be nice if you could discourage them--not just for me, but for the others as well.

[misstrust]

Oh, that won't be a problem.

[ She waves a hand. ]

Why should they go after you when there's a perfect target this week? You're young, attractive and healthy.

... I'm also young, attractive and healthy but I have a broken leg. That's easy enough to take advantage of.

[retellers]

Strictly speaking, you don't know that I'm any of those things. 𝅘𝅥𝅮

In any case, you're rather popular, so let's hope it doesn't come to that.

[misstrust]

I don't, but they don't know that I don't know that. Whatever makes you sound like a poor target to assassinate will work for me.

[ Good lord. ]

Did someone once again beat me for asking for a hint this week? If this... killing thing needs to continue, I really need to know who to strictly avoid.

[retellers]

You're the first this week, actually. Congrats.

[misstrust]

Thank you. I feel honored. [ dryly ]

[retellers]

[ they think for a long moment. ]

... Feast.

[misstrust]

[ ... Fox why are you like this

Though Dorothy actually doesn't take that long, pausing to tap her chin. ]

... Claude. [ It's a thoughtful murmur. ]

Ah, out of curiosity, when Thursday... ah, when I went across the bridge... could you sense that at all?

[retellers]

I could.

[misstrust]

So we weren't completely cut off... I'm glad for that, at least.

[retellers]

Small mercies. How are you feeling now?

[misstrust]

Less like I'm on the verge of death.

[ The bar was low. ]