AUDIENCE: SOO-WON

[retellers]

Comments

[recrowns]

[as they do

and soo-won will open up the bag of rice crackers and offer it out even as he eats one]

[retellers]

[ they tilt your head. ]

You would share your food with me?

[ they seem a little surprised. ]

[1/2]

[recrowns]

We're at the bottom of the rung - beggars can't be choosers. Street rats stick together.

[a beat]

[recrowns]

Fufu, just kidding.

Why? Do you think I'm mad at you?

[retellers]

I think it would be normal. Everyone is angry, not without reason. It would be better to direct that anger at us than one another.

[recrowns]

Would it change anything if I were angry with you?

Would you be able to take my rage, turn it into a blade, and cut into the heart of the Realm?

[retellers]

I suppose not. Though with the way the Realm works, perhaps it would. I do not know.

But I wouldn't ask you to be kind to anyone you did not feel that way towards. And if it's an attempt at deception, I would prefer that you not.

[recrowns]

Mm, I understand.

[he pauses, as if looking for the words he wants to use, and he tilts his head]

I'm displeased, as much as anyone else would be. It feels as though we have been brought into a game where the rules are set so we are not likely to win without injury or grief.

I wonder the same about you and the others - are you simply deceiving us as well?

[ . . . ]

But things are rarely so clear-cut as "I am tricking you because I can". Similarly, even if I am displeased, that does not mean I like you any less. If you are lying to me, I will discern that as well in time, and have to consider everything in their whole.

Even still, I would not extend kindness if I did not feel it.

[soo-won's issue is that he does feel it - for everyone.]

[retellers]

[ they listen. ]

That is fair. One cannot rely on anyone else's heart but their own, after all.

[ which might sound surprisingly cynical considering how much goat's head seems to be the clouds, but that's how it is. ]

[recrowns]

[he nods at that, and offers the rice crackers out again!]

Precisely so. You only know your own truth until someone else shares theirs with you, no?

And even then, it's hard to know the entirety of it.

[retellers]

[ they take a rice cracker, though with a bit of confusion that suggests they're not 100% sure what this is. ]

What people call the truth is not usually something that can be understood in its entirety.

[recrowns]

[ah - soo-won will take out another rice cracker and then bite into it, as if in demonstration.]

Mm, I suppose that's true. There's nuance and difference in every story and retelling, no?

[ . . . ]

What do you think the truth of this situation is? Should we abandon hope of peace now?

[retellers]

I don't believe hope should ever be abandoned. Peace cannot exist if we don't strive for it, no matter how impossible we may believe it to be.

But on a practical level, things may get worse.

[recrowns]

[there's just a nod at that]

Mm. I think so, too. On both accounts.

[a beat]

Deaths result in memories returning, yes? Whether that be on Thursdays, or on Sundays. Will the cycle be repeating, down to the day?

[imagine trial on a wednesday that sounds horrible]

[retellers]

I'm not sure. We weren't expecting this either. But based on the impression we got from the flow of nova... only what Virid did resulted in his memory returning. I don't believe that it's the same for the red-haired child.

[recrowns]

[he hums thoughtfully]

We'll see.

[ . . . ]

You wouldn't happen to have any idea what memory I've lost, would you?

[retellers]

[ they shake their head. ]

No. I'm sorry.

[recrowns]

[he shakes his head]

It's alright. Before you grow concerned - it's nothing I'm interested in taking a life over.

And your memories? They haven't come back at all?

[retellers]

That's good. Please don't kill if you don't have to.

[ ): ]

I do not recall my life before this place, no.

[recrowns]

Would killing put our team in a higher standing?

[don't just ask this]

[retellers]

I... I don't know. I suppose if taking a life affects nova, then perhaps...?

[ THEY SOUND DISTRESSED ]

But don't do that!

[recrowns]

[ah - he smiles at that and reaches out to put a hand on goat's shoulder]

I won't. The wish doesn't really matter to me.

But I need to know what might motivate others to act in order to better understand the situation, so if you could help me find answers, it'd help.

[retellers]

[ they calm down once soo-won establishes that he's not about to start shanking people for points. ]

... Power brings out the worst in people. I cannot say there are those who wouldn't do whatever it took, perhaps even among us. I can't even say that none of the Leaders would potentially be motivated by such a thing, as much as I would rather not cast doubt on the others.

[recrowns]

[i deeply wish i played characters that would shank people for points i want it so bad]

Doubt does not mean that hope is missing - only that you are taking all things into consideration.

You said you wanted to protect others, correct?

I want to solve the situation regarding the nova and the universe. Stabilizing it is my primary goal, as it would save the greatest number of people - as well as my kingdom, which I hope you understand is my first priority.

But it's impossible to protect anyone without considering the worst case scenarios.

[retellers]

I know. And I know that perhaps, it is best not to trust people.

[ ... ]

But I don't wish for everyone to be--more fragmented than they already are. Though I hope the participants can find solace among each other's support, things are... currently tense between the Leaders.