week 6, monday

[vigilantics]

[ so, belph might be minding his own business when steph suddenly approaches him... and then immediately drags him away to somewhere private. ]

Dude, what exactly did you say to Varian?

Comments

[axilium]

[there's definitely a stilted jerk—but the fact that it stops at that suggests he's actually resisting the urge to snatch his hand away.]

Amazing? I think we're talking about two different people here.

[and he feels like this is a topic he wants to move on from, so!! immediately—]

Do they know who any of the Editors are?

[vigilantics]

[ she bites her lip, but accepts the topic change. the fact that he didn't move away already means a lot. ]

No, they have no idea. All of the roles they know are people that we already discovered on our own, so there's no new information there.

[axilium]

Good. Keep it that way. And if they ever find out that you're a Vizier, tell them that only I know an Editor identity—assuming you ever have to talk about that.

[that'll be the one thing, aside from his title, that makes his existence worth anything to them.

ideally, though, they won't have to reveal that bit of info at all.]

[vigilantics]

I'm not going to let them do anything to you.

[ it's said firmly, her gaze hard. ]

And they'll realize that they're wrong.

[axilium]

[he smiles, his expression wry.]

I mean... not likely? I get the feeling Varian's not jumping at the opportunity to talk to me again?

[vigilantics]

He probably will. Even if you made him mad, he wouldn't cut off possible information.

[ she knows varian well enough at this point. ]

[axilium]

If you say so.

[well, steph knows him better. still, at this point, belph's just going to assume everyone hates his guts and wants nothing to do with him??]

[vigilantics]

If it comes down to it, I can explain it was just a misunderstanding. It'll mean outing myself, but...

[ she looks down at their interlocked hands. ]

[axilium]

... It's your decision. I mean, I'm in favour of "no", but...

[...]

If you do intend on telling them, though, let me know. I'd like to talk to Veronica personally before then.

[vigilantics]

I'll give you a heads up, don't worry. I want to see what else they say first before going ahead with it.

[ just in case something comes up during the week that'll make confessing Bad, especially since they still have their meeting tomorrow. ]

[axilium]

... Just be careful.

[belph doesn't really care what happens to himself, though he'd prefer to die on his own terms. steph, though...]

[vigilantics]

Oh, Belph... aren't I always careful?

[ says the most severely person in the castle who isn't dead. ]

[axilium]

Steph, I don't think you want me to answer that.

the word injured was supposed to be there somewhere

[vigilantics]

Wow.

[ rude?

she smiles though. ]

I'll be okay. I've made it this far.

[axilium]

We've all made it this far. That won't stop someone from dying this week.

[vigilantics]

Yes, but I've almost died like four times already, so I think I'm pretty lucky?

[axilium]

They do say that four is death, you know.

[vigilantics]

Try not to jinx me, nerd. Who else will assault you with pillows if I'm gone?

[axilium]

Maybe we can inspire Hikage to learn how to have fun.

[vigilantics]

[ she has to stop herself from laughing. ]

I suppose I can train him in that, but he'd get too embarrassed if you ever did it back.

[axilium]

That's the fun part for me.

[vigilantics]

If you keep talking like that you're going to make me jealous.

[axilium]

It's okay, teasing you is fun too.

[vigilantics]

Hm...

[ she pretends to consider this. ]

Is that all that's fun about me?

[axilium]

[why does every conversation derail into flirting.]

Fishing for compliments?