vigilantics | week 7, friday

[Time to chat with Zendragon!

The door that welcomes Steph is different this time - it doesn't lead to the throne room, but rather a treasure room...? Mountains of gold, jewels, and other artifacts span the walls. Somewhere around one pile there is Zendragon, sitting at a table and already conjuring up a second chair for Steph.]

You wished to speak with me, Stephanie?

[ well. this room is... interesting.

steph will look around before taking a seat. ]

Yeah. I have a few questions, if that's okay? The first one is about our ink... um. Do we have enough ink to revive everyone, send everyone home, rewrite your story, and possibly have people not return to their specific world but someone else's?

[ i'm sorry ]

[ . . . She blinks and seems to consider that for a moment.]

That certainly is a question.

[Regardless, she hums faintly as she pauses to think.]

... are you asking this in the case that I'm the victor? Because I'm sure you know the answer differs if I'm not the one given the chance to determine how to use the ink.

I think at this point you're guaranteed to be the victor, if I'm honest. If Tiger wins, even if she revives everyone, there probably won't be enough ink left to send us all home.

[ since tiger's wish apparently!! costs too much ink!! ]

So, yeah. If you win.

[ . . . she takes a moment to consider that. Her expression softens into something thoughtful, contemplative.]

.... a guaranteed victory.... Thank you. I hope you're right.

[She places a hand over her own heart as she goes over the questions in her head again.]

Then - of the ink we currently have... It will first be used to revive everyone from the Other Side. Following that, I'll be giving the ink to all of you individually to use as you wish. It's capable of writing miracles... whatever you can dream of.... so you can use that to go home, or to go elsewhere... Change your worlds - write the futures you wish to see.

I cannot say that we can rewrite the story of Tiger and Dragon... It is not something that can be undone.

But if you wanted to spare some of your ink to write something anew...

[Even if she looks torn at the idea.]

... you could do that as well. I would respect your wish, if that is what you think we deserve.

[ she nods her head at all of that. it's all what she wants to hear, but-- ]

Do you want us to write something new for you?

[ she noticed dragon's expression .]

[ . . . her answer takes a moment.

Her gaze falls to her lap and she offers a smile, even if it's a bit sad.]

... you'll have to. The Dragon and the Tiger must both exist for their stories to go on.

[ . . . ]

... it's alright. For all of you, I can endure a little bit longer.

... can you tell me what would, ideally, be the perfect ending for you?

[ she knows that dragon wants to put an end to her story. ]

[ . . . she seems to hesitate.]

I... don't want to make selfish requests.

I already owe you all so much... It doesn't feel right to ask you to think of me.

Dude, I just gave you an entire checklist. You can spill.

['dude'

Dragon can't help a small laugh at that - though she seems surprised at the same time.

It takes another second before she admits, slowly at first:]

... I want to go back to how it used to be. I loved my life, before all this.

[The fondness colors her voice as she goes on, her eyes softening and her smile growing despite the tint of sadness over it.]

I miss my family very, very much. My friends, my love... It's been so long since I've seen them - but my heart aches each day. I don't know if they're waiting for me or... Or where they've even gone.

I just... want to be where they are.

[ she listens to all of that, frowning slightly.

if both tiger and dragon have to be alive, then their wishes seem pretty incompatible. ]

Is there, like... any way we could word this so that both of you get what you want in some capacity?

... she wishes to live, and I do not. I cannot die alone, just as she cannot live by herself. Maybe... I can start to see why she hated these constraints so much.

[She shakes her head, raising her gaze to meet Steph's.]

... but someone asked me something the other day. If I could find a reason to live...

At the beginning of this game, I did not think that I could... just as I did not think that I would win. It is far easier to eradicate one faction than it is to find balance, to believe in the idea that many different sides can coexist...

But you have all surprised me once - and give me hope before.

Maybe I can find it again... so don't worry too heavily about me. If you wish to write a future in which I am alive... I will try to hold my head up for you.

[ ... ]

How much ink would something like... reincarnation cost? For people who have been dead for a while?

... it would be the same as writing any other story anew.

[ . . . ]

You know...

You all have very big hearts.

I really hated the two of you at the start. But... it's kind of like hating the people who were picked as Blotters, or as Editors, or whatever. There's no point. We're all stuck in this dumb cycle. We can point fingers all we want, but at the end of the day none of us are happy.

... so, we should try to spread some happiness, shouldn't we? Even if it doesn't lessen the pain that's already there, we can at least make room for something new.

... you aren't wrong.

[She sighs faintly - and her smile grows a touch rueful.]

I've only wished for all of your happiness.... I promise you that, even if I know that I was rather poor at showing it at first. The rules of the game, the daunting tasks...

But I hope you all will think of yourselves first - and then of the two of us.

If all of you are happy... then I am, too.

... that is very sweet and self-sacrificing, but I'm still going to try to get you something too.

[She manages a soft laugh at that.]

... very well.

I trust you.

Good.

[ she holds her hand out.

shake. :/ ]

[ . . . shake?

Dragon looks to Stephanie's hand for a moment.

And then takes that outstretched hand in both of hers, holding it gently instead.]

... Thank you for all your work, Stephanie.

[ she blinks in surprise. ]

I really didn't do much.

[Dragon matches her expression of surprise.]

Is that what you think?

I think none of this would have been possible without you.

... that's nice of you to say.

[ not true! but! ]

week 7, friday

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