trusthell | Week 9.

Week 9.

WEEK 9
For the first time since your stay in the Vault began, no one died this week. That doesn't mean there weren't casualties among you, however – namely, trust, interpersonal relationships, and comfort in the group dynamic as a whole.

Hopefully no one else pays the price for it.

Saturday is given to regrouping and sleep; there aren't any bodies to be found on Sunday morning. You're safe for now – unless your dreams have told you otherwise...

SURVIVORS REMAINING: 10

SUNDAY | MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY
[OOC: Welcome to week nine of Trustfell! Save your threads for coins; don't forget to submit your memory regains! There is no activity check this week!

THE FINAL INVESTIGATION BEGINS ON THURSDAY!
THIS IS THE LAST WEEK TO REDEEM COINS!
The text and calling posts are still active, for the sake of contacting the jerk who's keeping you here, to be used at your leisure!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Good idea. She'll take a seat too, glancing away at the question and leaning against her hand.

This kind of business, huh.]

Nope. I just know about it because of kitten. Not really looking forward to seeing who's where on there, even if I won't blame any of you for choosing someone else. I'll still help no matter what.

I think you'll be surprised. But I'm not gonna talk about other people's choices.

[It's not his business until things are tallied]

I ended up abstaining from the vote.

[Not just not voting- but putting outright on there that he refused to do so]

[...]

You don't think there's a need for one.

[Is that it.]

Yeah. I think it's stupid.

[There's no cruelty to his voice- he's not here to denounce Sigrun in any way. He saw that Stan had written something similar... but he had a feeling they were coming from very different places to a similar endpoint. Maybe he'd talk to him about it later, if he had the energy]

When I showed you the picture of my friends, you said that Yu looked like someone people would follow?

[That questioning hint at the end is more to keep the conversation going back and forth- he remembers what she said perfectly fine]

Yeah, I did say that. I'm the same way, right?

[Someone who looks like others would follow.

It's not all that questioning, since she's getting at what he's going for, and... well, you're not a leader as long as she's been without knowing that to some amount. But it's to keep the conversation steady.]

[He laughs warmly]

That's true! You are. [It's not a lie- her leadership style is very different from Yu's, but they share that kind of raw charisma]

That world we fought in, it was because someone with the same power as us was throwing people inside it to die. Two people had already been killed, and we were trying to figure out who was doing it.

Turned out it was this man named Adachi. He was a cop, a detective, like Mouri-san. We all knew him.

Worse, Yu knew him. He was his uncle's partner and Yu was... really close to him. Invited him home for dinner. The guy played with Yu's little sister. They were practically family, apparently.

We made a promise, back when it started, that we'd never go to that world alone. Only as a group. But when Adachi escaped into there he snuck in to confront him. I... had a bad feeling, and I ended up catching him slipping back out again. And... god, the look on his face-

[He laughs darkly, tapping his ear]

-he was bleeding from his ear. Adachi had almost shot him. I didn't understand why he'd risk it, back then. He... told me later, after everything was over that-

[He pauses, taking a deep breath, his adam's apple bobbing with the effort to swallow. He remembered that late night phone call perfectly. Yu having to tell SOMEONE after a sleepless night back in the city, alone with his guilt. And of course it was Yosuke- he was his second, after all. He wouldn't burden anyone else]

-that he almost didn't tell us that it might be Adachi. He almost kept it in and, shit... let him get away with it? Because he couldn't bare the idea that he failed to stop him. That he couldn't save him.

I didn't get it back then. I guess I do now.

[He glances at Black over at the piano, equal measures of longing, affection and disgust clear on his face]

I didn't understand how much we as a group broke him down- how much he hid inside because, shit, that's what a leader does. How much was on his back. He's a lot like Black- bad liar, great actor.

[Guess Black wasn't the only one with a type]

But... I guess what I'm saying is there's no one here that's not biased. Cherryblod is probably even more biased then you are when it comes to who he'd save. And Bruce is... fuck Bruce is a whole can of worms we don't need to get into right now. [Even Yosuke had noticed that Bruce was falling apart]

I don't think you're compromised. I think forcing us to quantify a 'leader' at all is a waste of time and just makes us judge each other even more then we already are- you've been keeping us going because of who you are Sigrun, not because you're our leader. So... I think you should just let it lie. Not everyone here is gonna trust you after this, but... I really don't think this is the way to fix that.

[Sigrun'll listen, because she's actually rather good at being quiet when she's listening to others, though as the story starts to mimic her own she sits up more, and by the end she's... Well, you don't leave Sigrun without words too often, but there it is.]

... I didn't intend for it to be something to judge each other by, [she'll finally say, shoulders relaxing.] Just something to think about, if they saw me fit to step back. For their own peace of mind.

[Though she can see what he means. She leans back in her seat, arms crossed, but she's thinking.]

It was the first thing I thought of doing for my own peace of mind, too. To reassure myself that for all my failings I am the one they'd want to follow. And... I've had a lot of failings, Yosuke. You're right in that a leader hides a lot, especially from the people who trust them to lead them through.

Honesty just means you don't lie when asked about it.

[Sigrun pauses there a moment, but she's obviously going to talk more. It's just... taking a little bit. A tiny bit.]

Thank you. I don't know what to do, outside of just telling them to bring their issues to me, I guess, since it isn't like anyone's going to believe me when I swear on my life that I'll protect them. And I would, for the record, but... I'll tell Cherry to take it down. There's no need to divide everyone more than we already are.

And honestly, probably wouldn't matter in the end if they wanted me to lead them or not. It's just how I am.

[She would've ended up taking the spot anyway.]

[The smile that grows on his face is bright and glad- the first one he's managed since the 'trial' ended]

Thank god, I don't think I could handle some kinda crazy political dealings or something on top of the rest of this.

It's a waste of time, but sometimes people just need someone to focus their anger on, and I'd rather it be me than kitten over there. Even if he deserves half of it.

[And a reminder of Sigrun's weakness of a leader is worth that.]

He's paying his dues anyway, trust me. I'm getting him to help me with my errands when he doesn't have anything better to do.

[Yosuke would argue the 'half' part if it was worth it. But it's not, so he lets that go.]

He really did put us back- but I'm glad he's alive.

[He's sure she heard most of their conversation the night before- but still, it's good to restate]

In the end it's the Kingmaker's fault- he's played all of us, after all.

Exactly. It doesn't matter what's happened between us right now, we can deal with that later. What matters is that we make the Kingmaker take his own rules up the ass.

[... take responsibility, in many more words.]

Yeah, priorities.

[He looks over again to the piano. Now that things between him and Sigrun are, for now, handled]

...what do you think I should do?

[She'll follow his look, closing her eyes for a moment just to listen to the song.]

... When we found out about Mettaton, I reacted as badly as you had towards Black. You remember that.

[Who couldn't?]

I might've not killed him -- I couldn't even vote for him, I didn't do anything that led to his death except checking the phone he had on him -- but I know I still hurt him, and... I'm only thankful I got to spend the small time I did with him before we voted.

[It wasn't enough. It'll never be enough, but that wistfulness is simply heard and seen in her smile, not spoken.]

I didn't get the chance to give him a second chance, and... I spend every other day or so writing to him now, even though I know there's no way he'll ever see it. Just like how his cousin won't ever get to read the letters he wrote himself. That's why I'm glad you're giving Black a second chance.

I won't convince you to do this or that, Yosuke, because ultimately that is on you and how you want this to go. But it would mean the world to me and to Black if you stayed his friend, at least, if nothing else. To keep him on a straighter path and make sure he's not alone. To be by his side when no one else will be, especially now.

... It doesn't mean you have to forgive him. You're aware what he's capable of, if you didn't before, so you're more apt to see the signs again and know what's going on more than others. It just means that you're deciding to push him on it instead of waiting for him to come out about it himself, if you have your worries.

[Sigrun tilts her head towards Black, the wistfulness from before a little more solemn now.]

All I can really say is that if Mettaton were still around, then I'd be spending every day I could with him -- not just because I love him, because I like being around him, and because he's still important to me, but to keep an eye on him, too. Most of that is because out of every other person in the vault, I was the one he didn't perform in front of, that he was honest with and... trusted completely. I can't forget any of that.

But it's also because the rest of you are important to me, too, that I'd give anything to protect you all from something like this happening again.

[... She's not sure where her point was, but-- she hasn't really told anyone but Cherryblod any of this (admittedly in parts, and there's some she's more sure of now than before, so it might be new), and... she knows how Yosuke's feeling, of all people.

It really sucks that both betrayals were people who were close to her. But it sucks even more for something like love, even a small part off it like a crush, to come into play for both of them too, and to have it end in the same hurt.]

[he listens quietly- she had done the same for him. And sighs]

I think you might be a stronger person then I am, Boss.

[Still, he does stand] But I'll try.

[And with that said he makes his way over to the piano, slowly. So if Black looked about to piss himself in fear he could back off and not force his presence on him if it wasn't wanted]

[ It's not that Black doesn't want Yosuke around. (Because he does. He loves... his company.)

It's just... he doesn't know how to act with him around, that's all. Thankfully, he's a little too into his playing to notice him immediately—he really only does when he stops to grab his almost drink and ask Sigrun if she'd come refill it. That dies in his throat at once, of course, and Black stares at Yosuke for a moment before he sets his glass down gently, returning his fingers to the piano's ivory keys.

He doesn't quite look like he's about to piss himself, but there's a nervous way about how he picks notes out on the instrument. Things... didn't go horribly in their talk, after all. They probably went about as well as they could've, given the circumstances.

So he shouldn't be as nervous as he is, but he still is. He really, honestly has no idea how to talk to anyone he's hurt this badly—but he'll try, anyway. ]

Hi.

[ ...that's simple enough. ]

...hey.

[He had intended to leave Black be today, and just talk to Sigrun. But after seeing him he can't bring himself to walk away. Maybe Saki was always right- he was desperate and clingy and awful.]

You... don't gotta stop playing.

[ It's that stupid song he played for Yosuke, of course he has to stop playing. ]

I might start up again in a little while. It's probably really annoying to hear the same song over and over again. [ A small smile. He's not as tired as he was, and it's a little easier to come by, but it's still... ] If you came over to check on me, I'm okay.

[ ...well. ]

Better, at least. Kind of. A bit. [ ...is anything good gonna come out of lying. ] Not really. No one's really talking to me, which I'm not surprised about. Miss Sigrun's good company though. After she's done writing her letter, we're going to go to the sewing room so I can take her measurements and start on her dress.

[ He's really not sure how he became the vault's tailor, but anyway— ]

She wants something she can fight in.

...that's kinda hot.

[it really kinda is, he wishes Black every luck in these fighting dress endeavors. He shuffles from foot to foot for a moment, then sits on the edge of the bench- there's still plenty of space between them]

Give them time, I think. Yesterday was hard on everyone.

[ Please don't talk about his not-mom figure like that. She's right over there.

And... he doesn't know how to reply, because saying, "Well, I don't know if I even want to talk to them because they're certainly not going to have anything nice to say to me and I'm really not gonna have anything nice to say either," considering how a couple of them spoke to Sigrun.

He settles for humming noncommittally and playing scales instead of answering that in particular. ]

Are you okay?

[Look Black, it's Yosuke you should expect nothing better by now]

...better? Not good, but better. Had a long talk with Sigrun. Talked her into canceling that leader vote.

[ He should but he keeps hoping... ]

That's good. I thought it was kind of silly, to be honest. [ ...but he wanted to show he was still with Sigrun. It's not like she can do no wrong in his eyes, but she does what she thinks is best, and he can't fault her for it. ] I'm glad you're doing better, too. You deserve better.

[ ...that applies to a lot of things, really. ]

Heh, I doubt that. But thanks.

[He leans his head back, closing his eyes- like he was a plant soaking up sunlight that wasn't there. In fact it what the plinking tones of the piano- his mp3 was shattered (he has scooped up the pieces this morning) but he doesn't have it in him to go to the music room and play yet]

Don't give me that. You know you do.

[ Yosuke's a dumbass teenager, but he has a good heart. ...even if he tried to disembowel him. That was kind of deserved, so.

But he won't push it more than that; he's just going to play scales and, eventually, return to the song he'd been playing earlier. Scales are boring, and this song is fun to play, especially if he speeds it up and adds a few jazzier notes to it. Something more cheerful sounding, even if things aren't particularly looking up.

Much. Maybe he should tell him about the things they've planned, but—maybe it won't go over well, either. It's still bound to be a sore spot. ]

...do you mind this song? [ Let's ask that instead, yes. ]

I don't mind it.

[He doesn't open his eyes, and there's a small almost smile on his face]

[ ...oh.

Black's quiet, watching him for a moment longer than he really should, before he turns back to the piano and plays a little softer, humming along with the tune. It's to help keep him from singing—he doesn't really want to right now, and the song's sort of— for them, right now, it's kinda—

yeah. ]

Good. Because aside from a few scores I found, it's really the only thing I can play still. [ ...technically, he has those. They're in his notebook with everything else, in a makeshift pocket. ] I don't think they're your type of music either.

[ granted, he's pretty sure this isn't Yosuke's type either, but... ]

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tl;dr and huge spoilers for... a 7 year old game oops

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tl;dr i'm sorry??

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