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!]

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...!

[he gives her a look that should be funny- embarrassed and caught. But there's a thin tensoon too. Lips pulled just a fraction too far back. Like some is digging their heel into his foot but he's trying to hide it]

C-come on Sigrun, we were just playing around. That was embarrassing enough!

[ Why do you have to catch him in the crossfire— more importantly, there's that look, and Black gives her a not-so-gentle kick under the table. ]

Forget her, go back to making your distressed parrot noises. [ Please. ] What race are you going to be, anyway? There's a handful to choose from, and you can get nice bonuses depending on what you pick.

[ ...he's never claimed to be the best at changing topics, and the look he flashes Sigrun borders on please don't bring it up. He likes being able to talk with Yosuke, and he likes flirting with him, but he doesn't like that too pinched look he's sporting because of all that. ]

[She'll press the wince back behind her frown and a tilt of her head, but goes back to skimming on her DM duties.]

Yeah, well, don't get too caught up in those. Be a raptor yourself for all I care.

Guess I hadn't really thought about it yet...

[He looks over to his doodle and writings- and next to that, a trio of cards- a Jack and two numbers. The cards Cherryblod had used to divine his fortune earlier in the afternoon.

`Your present, the Seven of Pentacles. Assessing your progress and considering a change of direction. Making sure you're on course, and being willing to change your strategy if you're not. It can also mean finally starting to see results.

Finally, for the future, the Page of Pentacles. Pages generally represent a young person - you, for instance. This Page suggests being practical and realistic, focusing on having a real effect. It's a card for being trustworthy - and trusting in others.`

...fuck]

Actually... Boss? Can I talk to Black alone for a second? I mean, still in sight but...

[Well, she might be Black's caretaker for now, but she's still deferring to him when it comes to talking to others. So she'll lean against her little buddy.]

What do you think, Black?

[ ...oh, this isn't just going to be a talk, it's going to be a Talk, isn't it. Black slowly sets his hands in his lap, wishing he had his hoodie, and nods. ]

Sure, I don't mind. [ He doesn't sound half as confident as he should, though. ] I doubt it's going to be a second though. Our talks tend to run long.

[ And private. Things were a lot nicer talking while shoulder-to-shoulder, palms pressed together. ]

...yeah. Sorry Sigrun. I'll make it up to you later.

Nothing to worry about, honey.

[Sigrun watches her charge for a moment after saying so, though, then glances at Yosuke.

'Be clear,' is what she's mouthing to him, before she picks up her book and stands, leaning down next to Black's ear briefly to whisper something.]

If there's ever a time you don't want me watching, sweep left with your hand. Some things are easier said unwatched.

[... And then she'll go to a different table, far off enough that she's not eavesdropping but close enough to keep an eye on them.]

[ ...oh, that's nice. Sweep left with his hand. Sure.

...

So. ]

What's up?

Sorry to be such a downer so suddenly. [he rubs the back of his head awkwardly]

But... I talked to Cherryblod earlier and I think I need to say a few things instead of... you know, ignoring it.

['Giving you hope then backing off'] First off... shit, there's no way to say this that doesn't sound hokey as hell-

-I forgive you. Before anything else I just want you to know that.

[ ...oh.

There's mixed feelings here—relief, confusion, a thick streak of he really shouldn't, what if I decided to do it again?—but he nods, mostly to show that yes, he heard him. Don't worry, he's paying attention. ]

Thank you. [ The words almost get caught in his throat, but he manages to get them out. His next ones, too. ] It's... probably more than I deserve, but thank you. I appreciate it? No, that's not right, I... [ ...a shake of his head, gratitude is enough. Moving on: ] What else?

[ 'I'm not doing it for you' he almost says- but he holds it back. It'd come off mean, even if he doesn't intend it that way. HE needed it- so he can stop feeling this way.]

Maybe it is. I dunno. But I don't wanna keep feeling like this. Like... like I'm two different people. Does that make sense? [The Yosuke that wanted to be with him, the Yosuke that wanted him to suffer]

No, never mind. I gotta figure that out myself I think but-

[Now the hard part]

You remember how I said I don't regret what happened Thursday?

[ He's about to reply with no, that actually does make sense, but—the question stops him in his tracks.

...it's not a surprise, and Black half wishes he'd just come out and say it instead of making him continue the conversation. He doesn't say that though; he just picks at the hem of his shirt idly and hums softly, resisting the urge to watch his hands instead of Yosuke. ]

Feeling like you want to take that back? [ A mean set of words, but he's not trying to jam a knife in anyone's ribs today. Even if he really feels like he's got one in his own right now. ]

[Yosuke makes a small noise]

Yikes. I kinda deserved that, huh?

[He glances away, back at the cards again, gathering his courage]

Actually... I was wondering if... you'd want to try again?

[ Oh.

Oh. Oh, no, that's. Oh. ]

[ ...slowly returning his hands to the table, left hand's fingers tapping on it. ]

Are you sure you want to?

I... think so? Ha, wow that's so weak. [He's beet red, and he fights the urge to hide his face in his arms]

Look... the meeting kinda proved that there something here. I'm not really sure WHAT, but I don't wanna give up on it yet.

... I can't just forget what happened. Shit, we basically tried to murder each other. I'm gonna say and do some awful stuff. It might end up in us hating each other. But... hell, I've done worse things by now.

[He's had his hand in sending 8 people to their deaths. He tried to kill a man. It's twisted to still want anything to do with Black, but this place has made him twisted, and damn it all he wants to be happy even if it's insane. He's so damn tired of being sad.]

[ He's going to have to be the one to do this, isn't he.

This sucks. This sucks for him, because all he wants to do is get back that happiness but he knows it's wrong, and this sucks for Yosuke, because he still wants to do it. Black glances at Sigrun, then waves his hand left. Stop watching, captain. ]

I wanted to kiss you for a long time before last Thursday, you know. Well—a few weeks. [ But that's long here. It's only been nearly two months. ] I'm glad I did it then, even if it wasn't much of one. I'm better than that.

[ A small joke, a small smile. Like that'll make this any easier. ]

I don't think I could kiss you now, though. Not because I don't want to [ because he does—he really does, he really really likes him ] but it... wouldn't be fair to you. Not right now. That doesn't meant not ever, but... [ A slow, gentle exhale.

This sucks. ] I'm sorry, Yosuke. Give it more than three or four days.

[He doesn't say anything for a long time. Staring at tabletop, mouth twitching but nothing more. He knows Black is right. He knows, he knew it in his heart- but it was so easy to ignore in a desperate need to fix this pain.

He screwed up again. He can hear Saki's voice in his head.

Finally he nods, swallowing]

... yeah.

[That's all he can say]

[ ...mmm.

Black stands up—it's mostly to lean over the table closer to Yosuke, gently touching the bottom of his chin in an effort to guide him to look up. Come on, dear. ]

I really like you, Yosuke. Miss Sigrun called it love, but that's [ a short, embarrassed laugh; red across his face and creeping around the side of his neck ] a little heavy, I think? But I... when I think about going back home and never seeing you again, it feels like there's something trying to claw its way into my chest to make a home there. In a bad way.

[ Black pauses, swallowing hard, then cups Yosuke's cheek softly. Barely there, ghosting it. ]

Not right now doesn't mean never. We're going to live past all of this and have... whatever time we have later on. After all, you wanted me to come back with you, didn't you? [ He's still not sure about how to answer that—every time he thinks he does, it slips out of his grasp.

But Yosuke's right here. And that's all he needs right now. ] I don't want you running headlong into anything though, just because you feel like you want to or need to. I waited so long because I didn't want to mess up we had, and I'm willing to wait again because I don't want either of us to pour salt on open wounds. I love being friends with you—I love being with you, Yosuke. Hanging out, talking, playing arcade games, doing stupid bets for favors...

That's why I can't, in good conscience, kiss you right now. Even if you think you want to. Especially because of that. [ ...that's all.

He'll sit back down, keeping his hands in front of him. Nothing to hide; it isn't the first time he's bared his heart to Yosuke, and it probably won't be the last. ]

I hope you can forgive me for this, too.

[When Black touches his face he tilts into it a little- god, he feels like such a girl. It's dumb and he feels stupid and heartbroken.

But still, he feels... lighter. Like Black cleaned something infected and spoiled out of him. The wound bled but was no longer quite so sick.

God, he had it so bad. Damn it]

'Course I can. [His words are a little slurred, but not mad or even that overtly upset. Just choked up.]

You'll... be at the game, right? That gives me a whole day to get my raptor cry down.

Wouldn't dream of missing it, actually. There's nothing like watching a bunch of newbies work their way through trouble.

Besides, I said I'd help, didn't I? With all those big numbers. [ less teasing than earlier, but still on the edge of a joke.

he's hurting, too, but it's for the best. ]

[He nods, then stands. Gathers his stuff and... looks at the cards- taking the Jack separately and tucking it into his back pocket.

For the future.]

I should... go. Do... something.

They had come in on him, but right now he just needs to be alone. To think.]

[Oh, they're done?

... Well, one of them doesn't seem too good. Neither of them do, actually, but Sigrun'll take her book back over and sling an arm around Yosuke's shoulders for the moment.]

Leaving so soon, lazybones? [Then, quieter:] If you need to talk, I'm here to listen. Don't forget that.

[And then she'll let him go, casual as can be.]

That's too bad. I was kinda hoping we could talk more about your raptor friends!

[ ...they're the ones who came in, they should be leaving...

but he won't make any move to stop Yosuke. ]

It's nice to have surprises. I'm looking forward to tomorrow. [ ... ] See you then, Yosuke.

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Week 9.

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