trusthell | now listen good and listen straight, you're not the master of your fate

now listen good and listen straight, you're not the master of your fate

[Another week, another murder, another absolute shitshow. Tarrlok kind of just wants to lock himself in his room for a while, but... well, he volunteered. So... it's definitely going to be much later in the day before a note advising everyone to meet up in the bar for some comfort food is slipped under everyone's door.

At least Tarrlok didn't have to take care of everything alone, though; while he spent most of the time cooking by himself, Speedwagon and Yosuke helped take some delicious pork buns up to set them out across the bar so that everyone could drown their sorrows in stuffing their faces. And, you know, alcohol, maybe that too. There's also some vegetarian stir fry for people who don't like pork, too, of course.

There isn't an official bartender to start out with, but there is live entertainment courtesy of Yosuke, who's strumming his guitar over in the corner there.

Hopefully someone will step up, because lord knows everyone in the Vault needs a drink right now.]

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[It's literally Bruce's first time being in the bar here, so yeah, he's certainly not a drinker.]

I'm doing fine enough. [Which, surprisingly, is the truth - after the whole shock has passed he's... handling it all reasonably well.] How are you feeling, though? What happened down there shook all of us up a fair bit.

[To put it very mildly.]

[Her face does kind of a blanking at first, trying not to show too much, before she's easy-going again with a laugh.]

Yeah, that was... something else! Reason why we're all here or elsewhere, I guess, to each his own. But I'm perfectly alright, no need to worry, just grated my nerves a little since I've got a really close family and all.

...you know you don't need to force it out, captain.

[Bruce is a master of lying to others (and himself, most of all). He can tell pretty quickly when you're faking it.

And normally he'd let it pass, but... well. It's Sigrun.]

[It's Sigrun, and Sigrun thinks she should get a pass.

... but her composure does break enough for a long suffering sigh, pressing her hands against her cheeks.]

It's nothing I want to talk about. I'd rather just drink it off. I mean, it's a stupid thing to get so worked up over anyway.

[Nobody gets a pass. Not even you, Sigrun.]

Nothing's ever too stupid to get worked up about. [He returns evenly.] As long as you're willing to try and talk it out.

[let her liiiiive]

... Nope. It's dumb.

[She. She's deciding that.]

I think I would've felt the same even if we weren't dating though, you know? I just don't know if he would've gotten half as mad. Maybe he would've. I think he might. I mean, I was mad at him being mad. And not caring. Whatever.

[...right. You just do that, Sigrun.]

You were risking yourself unnecessarily for trying to do what you wanted to do. Killer or not... the Kingmaker probably doesn't care.

[It only matters when you deal the killing blow yourself on somebody here in this place.]

I can't say I'm in full agreement of Mettaton either, but I can... at least see where he's coming from, just a little.

I know. I knew. I just thought it'd be really satisfying to do it, and...

[... Yeah...]

I'm much more useful up here then I am down there. It's a fact, personal relations of any kind aside.

[...]

Was the execution a good one? Couldn't stand to watch it if I wasn't the one doing it.

It was...

[It's hard to say, honestly. Just everything about it, how the not-Megumi was...]

It was fast. Painless.

[That's probably for the best, too.]

Don't go offering yourself up yet too, captain. Everyone else here needs you.

So I was told earlier. [With a wry grin.] Black taught me how the piano plays piano. Softly. And we talked about things. He said he couldn't imagine anyone else really leading and stuff, and that you'd all be lost without me.

[Whether it's true or flattery Sigrun doesn't care. She just knows that right now, it's important for her to be alive.]

I still think you'd all do fine without me in the worst case scenario. Not the best you could be because let's be honest, I am the best at what I do, but you wouldn't be running around like chickens.

You are the best.

[He returns with a small smile that's more genuine than wry. For all that Sigurn is and does, she really is helping them a lot more than they can admit.]

Having somebody who's willing to jump in and make the hard decisions is sometimes necessary. [And Bruce knows he can never be the one - he thinks far too much for that.] And you're very good at that.

[Even if she knows it is, it's still nice to hear.]

If this were a paying bar and you liked your drinks harder than water, I'd buy you a round. Thanks.

[As it is, she looks a little more relaxed at least. Talking really does help.]

But you know, [and she's a little more serious now,] you guys will have to manage somehow if something happens to me. It's not good to let everything ride on just one plan. Keep a back up in mind.

...I know.

[Bruce knows very well. Anything can happen in here, now, that much is clear - he's been trying to think of plans in case anything happens but its been a hard week for him. Hopefully soon he can work on them better soon enough.]

We won't be lost, but it'll still be good to have somebody to lead the charge, so to speak.

Exactly. I'll survive as long as I can and maybe I'll even lead us out of here, because that'd be the best for both me and the rest of you, but it never hurts to have someone who can fill in my shoes enough to walk in them.

[They'd never be a perfect fit, of course. But it'd be enough.]

Maybe you should think of grooming a successor, then, should anything happen.

[It's... an idea...?]

Well, my first pick would be you, but you're impulsive in a bad way.

[Says the woman who was literally ready to throw down with no regards to her own safety.

... Though Black had said it was a normal person reaction, so.]

The sharptooth kid was chosen to be a leader back in his world before he got here, so he would be my choice after that. Whoever promoted saw he had what it took and if I had the time to nurture that I'm sure he'd be able to see just what that person meant. [...] I guess I might have plenty of time now.

[Who else... Sigrun tilts her head to the side, running through a list of the people she's more familiar with.]

Wish our mermaid hadn't died. She had the spirit and drive for it, which is why we butted heads. Only problem I could've seen come from her would be too nitpicky about what everyone was doing.

Needs to be someone who's got a fair amount of combat experience in my opinion too, just so that others feel even the least bit safe. Someone who can pretty much get on others' level and talk to them. Understands the responsibility they have but doesn't sweat the things they can't change.

[...]

I don't think I'm gonna find someone who matches up exactly, but I mean, I figure like a handful of you together could make someone as good as me. Just fill in the others' weakness.

[Bruce actually looks... very surprised when Sigurn says that he'd be the first option. Incredibly surprised. As if it was the very last thing he had expected to hear from her.

The surprise quickly fades though at the next part, and as she elaborates more he eventually settles back down to his usual composure.

'Impulsive in a bad way'... that's a nice way to put it, honestly. Its not as if Bruce was actually doing it as some altruistic gesture. But nobody needs to know that.]

I think I'm kind of disqualified from the first point onwards. [He returns, a wry smile on his face, even though he nods to the rest. It all makes logical sense, and Bruce can't disagree with her.] But I think working together is probably the optimal solution, if things come to that. A single leader is helpful in some situations, but in others working together might be the more appropriate choice.

[He brings them together well enough in her opinion. Holds the meetings and helps to keep track of the information. And a medic isn't a bad person to rely on as a second in command, though he threw that chance under the bus.]

Yeah, so, don't sweat it until you cross that bridge. But I'm expecting a great celebration if I get offed somehow, alright? I'll be mad if you guys just sit around like you're doing here for too long.

[Not that she's aiming to die, obviously, and honestly she feels like she's the least likely to be targeted unless someone's desperate enough to try while she's in a bad position... but you know. Nice to have a will planned out.]

[...Bruce is vaguely glad he threw the chance under, because he really doesn't like to be in a position of power and responsibility. It wouldn't end well, generally speaking.]

...we'll do our best. [The loss of a life is never something to be celebrated about, honestly, but... well, he supposes he could frame it as a triumph of her life instead. That helps a bit.] Still, its always much more preferable that nothing happens to you.

[Precisely. A triumph of her life.]

Well duh. And nothing will! At least, not if I can stop it, and I can stop a lot.

[If anything'll be her downfall one of these days it's her confidence.]

It's just like I said. Nice to keep a plan in mind. Just don't try and overthrow me before then, I won't take mercy on mutineers.

[Bruce isn't a stranger to over-confident people, so he can handle part well, at least.]

I doubt you'll have to worry about that any time soon. [Doing that would be pretty damn suicidal, so unless somebody really had a death wish, he's pretty sure that Sigrun is safe enough.]

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now listen good and listen straight, you're not the master of your fate

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