week 2 ( thursday )

[subordinacy]

[Setz didn't want to have this conversation with Jacopo, however much they've needed it. (And no, it's not, WHY THE HELL DID YOU PICK A FIGHT WITH SHINSSIN.) He's never been the best at this sort of confrontation.

But he can't delay it. He has to know now—just where exactly they stand.

And thus, he'll be approaching Jacopo in private, his expression devoid of any anger, but still with an underlying edge.]

We need to talk.

Comments

[subordinacy]

Why are you getting so mad? You don't trust me either!

[grano]

You started it! Every time I've tried to speak to you, you do nothing but deflect. If you want another partner already, just spare me the trouble. Take it up with the Composer, whatever.

[subordinacy]

I never said I wanted another partner! I don't even know what deflection you're talking about!

[grano]

[ the longest groan on earth. ]

What do you want from me!? I can't tell you anything but for Christ's sake, I'm not trying to kill you people!

[subordinacy]

And why can't you tell me anything? I know that there aren't any restrictions imposed on you by the Composer or anything, so you're just choosing not to tell me!

[He takes in a breath, trying to calm himself.]

... I'm not asking out of sheer curiosity. You said you were here to protect the other players—I need to know just how vital your duty is.

[grano]

And how would you know something like that, huh?

[subordinacy]

I asked our host.

[grano]

Pesky little brat.

[ big sigh. ]

I'm not telling you my rules, nor am I telling you what I am. Everything else is fair game.

[subordinacy]

... That gives me next to nothing to work with, you know.

[grano]

Then tell me, Sekruez, what is it.

[subordinacy]

[His voice is getting desperate. Honestly, he should just give up on this and move onto his next option, but...]

You can't tell me at all what your duty does?

[grano]

[ what the fuck is his next option. ]

I make sure the Reapers attempting to Erase you are done away with. I simply happen to have a better chance of identifying them.

[subordinacy]

[wouldn't you like to know.]

... Did our host ever pass on a message to you from me?

[who knows about timing, so.]

[grano]

...

[ he narrows his eyes. ]

What are you trying to pull?

[subordinacy]

Did you receive it or did you not? If he hasn't passed it on yet, go ask him about it right now.

[He crosses his arms.]

I'll wait.

[grano]

[ give it 15 minutes. ]

If you have an accusation, make it now. I've had enough of this nonsense.

[ he's not? seething at all? wow. ]

[subordinacy]

It's not an accusation—it's a test.

[grano]

Stop playing games with me. What are you testing?

[subordinacy]

[He's quiet for a moment, as he debates which is more important: trying to get as accurate results as possible, or not pissing Jacopo off to the extent that he just quits this entire conversation.]

... I asked him to pass on a specific message to you if you had a special duty as a player—unless you were a Reaper, in which case he was to forget it. Obviously, he can't confirm to me whether or not he has done so.

[grano]

I'm at my limit. You either tell me what you think or this conversation ends now.

[subordinacy]

[...

When he speaks, his voice is slow, as if he's thinking over his words as he says them.]

... I want to trust you. And I'm... inclined to think you're telling the truth. [...] However, Clarke and Eleanor put their faith in me to—use what we found as I thought best, without me telling them anything, even though they had every right to suspect a stranger like me and demand it be decided as a group.

I can't afford to disappoint them.

[grano]

Then whatever you think, whatever you choose to believe — you're going to diffuse, aren't you?

[subordinacy]

... Diffuse? What? Listen, can't you just go to the host already? You're not the only one at his limit here, and believe it or not, I actually have less to gain from all this than you do.

[grano]

I can't risk you sharing things with your friends for the sake of what you think is right, Setz. My job comes before your sense of camaraderie.

[ a sigh. ]

I'll tell you what I'm able, so long as a single word about it does not part from your lips. Do you understand?

[subordinacy]

... I just said I didn't tell them anything! I don't plan on sharing anything, either, and they know that. Why do you think I even brought that up in the first place?

Do you really think if I trusted that easily, we'd be having this entire damn conversation?