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

[grano]

Of all the people to get stuck with...

[ he sighs, heavily, running his fingers through his hair. ]

I need a goddamn cigar. Whatever. If this costs me my life then it does. I've served my time. It doesn't matter anymore.

[ tiredly, his eyes flicker to the side. ]

I'm not like you. You're right. I cannot state what I am — I am subject to Erasure if I do. I'm certain you can figure it out, given that you overthink just about anything.

But what I am does not define my purpose in this game. The Reapers attempting to erase the lot of you are my enemies. I have the ability to inspect one person per week. Of course, sometimes I don't have to — when you've lived as long as I have, it's not always difficult to tell. Junko Enoshima. Edogawa Ranpo. Obvious souls.

[ a wave of the hand. ]

I'm in service to someone whose alignment technically benefits your own. That's all of you, by extension.

[subordinacy]

[...]

The Conductor? The Composer? Or someone else?

[grano]

I'm not answering that. I've said enough as it is. I'll be lucky if I make it past tomorrow at this rate. Are we done here?

[subordinacy]

... Well, I suppose you could walk away right now, but it'd be your loss since I actually have something to give you.

[grano]

...What is it.

[subordinacy]

[He takes out his rulebook, before removing a card hidden between the pages. He holds it up for Jacopo to see.]

Do you know what this is?

[It's asked in the sort of tone that suggests Setz knows the answer.]

[grano]

[ the look of confusion on his face is genuine. ]

...I don't.

[subordinacy]

... I found it in the live house, and then asked our host about it.

[He holds it out to Jacopo.]

Take it. It works only once, but if you hold onto it, then you'll be safe from targeted erasure. If someone tries to go after you, they won't be allowed to.

[grano]

...You shouldn't be giving me this.

What if someone goes after you?

[subordinacy]

[Calmly,]

Assuming you're the holder of the card, then I'll be erased and you'll automatically receive a pact pin to ensure your survival for the week.

[grano]

I know that, you idiot!

[subordinacy]

Then I don't understand the question.

[grano]

Why do you value your life so little?

[subordinacy]

[...]

Don't get me wrong. I'd like a second chance, and I'm not going to just stand here and die.

With that said, I don't intend on abandoning the other players here either. And the fact of the matter is, if you have an advantage and I don't, then it makes more sense to ensure your survival so that you can protect everyone here.

[Someone like Jacopo—assuming the truth—would be more useful than someone like Setz, anyway. Isn't that how it's always been?]

[grano]

It runs deeper than that.

The truth is, people can push you around whichever they want and a part of you will always accept it. You let that mutt punch you for something that was far from your fault. You do things you shouldn't for the sake of people you hardly know and are competing with. What happened yesterday clearly devastated you, and yet you didn't utter a word. You think it's fine? I don't.

I've lived enough. Too long, for that matter.

[ he accepts the card, but not before meeting his gaze. ]

I'll keep this for the meantime — but if I feel something looming, it'll be going back into your hands. There are other people here you can trust; other people who will help you. I have notes written, because contrary to popular belief, I am entirely literate. Yeah. Try not to believe everything the brat says.

[subordinacy]

... Do you have to keep calling him a mutt?

[He supposes that that proves Jacopo's point entirely, that Setz will still stand up for him even after realizing that Shinssin might think nothing of him after all, but.

It's uncomfortable to hear, and he almost looks away, because he knows Jacopo is right. (The talk of living too long doesn't help either, reminding him a little too much of Navarus—even if Jacopo is nothing like the man.)

He blinks at the revelation that Jacopo is in fact literate, though to be honest, he'd pushed Jacopo's supposed illiteracy to the back of his mind in the midst of everything else that was going on.]

That's convenient.

[grano]

I call it as I see it.

[ anyways. ]

How did you learn of the Conductor?

[subordinacy]

He's a person, not a dog.

[He has to say that.]

Live house again. We found a report that talked about how conflicts between them, the Composer's representative, and the Composer are common... and frequently resolved through Games. [...] And that if that report was talking about our Game, then that's exactly what this is.

[grano]

[ there's a sigh. he rubs the bruise on his face before turning to leave. ]

I need a drink. Meet me at McDonald's later if you intend on sleeping. And start listening to the things I say from here on.

[subordinacy]

[Aren't you glad the live house Setz got his face clawed for has alcohol, Jacopo?]

... It's not like I'm actively trying not listen to you, you know...

[grano]

Are you sure about that?

[ sure, jan. he's leaving, he swears. ]

[subordinacy]

[... Not sure to be relieved or not that even after that entire conversation, Jacopo is still a pain.]