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]

[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.]