week 4 ( monday )

[subordinacy]

[It's a bright new week (and by that I mean it's probably been an awkward start to the week for two certain plotters), and Setz is peering curiously at Worth Every Penne, because finally! A place to eat that isn't McDonald's again! But he's taking a look before he heads inside.

Yo, Akira.]

Comments

[subordinacy]

... And why is it called a Maid Cafe...?

[purrtagonist]

[oh sweet innocent Setz]

Because all the servers are dressed as maids and butlers.

[. . .]

It's-- a niche. . . thing.

[shut up Akira you totally have gone to a maid cafe before]

[subordinacy]

... Weird, but okay.

[??? as nobility who had actual maids and butlers, he doesn't see the appeal, but whatever.]

[purrtagonist]

[Jan you weren't lying Setz really is pure]

[ANYWAY, TO THE MAID CAFE!! which Akira will pay for, too. enjoy your pancakes when they get there, Setz. at least it isn't burgers]

[subordinacy]

[yeah see

Anyhow, when they get there, Setz also doesn't bat an eye at being called "Master", which might tell Akira something (... though it does kind of weird him out, seeing as how these actually aren't his servants, but).

THANK GOD, NO GARLIC. And it's still something besides McDonald's!!]

[purrtagonist]

[Akira doesn't bat an eye either, and that's also. . . probably pretty telling. . . but maybe not in a way Setz would first think]

[well, anyway! they have a nice table at the maid cafe now, out of the way of most of the shadow patrons, and pancakes on the way]

You know, now that we're here? I want to share some things I learned today with you.

[subordinacy]

[how many maid cafes have you gone to, akira]

... What are they?

[purrtagonist]

[too many, and also his homeroom teacher was his maid for a while. . . don't. ask]

I met the Composer today.

[oh]

[subordinacy]

[...]

What?

[purrtagonist]

I met with the Composer today. I sent two formal requests for a meeting-- one last week, and one the week before-- and today. . .

She finally granted my request.

[subordinacy]

... And... what can you say about your meeting?

[purrtagonist]

I can tell you that if you want to meet with her, you should send a formal request, too. There's a good chance she'll grant it.

[dragging his finger along the edges of whatever glass of drink he ordered, idk. probably water]

But these are the things she told me that really stand out.

[he holds up two things]

The first: communication is very important for this Game's success.

And the second: we'll have a better chance at achieving what we want the longer the Game goes on. As an example. . . she told me that Max said people are judged based on the actions they take within the Game. The outcome would be different if everyone is judged at the end of this week, versus the end of week eight.

Which is still bullshit, but you catch my drift. It lends. . . credibility, to the conclusion I drew about reaching the time limit.

[provided Composer-san wasn't like, lying]

[subordinacy]

... When I asked Max, he said—though speaking as a neutral party—that for the result I wanted, the letter was a good idea. So that supports the idea that communication is important here...

[...]

Though you saw how people reacted.

[purrtagonist]

. . . yeah. I did.

[KIIIIND OF DISHEARTENING]

I even told them to confirm details with Max. I couldn't get any more explicit than that.

[subordinacy]

... A few of them seem to be trying, at least. [Magnus, Lenka.] And I could tell Ichigo was trying to help, so that was one upside to you telling him about everything...

I can't blame people for being suspicious, but we're at a standstill as long as they doubt our intentions.

[purrtagonist]

We need to find a way to let them know we're sincere, if they won't go to Max for confirmation.

[. . .]

. . . I asked the Composer if I could have permission to out myself and make arguments for what I believed to be the right course of action, if I had to. She said yes, but. . .

Only if I had no other choice.

[subordinacy]

Someone suggested writing back to... well, I assume they meant to the letter writer. [Aka Setz.] Maybe if we have a discussion in that way, it'll help a little.

[Though there's only so much sincerity that can be conveyed while remaining anonymous.]

... If it comes down to that, it'd be safer if I outed myself, I think. I have no role—no reason for anyone to be angry with me—and if they don't believe that... at least with Chuuya, who's the most openly suspicious of us, I have some proof backing that up.

[Proof that Setz isn't a Reaper, that is.

Of course, they're inevitably going to want to know what his source is, which is the other issue.]

[purrtagonist]

Encourage them to write back. I'm willing to explain myself, if they won't ask Max.

[although Setz is right, the more they write the easier it'll be for their identities to be discerned]

. . . while it's true you're probably in a safer position to reveal yourself than I am, I--

[mmmm]

I don't want you to put yourself in danger with the other Players for my sake, Setz.

[subordinacy]

I'm not sure how much I can push without making it obvious. I'm pretending to be neutral, for the most part...

[...]

If it comes down to it— ... even if just to protect himself, I doubt my partner would let me be seriously harmed. [It's said a bit wryly.] And you saw Jacopo at Junko's trial. He's not an easy man to defy.

[purrtagonist]

Mmm. That'll make your words more believable than mine.

[an ~obviously incredibly dangerous and bloodthirsty Reaper~ amirite, god he's so tired, he thought he escaped these kinds of rumors back home]

. . . and it's good to know, at least, that your partner will have your back. I don't want anything bad to happen to you.

[subordinacy]

Related to that—for your meeting, if I happen to come up at all... I've already made it clear to my tie—to the other Reapers, that is—that I'm not on anyone's side here. So... reiterate that if you have to.

[It's not about loyalty to anyone, as it is dedication to their common goal: an ideal ending for everyone.]

If worse comes to worst, I can look after myself. I'd rather not depend on him too much—I already owe him a lot.

[purrtagonist]

[honestly, that's how things should be, in Akira's mind]

Nobody needs to be on anyone's side. That isn't how we extend this game to the time limit. That's going to require cooperation.

[a breath, and a nod]

But if you do come up during the meeting, I'll reiterate that for them.

[subordinacy]

Let's hope the other Reapers understand. I think I cleared up any misunderstandings on my end, but we'll see.

[purrtagonist]

[a pause]

What sort of misunderstandings?

[he isn't asking for details, he just. wants to make sure he didn't accidentally ruin anything between Setz and his trusted people by, you know. being a Reaper and simultaneously barging into an alliance with Setz]

[subordinacy]

[... He doesn't really want to say, but—]

They were under the impression I trusted you more than them. Again, I just... had to make it clear to them that that wasn't the case.