6/16: nico

[randori]

[ The moment votes were cast, Natsuo had left. He didn't want to hear the results. He didn't want to be a part of it at all. So he picked himself off and left— slow, staggering, blood seeping through the bandages around his stomach that dots a trail from the garden back inside the castle.

He probably wouldn't be able to get very far, but the path he takes is directly up the stairs to his room, and he can be intercepted at any point between the garden and there. ]

Comments

[resumed]

[A slow nod.] Sousei and I were sort of speaking about the same thing. Getting people to follow someone's lead to try and stop this game. But we don't know each other well enough yet to appoint a leader who's going to keep all of us safe.

The idea's not a bad one though. We have to take care of ourselves, first, and then work on teamwork. [And there's another pointed look at Natsuo's wounds. Just saying, bro.]

[randori]

[ Teamwork and leadership could not have prevented this wound. Natsuo doesn't think it's as hard as Nico's making it out to be too; with all Natsuo's proclamations about protecting people and fighting for their stead, this is a topic that's naturally come up a handful of times, so he has a solution ready to propose: ]

What do you think about a competition? Strongest person's appointed leader— that's how we always did it.

[ When you're a middle/high school delinquent, that's really all that mattered, though. Pure, physical strength. ]

[resumed]

[Teamwork is hard, Natsuo. It's hard and no one understands.]

...a competition? [Oh no.] That's not really such a bad idea. It would at least outline everybody's strengths for us so we know who can help where.

[randori]

[ Teamwork is easy if everybody just shuts up and does what he says! But unfortunately, not many agree to the idea as Natsuo would like. ]

That's the sorta thing people should say upfront, what they can help with. I'm talking about who's the strongest- the one person nobody would speak back against, 'cause everybody loves and respects and fears 'em!

[resumed]

[...squinting.] Wouldn't that be kind of the same thing as bullying people into listening?

[randori]

Nuh uh, 'cause they're still choosing to follow that person.

[ It's coercion, thinly disguised as choice. ] How else would you do it?

[resumed]

Usually based on how many years of experience someone has, or sometimes how many successful quests they've led? In this place...I'm not sure. There are too many unpredictable people.

[randori]

I dunno about quests, but I have ten years on me. Probably the one with most experience is Fane? He's so old, he's dead.

[resumed]

[Hm.] I'm not sure that's really how that works, but you have a point. But ten years of doing what?

[randori]

Fighting, and stuff? But mostly I just watched fights when I was a kid. They were scary!

[ He was six or something idk his childhood was messed up ]

[resumed]

[Natsuo.......]

...guess you fit right in here. [He looks at the castle, seemingly thinking of something.] Think you'll be okay from here?

[randori]

I'll be okay! I'm made to survive, after all!

[ Surviving this long is a miracle and he'll keep at it. ]

I'll talk to you later, then?

[resumed]

Sounds good. I'll catch up with you later. [And just like that he turns to disappear.]