6/24: Steph

[randori]

[ He'd shouted a lot during the day, waking up and shouting himself hoarse and wanting to cry about everything that had happened. Nothing had turned out how he'd wanted— he was so sure it would, but it didn't, and now he's left behind to sort things out. Still alive.

There are things he can sort out by himself late at night, but there are things he needs people for- longs to be with people after not having that chance. Later in the evening, after dinner when people are fed and ready to wind down for the night, he goes to find her. ]

...Tell me about what happened. All of it. What went wrong, and what I can do to change that next time.

Comments

[vigilantics]

[ she isn't that surprised that he came to her considering she told him that he died in the first place. stephanie just nods quietly, before pointing to some conveniently located chairs so that they can chat without her dying. ]

They went after you because you were partnerless, like I said. Sandalphon and Francis were planning to revive you after the trial, since that's what his ability allowed. They weren't even completely sure that it would work because he didn't have the exact explanations for it.

[randori]

[ He turns the chair around so that he can sit on it backwards, crossing his arms and leaning on the headrest while he talks, a little barrier between the two of them but also something he can rest his weight on. ]

So... what, my life was a gamble?

[ While the explanation makes sense on a surface level, the fact that he wasn't sure, it still hurts a little. ]

[vigilantics]

I think it was less of a gamble and more that he wasn't sure that the Crafters wouldn't pull some trick on everyone.

[ which she understands, especially after all of the nonsense with the well. ]

[randori]

They wouldn't lie like that. If they lie, nobody will play their game.

[ And that would be a very bad thing. Honestly, it's surprising that they've been playing it for so long, but as far as he can see it, the only reason people go through with every thing every week is because of some trust they have in the Crafters, be it a promise or a threat, there is the utmost trust that it will be followed through on. They wouldn't compromise that. ]

[vigilantics]

Well, think about it. Being able to revive one person is kind of... it's a major leap from the other abilities that we know about. I don't entirely blame him for being not completely certain, but I also don't blame you for being mad at them taking a chance on just a maybe.

[ she probably would be mad too. ]

[randori]

[ He only knows a couple other abilities and bringing somebody back to life is definitely several steps up to some of the others. There are others that are amazing too; Dave's, for instance, could have been a game-changer, but that doesn't matter anymore. ]

You said one time, though. Maybe that's the limiter that makes it a little fairer. And I'm not mad, I'm just... I wish they'd told me, you know?

[vigilantics]

That actually got brought up in the trial. Apparently it won't count as the required kill if you're in on it, because someone who agrees to it at all apparently isn't getting murdered.

[randori]

It's still murder if they know about it! Any death is murder! Who said that?! Dragon? Tiger??

[ He's going to have a word with them on the definition of murder, thanks. ]

[vigilantics]

Oh, I agree, it's complete crap. It was probably a decision made by the both of them though.

[ since this is both of theirs game, so the rules are probably made by the two of them. ]

... do you want to know about anything else specifically?

[randori]

Yeah, I do!

[ He sits up a little straighter, unfolding his arms so he can grip the top of the seat instead. ]

Who let you out of bed like that?! When I got stabbed, I stayed in bed for ONE WHOLE DAY, like a good patient! I was pulling you to the ground more than you were helping me up back there!!

[vigilantics]

[ is... is the guy who accidentally killed himself via dropping a chandelier on himself lecturing her on safety. ]

I. Uh. Another question?

[randori]

[ yes because it was an ACCIDENT, and he stayed dead for two whole days like a good patient and that's more than Steph can say ]

You have a grappling hook! You can punch somebody in the face with claws!! How do you even get like that??!

[vigilantics]

Um. To be fair to me, I did try the grappling hook thing and it did not go well?

[ she got stabbed in the side and, let me tell you, it was not a knife that did that. ]

[randori]

...Did somebody take your grappling hook and mess you up with it?

[ I'm trying to imagine what happened and I can't, how do you lose with a grappling hook ]

[vigilantics]

I... shot it and then a monster kind of hit it back to me and I got stabbed with my grappling hook?

[ it's mostly mumbled, like she really does not want to admit this. ]

[randori]

[ When Natsuo of all people gives you this look, you know you fucked up.

He doesn't say anything. Please prove him wrong that you're not a complete disaster, Steph. ]

[vigilantics]

[ THIS IS EXACTLY WHY SHE HASN'T TOLD ANYONE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN THE WOODS. THIS RIGHT HERE. ]

It was a really strong monster?

[randori]

[ Mmhmm. Yeah. Okay. ]

Tell me where, and I'll go beat it up for you.

[vigilantics]

I don't think you'll be able to find it on purpose. The woods are pretty big and it'll be easy to get lost.

[ natsuo you have been alive for like ten seconds. don't. ]

[randori]

But you found it! What were you looking for? Something important, right? Did you find it?

[ You weren't just... taking an idle stroll in the middle of the woods, were you, Steph? ]

[vigilantics]

We got attacked before we could get to it, and then a phoenix showed up and brought us to the castle.

[ yeah. ]

[randori]

[ hm ]

I've got a sword- I could fight off the phoenix too. What was out there?

[vigilantics]

... first I will kindly ask you to not fight the phoenix. He did nothing wrong.

[randori]

...Okay. [ He just dropped both of you from 50 feet in the air or something, but, fair. ]

So you'll tell me?

[vigilantics]

[ the phoenix did some things wrong, but she's also not dead, so she can appreciate it. ]

You'll probably find a different monster.