disilluded | week 0, wednesday morning

[...?]

Do you require shadows or darkness to use an ability of yours?

[...it doesn't work here, so maybe it's not that big of a deal to confirm it.]

Both. There's something wrong with the castle. I'm trying to find out if there's a way around that. [He doesn't explicitly say so, but he's mostly trying to see if there's somewhere in the castle magic isn't blocked.]

... With magic, I assume?

[What else could you need the shadows of a suit of armor for?]

Yes. [But by this point he'll crawl his way out of the armor so he can stand in front of Sousei. The man's about four inches taller than Nico is, but he's also used to having tall friends. He doesn't look too bothered at least, though troubled by the lack of working magic.]

There are certain things that should always be working, but since we arrived here they haven't been. Usually that means even bigger trouble's out there.

That is rather ominous.

[wow thanks he doesn't like it!!]

Your magic is not working at all, then, for certain?

Nothing. Usually I can--[He pauses. Maybe he doesn't need to go into detail. The pause is very brief though and he presses on.]--do all kinds of stuff but everything feels like it's been turned off. I haven't found a lot of people here who have powers, too, so I can't really compare what's happening.

[... "Do all kinds of stuff".]

I suspect it is the case for everyone here who has some sort of magical capability. They may simply be keeping it to themselves so as to seem less strange, or stand out less.

This entire castle is plainly magic, and it is logical that they would not want another's magic to undermine what they are trying to do here.

Where I'm from, it's easier not to tell people because most of the mortal world can't really understand it. It's safer that way. But I didn't think we would end up somewhere where all kinds of magic were blocked off.

But maybe they thought it would be cheating if they really do want us to kill each other. [That's cheerful, Nico.]

[It's so cheerful but also pretty much what he was thinking too.

A sigh.]

I imagine so. "Level the playing field"--I imagine that is part of the thought process here.

[Even though it didn't really level things at all???]

Then they didn't think this through. What about the people that might be at an even greater risk now because the only way to defend themselves doesn't exist anymore?

[There's a pause though because he seems to recall something and he frowns slightly.] ...what do you think of their war?

[He thinks they're full of shit.]

I believe there is no reason to trust them. [FULL!! OF!! SHIT!!] Nor are their reasons particularly inspiring.

When it comes to fighting other people's wars I don't think there are many reasons that could be inspiring. [He lets his hand move to adjust something on the armor he just left.] I wouldn't place my trust in them either, but I don't think they're the only ones we should be worried about. The idea of death scares people. The idea of killing people will make it even worse.

You mean to say that you are worried that people will listen to them.

[A beat, and:]

I agree. Particularly with rewards and punishments in the balance. [He heard the way they were talking to everyone, okay.]

It is only a matter of time before someone breaks.

Yes sir. [He has a lot of concerns, truthfully, because he's seen what war does to people and how crazy some people get when there's the promise of rewards and glory.]

...some deaths can't and shouldn't be prevented, really. [He's a little unsure about saying this given they're in a murder game, but at the same time those words have sat with him even six months after the end of the Giant War.] But I don't think it should be for rewards we don't know the real value of. It's been a couple of days. Has anyone asked them about the rewards for killing?

[Hm...]

If they do, I highly doubt it would be done in public. I've only heard the punishments.

[Of the "don't you love your world?" variety.]

Asking about rewards for murdering another person would rightfully make you an immediate suspect.

It would. But at the same time it might be worth knowing if it really is worth pursuing or not. What if...it was a reward like getting to go home? Some people might take that.

[He's not doing himself any favors by having this conversation, but he kind of needs to have this conversation with someone. Sorry, Sousei.]

[It's okay, he's not judging. This conversation is Happening and he understands that Nico is working his way through some things here.]

Indeed. I imagine there are a lot of rewards they could offer that would cause people to kill.

They do not even have to necessarily be able to truly grant them, if people believe they can.

Then how do you get people to believe you over someone else like those women? They're in a position of power and know more than we do. They also seem to know more about us than they should. They would know what kind of rewards to offer if they needed to.

[...strangely, the whole thing is making him think of the couple of times he screwed up with the hopes of a reward. It's why he's trying to think of how to prevent this early.]

[.... Well. It's a fair question.]

In truth, the answer is simple in concept and difficult in practice.

[He'll offer it up straightforwardly, at least.]

We must gain the trust of the others around us. We must bond together, and become a force that has the same goal--to get out of this alive, with all of us together. To the extent that that is of more value than any reward that could be offered.

That is what must be done.

[But it's...definitely easier said than done.]

[A discontent frown.] You mean getting everyone to work together. It's difficult but I wouldn't call it entirely possible so long as everyone agreed on what the common goal is.

But even then there will always be people who won't. [Personally, he's just now learning how to really do things with groups and sometimes he still doesn't like it.] Bonding means getting to know each other better and predict who may or may not go after a reward. Or respond to a threat.

How many people have you spoken to like this since we've arrived? [One on on, he means.]

[Sousei just shakes his head, arms crossed.]

I haven't been seeking anyone out in particular.

[He's not a social soul!!!

~~Also I'm sorry Ty you know he's a lying liar~~.]

Though with this in mind, perhaps I should.

It probably wouldn't hurt. If they really gave all of us titles and we're all promised rewards for them, that's thirty-eight people who might be trouble.

... That is what they wish for us to think, certainly. To be paranoid of each other, and doubt the others here.

As soon as the first person dies, it'll be enough proof for some people that they have a reason to doubt the people here. Counsels rarely end amicably.

[...trials. He means trials, but whatever.]

[He understands, at least, and.

Yeah.

He agrees.]

When one person crumbles, the situation will easily spiral out of hand.

That will be practically impossible to prevent.

But...not entirely impossible, right? There has to be a way to keep some stuff in order and organized when everything starts to fall apart. Sir, if this is a war, then we have to start thinking of the most strategic ways to combat what our hosts are doing.

Nothing is impossible.

[He says that much immediately and easily, even as he shakes his head.]

There will be ways. Finding someone everyone can trust and listen to would be a good start. They can lead the effort, regardless of their own alignment. Getting to know people, and their beliefs and hopes and dreams would be another good way to figure things out as they come.

But those are merely stopgap measures. To truly end this situation, we have to understand the ins and outs of this "game". Only by understanding it will we be able to take it apart.

Which means playing along until we learn everything and can share it with everyone else who's playing. It's a game of balance more than anything. Not about good and evil, but giving in and resisting.

...we can try though. I'm willing if other people are.

Being willing is the first step towards succeeding.

[So really, he thinks that's great.]

Most of all, we must not give in to despair, and we must not give up hope.

[A long....long pause.]

I might not be the best person for that, truthfully, but I can probably find you people who are good at it.

[...Hm.]

Do you not believe in your ability to hold onto hope...? Or are you simply prone to despair?

I...[Well?] Both, maybe. What's it matter if I know that?

[... Hm.]

It does not necessarily matter, no. "Know", though... is it not simply "believe"?

No. [...well.] I believe maybe hope can occur, but I know misery is more likely. Does that make sense?

There is nothing to be ashamed about for being a cynic.

[Quite frankly...]

I have people who would tell me otherwise. [A half-smile.] But we'll see, won't we?

[He looks away.] Maybe I'll be proven wrong.

Perhaps.

[They have no way of knowing, but Sousei suspects, unfortunately, that Nico is not going to be proven wrong at all.]

We shall see indeed.

[A nod. And a pause.]

...I've heard the doors are open downstairs. People keep coming back to the castle and leaving again. Are you going to go?

Yes.

If there is even a slight possibility of finding a way out, I must try.

[He's at least consistent!]

Then let's get going. [He'll even walk out of the armory first like Sousei didn't catch him in the first place. Come along, Sousei, let's head off and out.]

week 0, wednesday morning

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