peacetalks | [reverie

Is that how it is, then?

[nnghgguughhh]

Hear me out?

I am listening.

I proposed the idea to Bugbear because I'm trying to find a way to gain as much from this situation as possible, okay? Half of us are getting punished either way. But, if more than four people are protected, then the Warden herself has to make the pick. It'll reveal her biases - maybe a hint of what she wants from us. What she's looking for.

Under the assumption that she also wants to disincentivise total cooperation to prevent us from banding together, then the next best outcome is for everyone to be protected except one block.

[aymeric listens, and with a self-deprecating chuckle, he sits down on the sofa next to roy]

Aye, a sacrificial karakul, as it were.

[A what...]

And before you suggest anyone else, every person in Bugbear already agreed. I told'em they could veto the plan and it'd be off the table.

[another humorless chuckle]

You're far more organized than we are, it seems. We had been contemplating the very same thing, with the caveat that most of Cerberus request a transfer to another team and leave only one or two behind to receive the punishment. We all agreed to take some time to think on it first, and I wanted to speak with Estinien on the matter before, but... this does complicate matters.

We here at Bugbear are committed to our delinquency.

Reim had the idea of purchasing Priestress cards for us, with the Echidna tokens. He's covering Break, Vincent, me, and I've got Vicious.

Who knows whether it'd work at all. I mean, it's a get-out-of-pain-free pass from the Warden's own store.

'Twould rather defeat the purpose of the exercise. And who knows if a request for a transfer to another team would be allowed at this point in time? 'Tis difficult to say. Still...

[...]

I should very much like to talk you out of this scheme, but it would only make me a hypocrite.

A little! ...But I know you don't wanna see Estinien in the line of fire.

[Roy breathes in deep.]

He doesn't wanna see you hurt either. And neither do I.

I would spare him and Megumi in a heart's beat if I could--after all they have been through, all they have suffered... 'tis unfair that they should endure even more, when they do not need to. To say naught of Master Moon, and Master Minato, who possess kind and gentle souls. I would protect them too, if I could. I would protect you, and Master Break, as well. I would protect everyone, if I thought I could do it.

[his grip on his tea mug tightens, nails dragging against porcelain]

Yet the best thing for me to do is to protect myself, instead.

I don't feel much better 'bout this. Vicious and Break both... mean a lot to me. And they're going down with the ship that I'm sailing. Because it was my idea... it was the best plan I could come up with without screwing other people over.

What kind of terrible boyfriend am I?

At least as terrible as I, who cannot protect those I cherish. What good is a knight without the strength to fulfill his oaths?

... I will convey what you've told me to the rest of Cerberus. I do not know if it will change our minds, however.

It has to.

Look, we're lying to the other blocks to tell them we're already protected. I know that if Bugbear's too open about our plan, it'll put a target on our backs in the future. But I didn't want to lie to you, Aymeric! I didn't wanna give you some kinda false hope and betray that.

I didn't do it so you could protect us anyway!

We had already been leaning towards protecting Kraken. If you wish, I shall swear to you that we'll not protect Bugbear. You're protecting Phoenix, are you not?

Sphinx. If no one screws anyone over, the plan is we protect Sphinx, Sphinx protects Yatagarasaur, they protect Tsuchigumo, who protect Phoenix, who's "pretending" to protect us.

... and Phoenix did so readily agree to let you follow through with your plan?

...I don't think it was an easy decision. Reim's basically married to Break, and Vincent is Elliot's brother.

... I see.

[gets quiet]

[ :( ]

Yeah, this all sucks.

Pray consider what I have told you about the team transfer. If you might be able to convince others--such as Master Break or Master Vicious--to try it... there is always a chance it will succeed, and fewer made to suffer.

...I'll try. I doubt they'd want to, but I'll try.

The fewer of you who must suffer, the better. Though, I...

[without even thinking of it, his clawed hand comes up to touch roy's cheek]

... I dearly wish it were not you.

[Roy goes still with surprise, eyes widening. His lips part to speak, but whatever words he'd like to say evaporate before they can leave his tongue.

It's nice, being touched by Aymeric like this. He wishes he were Estinien, or someone worthy of being looked at with such fondness. If he closes his eyes for a second, he can almost pretend.]

I...

[lowers his hand, his eyes crinkling--both fond and sad]

Forgive me, I know 'tis selfish... I am simply...

[sighs]

You have become someone precious to me.

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