[ch. 3] post-execution, w/ evan

[asswipe]

[...

There isn't really any bracket text distraught enough to describe how Veronica feels right now.

Evan will find her carrying two bottles of liquor, presumably pilfered from the kitchen so she can get drunk elsewhere. She's obviously been crying, and she doesn't bother to conceal this fact when she spots him.

After a beat:]

... I'm going to the earth suite if you want to join me.

[She's emo.]

Comments

[asswipe]

Oh.

[Well. That gets her to put down the alcohol. The last example of rule breaking they saw is still, uh, fresh in their memories since it happened this morning, but Veronica manages to swallow down the bile in her throat long enough to answer.]

I... Right. Your objective is to get three people to break a rule. I can help you with that, sure.

[selfinserting]

[This sure is good timing! But he reads her expression, and continues with something else.]

Varian said... For Stephanie, it was only so bad because it wasn't the first time someone broke that rule. If we pick something that nobody has tried before, then we should be... better off, at least. Natsuo only got put in the stocks the first time.

[Also:]

I talked to the Crafters, and they said that the consequences wouldn't be, um, as severe as they would have otherwise. Since it had to, to do with my objective.

[asswipe]

[It's a good thing he read her expression, because that does get her to relax. Just a little.]

... That's good to know. [It's going to be unpleasant, but not as unpleasant as it could be.] How, um... How do you want me to do this?

[selfinserting]

I was thinking... The last time I wanted to talk to one of them, a door just appeared on it's own. So maybe, if we thought about wanting to go in, the door would appear, and we could try to break it down? That would count, right...?

[asswipe]

I... I guess so. [Trying to break in would definitely be breaking the rules, sure, but she frowns.] When you say "we", who are you referring to?

[selfinserting]

...The four of us. Me, you, and the other two people I'm thinking of.

[He says this like it's obvious.]

[asswipe]

[...]

Evan, you don't count for your own objective.

[selfinserting]

[Quickly, he shakes his head.]

I'm not... asking you all to do something I'm not willing to do myself.

[asswipe]

... As noble as that is, you don't know if the "lighter" consequences apply to you, too. You really don't have to come with us.

[selfinserting]

I know I don't have to.

[He takes a breath.]

[asswipe]

Then don't and stay safe, seriously.

[selfinserting]

I don't have to, but - I'm, I'm going to. Okay?

[asswipe]

But why? We don't know what the punishment is going to be, Evan. You shouldn't put yourself at risk out of some sense of morality.

[selfinserting]

Because I'm not just going to stand there and watch all of you do it, okay?

[asswipe]

[EVAN... There's a twist to her lips like she wants to keep arguing, but. She doesn't.]

Fine. [More or less spitting that out. This isn't over. :/] But if I'm letting you do this, I want a favor from you, too.

[selfinserting]

...Okay. What's the favor?

[asswipe]

I need help with my second objective.

[which, okay. however—]

But... If I tell you what my new objective is, you're going to guess my title right away. So— [...] I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours?

[selfinserting]

[He pauses to think about it for a moment, then nods.]

Go for it. I'll tell you mine.

[asswipe]

I'm... [A pause, and she sighs. A little bitterly:] I'm the Snow Queen.

[Which is Fun, truly.]

... I'm assuming you're Peter Pan from your objective, but I'm probably wrong.

[selfinserting]

[He pauses, then shakes his head.]

...No, you're not wrong.

[But also, that's. Concerning.]

[asswipe]

A hero, then.

[She was lowkey hoping for another villain, considering how badly they need to watch each other's back... but. Okay. She nods.]

I, um... There's going to be a patch of ice in the kitchen tomorrow. [A beat. And she cringes.] I... I need you to slip and hit yourself hard enough to bruise. You don't have to do it if you don't want to, but...

[selfinserting]

Oh.

[There's barely a moment of hesitation before he nods.]

Yeah, sure. Of course.

[asswipe]

[...]

—Wait, what. Really?

[selfinserting]

[He blinks.]

Um, yeah. Why not...?

[asswipe]

Because I'm asking you to injure yourself on purpose?