Week 5; Wednesday

[ruffboi]

[They have a night to think on their plan of action, after speaking to Setz. And the plan of action they decide on is the same one they recklessly considered - find Newt, talk to him, ???, punch?

So Wednesday afternoon, before the mission, they track him down.]

Comments

[completelycrazy]

[He gives Magnus a nod.] Yeah, that's what I'm saying.

[But... Taako. Hm. His eyes drop as he considers it all, but then they flick up toward the phone again. Goddammit.]

Let's get one thing straight: Hermann had nothing to do with it. I told him after the investigation. That's what the fight was about.

[He gives both of them a very pointed look. Please, understand what he's getting at here.]

So, sure, I killed Jacopo. I did it because I thought it was the right thing to do, but, well, you said it yourself. It was a mistake. I'm trying to make up for it best I can, but that's going to be hard to do if no one trusts me because you out me like this. Izaya gave me the recording because he thought I was useful. He said it was a shame to lose Caren, but losing both Hermann and I would be a greater loss to the game. He also said that Jacopo had been working against the truce, and that things would likely go a lot more smoothly with him out of the picture.

[A beat.]

And I will give you the name of the other Reaper in the interest in open communication. But I won't do it while you're recording. I think there's still Players who believe killing them all is the thing to do. I'm not putting he--them in danger.

[ruffboi]

[Magnus let's him finish talking, but his expression has gone hard as Newt speaks. Once he finishes, though, he takes the phone, turns off the recording, and flashes the screen to Newt to confirm for him it's not on - and then once he's done that, he hands the phone to Taako.]

So what you're saying is, you don't think we're players who want to kill Reapers. And you're sure about that? You're sure you trust us? You'd bet her life on it? Or maybe you'd rather bet her life than bet yours.

[He's looming, dangerous, like he's going to strike him again, but then he deflates. Taako has a point, after all.]

Or maybe you just wanted to trust us. We already know who she is. I just wanted to know if they can trust you.

[chaoticlootral]

[God Izaya. Even in death, a Masterful Troll. Iconic, honestly.

Taking the phone, and off it disappears into whatever one of Taako’s pockets isn’t currently full of whatever sauces he’s managed to collect this week. Alright boys, he’s sorry he ruined Good Fun Punching Time but there is actually work to be done.]

We’re trying to do something about that - Players who think Killing them all is the only thing to do - by the way.

[completelycrazy]

[Newt visibly relaxes as Magnus puts the phone away. Okay, now they're actually talking.]

Yeah, I trust you. You have the phone, after all, and you're pissed off about Jacopo. That's enough for me. But, um, glad we're on the same page.

[Sort of. He hesitates again.]

And... That was bullshit, by the way. I think you know already, but Hermann helped me. I killed him in the end, yeah, but... [He sighs.] Keep that to yourselves, okay? Please. If you do want to use all this against me and out me to everyone, fine. I guess I can't stop you. But Hermann needs to see this thing through to the end. Our world depends on it.

[Aaanyway. Yeah, there's work to be done.]

Whatever you're up to, I'm in. I, uh, have a feeling I'm not going to be around for much longer, but I've been trying to learn more about the Composer. I've got some things in the works.

[ruffboi]

You get that if you get executed, he goes down, too, right? And that might be what happens this week. If there's only one murder to solve, and the person we have to execute is one of those two, then - well, whether we out you or not, enough people know the truth by now that there will be options. And - I'm not saying you deserve it, even. But the Ducks are kids.

[...After a second.]

That's their name now, by the way. The Mighty Ducks. And the other team, the one Jacopo and Izaya were on, are the Bad News Bears. I don't know if being friendly with the Bears means you're looking out for the Ducks, but the Bears aren't bad.

[chaoticlootral]

Yeah, I’d say that much was pretty obvious. You aren’t like the only dudes with world saving missions though, homie? That’s the whole point of trying to bring back all the Erased. Don’t think it even matters if your deal is like, I really gotta get back to life so I can finish delivering this order of Big Mac sauce, still going to work for it.

[Not really snappish or anything, just. This is the same kinda thing he told Noctis, and he still believes it.]

We do too, if you want to, uh, check-in later. But. Uh. [He twiddles his thumbs, clearly thinking.] Magnus is right. Can’t know for sure, but we probably aren’t the only ones talking. And if you’re serious about helping. [Well.]

[completelycrazy]

[Newt is quiet for a long moment.]

You're asking me to throw myself under the bus so you all have someone to vote for this week.

[He lets out a breath, shaking his head.]

I can't do that.

[ruffboi]

I mean, that's fair!

[Like, what are you going to do. It's not exactly a no big deal kind of request.]

It may not wind up being exactly up to you, but I get it. Look, I know I hit you, but if I'd gotten that same clue, and I hadn't been talking to Monika and Jacopo, I might've done the same thing you did.

What about the Get Out of Jail Free card? That was yours, right?

[chaoticlootral]

Just asking, homie.

[I mean, Taako’s okay with that. He gets it? He kind of expected a no on that one.]

[completelycrazy]

Maybe not, but voting for me would be shooting yourselves in the foot. You'd be losing both me and Hermann. I think we've proven ourselves in terms of usefulness when it comes to the investigations and trials. There... I don't like the idea of voting for someone innocent, but we need to maximize our chances of winning this thing.

[He at least has the decency to know how that sounds, but he stands by his point.]

...What Get Out of Jail Free card? Like a pin or something?