Before week 1 trial - for Akira

[alchemicalwater]

[HEY THERE READY FOR SOME COFFEE?

Because Undine has another fake-bottle. And she also looks concerned.]

Are you going to be alright?

Comments

[purrtagonist]

If.

[nnnn he can't just assume that Terra is going to get caught. that the Players will find him and Erase them just as they did Dahlia. he's too hardheaded for that. he exhales a frustrated breath and tugs his bangs, eyes slipping shut]

We don't. [they're stuck. just as Maya said before] For now, anyway.

[. . .]

Emphasis on "for now."

[. . .?]

[alchemicalwater]

[Maybe, but that sort of wishful thinking is just...that's how people get crushed. She would rather Akira accept that Terra might die now than to push it off with a 'maybe he won't.' That's not good for his heart.]

'For now'? Please don't tell me you have something risky planned.

[purrtagonist]

[his heart can take it, Undine!1]

Nothing immediately risky, no.

[he doesn't have enough information to recklessly buck up against the system into which they've been shoved]

But I have the spark of a plan, and a goal to work towards.

[alchemicalwater]

Is it something you want to share? Or do you want to wait until it's more of a plan?

[purrtagonist]

. . .

Undine, have you ever thought about chasing a promotion?

[alchemicalwater]

A promotion? To conductor, you mean?

[purrtagonist]

Conductor, or even higher.

[just. some position with more influence than he has now. a position in which he can have some say in how games are designed, so he can stop them from being senseless, violent killing sprees]

. . .

I want to know what kind of person the Composer is, first. Before I commit to anything. Max said they're doing this because they truly believe this game is in everyone's best interests, and because they're trying to prove something to. . . someone.

But I want to know if they're trustworthy before I decide whether I agree with them.

[alchemicalwater]

I'm not sure what indiscriminate killing will prove, though. And who is higher than a composer? I thought they were the top boss.

[purrtagonist]

I don't know what it'll prove, either. And you're right-- the Composer is the top boss.

[but the Conductor isn't, and she asked about him being a Conductor, oops]

I don't think there is anything higher than them.

[alchemicalwater]

[Well she thinks he wants to shoot for composer now, with how he's talking.]

Then...becoming a Conductor might be the way to end the game!

[purrtagonist]

Becoming the Composer is the more likely way to end things. Plus. . . the Composer is the only one who can bring back those who were Erased. [like Maya!] That's an ability we'd need, in order to save everyone.

[SURE ISN'T HELPING HER ASSUMPTIONS. she isn't exactly wrong, because he's toyed with the idea, but he wants to learn more about the person behind the Game before he commits. murder still isn't his style, unless it's a shitty god, he guesses]

But I don't know if I want to go that far. Killing the person at the top of the chain to create an open spot for promotion isn't really my style.

[ah]

If I could just climb the ranks, and gain enough influence to be able to change the Composer's mind, then. . .

[and he trails off]

[alchemicalwater]

Maybe that should be our request, then. If we successfully erase someone without getting caught, then we get to talk to the Composer.

[purrtagonist]

[ah. . .]

That's not a bad request, actually.

[BUT, THAT SAID]

I was-- well, I'm not Erasing anyone anytime soon. [firm!] But I asked for one of those partner pins if Terra gets away with it. Something to give to Ichigo, just in case. . . you know.

[alchemicalwater]

Yes, that makes the most sense. I don't want him to get hurt in all of this.

...next time, then. I'll help whoever does it next week, and if we succeed then that's what I'll ask for.

[purrtagonist]

All right.

[this sounds perfectly great with him, because all he's wanted to do from the moment he arrived here was talk to the Composer]

If you can bring a plus one, consider letting me go with you.

[alchemicalwater]

Of course.

[As if she would bring anyone else with her.]

I was just going to ask for the Composer to come to the next reaper meeting, though.

[purrtagonist]

That is an even better idea. I feel like they should be able to spare a bit of time for their employees, don't you?