Camp: private conversations

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Respond here for a private conversation with Red! All comment threads are screened.

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[le_mat]

I want to... not ask you something since I know you probably can't answer anyway. And... I'm too tired to fight again.

[His voice DOES sound a little slurred - but it's not completely exhausted. As much as it is his mouth starting to numb a little]

More just... bounce something off you? We were all talking yesterday, and Kirijo-san said that you told her that, hm, the people you work under haven't been able to cure what's happening to T- ... to everyone that's died? What's happening to us now? Is that right?

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[Ah, so he's losing that sense. That makes Red pause for a moment before she keeps filing, even moreso than his question does.

And certain conversations happen before this, so she already knows that you guys know about the stone, so!]

You are right. There are ways to slow it, but no way to stop it entirely.

[le_mat]

Is that what happened to Leon and Mami- it moved too fast?

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Possibly. I think that might be what happened with Soma too.

[le_mat]

Soma... you think it's what made him run for it?

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It wouldn't be the first time someone was influenced to die as quickly as possible.

[le_mat]

So it can fill in all the empty spaces.

[he mutters, repeating what he said to Nine, before. The fact that Red is holding his hand still is likely the only reason he doesn't ruin the polish with his subtle trembling]

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[Well, he's got the general idea, so Red won't speak up to confirm. Instead, she keeps painting his nails.]

It doesn't always move fast. For some people, it takes years and years to get to the point Dan was at. It's not a death sentence.

[Even though he will likely die here at camp anyway, she feels like she needs to give him SOMETHING to hope for.]

[le_mat]

... years.

Red. Was... was Dan a camper, once?

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I don't believe so, no. They started using people from other worlds a long time ago, so I think he only ever worked here. But even as a counselor, if you stay here too long you will eventually succumb as well.

[le_mat]

So you and Mr. Pines will...

[that honestly clearly distresses him more than anything else they've discussed so far]

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Eventually, yes. But we're older and more resistant to the effects. I haven't even started hearing the voices yet, and I don't think Stan has either. So we will be here for quite some time yet.

[le_mat]

Mr. Pines... he doesn't realize what's happening. They... they did something to him. Why? It's not the same as you.

[ his voice wavers at this- he... likes Stan a lot]

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...

Not all counselors would go along with the camp willingly. The Facilitator must keep their memories, but that is not a requirement for the other counselors.

It...seemed kinder, to make him not realize what is going on.

[le_mat]

He'd never go with it if he knew.

[Ren says this like he knows it for certain]

But since Talcott... [He shakes his head and cuts himself off. No, no he isn't going to say shit about how sad Stan looks, about his dreams. No, because Red might take his memories away again. Or worse.]

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He never would, no.

[She hears him cut himself off, and she just waits. Emotions are hard, it's okay Ren. She's patient.]

[le_mat]

...things are hard, for all of us. Something is going to snap.

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I know.

[le_mat]

It has before, I'm guessing. Has anyone ever made it all the way? I'm really starting to think not.

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...

I can't speak for years before my time, but since I have been here, no.

[Seven years. Not a single survivor.

There's a reason this job gets to her.]

It would be nice if someone would make it, though.

[le_mat]

But what then? I... I think I'd rather die then get out of here on everyone else's back. Or before this... thing... took over.

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That's a little surprising to hear coming from you. I thought you would be one of the ones to make it to the end, get out of here, and then try to steal the hearts of everyone at my organization.

[le_mat]

[he laughs bitterly]

Of course I plan on doing just that- I still have dibs on your heart too, Red. But I'm not killing anyone to do it. That's against our aesthetics. There's no such thing as 'acceptable sacrifices'. That's... That's what lead Akechi where he ended up. It would be a spit in his face to end this that way.

[it was what the fake Igor had tempted him with. And he had been so very close to taking it]

...plus I refuse to be anything or anyone's puppet ever again.

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[So, fun fact: Red visibly tenses up when Akechi's name is mentioned. Like, to the point where she makes a mistake while painting Ren's nail. But she quickly recovers and moves to tidy up that mistake.]

You want to live, but you don't want to accept that living means someone else will die. That's quite the conundrum.

[A pause, and she will move on to his other hand.]

...

I hope you do survive. Someone like you might actually be able to change things.

[le_mat]

People keeps saying that.

[he doesn't sound annoyed or even sad. Maybe a bit resigned, and a bit proud in equal conflicting measure. He let's her paint in comfortable silence for awhile. Thinking]

I don't know if Akechi and I were ever friends. I REALLY don't know if I was ever his- if he even could have one anymore at that point. We were enemies... Akechi was my enemy. But maybe Crow was my friend.