Camp: private conversations

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

Comments

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Generally I have some choice in punishments, but that one I have no choice in: a life for a life, that's the price that has to be paid.

[fallbymyhands]

And. . . who comes up with these rules? Why is that the price that has to be paid, no exceptions?

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Well if you want to get technical, I suppose you could call them my boss.

And the reason that price has to be paid, with no exceptions, is that it is part of the procedure at camp.

[fallbymyhands]

[Mitsuru leans her shoulder against the wall, gaze flickering down. there are two questions to ask, here. she goes with the one she is the most curious about first]

Who is your boss?

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I can't give you their name. I have rules to follow as well, and one of them limits how much I can tell you.

[fallbymyhands]

[the answer she expected, honestly. still, she presses]

What can you tell me about them?

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They have been at this for a long time, and they know what they're doing. I don't particularly like them, but things would be worse for all of you if I didn't, so that's why I am here.

[fallbymyhands]

[a beat]

You're here to ensure that things don't get worse for us. Despite the things this job requires you to do. Is that correct?

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Yes.

Some of you won't make it out of this camp alive. I cannot protect you from everything that is going to happen, but I would at least like to help make it a little easier to deal with. And for those who aren't going to make it...well. I would like their last few weeks of life to not be entirely terrible.

[fallbymyhands]

[. . . . .]

[she closes her eyes tightly]

Why does a camp like this exist in the first place?

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Because it has to.

[fallbymyhands]

Why doe sit have to?

[with a growing note of frustration in her voice]

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Because it has to. There is no other option.

[fallbymyhands]

If it has to because there is no other option, then there must be a purpose! Pastor Dan referred to us a sacrifices; who are we to be sacrificed to?

[she doesn't mean to let her frustration get the best of her. she just can't help it]

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[Red does not answer that question. But she does look uncomfortable, because she knows the answer but doesn't want to say it.]

[fallbymyhands]

. . . are you holding back because you're forbidden from telling me, or because you're afraid to tell me?

[she asks that much more quietly, at least]

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A mixture of the two, but mostly the first.

[fallbymyhands]

[a breath]

You said. . . you wished to see as many of us return home healthy and whole as possible.

If that is true-- and I believe it is now-- then. . . will you tell me what you can?

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...

[She takes the time to consider this.]

...When your time here at camp is at an end, I will tell you.

[fallbymyhands]

. . . and if by then, it's too late?

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You think you won't survive to the end?

[fallbymyhands]

[. . . she likes to think she will. no, she knows she will. she'll fight to do just that]

Even if I did, by then it would still be too late for those who don't make it that far.

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Which is the point. This knowledge could affect how things go here, which is why I'm not permitted to share it. But when it is over it won't matter anymore, at which point I can tell you.

[fallbymyhands]

[another frustrated noise, hissed between pursed lips and a tight expression]

How did you come to be involved in this camp, Red?

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I was told about it by the people running it. After hearing about it, I decided to work here.