hypertoxic | [week four

[He's been roaming the island a lot lately. It doesn't surprise him to find himself walking to the oasis but it does surprise him to hear Vriska's voice above him. He tilts his head back and squints into the branches, noticing her there and lifting an eyebrow.

That grin is unsettling, but he doesn't let it show on his face either.]

Is anybody around here really a reliable source? [There's a short grin.] You're seriously going to make me climb up there, aren't you.

Sure am! Come on up, Hiro. You know as well as I do that we shouldn't risk a chat where any snooping busybodies can overhear! Do you know how hard it is to find someplace actually private on this island to talk? Seriously, it's a pain in the ass.

Why do you think I'm constantly moving? [A beat.] ...if you're armed though, I swear to god I will not hesitate to kick you out of this tree.

[But okay. Surprisingly he has more strength behind him than one might thing because he's scaling the tree pretty easily, climbing up to a branch across from her if that's possible. Space is important here. Why are we in a tree???]

Yes, Hiro. I am armed. I have a great big fucking gun up here in this tree with me and I am going to ruin your shit with it. Of course I'm unarmed, you dweeb, now get up here!

[ we're in a tree because we're in a tree, hiro. don't question it. ]

Finally! Now we can talk. Let's get the bullshit out of the way! You have a role. You're either the remaining Wickie, or you fill a separate detective-type role. Which is it?

[He's rolling his eyes on the way up tbh. Thanks Vriska. Settling on his branch though he simply raises an eyebrow and shakes his head.]

Nuh-uh. That's not how this is gonna work. How did you know about what I found last week? I'm not doing this again where I tell people things without any kind of pay-off. [He's not going to clarify what he found last week, mostly to see if Vriska really does know and he wasn't lied to. Again.]

[ Vriska cracks up laughing. ]

Fair enough! I know because I am pretty sure we have the same source. If it helps, I will offer you this piece of information in exchange: I also have a role. Though I think you knew that already!

[This is not cool??? Vriska DX]

I only told a handful of people and half of those people are dead. The source that told me you knew? No idea how he knew, so I think that just opens up more questions. [He leans back against the branch, folding his arms over his chest and eyeing her curiously.]

I think I did. So...there's two options here. You're a Siren, or they call you something else. Initially I thought you might be one of them because of who you know, but at this stage in the game who says that means anything? [Battler. Were he and Vriska friends because they were working together, or were they really friends?]

[ ... ]

Jacopo is a real sneak. I need to bully that guy some more and see what he's really up to!

Alright, Hiro. I will lay all my cards on the table, because I think we'll both be better off working together towards a common goal than operating separately and possibly risking each other's lives. So for you, I won't bullshit and pretend I'm the item role. I am in fact one of the Sirens.

[Something in his face breaks into something of a smirk.]

Guy says he doesn't have a role. Not sure I believe it entirely, but okay. Did tell me that you're the one who told him about what I found, but I don't think he was super sure what you were since he just said you confirmed it. And, supposedly, that you were on my side.

[There's a short nod.] Say I believe that you're really a Siren. You seem to think we're better off working together. Why is that? [Is he surprised? Not exactly. But he's also carefully considering this, and at least he's not out-right saying no.]

[ For a moment Vriska is quiet, considering him. ]

Because I am on your side. If you really are an investigative role, then you and I working together have the best possible shot at tearing this game apart. And at this point, that's all I want. Not to play by the rules, not to just sit by and watch more people get slaughtered, but to break this game.

[There's another pause of his own. The smirk disappears as he seriously considers that.]

I've been looking for a way to break the game for a while, but as you can see we're doing a great job doing that. Even knowing everything Battler said--is that true, by the way? That's why you guys are picking us off?

[It doesn't matter much. He wants to break the game and he lets a leg swing idly from the branch.]

I have two questions for you, and you can answer them in any order you want. What exactly did Jacopo tell you about me? And what do you have waiting for you back in your world? If anything. [Some people don't have anything important besides their regular lives, after all.]

I know. We have been working separately for too long. Jacopo was right about one thing: an alliance between the Sirens and whoever constitutes the "other side" would probably be beneficial! Assuming no one dies in the bargain. As for Battler's claims in the trial, yes. It's all true. The only reason we agreed to the role in the first place was because we were told it was the only way to save everyone, including those we killed.

[ Vriska will consider his claims for a moment in silence, deliberating her answer. ]

Not much. Just that you're smart and you have an investigative role. Jacopo says a lot of shit, and he convinces himself of most of it! I actually have no idea what he might have told you about me. As for that second thing? ... I'm not sure. Maybe nothing. My only real goal this whole time has been to save everyone. It's not as altruistic as it sounds. I think maybe I've been trying to prove something to myself.

[And his eyebrows go up again.] Jacopo talks a little too much if he's going around telling people all kinds of things. Telling me you have a role, telling you I have a role. It's not really that smart, you know?

But on the other hand, I think an alliance is the one way we can stop this if everybody's willing to work together. We've lost almost half of the people playing this game and it's been a month. And…there has to be something we're missing. Something Hal and Pal aren't saying. Which one of them told you about the way to end the game, do you remember?

[There's another short pause.] I don't think there's anything wrong with trying to prove something to yourself, and maybe it's not altruistic but the intentions are still the same. You want to save people. The one surefire way was to play this game but now the stakes are raised and we're losing people we care about. I can see how it gets kinda tangled.

…I need to get home and take care of things before more people get hurt back there. That's why I'm playing and why I want to end this game as fast as possible.

[He stops again just to stare at her.] You and I want the same thing and that's to break the game, save everybody, and get out of here. But give me a reason why I can trust you. [Not "should", but can. He wants to. He's giving her a chance before he'll start answering her questions, too.]

Edited 2017-08-30 23:49 (UTC)

[ Snort. ] You're telling me. Jacopo has dangerously loose lips. Maybe I need to kick him again so he'll keep his stupid mouth shut?

[ But the rest she'll listen to with seriousness and intent.

After he's done, quietly: ]

Battler had family he needed to get home to. I won't break my promise to him. Not on my fucking life. We'll get you back home too, Hiro.

[ As for that, she'll shrug! ]

I already told you I'm a Siren. If you warned the village, I'd be as good as dead. You literally have my life as a bargaining chip. I would hardly go around confirming that to any random schmuck!

Wouldn't hurt.

[He shakes his head though.] I think a lot of people have things to do. That's what makes the game dangerous. What I'm not understanding is why the two roles were created to oppose each other, and what roles we're missing. We're missing three. Or two, I guess, if there's really a role designed to make and break partnerships like the Chief said. Five Sirens, two Wickies, the item role, the partner role...that's nine. And two mysteries.

Anyway, I know you're a Siren but have you ever known our group to actually listen to sound reasoning? I could probably out you and people would still argue about it. You could probably admit it and they'd argue. That's the other thing. We've all bonded enough by now that it's another game of chance.

But okay. I'm not going to tell anybody what you are because it's not really my place, and if you really want to figure out a way to break this game...then I'm in. I'm tired of losing people. [He chews his lip.] The remaining Sirens...are they thinking the same way? Or is it just you right now?

Edited (no.) 2017-08-31 00:09 (UTC)

[ Quirks a brow at him. ]

So you are the remaining Wickie? [ you never did confirm bro.

As for the rest: shrug. ]

You're probably right! But I don't want to take my chances with anyone who gets it in their head to administer some vigilante justice. Why do you think I haven't been around the village? I'm in hiding. I've suspected for some time that someone would put the pieces together that I was lying about being the item role, and I didn't want to offer anyone any opportunities!

As for the Sirens, they are pretty reasonable people! They know of my plan to break the game and they are helping me with it. I've been having them work on a little project that I'll probably bring you in on! I could use your brains.

[ STORY TIME. ]

So, Hal and Pal are basically two sides of the same coin, right? When it comes to all the rules they've written down for us, you can think of Pal as the left hand, and Hal as the right. They each took turns writing some of the rules! Not just the rules on the rule board in the village, but our rules. The Sirens have a rulebook, too. If we take a look at who wrote what rule, we may be able to figure out which of them lies and which of them tells the truth. And, from there, figure out if there are any loopholes that we can use to end the game! I have a backup plan in case that plan doesn't work, but you probably can't help me with that one.

Considering I knew even before I spoke to Jacopo that you weren't the item role? It wouldn't be too hard to put together you aren't, you're right. But that's not a bad plan other than people are now going to notice you're gone. I hope you've got a good story for cover. [Good thing Hiro literally skipped over answering her question.]

But there's a deep breath.] I'll help if I can. Depending. If it's a plan that's solid I can work with that and maybe add my own ideas if you need them. Depends on what you're doing.

[…robots why did you betray him this way.] The thing about your plan as it stands is that you'd need to get close enough to Hal and Pal to be able to tell the real differences between them. They might be two sides of the same coin, but they do have distinctive enough personalities you have to look out for. I don't know if you can figure that out solely in writing, but I assume as Sirens you guys have spoken to them enough. There are always loopholes if you know how to look at things from a different angle and think around the problem. And that's what half of this island isn't doing. Thinking.

But not a bad start.

[ A small smile. ] I have tried my luck with enough gambits to know when they are getting out of hand! And I lost control over this one. Once that happened I knew it was only a matter of time until someone figured me out, so I've been taking precautions. Don't worry, I have a story. And it's mostly the truth! [ she's very proud of her story. ]

So, look, I'd really like to talk about this? But you're not repaying me the trust that I've shown you. I need you to confirm your role, or we stop here.

Mostly. Somehow people aren't suspicious of you yet and you saw how last week went. People will defend you. You've got friends in high places, you know?

[But there's a strange pause and he shakes his head.]

...Jacopo talks too much and kinda like how he assumed you were the item role, he assumed I had a role at all. I just didn't bother correcting him to gain some leverage and figure out what to do next. [A shrug.] So there you go. Now you know the truth, and you absolutely just confided in a random schmuck. [He squares his shoulders though, ready to defend himself.] Still interested in bringing me in?

Yeah, I know. To be fair, I have Jacopo to thank for that in the first place. [ shrug!!

....

....

vriska BURSTS OUT LAUGHING. like legit cackling. ]

That fucking moron! He could talk himself into believing gravity didn't exist. He thinks he's so smart with his assumptions and his sneaking and his double dealing! But he is just a clueless chump who thinks he's more important than he actually is. I can't believe he totally concocted roles for both of us out of thin air. Incredible. What a dumbfuck.

[ A sigh. ]

It makes you less useful to me than I had hoped, but I could still use your influence and your smarts. But, for the record, I still don't consider you a random schmuck, Hiro. [ She'll smile a little, and it's sort of crooked and almost a little sad. ] With Newt out of the picture, you're the only real brainiac I have left.

He's not a bad person, even if I can't really tell what he's doing. [He can't help but grin the moment she bursts into laughter.] Don't say that. I mean yeah, it was pretty dumb but he's lucky it's you and me who aren't going to do anything to him. I do kinda worry about who else he's talking to but there's nothing that can be done for that. He seemed to think pretty highly of you though and that I should probably watch my back.

[Which is true. He frowns though.] I know. I'm looking for the last Wickie, too, but I'm doing my own acting as it is. Just because I can't actually do what the Wickie does doesn't mean I can't check on people and start creating my own lists. It's all I can do right now. [The frown grows a bit.] I...yeah. With Newt gone it's...we had a theory a while ago that this whole place was a VR set-up. He said that he'd figure out how to tell me if it was but I'm not totally counting on it. Seems too easy. But I'm not quitting yet, so I'll do whatever it takes.

[Wait.] Besides murdering. I'm not sure I can do that part here. But brainstorming, analysis, figuring out how to maybe reprogram Hal and Pal? That I can do.

Ahahahahahahaha. I'm not saying any of this because I dislike Jacopo, don't get me wrong! But he is a stupid dumb easily influenced idiot. It is sort of charming in a weird way.

[ Vriska will thumb at her own chin, her eyes narrowed in thought. ]

This makes things harder. If you were the last Wickie, you would have had critical information that I need. Now I have to restart my search! I have a hunch who the remaining Wickie might be, but if I'm correct, it will be difficult at best to get the truth out of them.

[ Vriska will wave a hand. Very, very dry: ]

Yes, Hiro, I was going to ask you to start murdering people left and right as my own personal hire-out assassin. Get a clue!!! I'm not coming to you for that, dork. I need the rest of what you said. Also, whether or not this is all some sort of incredibly complex VR simulation doesn't really matter to me! Sure, if we can deconstruct reality as we know it that would be great and all, but if we can break the rules of the game to our advantage that should be all we need! We can work together towards our separate goals and each get what we want out of the deal. I think that sounds fair, don't you?

Seems to be a lot of people on the island who're like that, but he's taking it a step further.

[Now he just looks disappointed? Sorry Vriska!!!] I know. Trust me, I know. But think about it this way. You have an extra set of eyes to help with the search. Give me an idea where to start and I'll see what I can do. ...I already worked out a deal with someone else, so I don't see why I can't do the same here when we both have similar goals. What's your hunch anyway?

[He rolls his eyes.] Hey, you never know. But I can do the rest. I'm just saying if it were VR I'd have a better idea how to pull the game apart at the seams but as it is, breaking the rules is a good enough goal. They're pretty much the same anyway at the end, aren't they? Getting out of here with as few casualties as possible? I don't see why not.

...you've got a deal. But I'd also like to see that rulebook you were talking about if that's possible. Not right now since we're in a tree but later.

... Akira. I think Akira is the remaining Wickie. [ Said with some grimness. ] I will be trying to get the truth from him myself, but I can only push so far. If I have you helping me, we might just learn something. We can try pressing Jacopo for information, too, but it can't seem suspicious!

And yeah, basically! Either you break reality as we know it or I break the game. In the end, we both win, so who cares? I think this is the beginning of a fruitful partnership.

[ His request will get half a smile and a nod. ]

Yes. I was planning on it. Just not now, like you said. We will have to sneak away from the village sometime this weekend. If we both make it through this week's trial, Saturday night or Sunday morning will be the best times for us to slip away and work on it.

After what just happened and what I told you, you still want to really trust Jacopo? I...talked to Akira on Sunday. I sort of started feeling him out and he says he isn't doing anything but at the same time the guy's everywhere. He either knows something or...you know. Who knows? Even if he isn't the Wickie, we could use his help, too.

This sounds fine by me. And I'd like to speak to another business partner of mine between now and then. [He holds up his hands.] You'll be protected, I'm not gonna blab about your role. But I think they might be useful to us, too, if I explain part of your plan.

So that's it. You, me, Saturday night if we both live and the rest of the island's too distracted to notice. I think I can do that.

[week four - tuesday]

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