[week one - sunday]

[hypertoxic]

[ She'll go find him in the evening, once people are starting to settle down and twilight is falling over the island. It's almost ridiculously beautiful, the bright orange sky over the dark ocean, the palm trees and jungle foliage swaying in a gentle breeze.

Vriska hates it.

It's idyllic, and it's an obvious lie, and she hates it.

So she's already in something of a sour mood when she tracks him down, but, perhaps surprisingly, she isn't mean right out the gate. ]

Hey, Lewin.

[ Though she places an emphasis on the name, there is no derision in her voice. ]

So. [ She'll fold her arms, giving him a thoughtful, narrow look. ] Why'd you lie about it?

Comments

[hypertoxic]

Unless they're here, I don't see the need to be so secretive about it. [ She seems to find this funny, for one reason or another. ] Are they here, Lewin?

[ ... however, she's still using the name he told her ... ]

[reidentify]

They are not. Now that that is confirmed, you are correct—I no longer have need of a false name.

[But he couldn't know that from the start, and it was better to be safe than sorry, when he hadn't been aware that the profiles would out him two days later.]

So Lief is fine.

[hypertoxic]

You're weird. Alright, Lief it is. Where did Lewin come from, anyway? It kind of sounded like you had that name prepared. That a fake name you use back home?

[reidentify]

I am weird?

[Really, Vriska?]

... I have used it once, yes.

[It wasn't a great time, but at the very least, it's not Twig, and he generally knows to react to it, so.]

[hypertoxic]

What! I didn't say I wasn't.

[ Fair is fair, yes.

Anyway she'll just kind of look at him for a moment. It's probably painfully clear how curious she is.

... however, perhaps surprisingly, she doesn't ask. Instead she shrugs and lets it go. ]

Fine. Keep your mysterious tragic backstory! Who cares. I can tell you're a good person so it probably doesn't really matter.

[reidentify]

It is not really a tragic backstory...

[But he's learned to be a very private person over the course of his travels, so, uh. Sorry, Vriska.]

Would it make a difference if I were a "bad" person?

[hypertoxic]

[ Nah. She doesn't care. Or rather, like, she totally cares, but is figuring she'll weasel it out of him over time.

That comment, though, gets a considering frown, because it's not a bad point. ]

I guess it would! Because it would mean that you are possibly dangerous. Plus a lot likelier to kill!

[ A warm smile. ]

But it is painfully clear you have a good heart. Even if you did kill someone, I'd bet anything it'd be because you were forced, or felt like it was your only choice.

[reidentify]

[... He can't tell if he's being complimented or insulted.]

... Indeed. No matter this "game" we have been place in, I have no intention of taking someone's life. [...] Which you consider foolish, I imagine.

[He did hear what she said to the Chief, after all.]

[hypertoxic]

[ It's meant as a compliment, for what it's worth. ]

I think it's dangerous, but not really foolish. I don't blame you for how you feel.

[ Very frank and straightforward. She clearly has no intention of hiding her nature. ]

I am not like the rest of you, Lief. Death and murder don't really mean much to me. That said ...

[ ... ]

I get it. You might not believe me, but I get it. I just think you need to watch out for yourself. In a game like this, convictions like that could get you killed.

[reidentify]

[He's quiet for a moment.]

If you were to kill anyone on this island, would you go after me?

[hypertoxic]

What makes you think I'd kill anyone?

[ She's smiling, though, thin and slight. ]

Anyway, no.

[reidentify]

It was a hypothetical question. Would you, though?

—And I am glad to hear that.

[hypertoxic]

Yes.

[ How forthright!

But her smile gets even thinner, if possible. ]

That said, I don't want you to misunderstand me. So I will tell you a secret.

[ Vriska turns slightly away, brushing her hair back over her shoulder in a way that would be imperious if there were any feeling in it. ]

I may have grown up steeped in death, but I hated it. I hated the killing. [ Her smile broadens into something brittle and so, so heartbreakingly bitter. ] I'm fortunate no one ever found out, because I would have been killed for such blatant and disgusting weakness.

[ A sigh, and she folds her arms and looks at him again, serious but also sort of resigned. ]

It's not something I'd do unless I absolutely had to.

[reidentify]

[...

Again, he does to prevent any sympathy from spilling into his expression. Vriska would not appreciate it, undoubtedly.

But softly, he speaks.]

I think that makes you very strong, Vriska.

[hypertoxic]

[ She snorts. So, yeah. She'll brush her hair back over the tip of a pointed ear, staring off at nothing with a very somber expression. ]

Spare me your sympathy. It is nice that you think so, but pointless, and also wrong. I was a weaky weak little coward too scared to try anything else. I was just a kid. I had no idea what the hell I was doing.

[ A long, gusty sigh. ]

It doesn't matter now. That was a long time ago.

[reidentify]

[...]

Do you always react this way whenever someone says something positive about you?

[hypertoxic]

People don't say nice things about me, Lief.

[reidentify]

I am saying something nice about you, though I apologize if I overstepped any boundaries.

[hypertoxic]

[ ...

huffs at him. ]

You didn't. You just don't know me very well. Whatever, I'm not going to waste either of our time trying to convince you I'm a bad person. It's not really productive! Haha.

[ Vriska will drum her fingers on her cheek, considering him. ]

Just look after yourself. A nice person like you is going to have a really hard time in a game like this.

[reidentify]

I do not imagine this game will be enjoyable for many, regardless of whether they are "nice" or not.

[hypertoxic]

You know what I mean. It's gonna be hardest on the nice people. The ones who reeeeeeeeally want to believe no one is gonna die. But sure, you're right. I'm an asshole, and I don't really like it either! We're all gonna suffer together.

[ ... ]

But you're going to be the sort of person who does a better job supporting those who need it. Are you ready for that?

[reidentify]

... I will do what I must to help those around me. I do not need to be "ready" for it.

[It's just what he does. Always.]

[hypertoxic]

Yeah. I know you will.

[ A small smile. ]

You probably don't think of yourself that way, but you seem like a hero to me, Lief.

[reidentify]

... I think what makes someone a "hero" can be rather subjective, but thank you, Vriska—even if you may not necessarily mean it as a compliment.

[hypertoxic]

[ pats his cheek. it is probably slightly condescending. ]

I meant it as a compliment, dummy. Don't worry your cute little pan over it. Later!

[ she just. she just leaves. #bye ]