[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

[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 ]