[Open Broadcast, 1st Evening of Week Four]

[fridgeninja]

Now that we've seen the threats this Liminal Space, I want to invite everyone to a meeting tomorrow morning in Beatrice-san's library. For anyone who isn't familiar with Tarot, I'd like to cover the basics about the Major Arcana, and then move on to what we know about the Arcana who brought us here, now that they're having conversations with us.

Snacks will be provided.

Comments

[shiroganeheir]

I'll be there. Let me know what you need me to do.

[fridgeninja]

Just let me know if you have conclusions you want shared. I want to present as many theories and possibilities as I can.

[shiroganeheir]

There are a few I am working on that I do not know if I want released just yet.

[She pauses, and her voice is tentative, a bit worried, a sure and obvious sign that something is on her mind.]

It might depend on who is there.

[fridgeninja]

We should talk about it beforehand, then. Just the two or three of us.

[shiroganeheir]

Of course. I'll always share things with you, Souji.

[fridgeninja]

I'll meet you in our room, then?

[shiroganeheir]

Sounds good.

[It isn't long before she's in the room, pacing around the small space as much as she can, mumbling to herself.]

[fridgeninja]

[Souji enters the room quietly, a minute or so later, and closes the door firmly behind him.]

All right.

[shiroganeheir]

[Naoto glances over, and starts mid-thought-stream. It's what she does.]

We have too much power. If I'm right, and the last Trump was killed by the Belljar failure, the Travelers can kill them by banding together. I don't trust half of our fellows with a sword, let alone the power to kill a powerful being out of pure anger.

We know, perhaps better than anyone how dangerous acting out of anger can be. Very few of these imbeciles have the ability to separate their anger from their actions, and that worries me.

[fridgeninja]

... That's Naoki's theory, too.

[ He stays silent a moment, considering. ]

I'm not ready to begin trying to kill them, either. But given the number of overlays who have died because of their actions - there's a lot of blood on their hands. We could use a weapon to prevent them from feeding into another war.

... Besides, getting a lot of us to act together isn't exactly easy. I think killing one of them would take more teamwork than anyone has, right now.

[shiroganeheir]

Vengeance never helps anything.

[Her tone's a bit flat.]

I do not want a war as much as the next person, but..." She shakes her head. "We do not know what killing another of them would do. Think about the ones that are gone. Balance. Destiny. Leadership. Hope. They're already off-balance, and if the balance is thrown off more, we could get stuck. Either in an overlay or in Liminal, or on some awful planet that is attempting to kill us.

[She takes a breath, folding her arms and leaning against the wall.]

I'm sorry, Souji. I'm just... worried. Teamwork can sometimes go out the window in the face of sheer power and determination.

[And then, much quieter.]

I never thought I'd miss running around after murderers so much.

[fridgeninja]

We're playing on a bigger stage now.

[ His voice is quiet, serious, intent. He's worried about what could happen to his fellow Travelers - but he's more worried about the worlds they pass through. ]

[shiroganeheir]

Yes. And one I am out of my depth on. For all that I seek the truth, I am beginning to wonder if this is too big for me. I don't usually deal in the big questions of justice, of what's Right and Wrong. I just find who was the asshole this time.

[She looks like she wants to sink into the floor.]

Maybe I need to just step back.

[fridgeninja]

Whichever way you're stepping... just remember that you're not stepping alone. You're part of a team. One that works together even when we don't see things the same way.

[shiroganeheir]

[She sighs a bit, nodding.]

I know. It's just the hardest thing to get through my head in spite of everything.

[fridgeninja]

I won't give up on it.

How long has it been since you ate or slept?

[shiroganeheir]

I know you won't. You don't give up on people or things you care about.

[She pauses, thinking.]

I... had an onigiri earlier, and I slept... a while ago?

[It's been too long since both of those things.]

[fridgeninja]

Would you like to come have dinner with me, then?

[ Framing it as a social occasion for the two of them - a date - should take some of the pressure off, he hopes, rather than making it feel like a chore. And afterward... well, if he has to seduce his girlfriend to wear her out enough to sleep, he's willing to take one for the team. His smile twitches, just a little.]

[shiroganeheir]

Sure.

[She smiles up at him.]

I will never turn down the opportunity to spend time with you.

[Even as frustrated and stressed as she is, he can always get her to stop for a few moments.]