This Used to Be the Life but I Don't Need Another One

[stenchus_rodentus]

[Well Ratigan couldn't care less about what happened, but he really didn't get his fill of partying from the bar and everyone simpering wasn't how he wanted it to go down. Soon after the trial little notes are slipped beneath each door.]

You are cordially invited to a mourning party in the lobby. RVSP ASAP.

[In the lobby Thalia will have moved some tables to the lobby and provide her choice dish of cheeseburgers along with a smattering of bread, fruits, and vegetables. Reyna will have brought along hot chocolate galore.

For those that aren't your thing? Well in honor of the recently departed there's pine tree shaped cookies (Thanks Thalia.) and triangle crackers with cheese (thanks...Ratigan?). And there's a helping of drinks if the bar wasn't enough for you wink wink. Ratigan has every intention of making this a party.]

Comments

[tadaishi]

I'd be lying if I said I was fine. I know it's not realistic, but each week I spend here, I hope that we'll find a way to work together and get ourselves out.

[He pauses and looks down at the pool.]

And each week, someone snaps and undoes any progress made. It's frustrating.

[lusito]

Indeed. It can be difficult to understand others and how they think, especially in this type of situation.

["Difficult", but not impossible. The Joshua that exists now would like to think so.]

The problem is that no one trusts each other here as much as they say or think they do. And that's going to keep causing people to make the kind of mistakes that brought us to that elevator today.

[tadaishi]

Difficult, but it's possible.

[They're thinking along the same lines, clearly.]

Yeah, that's exactly the problem. I can't even say I'm not a part of it...there are people here I'm afraid to be alone for too long with. [Joshua's not one of them, he does trust Joshua even if he's a brat.] And you've seen how eager everyone is to fight at both trials so far.

[lusito]

Tensions run high when one's life is on the line. And that's not going to change easily now that everyone knows the consequences of an incorrect vote during one of these trials.

[tadaishi]

Maybe it'll force everyone to be more careful and not jump to conclusions before examining all of the evidence.

[lusito]

Perhaps. Of course, that means someone among us here would have to die in order for that to happen.

[can't have another trial without a murder, after all. and thus, the cycle of mistrust continues.]

[tadaishi]

I'll be surprised if that doesn't happen. I'm not guessing at any deaths, it just wouldn't be a total shock.

[lusito]

Really now... and what if you turn out to be the next victim, hmm? I think that would be shocking, don't you?

[tadaishi]

It would be shocking to me. What about you?

[lusito]

Me? Well, I would be shocked if someone here actually succeeded when trying to kill me, but as for attempting it... well, it wouldn't be the first time that's happened, so I know what to expect in that regard.

[tadaishi]

[Well, he wasn't expecting that.]

...Do people attempt to kill you often?

[lusito]

Indeed. It's an occupational hazard when it comes to being me, you see.

[But he sounds rather nonchalant about it??]

[tadaishi]

That's impressive and sort of terrifying.

[Josh why?]

[lusito]

[and somehow, that actually makes him laugh]

Now you can guess why I'm sort of used to things like this, right?

[tadaishi]

I've got a pretty good idea. But just for fun...I'm guessing you're the sole heir to a massive fortune or you stole something important that someone else wants back.

[lusito]

Oh, not a bad guess! But ultimately incorrect, at least in regards to the first one. As for the latter, I don't know if that would necessarily count anymore if you've already returned what's been stolen.

[tadaishi]

That complicates things. I'm gonna say no, unless you make a habit of making friends that never let go of grudges.