Week 6

[grimgrinningghosts]

[. . . Well last week sure was a bloodbath. A bloody, accidental bloodbath. Even with two groups trying to save you, it might start to feel doubtful that you'll ever get out of here alive. Not to mention that Randy almost killed you all on an angry whim and you're still stuck in this madhouse with him of all people.

But hey, there's a silver lining to every cloud! You get a new floor that's not a nightmarish deathscape! Aren't you glad?

18 people remain]

[SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY]

[Don't forget to fill in this week's AC!]

Comments

[athleticallyinclined]

Of course someone's in charge!

[ Now he's just looking at her like she's insane. What is the concept of equality in France pre-revolution. ]

Why, without leaders, we would have...chaos! Anarchy!

[ He shudders. ]

Democracy!

[faciliheir]

Anarchy! Exactly. That's what we are.

[athleticallyinclined]

You do realize there's a Prince here, don't you?

[ If he can't pull his own rank on her, he'll pull someone else's. ]

[faciliheir]

Wow, good job picking out the exact last person whose authority I'd respect! [DOWN W KING BEAST] Seriously, at least bust out Leia next time.

[athleticallyinclined]

[ Please never tell him she thought he was talking about Beast, his head will literally explode. ]

Her? The -

[ Some glimmer of self-preservation kicks in before he can continue, aided by the still-fresh memory of a punch to the face. ]

- Dignified...lady...of advanced age?

[faciliheir]

[is kit even a real prince tho]

... You know she's, like. A general, right? Doesn't that mean she actually outranks you by a lot?

[athleticallyinclined]

[ Oh. Oh hon. He just looks at her in surprise for a moment before lowering his voice to a gentle, apologetic murmur. ]

She's not a real general.

[faciliheir]

[why are we talking in a whisper that sounds dumb]

WOW, GASTON, I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'RE ACCUSING LEIA OF LYING ABOUT BEING A GENERAL!

[see isn't shouting so much more fun]

[athleticallyinclined]

[ He was trying to spare your feelings, Freddie!!

But fine then. He just rolls his eyes. ]

She may think she is.

[ The elderly do have a tendency towards delusion, after all... ]

But it's not true.

[hasit]

[oh hey she sure did hear her name being helpfully shouted by Freddie

thanks, Freddie!

Leia comes over to stand at Gaston's shoulder, which she barely matches in height, hands tucked behind her back.]

That sounded an awful lot like a subordinate questioning the authority of his superior, Captain.

[faciliheir]

[smiles like the innocent lamb of god she is]

[athleticallyinclined]

[ thanks freddie ]

[athleticallyinclined]

[ And here she is. Gaston looks down, and down, and raises his eyebrows innocently. ]

Would I do something like that, uh, General?

[ If he knew what airquotes were... ]

[hasit]

You're doing it as we speak. And truth be told, if there was a brig here I'd have you thrown in it for insubordination.

[you little shit]

[athleticallyinclined]

Yes, yes, of course you would.

[ He glances sideways at Freddie and winks before looking back at Leia. ]

With your whole army behind you, is that right?

[hasit]

[No hesitation:]

Yes, as a matter of fact. Believe me, or don't, Gaston, but the truth remains that I've got a lifetime of leadership experience under my belt.

[athleticallyinclined]

[ Is everyone in on this joke but him? What's going on here? He blusters for a moment. ]

...You can't be a General.

[ Let's just go ahead and jump right in this hole he's been digging, why don't we. ]

You're a woman!

[hasit]

[slow. clap.]

Took you long enough to notice. Fortunately, in my galaxy, we're not so afraid a woman will bleed all over us that we keep her from positions of leadership.

[athleticallyinclined]

But that's the point! Men go to war. Women stay home where it's safe, and they never have to worry about bleeding a day in their lives!

[ No one tell him, he will 100% pass out. ]

[hasit]

In my galaxy, nobody's safe. I keep them safe.

[Or, at least, she tries her goddamn hardest.]

Me. A woman. A General.

[athleticallyinclined]

[ Is she...telling the truth? Or just completely, hopelessly delusional? In either case, the correct reaction is the same. He puts a hand on her shoulder and looks deeply into her eyes. ]

And that is something you should never have had to do.

[ He shakes his head solemnly. ]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[hasit]

[She doesn't break eye contact; merely grabs his wrist with her other hand and wrenches it back as hard as she can.]

Touch me again and I'll take your hand next time.

[athleticallyinclined]

[ He winces horribly, but somehow manages to bite back a groan of pain. ]

I know you must be - grieving - but this is not the way to express it!

[hasit]

What—I'm sorry, what am I meant to be grieving, exactly?

[She's satisfied enough by that wince that she lets his wrist go, arms folding in front of her chest.]

[athleticallyinclined]

[ He's just going to hastily hide his hands behind his back where she can't reach them. And then blink at her in painfully innocent confusion. ]

Why - the death of all the men in your - Galaxy, was it?

[ Odd name for a - town? Country? It doesn't matter. His voice is surprisingly gentle as he continues. ]

That's why you're a general, isn't it? Because there's no one left to protect you?