[week six - thursday]

[ceded]

[ As soon as she hears the news, she feels a chill seep into her bones.

Damian. Damian is in the stocks.

What happened? Did a secret slip somehow? Did the Deputy find out who he was and is now targeting him directly? What'll happen if Damian...

It's with these questions and many more boiling under her skin that Xion goes to find two people. Once she's got one boy, she'll pretty much just drag him around without really explaining till she finds the other. And when she does, she'll make sure they end up somewhere relatively private, alone, before turning to them and going: ]

He got Damian! [ with just a hint of breathless panic. ] What are we going to do?

Comments

[insincerely]

[...]

Well, for starters, calm down.

[This is... all pretty bad, but first things first.]

[hydrokinetics]

[Percy's nodding in agreement, even though he's pretty unhappy as well. He can't really clench his right hand that well, given it's bandaged up a bit, but the left hand curls into a fist as he leans against a wall and folds his arms over his chest.]

Shinnosuke's right. Panicking isn't going to help Damian right now, so we just need to think of a better plan. I'm already planning on staying the night out there.

[ceded]

I'm fine, [ she insists, albeit quietly and with some mild aggravation, which is not directed at either of them. ] I'm just...

[ scared. She takes a steadying breath before she continues. ]

Percy... I don't know what else we can do, but you could die out there! You heard what the Sheriff said about breaking curfew during the trial.

[insincerely]

[He won't say anything about Percy's decision. He's not happy with any of this regardless, but Percy's choice is his own (which in turn means it's up to him to defend it on his own).]

[hydrokinetics]

[He isn't happy about it, but it needs to be done. Someone has to. He's always known it would come to this, protecting someone like this. He vaguely wonders if Annabeth would be proud of him or call him stupid.]

I know what Hal said, Xion. But I also know the town will forgive me. It's only my first offense.

[ceded]

The Bandits might not be so forgiving. [ She frowns a little. ] Is there really no other way...? We could end up losing both of you.

[insincerely]

... Well, on the bright side, if we go with who's ruthless enough to murder a defenceless 10-year-old—especially one who probably hasn't killed anyone here, so revenge can't be used as an excuse—and then kill off eyewitnesses, that might narrow down the list of suspects.

[hydrokinetics]

And the other bright side is that I'm not going to let somebody murder a defenseless 10-year-old while I'm sitting there. Shouldn't that count for something?

[ceded]

[ She truly wishes Shinnosuke could see the flat look on her face. Either way, she shakes her head. ]

That isn't even really the problem! Killing the Bounty Leader can end the game, can't it? If Damian dies...

[ Percy gets another look, her mouth twisting. ]

Percy... I know you wouldn't, but...

[ Her mouth thins into a line. ]

You're needed.

[ An argument people have given her more than once when insisting she look out for her own safety. ]

[insincerely]

... Should I step out of your lovers' spat, guys?

[hydrokinetics]

I still have a second hand, you know. [That is to say he can easily punch Shinnosuke in the face.]

Xion, listen to me. I'm needed in order to keep Damian safe. All right? That's what I'm going to do to make sure everyone else is okay and they don't have to do this.

[ceded]

Shinnosuke.... [ a heavy sigh. ] I got you both because I trust both of you and wanted to work on a plan, okay?

[ don't test her, she'll join percy in punching you

Percy gets a long, searching look. ]

It'd be safer if you weren't alone, then.

[insincerely]

What happened to your first one?

[Rude??

But he scoffs, because good luck convincing Percy, Xion.]

[hydrokinetics]

Punched a wall. Doesn't matter.

[But he does concede a bit at Xion's expression.] I know. I'm probably taking someone else, I don't know yet. But I've kept watch by myself before and I'm not afraid of what's out there. I'll be protected. Besides, you don't think I can't fight off a couple of coyotes?

[Not to mention murderers, but.]

[ceded]

It's not that I think you'll be scared.

[ very soft. ]

Who do you want to bring? Isn't there any other way to keep an eye on you from a distance?

[insincerely]

... What, are you planning on finding a telescope and spying on him from the hotel?

[hydrokinetics]

First of all--[A punch to Shinnosuke's arm?] Anyway. Even if that worked it might not be effective. Remember the whole "see what you're meant to see" rule? It could cancel everything out somehow, this town's weird. [But...he chews his lip.]

Hear me out. I'm thinking of taking Papika. She's a lot stronger than she looks, plus she's Damian's roommate.

[ceded]

[ ... decides to just let that happen. You show 'im, Percy. That said... ]

That's kind of what I was thinking, even though I know it wouldn't work. I think it'd be safer if more of us chose to break curfew...

[ Could the town really kill them all? Well, probably. It'd be more about playing on the likelihood. A huge gamble, but Percy's own risk is bigger.

Mentioning Papika kind of startles her, though. ]

But ... can Papika fight? [ somewhat baffled. ]

[insincerely]

[Rude??

But he's not too surprised at Papika, since:]

... She did say she knew how to use a gun, didn't she?

[hydrokinetics]

She did. It's why I trust her outside with me. I'm good for up-close combat and she can back me in the distance. Hopefully it won't come to that and the coyotes will stay away.

[And people, but whatever.] It'll be okay.