completelycrazy | week 5 - lenka

[They're all worn down by now, five weeks into this insanity. Lenka... is so completely distracted that he's just. In the aisle, absently batting one of the axes back and forth like he's an actual housecat. It's clanking rhythmically, almost soothing.

What is he doing.

When Newt speaks up, he startles and knocks the axe halfway across the aisle. Luckily, it's haft-first, so Newt doesn't get some blade to go with his blood.]

Dr.-- Newt. Hello. Uh-- [Lenka is still frozen, looking around a bit guiltily, before he shuffles a little closer, sniffing curiously at the air] What is it?

[Newt hesitates as he watches the axe go flying. For as long as he's had to think this over, he truly did not bother to come up with a plan. He's regretting that now. This is delicate.]

I, uh... I guess I have reason to believe you're sitting on some intel that I might be interested in. I figured we could trade.

[Lenka... blinks. Once, twice, and then backs up a step.

His tail coils over his back, the hooked protrusion at the end rising over the store shelves entirely. In fact, his entire posture coils up, though in the end he just sits in the aisle; he also lowers his head and stops sniffing at the air.]

... That's sudden. Something happened, didn't it?

[...Hm. Newt tenses.]

A lot of things have been happening, dude. I just finished getting my ass kicked, if that's what you're talking about.

I was wondering why it smelled like blood.

[Smelling blood before Friday always gives him a few bad moments. Of course, Wednesdays aren't out of the picture either. This is new, though.]

Did you... get in a fight with your Partner again?

[Lenka's head is tilted, his tone steady, but he's watching Newt closely.]

[Newt looks away.]

No. [It's bitter, but it doesn't sound like a lie.] Magnus and Taako, actually. They ganged up on me in the store with all the beds.

Magnus and Taako? I don't understand.

[He knows Magnus loves a good fight, but it's doubtful that Newt would give him a good one; and judging by Newt's strange greeting... Lenka tenses up again, eyes never leaving the man in front of him. More and more, he doesn't like where this is going.]

[He sighs.]

Look, plenty of people around here still think I'm good for doing Jacopo in. Don't go spreading that around, alright? The last thing I want is a mob on my tail, or to get scapegoated at the trial. But this doesn't matter. Do you want to know what I know or not?

... You should get that looked at by one of the healers. Just in case.

[After all, not hitting a Cure Drinker last week is actually what got him nearly scapegoated at the trial. Lenka feels like he should offer some advice on this point. Also because the blood is just unsettling if he has to pass him on the street.

He still hasn't relaxed, shaking his head despite Newt's obvious impatience.]

You wanted to trade. I don't know why you think I have something to trade.

Don't worry, I don't plan on a repeat of last week. In any sense of the word.

[He shoots Lenka a look.]

I got one of those pins this week. The ones everyone's been talking about lately. The one I picked clued me in that you knew secrets about the game that I don't.

Okay.

[That would indeed explain why the news got out so quick. Lenka is one to play cards close to his chest, especially with the possible revelation that's been sitting, heavy and terrible like a stone on his insides since yesterday. He still can't quite breathe around it.

But.]

Max talked to me yesterday. I don't know what to do yet.

[He doesn't distrust Newt, but it's also not information he can handle lightly.

He might distrust Newt's impetuousness, a little.]

[fair, honestly.]

Did you approach him or did he pull you aside himself? What'd he tell you?

He came to me. It was a hint, like yours.

[And it was, in a sense.

Lenka hesitates for a long moment. His tail lowers to curl around his feet as he sits, carefully in the middle of the aisle. He has to be careful, or his flaring mane will send a lot more than a single axe down the way.]

... Newt, what did you think of the letters? And what we learned last week.

[It might be a bit vague, but he'll just have to put up with it.]

What do you mean? [Vague, Lenka, but Newt will try to answer anyway.]

I think Setz is braver than anyone else here, outing himself like that. And I think he's right--taking out the Reapers isn't our best course of action. To save everyone, we need to figure out what the Composer's up to. And the Conductor, I guess. The key to that is communication, so that's why I'm here. We keep making mistakes.

[He hesitates.]

I know the Reapers are trying to truce. Izaya told me before, uh. Sunday. [Yeah.] And I know who the last two Reapers are from the Player-killing faction.

[He raises his eyebrows. There's the information you're getting if you tradesies with him, buddy.]

[He has to be vague. He has people to protect. Maybe even more people than he thought possible.

It's a good thing, even if he can hardly sleep at night now.

Lenka lets out a long breath once Newt's done explaining. Once he lays out what he has on the table. That's...]

Just two. I didn't know we were so close. [Close to what? They still don't quite know. His next question is more out of surprise than anything else.] You know two Reapers. Did Izaya tell you?

[They can work on tradesies in a minute, when he processes everything. Today is a day in which he almost wishes the bar were back.]

There's two left in the Player-killing faction, and three on the other. Five total. I don't know who any of the other three are, unfortunately. They'd be easier to protect if I did.

[He's not sure how he would protect them, really, but it'd still be easier to do with names.]

Izaya told me about one. He wasn't sure about the other, but I've, uh, figured it out since. It wasn't hard to put the pieces together.

Was Izaya a Reaper?

[Izaya is still a total mystery to him.

Strange in life and even stranger in death. He can sort of work with it now, when sense of purpose is overcoming the blanks left by the weekend itself. Lenka doesn't continue for a long moment, caught up with a sudden thought. Going back over their conversation.]

I know something you don't. [if that's true, then...] Max gave me a hint to a Reaper's identity. Does that mean it's one of the other three?

[He sounds so hopeful about it.]

He was, yeah. I asked Max how many were left, and he said five, and after some prodding, I got him to tell me Izaya was a Reaper too. He was part of Jacopo's faction.

[Newt's eyebrows shoot up, though.]

He did? Wow. That's a pretty massive hint... I guess that's what it would mean then, yeah. [...] Have you figured the hint out yet?

[...]

It was a pretty obvious hint. I think.

[Lenka looks down at his paws, mane trailing now that he isn't so on guard. A massive hint for a massive act.

He's afraid of what to do with his information. But he can't do nothing. It looks like they can help each other.]

... Tell me one of the Reapers, and I'll tell you mine before the second one. Just... to be fair. [he's not sure if it's being fair, or just him trying to work up courage] I talked to Setz. I want to protect everyone, if I can.

[He just doesn't know how. This isn't the type of Game he knows how to play. It never has been.]

[Newt nods. That's fair, honestly. But, shit, which one should he reveal? He takes a moment to think it over.]

Akira.

[Lenka closes his eyes.

That's a blow: a terrible one, chilling all the way down to the core that isn't a mass of cells and abominations, somewhere beneath his hide -- but not a fatal one. Somehow, he managed to brace against it. His mind is a searing blank, but he still gives up his own hint, in a voice dwindled to almost nothing:]

... Strawberry. That was the hint.

[Newt frowns. He pulls out his rulebook, scans the profiles...]

Ichigo? Seriously? Huh.

I don't know who else it could be.

[Unless -- he wants to laugh, cry, if he could, he's not sure -- unless someone out there really loves strawberry ice cream.]

Newt. The second Reaper.

[Might as well rip off the bandaid all at once. They need to figure out how to deal with this. He needs to find his feet again. His head is spinning again, his chest hurts, but Lenka is still standing. Or sitting, rather, but as long as he's not entirely on the floor we're counting this as a win.]

Right, yeah.

[But he hesitates. This one hurts.]

It's Undine.

... We'll protect them.

[Lenka's voice is still shaky, but there's steel slipping back into it like a thin, quicksilver blade.

He still hasn't had the chance to know Undine that well, but he knows what he's seen of her, at trials and elsewhere. She reminds him a little of Eleanor. Tiny, fierce. Not someone who deserved to be dragged into all this.

But regardless, here they all are -- up to their necks in it. He finally gets up, surprised to find his legs steady somehow, and paces a little. His tail lashes, knocking a few things to the ground with a clatter, but he ignores it totally.]

Undine and Akira are the ones we should probably focus on. But Ichigo and the others... They probably need help, too. Do you have any ideas?

Edited 2018-04-12 01:56 (UTC)

We will. [He says that confidently. They're sure as shit going to try, at least.]

I haven't talked to Akira too much, but Izaya played me a recording of a conversation he had with another Reaper. From the other faction. That's how I found out about the truce. I guess Izaya must've known about it because he was a Reaper too. I don't know who Akira was talking to, but I don't think it was Izaya. [...] That said, for all the hell Izaya put me through at the trial, he told me afterward that Jacopo being out of the picture was actually a good thing. Apparently he was against the truce, and with him gone, the Reapers have more flexibility with that.

[He's still sort of trying to figure that one out, but maybe it doesn't matter all that much. Izaya is dead now, anyway.]

I talked to Setz earlier in the week too, and Magnus and Taako came looking for me... They have an idea, but, uh. Gotta be honest, dude, I'm not into it.

[The confidence helps. Lenka's still gathering himself again, but it helps that he doesn't have the luxury to worry about things that aren't this anymore. He's always done better when he could focus on others, on something to throw himself into, something to save.

He stares at Newt unblinkingly throughout his spiel, ears flicking slightly but pointed unerringly forward in his laser focus. It might be a little unsettling on a normal day. Information is carefully filed for later, especially the part about Jacopo. There might be something there. For now:]

... You want me to help you with Magnus and Taako.

[That seems to be the way this is going. He would have offered anyway, given the way things have gone so far, but now it's doubly worrying.]

What was their idea?

[Newt remains unbothered by the big cat doing his cat things. Monsters have never really freaked him out, and he's got too much other stuff to be worried about right now.]

Uh, yeah, guess you could say that... I don't know how serious they were about this, but, uh. They're pretty sure I killed Jacopo, and they were talking about throwing me under the bus at the trial this week. To prevent having to vote for a Reaper, they wanted me to take the fall.

[He swallows.]

I... I get why they'd ask that, especially since they're so sure I've got blood on my hands, but... I can't. I can't do that to Hermann. [It's the first time he's sounded honestly scared through this whole conversation. He straights after a moment though, back to business.] And besides, I think we've proven ten times over that we're useful to this game. Taking us both down just to avoid voting for someone "innocent" would be a greater detriment to everyone in the long run. I don't think we have the luxury to worry about things like immediate guilt versus innocence anymore.

... I understand.

[And he does.

It's obviously not the same as whatever Newt and Hermann have going on, but he'd defend Mary to his last breath and cling to the outside of Erasure by his claw tips if it meant making sure she never had to deal with anything like it. He's thought, now and again, that Partnerships are almost like a curse; this is the first time he's really thought that maybe they're something else.

Lenka settles back on his haunches again, tail waving gently behind him like a flag. He's still listening intently, sorting through their ways out of this.]

You didn't kill Jacopo. And without you, we wouldn't have most of a trial's information. [it occurs to him, briefly, that between himself and Newt they have perhaps a little too much power over the evidence; but he dismisses that, because it won't help] It's true that our biggest problem is how to get through the vote.

[And Magnus and Taako have a lot of influence, between them. He respects them, of course he does, but...]

How much do Magnus and Taako know? About the rest.

Edited 2018-04-12 02:26 (UTC)

[Newt is quiet for a moment, but then he nods.]

Thank you.

[He should probably feel like more of a dick than he does for arguing that his life is essentially more valuable than some of the others here... But it is, isn't it? There's no one left that can do what he does. If his survival would ensure the survival of everyone else in the game eventually, that should be worth it.

That's what he's telling himself, anyway.]

They know more than me, I think. I got the vibe that they were working directly with Monika and Jacopo before everything blew up. They, uh... They had Izaya's phone. They... [He lets out a shaky breath.]

I know they think they're doing the right thing too, y'know? I think--I mean, I don't hold this against them. They really do think they're going to save people this way, so don't... They're allies, despite everything.

[He drops his eyes, runs a hand through his hair as he thinks about how to say this.]

They thought Hermann and I killed Jacopo together. When I wouldn't cop to it, they threatened to go after Hermann instead. I, um, I couldn't have that, so... I made up a story about killing him. Jacopo, I mean. I told them I did and that I did it alone, and they recorded it on the phone. That's why they're so sure that I did it. I got them to turn the recording off after a while so we could talk without putting anyone else at risk, but... I don't know. If things get bleak at the trial, they might try to use that against me.

[For Lenka, it's not so much about who is or isn't more useful -- that's something he acknowledges because it is fact, and something he'd put more weight on before all the revelations about the Reapers they're dealing with -- it's about the deception involved, the tactics, and the fact that Magnus and Taako doing this for three more weeks both leaves a bad taste in his mouth and makes him wonder how the hell they will.

But knowing them, they probably could pull it off.

They have a few options -- he could list out all of them, but he's going to go with the ones that work best for him first.]

I'm not going to hold it against them. We're... The next three weeks aren't going to be good.

[Understatement of the fucking year. He really doesn't want to fight them, in trial or out of it. Not out of lack of confidence or unwillingness to throw himself in -- well, okay, he'd actually have quite a bit of trouble raising a paw against his fellow Players, even if he hadn't run into the hell of all revelations this week. But they need to think this through. They need to think about the rest of the Players, and what the Game will look like. He still believes that this needs to be about trust and cooperation, rather than lies and a race to the bottom. Newt's story is... bleak, but Lenka is too busy searching for holes in the walls they'll need to climb.]

Okay. First: we could talk to them. I'm not as easy to threaten as you and Hermann. [and that goes for physically or in terms of credibility and Partnership] Second: we get a polygraph, or something else that can help the way it helped Hermann last week. They can't use dirty evidence if we have enough failsafes. Three: we find someone with a trial hint, or we buy enough trial hints to cover you.

Those are the ideas I can think of, right now. I'd still rather talk to them first, I think.

[If he was unsteady and afraid through most of their previous conversation, he's perfectly steady now, eyes flinty. He can't put together trial hints as well as some of them, exert the same influence as the pair they're facing, or provide scientific analysis, but he can come up with strategies on the fly if he needs to. Call it a job skill.]

Edited 2018-04-12 03:06 (UTC)

[Huh. Wow, Lenka. Newt may have underestimated him slightly. These plans aren't half bad.

But...]

I don't think talking to them is going to do much good. To be clear, I don't think this is their first choice. I doubt they're going to whip out the recording at the first opportunity and try to argue for my death. They know I'm useful too, and, um... They seemed apologetic, kind of. I don't know... They were close with Monika. I think they're still reeling from the execution. This was a misstep, y'know? But I still trust them. Maybe they were bluffing about going to Hermann, anyway. I, uh, wasn't exactly coming in with my A game once his name came up. I panicked.

[He's not holding a grudge, is what he's saying, and he wants to make sure Lenka won't either.]

But, um, I did tell them I'd keep quiet about it, y'know? I don't want to break their trust. It was hard enough to earn as it is.

[Also: He would prefer to avoid getting punched to shit by Magnus again, if possible.]

The polygraph isn't a bad idea. We still have the fingerprinting kit, too. And, uh, as far as a trial hint...

[He digs around in his pocket for a moment, and then hands Lenka a fuckload of ripcoins. i gotta check to see how many he actually has but for now it's a vague few hundred...]

Use that if I'm, uh, not around to chip in. That's worry number one for the week, honestly. [...] I don't think Taako or Magnus will come after me, but, um. I've gotten some warnings about Assassin...

[Lenka lets Newt ramble -- he's still thinking through possible courses of action, because while the ones he's come up with first of all are viable regardless of whether or not Newt gets specifically targeted, they could backfire when it comes to protecting the real Reapers. The whole thing is going to need maneuvering depending on how Magnus and Taako play it.

He's still kind of, sort of of the mind that he should see what they have to say about everything they're dealing with right now. The Game. The Reapers. The... sacrifices.

Newt is doing a lot of back and side-pedaling in the meantime, though, so he finally shakes his head.]

I think we can trust that they want to do the right thing. I just don't think this is the right thing. Not for the rest of the Game.

If it were to come out, they'd lose trust, too. I don't think any of us want that.

[They're all already divided enough as it is. He wants to be able to work with both Newt and Magnus and Taako -- they'd be able to do better together, he's pretty sure, at least at protecting the remaining Reapers. They can't mess this up.

He does accept the... pile of ripcoins, though, looking dubious about it. It might in fact be safer with him, if pickpockets was what they were worried about, but...]

Assassin... [He's... honestly worried about the guy, has been for a while. He doesn't want anything to happen to him or the people he keeps threatening; he's pretty sure it would make Mary cry if they had to go after him at some point.] You really need to be careful. You and Hermann can stay with me and Mary, if you want.

[They're not really like, staying anywhere, but the mattress store is big and useful and all.]

[Newt lets out a hollow laugh.]

I'm glad to hear that. I don't think it is either, obviously. But I'd say that about trying to scapegoat anyone, including a confirmed killer. A lot has changed this week, y'know? Like, Caren and Chuuya? I knew Caren. I'm sure she thought she was acting in everyone's best interest too. I don't know. And, I guess... If this trend continues, we'll have, um... More than just the Reapers to pick from.

[He's hoping that's not the case, but it's probably going to happen.]

You're right, though. This kind of thing coming out would just break trusts all around, even if people believed that I did it. It's tough to say for sure, I guess, but I think people trusted us before this. I don't want to make everyone unnecessarily suspicious.

[As for the offer, he gives Lenka a sad but appreciative smile.]

I wouldn't want to put you guys in danger. Besides, it's not like... You couldn't stop it anyway. I don't want Mary waking up to that. [...] But, thank you.

We will. We have too many more trials, and not enough Reapers.

[They're going to have some hard choices to make, and he can't mince words about that anymore. He wouldn't agree with taking out the Reapers at this stage, obviously, but nobody so far has been able to come up with workable alternatives that don't involve the runaround like Magnus and Taako are doing. There are ways to be more straightforward and ways to minimize damage...

But he's not sure how well that would go over with himself, never mind the rest of the Players.

He'd been frustrated at the lack of answers, once. They still don't have the real answers -- none of the ones they want -- but according to Max and perhaps the others watching the Game... they're doing better. They're taking steps forward.

He wants to save those important to him. It might be a little selfish. But he's willing to do everything he can to save as many as he can. Just--]

I also don't like that... Magnus was the one talking about honesty, last trial. I don't want him to do this.

[Were he human, he'd be biting his lip or otherwise resorting to habitual fidgets right now. As an Aragami, he absently bats his tail a little with one paw.]

You're thinking Friday is the only dangerous day. [he just told you to be careful, bro] But you know where to find us, if you need us.

Look, I don't think Magnus would necessarily be dishonest by throwing me to the wolves. I know that's how it sounds, but I mean... It's like I said. He genuinely thinks I did it, and it's not like I helped my case. I told them what they wanted to hear to protect Hermann.

[Which... ultimately would've backfired on him anyway, if it led to his execution. That would mean Hermann's execution, too. He panicked, okay?]

He didn't exactly twist my arm is what I'm saying. I offered that up.

[But, as for the rest.]

I... I'll be fine, okay? I appreciate the concern, though. Maybe I'll take you up on it if I live through the week.

[He shrugs. Clearly he's not sold on that being a thing that happens.]

But, uh... Thanks for telling me what you found out. This is helpful.

week 5 - lenka - wednesday

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