and every broken heart will mend

[scourgingstars]

[Not too long after the trial, a note found its way under everyone's doors, all of them written in the same neat handwriting that had been asking after a ring not that long ago.]

If any of you would prefer not to be left alone after all of that, I propose we meet in the dining hall. Nari has taken up cooking at the moment, and should anyone wish to talk I will be present regardless of whether or not the group at large should choose to join us.

-Ardyn

[True to his word, Ardyn was at a smaller table in the dining hall with an untouched cup of coffee in front of him; lost in thought leaning his head on one hand as the other turned a silver coin over between his fingers.]

[King in an empty hall, and savior of nothing. All that effort to prevent bloodshed, and it had come down to a situation designed to force their hand from the beginning.]

Comments

[theoverseen]

[Kip doesn't reappear for a while, and when he does he's shed the jacket and tie of the suit he was changed into at the trial, leaving him in the black shirt and black slacks.

He still looks slightly dazed, little better than one of Cece's roombas, but he's instinctively seeking warmth and companionship no matter how reluctantly it's given to him.]

[scourgingstars]

...Here.

[how about a peace offering in the form of a coffee that is more sugar than coffee]

[theoverseen]

[He's sat himself down somewhere, kind of staring off into the distance.

But he picks up the coffee and then looks at Ardyn with a small, grateful smile.]

Thanks. Sorry I...totally freaked out earlier. I...

I didn't take the notice seriously enough, I thought nobody would really kill over powers, and I forgot... about the possibility of an accident.

[scourgingstars]

...You truly didn't know, did you? Here I thought you an accomplice to all this, and you really expected no one was at risk of dying.

That should say Motive not Notice but ah well both work

[theoverseen]

No! I never wanted anyone to take rule 7 at all, I thought it was just like supposed to be a nod from the network to the last seasons...

I want last week back.

english is overrated

[scourgingstars]

I think each of us can say the same. None of us want this to continue any more than you seem to.

So I'll ask outright: is there anything else you've not told us that might be important to know?

[theoverseen]

[Kip nurses his coffee with both hands while he thinks about it.]

...I think that's the whole formula by now. Investigation, trial, execution...

[scourgingstars]

...I know this is not an ideal time for an interrogation, but what I said to Mai applies to you and your assistant as well. If you're truly not part of this, I want to help you. So if you know, please tell me: how does he expect this to end? Is the object to simply wipe us all out, or is there some purpose to it?

[theoverseen]

I don't know. I really did want it to be all about bonding, I don't know what PAL wants - or if PAL is even capable of wanting anything.

The first season ended with just two people left alive, but the second season they fought back and they ended up finding a way to bend the rules and break out.

Oh- shit, I just thought of something. A way that I can try to help you guys. My room, out in the guest house. There's no cameras out there.

[scourgingstars]

[Glacian bless you, Kip, you just did a 180 from useless to indispensable in less than two seconds.]

What? [Ardyn quickly lowered his voice in the (admittedly likely to be vain) hope that PAL might not hear them.] Is it possible for us to utilize that? We need somewhere he can't see us; if we're still audible, we'll find ways to work around that.

[theoverseen]

[Kip leans in so they can conspire a little better.]

I don't know how good it would be for big meetings because it's kind of small, but, you know, I may not know what the network's planning but I do know the franchise and the mansion. Maybe I can help.

I know the big bathrooms don't have cameras in them - the little bathrooms, between rooms, the room cameras can see into sometimes.

[everylittlesecret]

[Nari remembers that Kip doesn't like meat. So he'll be getting pancakes with what looks like way too many strawberries and whipped cream on them to be physically possible.]

You should eat. You'll feel better in the morning if you do.

[theoverseen]

[These look like the best pancakes ever. Of all time.

Still, he digs in slowly, taking big bites and chewing slowly.]

These are great. Thanks.

[The pancakes themselves could be sweeter but hey, what're you gonna do?]

[everylittlesecret]

[Honestly? She wanted to make them sweeter. But one has to consider all palates.]

No problem. Need some coffee-flavored sugar to go with it?

[theoverseen]

[That makes him kind of smile a little.]

I-I already had some, but I appreciate the offer.

[He smushes the whipped cream under the pancake, spears a couple strawberries, and scoops up a huge pile of both to shovel in his mouth.]

[everylittlesecret]

[The way he eats is a little nauseating to her. Smaller bites, please.]

So you're all fine and dandy now? Not gonna burst into random tears?

[theoverseen]

[No smaller bites we unhinge our jaws like snakes

At least he doesn't talk with his mouth full, opting instead to nod, first hesitantly and then with a little more conviction.]

...I keep thinking, none of this would've happened if the network hadn't called it Airlocked!... I was just so excited to have a real show of my own, I didn't think about it...

[everylittlesecret]

[That is terrifying....]

Can you... tell me more about the history of Airlocked? Why they would pick a name like that?

[theoverseen]

In the first two seasons, the "executions" were just...

[He gestures with the fork and makes a sound effect that's kind of like 'fwwpth']

...Tossed out the airlock.

My guess is that's where they got the name from.

[everylittlesecret]

..... gross. That. Is an awful way to die. It might sound fucked up, but I would rather get Mai's death than an airlock death... at least I could put up a fight.

[Probably the only person in the room who would admit to this.]

So why make this game have the same name if they don't toss people out an airlock?

[theoverseen]

I dunno. Brand recognition? But the others were kind of like- well, they were dramas, not reality shows.

[cameupshort]

[Well clearly one of them will have to go and change.]

[It takes a while after Kip arrives before FN-2187 makes his way over.]

Hey. ...Your bosses are assholes.

[theoverseen]

[They can both wear black excuse the hell out of you

Even his hair is black, right now]

...I noticed.

[cameupshort]

Yeah.

[He can't even bring himself to use an I-Told-You-So tone of voice, this is bullcrap.]

...Is that what it was like? For the other group?

[theoverseen]

[Kip glances at the nearest camera and then back down at the table.]

...This execution was a lot more. Personal.