[round 4] ~WEB COMMUNICATIONS~

[15unknowns]

If you need to talk to the Stewards, speak near a spider and a cobweb will appear, projecting the voice of whichever one deigns to answer...

Or you could just go track one of them down like a normal person.

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Comments

[yonosoymaria]

[He has nowhere to go from here. That keeps drumming itself into Eric's skull. He has nowhere to go from here, he can't go home and he's closed all doors to elsewhere, now.

For some reason the others have not yet descended upon him as they ought to have done the instant everyone was freed. For some reason, he's being allowed to live. It is worse, really. Even if his teacher isn't here, he can't go home, not with innocents' blood on his hands.

So yes, he's curled up with his back to a wall, his arms wrapped around his legs, his face hidden against his knees. (If he can't see Alucard he isn't there.) Yes, he's wallowing in disgust at himself and hating every single beat of his heart. Yes, there's a spiderweb nearby, but he's not talking.]

[15unknowns]

[Unfortunately, the spiders are watchful. A familiar, rough voice comes out from the cobwebs]

Oi! Pick yourself up already. I told you I'd do you one better, didn't I? Why are you listening to those fucking idiots? You said you'd stay here. You've done plenty to gain our Lady's favor. I'm gonna be pissed if you were lying to me about all that.

[yonosoymaria]

There's nowhere else I can stay.

[His voice is muffled, but audible enough.

Just muffled. Not tearful. At all. He is a grown man, after all. Manslaughter resulting in the death of the dreams he'd let himself have isn't something to cry about. You only get that sort of chance when it's your fiancee dead.]

[15unknowns]

Good.

[It's definitely cruel that he sees Eric's despair as an advantage, but it's pleasing to the lady, which is all that matters.]

You know what? I think eventually you're gonna look back on this and be happy you protected him. Madness ain't so bad - Hell! Even if what you saw wasn't real, it was what you needed to see to get what you wanted. You can do all kinds of shit if you just ride out your craziness where it takes you.

For example. You actually wanted to protect someone here, didn't you? Ain't nothing saying that can't still be possible.

[yonosoymaria]

Don't talk in riddles. Please. My head hurts, I can't make any sense of it. How would it still be possible, killing again?

[15unknowns]

If some asshole goes after the one person you want to protect, why the fuck not? You're not bound by the rules of the game anymore! Advantages!

Who is it, anyway? You can tell me, hehehe.

[yonosoymaria]

[He is fully aware that he's going to sound like a sullen little boy when he says this, but does it anyway - ]

Promise you won't laugh, or let him go after the person I name.

[15unknowns]

Tch. Easiest promise to make, you think I'd give that old bastard the pleasure?

[Eric's predisposition against the other steward adds years to his life span.]

[yonosoymaria]

Thank you. I - it's two of them, for very different reasons, but. Krone. I would have given it to her, I think, if I'd been allowed. If I'd had to make a decision right then. Her or Jun. God, he'd hate me even more.

[And having said that out loud makes it real enough that he somehow manages to curl up just a bit tighter.]

[15unknowns]

A woman and a kid, eh? Well, I did promise not to laugh, but shit. What the hell are you, some kind of wannabe father figure?

[he seems amused by the choices for other reasons though.]

I can't help the Launcher brat, he got no respect for Big Sis and acts like he has a goddamn death wish constantly to boot, so he'd be way too much effort. He's got enough fucking babysitters as it is. But Obtuse? I get it. It ain't no fun sticking around if your lady friends can't make it, huh?

[yonosoymaria]

I have a rather awful track record at keeping them alive so far.

[This is said, bitter and tear-damp, to the backs of his knees. But Eric does uncurl then, and leans his head back against the wall.]

He does have something of an honor guard, now. But I can't shake the things that happened at the first trial out of my head, I want her to be safe. If it means sending her from here without me, if she has to forget she ever met me or some stupid fairytale thing like that... so long as she lives a long life as vibrant as she is, I'll be happy.

[15unknowns]

[there is a mutter from the beyond cobwebs that almost sounds like "tell me about it"]

Oi! Don't get ahead of yourself, asshole! What if she wants to side with Big Sis too, huh?!

But shit, if it's like that, as long as neither of you betray us, I can make sure she doesn't wind up a suspect. Ain't a big loss for me. She even helped you get away with it, if you really think about it.

[yonosoymaria]

She did... my God, you're right. She did.

[He sighs. Deeply. It's not quite relief, but it might sound like that over the spider-wireless.]

[15unknowns]

[The Steward hears that deep sigh. Sounds like a soft spot to poke at. His voice sounds sly and conspiratorial.]

Think it was on purpose?

[yonosoymaria]

[It is the easiest most tender place to dig in a hook, your Stewardliness... but aren't hearts always?]

I'm beginning to think so. Even with what she said after - even then, she said she believed in me. Or had believed in me. It's something, at least.