the general - night six.

[foxhounds]

THE GENERAL night six Instead of waking up in the jungle, you wake up elsewhere. This is the square where The General comes to decide what to do, and Ivan patiently sits on a bench, though she's as impassive as ever to what's going on. Each of you has your own foxhound who's barking happily to welcome you back. They'll help you find who you choose to hunt tonight. After all, you're saving them. You have a little while to discuss who you'll hunt tonight, but don't linger too long, since you only have until dawn. rulebook character statuses profiles All night votes will be due 8/30 by 5PM EST

Comments

[foxhounds]

[ When you all wake up, Ivan isn't sitting in her usual spot. She's standing, and it looks like she has something in mind, and she opens with an interesting question. ]

—Do you all trust me?

[unrulyprincess]

Well... yes, certainly, Ivan.

[Clarine just blinks, slowly tilting her head.

???]

Why do you ask?

[foxhounds]

I—

[ She hesitates, then nods as if to steel herself. ]

I want to take a risk. If you are all willing. It's dangerous. But I think... If it worked, then these cruel games could stop.

[unrulyprincess]

[But they're so close. She knows they're close.

Then again, it feels as though they are close to losing, as well, so... what can be the harm in listening, at least?]

At the very least, we certainly can hear you out...after all, you have been here for us when we have needed you.

[foxhounds]

I can't go into too much detail. Not now. That's... That's why I'm asking for your trust, if I do this.

[ She nods, then looks down. ]

If it works, then there will no longer be any viable prey to hunt. You'll win, and everyone will be fine. If it doesn't... [ She hesitates, then frowns. ]

I think all of you that remain would become like Shijima. You'd become Zaroffs and forced to be in the Hunt until you could overthrow the Overseer.

[unrulyprincess]

W-what...?

[Her eyes widen at that. That sort of risk.....]

A-and what would happen to those that are already dead? [double dead??? no longer zombies?? She doesn't know how to refer to them.]

[foxhounds]

They've already been judged. They would be fine.

[unrulyprincess]

[She bites her lip... she knows she can't make a decision without Hijikata or Hinata's inputs, but Hijikata is... Hijikata. And Hinata's hardly at his best after that display.

What would her father ask in this situation?]

... How likely...do you think this would be to work?

[foxhounds]

I'm not sure. It depends on the people left.

[ She wrings her hands nervously, but then nods. ]

But... I'm putting myself at stake too. I'm on your side. So I'm making sure that you'll win, if I can.

ugh ivan im sorry

[hijiwanwan]

[ No hold up, he gotta yell first? Today hasn't been his cup of tea, so sorry Ivan you gotta get the butt of it. ]

First of all, what the hell is your problem!? You let those damn dogs loose and look at what they did! They killed Souji, of all people! [ UGH. UGH! ]

[foxhounds]

...That's not in my control. You know that.

[ wtf hiji you have no room to complain here ]

[hijiwanwan]

[ UGgggggggggggh but ivaaaaaaaaaaan ]

... [ Man... Looks to god, but god isn't there. ]

Then maybe you should just hurry up and speak. Whether I trust you or not doesn't matter since I have no choice to be here anyway.

[foxhounds]

[ She nods ]

I want you all to win. So I'm doing what I can to make sure of that. But that's where you have to trust me. I... can't say much more, or it won't work.

[hijiwanwan]

... [ SIGH. ]

I want to win too.

[ Ugh... He feels awful. ] And... That means I can bring back Souji right?

[foxhounds]

[ She nods, and this she seems more confident about. ]

Yes. If it works, then he, and everyone else will be brought back.

[unrulyprincess]

Are you...sure of this?

[Clarine fiddles with her fingers, wincing.]

It all simply sounds too-- well, too good to be true.

[hijiwanwan]

What other choice do I even have?

[ Ugh. He's still holding onto Yamatonokami, clenching the sword tightly in his fists to prevent himself from shaking again. ]

Those damn dogs killed him, those dogs are on our side. I killed him and I have to bring him back... [ He couldn't say that when they actually discovered the body. You know, not safe, their identities. ]

If there's a way to make up for my faults, I guess... We don't really have a choice.

[unrulyprincess]

We...could continue to play the game.

[Yeah, it sucks, but she thinks if they survive for a little while longer, they'll be okay. They'll make it.]

I believe between the three of us... do you not believe we shall be able to do so? I do trust Ivan, but she also does not seem certain, and I do not wish for her to risk herself as well...

[UGHHH HARD LIFE CHOICES]

... I just do not know, Hijikata. There are too many at stake.

[hopefragment]

...

[Yeah, no, Hinata's not answering immediately. Hinata's not answering much of anything immediately. He's not crying anymore, which is... something... but he is starting to get that weird, detached look he was sporting yesterday. People are asking him to choose something that he really isn't sure of, and has no basis for. When he finally does answer, it's low and hoarse from his earlier screaming.]

Does it... have anything to do with what happened to Melborn?

[Just... asking without looking at her.]

[foxhounds]

[ She shakes her head. ]

...No. It's a way to turn the Judge's games against her.

[hopefragment]

Against... the Judge, huh?

[Well, when it's put like that...

Hinata doesn't know if any of them really deserve to come back, still. He certainly doesn't think he can return to a normal life, after this. Going to class, doing homework, playing sports... all of that seems to far away. But even still...]

When you say... "it would only hurt the Generals," do you mean the three of us? Or are Gi-ne and Orion and Kuninaga at stake, too?

[foxhounds]

Only the three of you. In a sense, the other three are safe.

[hopefragment]

...

If we all become the Zaroff... we'd have to try to get people to vote for you. And then, eventually, for each other, right? I don't...

[He was going to say "he doesn't know if he can do that," but after all, he didn't think he could ever kill anyone either AND LOOK WHAT HAPPENED EARLIER.]

A-anyway... how can you be sure the Judge won't interfere? If we do decide to trust you.

[foxhounds]

[ She nods. ]

It's a possibility. But it's just as possible that you'll never see each other again. I've never seen any of the other people who were in my Hunt when we killed our Overseer. This is not the only Hunt that happens.

[ Though for her other question, she smiles just a little more. She seems confident. ]

...But the Judge's interference is why I can't tell you more. Once she knows what's happening, she'll step in. So I want to snare her first.

[hopefragment]

...So... would this stop those Hunts, too? All those people...?

[God, Hinata's already having issues with pressure, and now this too?? This is so much. He didn't choose the protag life.]

Is... your idea going to change the rules we currently have to follow?