foxhounds | night six

[Everything happens so much. Hinata, Clarine, all along--- The kids he'd been trying to protect, the kids he promised he'd do his best to get home--]

Point me to the Judge and I'll deal with her!

[Because clearly these poor cinnamon rolls are getting coerced and blackmailed and if he takes her out, they'll be free??]

[Pochi gets as far as pantleg and a bit of skin before that kicking comes for him. Matt barely flinches as he's bitten, but his kick is hard, if sluggish. Pochi's welcome to take off part of his shoe as it happens. Or the whole shoe.]

[Yet, he's still making no moves to hurt either one of his human attackers, even if he's tense, as if trying to anticipate their next move. A bit of blood trickles down from his shoulder]

Call them off. [His tone is firm, cutting, authoritative, and deeper than usual. Someone's been practicing his Batman voice.] I'm listening.

[Pochi is absolutely taking that shoe. He'll probably keep it, too, because he has earned this. This is his now. But before he can lunge again, Hinata's pointing -- with the gun, because it's still in his hand --]

Pochi, stop!

[--And immediately, he does. He's still growling, muscles still tensed and ready to spring, but he's not springing yet.]

H-how do you know about her?!

[If there's anything Hinata was expecting to hear, it certainly wasn't that. There's genuine surprise in his voice, as well as fear -- did they make a mistake? Are they making a mistake? He's frantically trying to cycle through his evidence bullets to think of a time when the Judge has been mentioned during the day, and he can't.]

Erk, stop...

[She also calls her dog to her side, expression tense. No, Clarine also does not like the Judge, but she's pretty sure this is not right at all.

... .. ... She crosses her arms across her chest, a defiant gesture (but one that's more hesitant than anything).]

... How much do you truly know, Matt?

[Never in public. Never in trials. How does he know? That's a mystery he's not willing to share just yet.]

I know she's the one running this sick excuse for a game. The one you all answer to. [But the dogs are heeling - good kids. Matt doesn't relax one iota, and he's now bitten and missing a shoe, but with the ceasefire (heh!), he's standing in place, head tilted towards them.]

Why don't you tell me? How is this getting everyone home, Hinata? How is this for the good of everyone, Clarine? [There's an edge of anger to his voice, despite the lack of aggression]

We don't answer to that woman!

[Woah, sudden vehemence from the tall weenie corner. Now that they've stopped moving, now that Hinata's not trying to dodge or predict how Matt will move, he's starting to shake from the impact of what they're doing.]

It's thanks to one of us that the Judge's pet got revealed as soon as soon as she did! I--

[And there's a beat, where it seems like he's going to continue, but then stops. Seems almost like he can't.]

I... just need you to trust me, Matt. My part in this... is the only thing I've ever lied to you about.

[WHICH IS A PRETTY BIG LIE, HINATA.]

Edited 2015-08-30 23:47 (UTC)

[At quite honestly almost the same time as Hinata--]

That stain on this island is not who we answer to, so I would appreciate that you do not insinuate so!

[Wow, there's a lot of hate for the Judge over here from both weenies......]

... I am sorry. Removing you from this barbaric game is the best we can do... You shall understand after. Or... or so I hope. Regardless, I shall not make excuses for what we have done and...for what we are doing.

Then who, if not her? She's behind all of this, isn't she? [Reactions noted. And he's guessing they're referring to Shijima. He's still pretty pissed about getting used by Orion, but Shijima was a danger, so he's willing to let that slide]

You're trying to kill me. You've killed innocent people, including your own friends. [and some swords, who cares] Why, exactly, should I trust either of you?

I want answers. [There goes the Batman voice. Dad Batman voice.]

She might have started it, but we're going to end it!

[Hinata's still shaking as he yells that; Pochi whines quietly in the back of his throat, as if sensing his master's distress, but he doesn't relax or take his eyes off Matt. Just in case he gets a shot for the other shoe.]

I'm trying to tell you, Matt! I'm giving you everything I can! If we die, if we lose... no one gets to go home. Not us, not you, not anyone who's left. Don't you get it?!

... He is right. Do you believe we would do this for any other reason? We are going to end this.

[She takes a deep breath, closing her eyes, and then shakes her head.]

Still... I am aware of what this looks like. I do not expect you to... [Forgive them... it hurts, she can't bring herself to say it, because it's the last thing she wants, in truth. She'd always wanted to make people proud, Matt included, and this....well.]

... We have to do this.

[It's hard to say if that's intended for Matt, or Hinata and Clarine.]

[Yeah, he can put two and two together. He remembers that beast from the first night, the implications that have been made to him, by several people, several times.]

[It's easy to read between the lines of what they're saying, with how distressed they are. As angry as he is, he can't blame them. But:] How do you know that you aren't being played? That "winning" this game really will end this? That you, or I, or anyone else won't be forced to go through all of this again? Shijima was.

[His voice softens - closer to the usual, protective Mattdad. His fight isn't with them, not truly. Not even with Pochi the shoe thief] Tell me where I can find the Judge. I can end this myself.

Because... we have someone we've decided to believe in. Someone who's watched over us and done everything she could for all of us on this island. Because... if the generals are being played, the only ones who will be hurt from it... will be the two of us.

[Matt can't see Hinata's face, but surely he can hear resolve in his voice. Anger, sadness, and fear, too, but a quiet resolve nonetheless as he nods at Clarine, bringing the gun up again with both hands.]

If you really want to meet the Judge... you have to die here. That's the only way for sure I know you'd be able to see her.

[Clarine looks sad, incredibly so, really, as she looks at Matt.

And she smiles a little, as sadly as can be.]

If you could stop this...if you could stop the Judge, that would be truly incredible.

[But...she doubts it. Well, for one, he'd have to go meet her first. And the only way to do that is...just like Hinata said.]

...But we are doing what we can in our own way to stop this. It will not harm anyone else, I promise. I know how strange that sounds, after all of this, but it is the truth.

... If it does not work, it is only us...as it should be. Though... I am also frightened by that.

[She shakes that away, instead lifting her chin. So...here they are.]

You two and the people you've all killed. [They're referring to Ivan, he assumes again, but he fails to see why these kids should trust her. He never believed she was a real contender in this "game" - but that doesn't mean she can be trusted, and if she's manipulating these kids into killing by playing on their desire to end this game, he'll deal with her himself. His free fist is clenching, at that thought.]

How would my death bring me to her?

[But their behaviors are odd. Even with this convenient Mary Sue lie detecting skills not working, they sound sincere, as if they really believe this. And yet, it makes no sense. None of it does.]

[When did it ever?]

And if I refuse, and live tonight?

N-no, that's not it. I mean it.

I don't... know how you know about her, but you obviously don't know what, exactly, she's judging. If you did, you'd understand.

[Hinata shakes his head, grip firming around the pistol even as his hands start shaking again.]

Even if you... if you kill us, Pochi and Erk... I'm sorry, Matt. Even you can't stop them.

[Because Hinata totally gets that if Matt really wanted them dead, hurt, or incapacitated in any way, he definitely wouldn't be able to stop him. Clarine probably can't, either.

Also Pochi absolutely has his eyes on that other shoe.]

[Erk shifts upon hearing his name, as alert and content as if he'd never been pistol whipped, and Clarine nods slowly.]

You have listened to us, and I am truly grateful for that. I know from all appearances that is...more than we deserve.

[...]

If even now I was allowed to make wishes, I would wish...that you would meet the Judge, and cause her to stop this, but without hurting the others.

[She lifts the gun in her hands as well and trains it on Matt with a remarkably steady grip. It's been a long few days.]

... But I suppose... I do not really have the right to make requests any longer. Still...thank you for always looking out for me, and Hinata as well.

[Matt's shoes, the real victims in this...!] What happens to you if you fail? [well that does absolutely nothing to clear anything up, THANKS, HINATA.....]

[He can hear them all moving, and he's tensing like a coil, again, mind racing. He's not worried about himself, oh no. These two kids... THIS KILLS THE MATT. He's still certain that there's another way.]

I have no intention of hurting you two. What I said - that I will get you two home to the best of my ability - I mean it. But I'm not going to give up and die.

There has to be another way. Let me help you find it.

[Rest in pieces, Matt's shoes--!]

Before, if we lost... no one would be able to escape. But now, if it works... it'll be okay. You guys will be fine, but we'll... we'll become like Kurookano. That's... that's fitting punishment for us if we fail you guys, right?

[There seems to be a difference here between being "able to escape" and "being fine," but Hinata doesn't seem to want to elaborate on it.]

Matt, this is the only way. You've done so much for both of us, but this time... You've got to leave it to us.

[Hinata's voice is shaking along with his hands now. He'd thought he'd been all out of tears after what happened with Rei, but now?? Apparently he found some reserves, and while he's not openly crying, he's definitely got tears in his eyes.]

Edited 2015-08-31 01:36 (UTC)

...You cannot, Matt. You cannot help us now.

[There's just a sad little smile at that, but...no, Hinata, don't start crying, she'll start crying too...!!]

But... you have always tried, and for that, I am truly grateful.

We shall do our best, or...

[They'll become like Shijima. But that's what it is, that's what they've agreed to, and that's all there is to it. It doesn't seem to be up for discussion.]

So for now... please leave it to us.

[YOU KIDS ARE KILLING HIM. Maybe literally.]

[Even Matt's having a hard time remaining stoic. Oh, what he'd give to be able to put on his mask and beat the shit out of the Judge - Ivan - anyone who's forcing these kids to play, manipulating them into believing the only way to save everyone is to kill them. This isn't like home. Back then, he'd thought killing Fisk could end the suffering spreading across Hell's Kitchen - but what the hell is he supposed to do now? They kill him. He supposedly gets a chance to meet the Judge and end this. If they lose, they're trapped in this cycle of murder. If they win, they might be lied to anyway.]

[He'd pray to God for answers, but considering the actions he's already taken - he's already condemned men and women to die, innocents, wasn't he a murderer? Hadn't he already crossed that line? What was he supposed to do?]

[His fist clenches around the gun]

Tonight. What happens to you tonight if you fail to kill me? If I don't let you?

Matt!

[GOD WHY DO YOU WANT TO LIVE SO MUCH????? STOP IT???]

Matt, we already voted. No matter what... I'm sorry. It's how this damn game works! If we don't kill you, Pochi and Erk will rip you to pieces. I don't-- I don't want you to suffer like that, Matt, I don't want anyone to suffer!

Please... It's fine i-if you hate me. Just please believe me, we're doing... we're doing everything we can.

You would suffer... and others would suffer. And we...

[What would happen to them, if they failed tonight? She swallows, a little pale, and tries not to waver.

A slow, shaky breath.]

I do not believe it would go so well for us, either. We have committed. There is now...no going back.

[HE WANTS TO LIVE SO HE CAN PROTECT YOU LITTLE SHITS??? FROM YOURSELVES, IF NECESSARY??]

I'm not going to let you two kill me. You've--- [this is completely wrong, if that's their concern--] You've done enough. [that's not even an accusation, just the thought of these two feeling they have to shoot them to end his suffering, anyone's suffering, is making him sick.]

[WHY COULDN'T IT HAVE BEEN SOME RANDOM ASSHOLE SENT TO KILL HIM???]

[He'll fight the damned dogs. He'll find a way. If worst comes to worst--]

If there's really no other way, then I'll do it myself.

[he's got a gun.]

Edited 2015-08-31 02:08 (UTC)

[UGH NO DAD THEY'RE GROWN UP??? IT'S THEIR TURN TO PROTECT YOU???? Or something.]

Matt, that's-!

[He's still not crying, but Hinata almost looks like he's going to be sick. Especially on the heels of what he'd learned about Rei... there's some Trauma associated with that.]

Y-you saw what the dogs do to people... t-that, that we can't control. [For as well-trained as they are, they're still vicious foxhounds. Even with cute, ordinary names like Pochi.] T-that's why, we were going to...

[Try to shoot him before he really realized what was happening. BUT LOOK WHAT HAPPENED...]

Wha...

[For a moment, there's just the soft gasp of shock, and then the horror sets in and settles in her tone. Matt shooting himself so they won't have to dirty their hands? That's just wrong. He shouldn't have to do that.

It makes her sick to imagine. Sure, they're the ones doing this now but...]

T-this is ours to...to bear! I cannot ask you to do such a thing...! We wished for this to be...to be painless, to be fast, for all that you have done for us, because there are so many dangers out here a-and...!

[And the Generals are truly only one of many. But now there are the tears from Clarine as well, choking up her voice.]

L...let us do this for y-you... If it is for people like you, I am willing to do anything. [Even bloody her hands. But even so, they're not backing down.]

Clarine. Hinata.

[A deep breath as he gets his feelings under control, and the tremor that's been present in his voice evens out. He can hear their fragile emotional states, he can taste the blood in the air, he can sense the animals' vicious dispositions. He knows that much is true.]

[Stick's words are coming back to haunt him, now, at his potentially last moments. People you care about? Cut them loose. If you don't, you will die, and they will suffer. He can't kill them. If he doesn't die, something worse might happen to them. He'd known, sooner or later, the Generals were going to target him. He was willing to paint a target on his back - to die - if meant saving the innocent people on this island. That much hasn't changed.]

[Maybe now that's being put to the test.]

That's enough. Put your guns down; let the dogs loose if you need to - close your eyes and cover your ears.

I'll handle the rest.

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