foxhounds | night six

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.

[Hinata purses his lips tightly together as he stares at Matt, then slowly lowers the gun. Matt might be able to hear the shaky quality to his breathing hinting that he's losing his battle with tears, but he just nods. ]

M-Matt, I...

[He doesn't know what to say. What can he say? For all his belief in everything being okay, when it comes down to it... he doesn't want to lose Matt. But he has no choice.]

We'll... handle it from here. T-thank you.

[But he's not going to close his eyes or cover his ears. He owes it to Matt to watch, if nothing else. He won't let Pochi go until Clarine's had a chance to say something, so it's up to her to give the signal.]

... Matt...

[In a way, she still can't believe he'll do this for them. She cares about him too, but this seems to be going so far for them. To keep their hands clean when they've already done some terrible things...

She clutches to Erk's collar and bites back a sob, so it takes her a moment longer to talk.]

W-when...when you see the Judge... g-give her a piece of your mind...

If anyone c-can do it...it is you, Matt.

[Maybe they can put just a little hope in him, for ending this--though they'll naturally do what they can to end it on their side a well. She nods to Hinata, tearily. It's a promise. They'll handle it from here. But she's also not going to look away--not when this is their fault.]

Don't thank me. If you're wrong about Ivan - the Judge - all of this - there's nothing any of us can do. You'll have played right into her hands.

[But then again, those letters.... they shouldn't exist. There's no logical reason for any of things to have been written, and it's far too detailed to be a trick. Maybe they're right. Maybe their faith isn't for nothing. Maybe he should have faith in them. He'd admitted to Karen he couldn't do this alone when things were even less complicated and awful than this. All he's been doing is helping get the wrong people executed. It was sick, all of it. What can he do? What can they do? Is this the only way he can protect them?]

[His voice softens.]

Stay safe, both of you. Consider this my promise to you.

[If this was all an act he just got horribly played, but, well, he's ready. Come at him, shoe-thiefing doge bros.]

[(He'll go down fighting)]

Edited 2015-08-31 03:20 (UTC)

[Hinata just nods at first -- but right, Matt can't see that. He can't see the brave face Hinata's trying to put on, not for his own sake, but for Clarine's and for Matt's, but there's that sincere resolve in his quavering voice.]

We won't... let you down.

[And then he crouches too, taking Matt's shoe away from Pochi and giving the dog a gentle pat.]

...Go on.

[His voice is soft, but as soon as Hinata says go, Pochi's immediately lunging forward. He's making attempts to rip at Matt's ankles and calves again, trying to hobble him and get him down to a better mauling range. No matter how Matt might try to hurt him -- even if he tries shooting him -- Pochi doesn't seem daunted for more than a handful of seconds.]

[Clarine doesn't say anything; she's too choked up. But she does let go of Erk, and gestures towards Matt weakly, and that's enough for the dog. He lunges at Matt full force, leaping for an arm.

Just like Pochi, no matter what Matt does to the dog, nothing will seem to daunt him for long or be anything he can't recover from.

Being torn apart by dogs is a terrible way to go, and Clarine bites the inside of her cheek until it bleeds.]

Don't watch this.

[But if they watch this, they shouldn't feel too bad for him - despite being blind and sluggish and nerfed, he's still fucking badass. He uses the gun as a club rather than shooting it, backflipping to avoid the snapping jaws. When he's not clubbing he's using his fists, and it's truly impressive.]

[Even if he can't keep them down. He'll sure as hell try.]

[...This is way worse than if Matt had just let them shoot him. The entire time he's fighting, Hinata's heart is in his throat, and frustrated, helpless tears are streaming down his face. Even if he wanted to try to-- to help by attempting to shoot him now, there's no way he'd be able to aim well enough to hit him.

So he's just going to move over near Clarine, crouching beside her just so he can be near her.

In spite of the backflips, Pochi is fast, abnormally so. The next time Matt tries to use the gun as a club, Pochi's just going to latch onto his wrist and bite down with all his strength, trying to crush bone or at the very least, stagger him enough for Erk.]

[Seriously, dad, what the hell.

Clarine's openly crying now as well, and when Hinata crouches beside her she leans against him, frustration and sadness and guilt warring together.

She hates this. But now she knows they can't afford to lose even more than before. For Matt's sake as well.

Pochi makes for the opening, and Erk takes advantage--it's the work of a moment for the dog to lunge upwards in a quick, vicious movement, jaws open to try to rip out Matt's throat.]

[Aren't you glad you two didn't try to take him on proper? Their tears register in the back of his mind and it fuels that anger he's been keeping caged inside of him. And now, he's got two convenient targets.]

[Pochi can get the bone - and it crunches, and the gun drops to the ground but with his other arm, he's savagely punching Erk off of him, then pounding Pochi's face with the fist and attempting to fling him to the ground. His movements are fluid and brutal - realistically he knows he has no chance of beating these things, but damn if he isn't going to give it everything he's got. He's used to fighting for his life, nearly killing himself. That was nothing new. How many times had he nearly died, only for Claire or someone else to have to patch him up?]

[This time, there isn't anyone to do that.]

[They'd have been fuckin rekt if they'd tried.

Hinata just numbly wraps an arm around Clarine's shoulders and bits his lip, flinching with almost every hit -- which is quite a lot, because it's not just Matt, it's his dog, as well. He's never seen them in action like this, and frankly, it's terrifying. All three of them are terrifying.

But he's not going to remind Clarine that she doesn't have to watch; he's pretty sure that she's watching for the same reason he is. Because someone should be there to see this.

--Even if this is Pochi being flung to the ground with a harsh whimper before springing back up to his feet again. That arm is wounded, now, and so that's where Pochi concentrates his efforts, moving behind Matt and trying to take a bite out of his leg, or his arm, or his side; anything he can reach, he's just going in and tearing now.]

[Look you have a high school ??? and a healer, they would've been so rekt.

But nonetheless, they have to watch this horrifying display; there's no other option. Erk fights alongside Pochi, working with fierce, dogged determination, completely focused on tearing into Matt wherever he can get in a bite.

It's horrifying, and bloody, and gruesome, and all Clarine can do is press closer to Hinata in horror and a little bit of fear as the dogs give all that they have to try to bring Matt down, tearing at him with their teeth and bodyslamming him in an attempt to knock him down to allow them easier access to his face and throat.]

[And on it goes. Matt takes his beating without a simple complaint - every snarl, bite, crunch or ripping is met with grunts or stoic silence. He sure as hell can hold his own, but it's a hopeless battle. The longer this goes on, the more distressed those kids yet.]

[Why are they still here, watching? He should've knocked them out. They shouldn't have to watch this.]

[Finally, he rolls away away from the dogs long enough to snag his gun. It's loaded, of course he is, and at the back of mind, he doesn't want to do this. He doesn't want to die. He doesn't want someone to have to tell Foggy, or Karen, or Claire - that's he's gone, just as two of them expected. Just like Foggy warned him.]

[Suicide was a sin in the eyes of God, wasn't it? Not that Matt hadn't do anything but sin. And now, priestless, in this last moments, he can't confess. It doesn't matter. He wouldn't ask for forgiveness even if he could - he can only pray that these two are right to believe in their plan, that they aren't being tricked, that they can still make it out alive. That they won't be trapped in a fate worse than death.]

[A few mantears well up, unbidden. He raises the gun to his forehead, squeezing the trigger---]

[---And of course the damn thing jams.]

Edited 2015-08-31 08:25 (UTC)

night six - kill log.

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