[ IC ] Traumaprom

[thexfactor]

[ Looks like it's that time again ]

Comments

[thexfactor]

What do you mean?

[grandstanding]

You're trying to think of an answer because that's what we've been told to do. What would you rather say instead, without being railroaded into it?

[thexfactor]

. . . I would refuse.

[grandstanding]

Then that's your answer.

I used to bow and bend to these creatures too. I'd do it willingly, or I'd do it out of fear. It used to chafe at me; I'm sure you remember.

[they had at least one angry conversation about it.]

It becomes habit, what they do. And we've had it worse, because we've been run through this mill twice. It grinds into our bones and the poison of it stays.

[thexfactor]

[ nods ]

Well . . . dying is nothing new at this point.

[grandstanding]

[he laughs, short and gruff.]

[thexfactor]

[ he chuckles a little himself ]

[grandstanding]

Power has to be won. It needs to be wrested from those who have it, and hold it over you.

[thexfactor]

If only there was a way to do that here.

[grandstanding]

It's been done before. That one time, with Rotten...

[and that was a fluke, as much as anything.]

I don't think we'll have much of a role in the downfall of this place. Unless we find a way to strike at Nyssa tomorrow, we've done our parts. So all that's left is to do is start retaking our own power. Our ability to choose.

[a part of him thinks it's insane that he's equating this with voluntarily letting himself be killed. but that's just how far they've come.]

[thexfactor]

Then . . . that's what we'll do. This is what I choose.

[grandstanding]

[he nods.]

Who knows. It might spare someone from our teams.

[there is that 50% ratio to think about.]

[thexfactor]

I suppose.

I guess I still feel . . . frustrated.

[grandstanding]

[he grunts.]

I'm not impressed with it either. When have they ever repeated a game like this?

[thexfactor]

I think it has happened before.

[grandstanding]

[Erik eases back from his grip on Charles's chair, straightening.]

If it has, I don't recall. Other than the trips into people's hearts.

[thexfactor]

Some . . . difficult games can happen regularly.

[grandstanding]

They're usually unique, though.

[he sighs, raking a hand back through his hair.]

[thexfactor]

I wonder. Sometimes, at the core of things, . . . they're all the same.

[grandstanding]

We have had an inordinate amount of experience with it.

[thexfactor]

An unfortunate amount.

[grandstanding]

Mmhmm.

[thexfactor]

. . . I wish I could tell how you're feeling right now.

[grandstanding]

I'm not particularly hiding it.

I am a little irritated at myself, for no longer treating death here as permanent. I never wanted to do that. But... even if I did still feel that way, I think I'd make the same decision.

[thexfactor]

. . .