[ IC ] Traumaprom

[thexfactor]

[ Looks like it's that time again ]

Comments

[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]

. . .

[grandstanding]

I'm angry, and I'm scared. But I'm resolved.

[thexfactor]

[ bows his head a little ]

I couldn't care less about dying. Which is pathetic in its own way, but I rather do that than watch someone die in front of me again.

This is my version of running away.

[grandstanding]

...then I want you to promise me something.

[thexfactor]

. . . What is it?