Trauma Prom

[hitlist]

[ So we're in a tiny cell, it's pretty dark. Good thing Arya is a tiny person, because this could get cramped fairly fast. However she is already up and roaming around the small space, looking for a way out.

Arya logic. ]

Maybe we can find candles. Where are we?

Comments

[regrets]

[feeling around for an opening ...]

Do you know how we got in here?

[hitlist]

No. I just stepped into the ring, and then I was here. Do you?

[regrets]

The ... same. I was in a game that seemed impossible to beat before, but we managed to win.

[hitlist]

I think we can win. We just have to make sure that no one dies. I have to keep my promise.

[regrets]

... I can't die.

[hitlist]

I know, I won't let you.

[regrets]

No, it's ... I've been ordered not to die. Even if I would prefer to make that choice here, I'm not capable of it. There's a ... curse of a sort that's keeping me from doing it.

[hitlist]

Why would you ever want to die on purpose? [ this seems like a nifty curse to her, until... ]

I don't want to die either. We have to trade.

[regrets]

... Sometimes people deserve to die.

But you're not one of them, so a trade is in order. After all, a different situation would lead to me readily making that choice.

[hitlist]

Only the bad ones. You aren't a bad one.

Right. We will make them a good offer. They can't refuse us if we make a good one. Should we ask what they like? Or...should we guess?

[regrets]

Something ... worthwhile, for your life. I'll give up anything.

[hitlist]

I would give up... [ considers ] anything too. Maybe my stick. Or a hand.

[regrets]

Ah ... well, I'd like the opportunity to give something up all on my own. Since ... even if you are keeping a promise, you don't have a choice here.

[hitlist]

Alright. But if you get hurt, you have to promise to let me put a band-aid on it later.

[regrets]

Well, I wasn't thinking of losing a hand or anything. Maybe something deeper.

[hitlist]

Like what?

[ SUSPICIOUS PEER ]

[regrets]

If I could get rid of the ability to not choose whether I live or die, I would, but they would find that ... unfitting, I suspect. I thought ... perhaps memories.

[hitlist]

They might like it. It means next time, they can get you too.

[ PEERING STILL ] Do you not want to remember something from home?

[regrets]

That's a point ... but it's still selfish for this time. And sometimes, it's worse to put us through this.

[hesitates]

And ... yes, but I'm not sure what yet.

[hitlist]

I think the Personae are stupid. These ones are at least.

[ nods ] Alright. But what if you can't get it back? Will you be able to go home missing that?

[regrets]

Most of them are untrustworthy ... and demanding of our respect. They created a system that continually puts us at a disadvantage.

... I—I'm not sure.

[hitlist]

I'll quest for it back, if you can't. I want to help you, too.

[regrets]

... I suppose I can't tell you no, can I?

... Ah. What kind of world do you come from?

[hitlist]

There is a lot of war. But I had at least three brothers, and they weren't there when I had to kill someone.

I had a wolf. She disappeared, too.

[regrets]

That explains why you're taking this in stride. It's ... a little surprising. I'm sorry you've lived in such a violent world

... I killed someone when I was younger, too. There's a lot of war, too. Unnecessary war. I've never liked it.

[hitlist]

I liked it, I suppose. I can't remember much of it.

[ she looks at him, a little warily ] I think I killed a lot of people. I can't remember if that makes me bad or not.

But I don't want to die. And I want to protect my friends. You're my friend.

[regrets]

... I've killed a lot, too. It does make me bad, and a lot of my resolve ... is to not kill again, and yet somehow, I keep doing it.

But I'll accept your friendship. Thank you.

[hitlist]

[ she hesitates.. ] I don't mind being bad if it means I can help my friends and my brothers. I would kill all of the bad people for them.

You're welcome.

[regrets]

... Ah ...

Something terrible happened, didn't it?

[hitlist]

I can't remember. I just remember being really determined that I would kill people...who I can't remember either.

[ shakes head ]

But we're still stuck. I want to trade something, too.

[regrets]

Maybe ... you can trade something less and that means I can trade something not as bad.

[hitlist]

[ thinks.... ]

I'll give up sight. That's not so bad.

[regrets]

... How can you protect people that way? That's too much!

[hitlist]

I could give up one eye...

[regrets]

No, I don't want you to harm yourself.

[hitlist]

Fine. Then I'll give up my name.

[regrets]

... So everyone will forget your name? I guess that's suitable.

[hitlist]

We can always make up a new one. And no one will get hurt.

[regrets]

... All right, then I will give up the memories of someone I love—someone who's here. It will be up to the personae who they choose, so that the choice won't be in my hands. Afterward, we can quest to get those back.

[hitlist]

Right. I'll remember, so I can help. [ hand shake....? ]

[regrets]

[handshake]