[You know what makes a complicated situation even more complicated? Adding Yeager to the mix. So naturally Raven finds the man seated in the dining hall with him and...Alexei...great. Well, as nice as it would be to just avoid Yeager for the time being, he should probably sort things out with the man. After all, their last encounter was uh...something to say the least.
So once everyone has started dispersing to investigate the area, Raven tracks down Yeager in what is hopefully a quiet area.]
Well, if ain't ol' Twinkletoes. [He's of course referring to the flashy display Yeager put on while revealing that he was Regaey all along. Truly the plot twist of the century that he did not figure out ages ago.] Fancy runnin' into ya here of all places.
[Of all people... Alexei and Raven, huh? Well, this makes a complicated situation even more difficult, but that seems to be the way Yeager's luck has been going lately, so he really shouldn't be surprised. He's not particularly surprised when Raven tracks him down not long after everyone's headed out - they're thankfully alone here for the time being, and it seems unlikely they'll be interrupted.]
Hmm... I'm quite sure I have no idea what you're referring to!
[But anyway, pleasantries aside.]
I must admit, you really did surprise me. What an odd place to meet up again, ja?
[Sure you don't, Yeager. Raven just lets out a snort, letting it slide for now. They're a long way from home, so there's not much point in discussing it right now.]
Guess that's our habit of showin' up in unexpected places workin' in the same direction. Doesn't account for the Commandant, though...
[Seriously, what a quaint little group this is.]
So what's yer last memory, anyway? Do you remember agreein' ta any of this?
It certainly is odd that a man like that is here...
[Sure, he's also a shady old man, but not in the same direction!! It's even more confusing that the three of them are here, when it seems some don't recognize anyone else who showed up here.]
My memory isn't nearly terrible enough to have forgot something like this... And last I checked, I wasn't precisely alone either, so I'm not sure how only the two of us were brought here.
[Gauche and Droite are almost always around, but it's not like it was just the three of them either. It certainly seems strange that no one else was dragged here aside from Raven. Alexei wasn't even nearby...]
[It's a very odd position for the three of them. Raven's had suspicions about some things for a while, so...
Well, anyway. Back to the conversation at hand.]
Same here, actually. I was still with the kids, last I remember. An' while I don't know where Alexei was, I doubt it was on Desier. Dunno if ya got back through beforehand or not, but the Empire's got a barricade set up in the Weasand of Cados now.
[That throws him for a loop, and it takes him a moment to mentally retrace his steps, like he has to remember why the hell he'd be passing through the Weasand of Cados in the first place. It wasn't like it was all that long ago, all things considered, but it certainly feels like a lot has happened since then.]
You... don't remember anything that happened after that? I left Desier quite some time ago.
[...and then again after Alexei left him in the goddamn desert, but that isn't the point.]
[For a moment, the look on Raven's face honestly seems more like he wants to groan in frustration rather than like he's taken aback to hear of a memory discrepancy. But he's definitely still going to do his damndest to appear surprised.]
...What? C'mon Yeager, I might be old but I ain't goin' senile yet! What in the world are you talkin' about? It hasn't been that long.
[Today was so much. Not just for the absolute mess the trial was, but for Raven and Yeager specifically. After learning that Alexei and Yeager have been in contact for god knows how long, Raven's hunch about Yeager's identity started to feel more than just a hunch. Today gave the indisputable proof.
Both of them were revived by Alexei. He was never the only one.
With this information absolutely rattling him, he has no fucking idea how to even begin to approach Alexei about this. So instead, he...goes to Yeager. They can't avoid this conversation for too long.
A good while after the trial and afterparty have wrapped up, he goes looking for Yeager. Not having seen the man since the trial, he tries his room first. Logical first guess.]
It's Raven.
[Yeager will hear Raven's voice from the other side of the door, assuming he's in there.]
[It isn't a surprise that Raven's finally made his way over here. Perhaps he already spoke with Alexei first and has a better understanding of the situation, or maybe he just needed some time to himself before handling this topic. Yeager doesn't know, and frankly, he doesn't care. He knew it was only a matter of time before Raven learned the truth, he just didn't expect it to be like this.
He gets the door in short order and allows Raven to enter, then moves to sit on the bed, one leg folded over the other.]
So nice of you to drop by to check on me~
[It's not even really sarcastic at this point, it's just... empty. His smile is still in place, but that too looks like there isn't much behind it anymore.]
But I won't bore you with pleasantries. Go ahead and ask your questions.
[Raven sinks down onto the vanity's seat after entering. Seeing the look in Yeager's eyes, with the same weight of emptiness that he's been carrying for ten years... How hadn't he seen it sooner?]
I really wish it was that simple.
[But before he grills Yeager with a million questions...]
First of all, do you want to see mine? Seems only fair.
[Of all things, this is the last one he expected. He figured Raven would question him and then go about his business and it would be that simple. Maybe they'd ignore it entirely and talk about nothing important. Or maybe Raven would be here with orders from Alexei or something - at this point, it could be anything.
Anything but that, and when Raven asks, his gaze darts immediately. It's never been something he's considered. Sure, he worked it out, but what it looks like...
What has it been like for him? He finds himself wondering, unwillingly. He doesn't want to know. He doesn't care to know. It doesn't matter, because it's never mattered, and it won't matter now.]
...Only if you're unopposed. You've already had to reveal it once today.
[The words are quieter, more unsure, like he's not entirely certain if that's what he wants to say in the first place.]
S'not like Alexei hasn't seen it before. Havin' ta dance around the subject was worse.
[As Yeager is well aware of, moreso than Raven. It really was a close call today, and he definitely doesn't need to tell Yeager that.
He reaches up to his shirt to unbutton the rest of the way. As he pulls it aside, his blastia comes into view, just on top of where his heart would be. The casing is silver in contrast to Yeager's gold, with a circular red core. The casing juts out in spires, giving it the appearance of a stylized sun.]
[It gets a soft exhale that's nearly a laugh out of him. Yeah, that was pretty damn close. Dying would be preferable to letting anyone else see the damn thing, even if Raven was only slightly above that. Still, the fact he is bothered by it says... something. He's not really sure what it says at this point.
Raven's blastia is entirely different from his own, and subconsciously one of his hands comes up to his cravat before he catches himself and resettles. It would be easier to hide over his heart like that, but there's something about the silver plating and vastly different design that is equally ugly, and equally disturbing to see.]
Apparently. I suppose I am rather envious that yours can be hidden so easily!
[They're empty words, to fill the space, because he isn't sure what to do with this now that he's seen it. It's horrible. It's absolutely horrible that he isn't the only one and that he now knows what it looks like and that makes it all the more real.
But in some strangely morbid way it's... almost comforting, to know that someone else has some idea of what it's like. There are so many questions he could ask, so many things he could (should?) say, but in the end he falls silent, staring at Raven's blastia for a moment longer before shaking his head.]
I appreciate your... support at the trial, though I'm sure this isn't the way either of us would have wanted to... discuss this.
[He certainly never would have wanted to discuss it at all.]
[So that sure was a meeting. Yeager had no intention of getting drunk again after last night, but then the meeting turned to talking about the deceased and speculating that they're sending us letters and he has never needed a drink more in his damn life. So he makes the journey out to the bar... and promptly pauses in the doorway when he finds Raven there.
It isn't exactly a surprise, he supposes. He'll approach, making no effort to be quiet about it and speak up.]
I would've thought you would be done drinking for a little while after last night!
[What might be a surprise is that Raven is still very much sober. He's just chillin' in here, still with a drink but very much pacing himself this time.
He turns to Yeager, expression somewhat sheepish.]
Listen... Things change, okay? [He then lifts an eyebrow.] You're one ta talk, though. Didja just come here fer fun or are you contemplatin' a drink too?
[The first part gets a short laugh from him, but he shakes his head and moves toward the back.]
No, I thought I'd just come out here to take a look at the place~
[Obviously that's not it. It doesn't take him long to pick out a bottle and a glass, then he moves to join Raven. He doesn't open said bottle or start drinking yet, but that much makes it obvious.]
I figured a little more couldn't hurt after that meeting!
[He doesn't want to talk about it, because he doesn't want to think about it, but they're both here and it isn't likely anyone else will stop by the bar right now... so fine, why not. Yeager props his elbow on the table and then his chin on his hand.]
We don't have any real proof that what they're speculating is true, outside of Tenn's belief that it's Riku's writing. It could be faked. But they really do want to believe that that's what we're dealing with here.
[Maybe they find the notion of being able to communicate with the deceased comforting, but Yeager obviously doesn't. His usual smile's vanished, for once.]
[If nothing else, Yeager and Raven have a unique perspective on this that not many people here would. Raven figures it might be good to get it off their chests.]
I don't understand how they can come ta that conclusion and then act as if there's nothing strange about it. Do they not even hear what they're sayin'?
[Before he gets too heated, he actually takes that sip to simmer down.]
These messages are more harmful than helpful anyway. Someone's messin' with us, big time.
[It's very late when Yeager leaves his room. It isn't as though anyone will kill tonight, after all, and he didn't want to run the risk of visiting Raven while anyone else is here. He needed time to clear his head, to be alone. To talk to Casey, even though she wasn't really able to provide much help right now.
But he finally makes his way to the dungeons, the sound of something clinking giving him away long before he makes his way to Raven's cell. Once he's there, he doesn't bother announcing himself. Instead, he sits on the floor, setting down quite a few bottles of alcohol in front of him and two glasses.
It's the last time they'll be able to do this, so he made sure to grab the ones he's seen Raven prefer during their drinking sessions. He doesn't greet Raven; he figures Raven already heard him approaching, since he wasn't exactly quiet about it. So instead, Yeager pours the first glass and reaches in to set it on the other side of the cell bars.]
[He knows. He can only imagine how bad it is with everyone else. Playing pretend isn't easy, when it comes right down to it. Still, it gets a laugh from him and he shrugs; the glass is yours, no strings attached.]
Probably not, but it's not like I've ever cared one way or another about those trials.
[Outside of how they impact him, of course. As long as he's safe, it doesn't matter who they sacrifice.]
Besides, no one else is going to swing by to entertain you, and I can't stand the idea of you being bored here~
[That gets his gaze to dart for a moment before he shrugs.]
I wasn't willing to sell you out like that. I didn't want to try to explain the blastia.
[They both know that isn't the real reason. He could have explained it like Tenn did, that Raven was injured, and everyone would have bought that without further need for examination.]
Besides, I was already being suspected, ja? It wasn't as though it would pose too much of a problem.
[And if it had... Well, that didn't happen, so there's no sense in thinking about it.]
[...yeah, he can definitely read between the lines here.]
It's appreciated. Guess it's only natural that I get what's comin' ta me though, right? Ya do the killin', ya deal with the consequences.
[It's...the first time he's ever had to deal with the consequences, come to think of it. How many people has he killed for Alexei at this point? Maybe this is all of it finally catching up with him.]
But hey, at least we've got a few good hours ta drink our feelin's away in the meantime.
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Arrival
So once everyone has started dispersing to investigate the area, Raven tracks down Yeager in what is hopefully a quiet area.]
Well, if ain't ol' Twinkletoes. [He's of course referring to the flashy display Yeager put on while revealing that he was Regaey all along. Truly the plot twist of the century that he did not figure out ages ago.] Fancy runnin' into ya here of all places.
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Hmm... I'm quite sure I have no idea what you're referring to!
[But anyway, pleasantries aside.]
I must admit, you really did surprise me. What an odd place to meet up again, ja?
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Guess that's our habit of showin' up in unexpected places workin' in the same direction. Doesn't account for the Commandant, though...
[Seriously, what a quaint little group this is.]
So what's yer last memory, anyway? Do you remember agreein' ta any of this?
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[Sure, he's also a shady old man, but not in the same direction!! It's even more confusing that the three of them are here, when it seems some don't recognize anyone else who showed up here.]
My memory isn't nearly terrible enough to have forgot something like this... And last I checked, I wasn't precisely alone either, so I'm not sure how only the two of us were brought here.
[Gauche and Droite are almost always around, but it's not like it was just the three of them either. It certainly seems strange that no one else was dragged here aside from Raven. Alexei wasn't even nearby...]
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[It's a very odd position for the three of them. Raven's had suspicions about some things for a while, so...
Well, anyway. Back to the conversation at hand.]
Same here, actually. I was still with the kids, last I remember. An' while I don't know where Alexei was, I doubt it was on Desier. Dunno if ya got back through beforehand or not, but the Empire's got a barricade set up in the Weasand of Cados now.
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[That throws him for a loop, and it takes him a moment to mentally retrace his steps, like he has to remember why the hell he'd be passing through the Weasand of Cados in the first place. It wasn't like it was all that long ago, all things considered, but it certainly feels like a lot has happened since then.]
You... don't remember anything that happened after that? I left Desier quite some time ago.
[...and then again after Alexei left him in the goddamn desert, but that isn't the point.]
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...What? C'mon Yeager, I might be old but I ain't goin' senile yet! What in the world are you talkin' about? It hasn't been that long.
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Week 2, post-trial
Both of them were revived by Alexei. He was never the only one.
With this information absolutely rattling him, he has no fucking idea how to even begin to approach Alexei about this. So instead, he...goes to Yeager. They can't avoid this conversation for too long.
A good while after the trial and afterparty have wrapped up, he goes looking for Yeager. Not having seen the man since the trial, he tries his room first. Logical first guess.]
It's Raven.
[Yeager will hear Raven's voice from the other side of the door, assuming he's in there.]
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He gets the door in short order and allows Raven to enter, then moves to sit on the bed, one leg folded over the other.]
So nice of you to drop by to check on me~
[It's not even really sarcastic at this point, it's just... empty. His smile is still in place, but that too looks like there isn't much behind it anymore.]
But I won't bore you with pleasantries. Go ahead and ask your questions.
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I really wish it was that simple.
[But before he grills Yeager with a million questions...]
First of all, do you want to see mine? Seems only fair.
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Anything but that, and when Raven asks, his gaze darts immediately. It's never been something he's considered. Sure, he worked it out, but what it looks like...
What has it been like for him? He finds himself wondering, unwillingly. He doesn't want to know. He doesn't care to know. It doesn't matter, because it's never mattered, and it won't matter now.]
...Only if you're unopposed. You've already had to reveal it once today.
[The words are quieter, more unsure, like he's not entirely certain if that's what he wants to say in the first place.]
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S'not like Alexei hasn't seen it before. Havin' ta dance around the subject was worse.
[As Yeager is well aware of, moreso than Raven. It really was a close call today, and he definitely doesn't need to tell Yeager that.
He reaches up to his shirt to unbutton the rest of the way. As he pulls it aside, his blastia comes into view, just on top of where his heart would be. The casing is silver in contrast to Yeager's gold, with a circular red core. The casing juts out in spires, giving it the appearance of a stylized sun.]
Guess he was experimentin' with designs, too.
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Raven's blastia is entirely different from his own, and subconsciously one of his hands comes up to his cravat before he catches himself and resettles. It would be easier to hide over his heart like that, but there's something about the silver plating and vastly different design that is equally ugly, and equally disturbing to see.]
Apparently. I suppose I am rather envious that yours can be hidden so easily!
[They're empty words, to fill the space, because he isn't sure what to do with this now that he's seen it. It's horrible. It's absolutely horrible that he isn't the only one and that he now knows what it looks like and that makes it all the more real.
But in some strangely morbid way it's... almost comforting, to know that someone else has some idea of what it's like. There are so many questions he could ask, so many things he could (should?) say, but in the end he falls silent, staring at Raven's blastia for a moment longer before shaking his head.]
I appreciate your... support at the trial, though I'm sure this isn't the way either of us would have wanted to... discuss this.
[He certainly never would have wanted to discuss it at all.]
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week 3 | thursday evening
It isn't exactly a surprise, he supposes. He'll approach, making no effort to be quiet about it and speak up.]
I would've thought you would be done drinking for a little while after last night!
[You doing okay, Raven...??]
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He turns to Yeager, expression somewhat sheepish.]
Listen... Things change, okay? [He then lifts an eyebrow.] You're one ta talk, though. Didja just come here fer fun or are you contemplatin' a drink too?
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No, I thought I'd just come out here to take a look at the place~
[Obviously that's not it. It doesn't take him long to pick out a bottle and a glass, then he moves to join Raven. He doesn't open said bottle or start drinking yet, but that much makes it obvious.]
I figured a little more couldn't hurt after that meeting!
[Seems like Raven had a similar idea.]
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When the topic of the meeting comes up though, he sighs and lifts his glass up. A pretty good giveaway that he agrees.]
I take it things aren't sittin' right with you either.
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[He doesn't want to talk about it, because he doesn't want to think about it, but they're both here and it isn't likely anyone else will stop by the bar right now... so fine, why not. Yeager props his elbow on the table and then his chin on his hand.]
We don't have any real proof that what they're speculating is true, outside of Tenn's belief that it's Riku's writing. It could be faked. But they really do want to believe that that's what we're dealing with here.
[Maybe they find the notion of being able to communicate with the deceased comforting, but Yeager obviously doesn't. His usual smile's vanished, for once.]
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I don't understand how they can come ta that conclusion and then act as if there's nothing strange about it. Do they not even hear what they're sayin'?
[Before he gets too heated, he actually takes that sip to simmer down.]
These messages are more harmful than helpful anyway. Someone's messin' with us, big time.
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week 5 | friday night
But he finally makes his way to the dungeons, the sound of something clinking giving him away long before he makes his way to Raven's cell. Once he's there, he doesn't bother announcing himself. Instead, he sits on the floor, setting down quite a few bottles of alcohol in front of him and two glasses.
It's the last time they'll be able to do this, so he made sure to grab the ones he's seen Raven prefer during their drinking sessions. He doesn't greet Raven; he figures Raven already heard him approaching, since he wasn't exactly quiet about it. So instead, Yeager pours the first glass and reaches in to set it on the other side of the cell bars.]
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What's this? One last drink fer ol' Raven? Dunno if he deserves it, ta be honest.
[While some people are getting Schwann tonight, Yeager's getting Raven. He can't bring himself to be anyone else with Yeager.
Despite that though, the hollowness remains on the fringes.]
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Probably not, but it's not like I've ever cared one way or another about those trials.
[Outside of how they impact him, of course. As long as he's safe, it doesn't matter who they sacrifice.]
Besides, no one else is going to swing by to entertain you, and I can't stand the idea of you being bored here~
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Thanks fer lookin' out fer me, even after all this.
[He directs a melancholy smile down at the glass.]
I know it didn't work out, but I... I won't forget what ya did at the trial. That was potentially puttin' yer own neck on the line, ya know...
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I wasn't willing to sell you out like that. I didn't want to try to explain the blastia.
[They both know that isn't the real reason. He could have explained it like Tenn did, that Raven was injured, and everyone would have bought that without further need for examination.]
Besides, I was already being suspected, ja? It wasn't as though it would pose too much of a problem.
[And if it had... Well, that didn't happen, so there's no sense in thinking about it.]
At the very least I could offer you that much.
[...Shame it wasn't enough.]
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It's appreciated. Guess it's only natural that I get what's comin' ta me though, right? Ya do the killin', ya deal with the consequences.
[It's...the first time he's ever had to deal with the consequences, come to think of it. How many people has he killed for Alexei at this point? Maybe this is all of it finally catching up with him.]
But hey, at least we've got a few good hours ta drink our feelin's away in the meantime.
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