[WEEK 2, SUNDAY POST-EXECUTION: Jaffar]

[spinatalltale]

[she thinks their little brawl the day before probably helped him get some of his anger out of his system. she thinks, possibly, she's managed to convince him that both times she put Nino in peril were accidents]

[and yet, she wants to make sure. she doesn't want to walk around this island with a target on her back. doesn't want to have to constantly look over her shoulder, to make sure he isn't there, ready to strike. because now that she's used the one (1) trick up her sleeve that could give her an advantage with him in a fight. . . she knows she'd be screwed if he actually came at her with killing intent]

[and so, once Austria's execution is complete, she approaches]

Hey, Musclehead.

[sorry about your new nickname]

Let's talk.

[her injury from the day before has been bandaged]

Comments

she is unbelievable it's true

[spinatalltale]

[at least she drops the dramatics pretty quickly after he asks]

A truce. And an alliance, of sorts.

[killerfang]

[ normally, this is where he'd reply "why should I trust you," but she'd demonstrated... something akin to trustworthiness earlier today, when they were fighting. He'll take her at her word - but he'll take her word with a grain of salt, as well. ]

I hold no grudge against you. I spoke truly before... If you place Nino in danger again, I will retaliate. If you do not... I will leave you in peace. That is all.

[spinatalltale]

Yeah, I remember. And I remember I'm two strikes in on a three strike system.

[even if every strike was 100% unintentional]

But she isn't safe while she's on this island, regardless of what I do.

No one-- save for perhaps those given the killing roles-- is.

[killerfang]

... You think I don't know that?

[ that's why he's so on edge. Threats could come from any direction - the best thing for him to do is cut them down before they become truly dangerous. ]

[spinatalltale]

No. I think you know it very well. That's why you're so jumpy, isn't it?

[she's starting to get it. just a little bit. love is a weird thing]

And I suppose-- [ugh. here, she grimaces] -- since I would be mildly upset at this point if anything were to. . . happen to her, I believe that our interests in offering her our protection may be aligned.

[killerfang]

[ Would she actually be upset? Unlike Nino, he's slow to trust anybody's words. Especially considering her generally flippant attitude towards everybody on the island. ]

I do not trust you to protect her, [ he responds plainly. ]

[spinatalltale]

Yeah, I figured that much. Honesty, I think I'm about as powerless as you are when it comes to direct protection.

[. . . she shakes her head]

But the sooner we figure this game out, the faster we-- and she-- can leave this island. Right?

[killerfang]

Maybe.

[ he doubts they'll leave unharmed unless they can find and kill whoever's in charge - which they haven't made much progress on, frankly. It's partially his fault. He should just attack the morphs and torture information out of them... but he's afraid of what might happen if he fails. He's already seen what happened to Nino for breaking their rules. If he dies, she'll be left alone, and that's unacceptable. ]

You have done poorly protecting her so far. Unless you have learned something valuable...

[spinatalltale]

I haven't.

[figured out anything important, she means]

That's one of my problems--I'm not in a position to know anything about what's happening behind the curtain.

Are you?

[killerfang]

[ again, he wonders if he should believe what she says.

Jaffar shakes his head silently in response. He's utterly in the dark on anything and everything happening here; networking isn't his strong suit. ]

[spinatalltale]

[she nods]

Then here's the deal I want to make.

If I learn something important about this game and the roles, I'll share it with you. But!! In return, you'll share anything you learn with me, okay?

[killerfang]

... No.

[ honestly, he's surprised Magilou is offering this sort of deal to him. Nino would probably accept it as a token of goodwill after all those misunderstandings. But he's not as good a person as Nino. ]

I do not owe you anything... You offer me nothing... I have no need of such a deal.

1/2

[spinatalltale]

Oooooooow, that rejection was so quick, so forceful. . .!

[spinatalltale]

[annnd she snaps back into seriousness, like her whining earlier hadn't happened at all]

I never said you owe me anything-- and I, of course, don't have anything to give you now as a gesture of goodwill.

[points at her eyes, points at him]

But it is something to keep in mind, for when the day that I do have something juicy comes. Nobody can keep secrets from me for long!

[killerfang]

... Say what you will.

[ he ain't tell you nothing, sister!! Jaffar seems to be about finished with the conversation, at this point, and he turns to leave, tugging his cowl down a little bit. ]

[spinatalltale]

S-so c-c-c-c-cold!

[SO COLD JAFFAR. she doesn't go after him, but she does cup her hands around her mouth and call out]

At least think about iiiiiit!