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[skaikru]

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[skaikru]

( to cover his own ass.

to lure the masses into complacency.

to diminish his role in the on screen torture they'd all watched not that long before publication of the letter.

to appease mizuki. or for mizuki — that's the only motivator for ebalon's actions she's relatively sure of.

to play the good guy.

just to hear himself talk.

...the options are many, wide and varied, from the perspective someone who hates and thinks the absolute least of the man. but — )

Because we all want to get out of here, and most of us believe Friday's insistence that we're a special set, and maybe could so long as we work together.

[wimdy]

[ well it's not as if he can say with certainty what ebalon thought, he's not the guy. and he'd pretty much held the same speculation as clarke did. and he's not taking ebalon at face value but having him agree to truth or write a letter not only takes effort, but is something of a commitment and a paper trail. it counts for something. ]

And do you agree?
With that reasoning, or with that letter.

[skaikru]

I don't disagree with either. It's always easier to handle crises as a group; a whole, united front. And yeah, in-fighting would be a barricade to progress.

But I don't trust the former to happen, or be sustainable if it does. And can't seeing the latter being avoided. It's not human nature, Venti; hardship fractures more often than it heals.

[wimdy]

I can understand that much. It may be that there's trust that can't be recovered from that Battle Royale, no matter what happens.
Still
Do you think it's worth at least trying to heal through that hardship or to cooperate? However difficult it might be, even small efforts.

[skaikru]

( ... )

It's always worth trying to do better.

( just. not with ebalon. or at least there, it doesn't seem worth it much at all. )

I have better things to do right now than try to sit down and make nice with Ebalon. So long as he doesn't hurt anymore of my friends, I have no interest in fighting him again. Can we call that a start?

[wimdy]

Of course.
It's not as if I'm trying to uphold him as some deeply repentant new pacifist or anything. I just thought this is worth considering for you.
That, and I don't want you to be hurt again. He's very powerful. If he really wanted to hurt you or other people again, I imagine it'd be very easy for him to do so.

[skaikru]

( pffft. the sardonic probably doesn't translate well via text but it's there. )

Almost everyone here's more powerful than I am, Venti. I'm past the point where that scares me enough to be a deterrent.

But I appreciate your concern. ( it's way easier to swallow than any of ebalon's lacking apologies. )

[wimdy]

I'm sure you've made friends or allies with quite a few impressive people yourself. Me included, if you ever might need to call for me. He's powerful, but of course there's more to power than sheer magic.

[ anyway he can't help but be concerned for his... follower. yep. yeah. ]

I hope for you to be well, whatever happens.

[skaikru]

( she has natsuno, at least. and realistically, ask if she'd take the entirety of the ship or him in her corner, it'd be an easy choice. )

I am never going to ask you to fight Ebalon with or for me.

( doesn't want to do that to mizuki. doesn't want to put venti in that position. honestly feels like she shouldn't even be talking to him about that, but the message already sent and asdfghj. )

Whatever happens, I'll be fine. Promise. Always am in the end.

And I hope the same for you.

[wimdy]

[ that...... wasn't what he meant to imply, just a reassurance that power wasn't just limited to what she was physically capable of. but he does reread and yeah, he can see maybe it would be an odd thing to say right after talking about ebalon.

he recalls what she'd told him in prayer. she didn't fight ebalon for him, he wouldn't presume that at all. it'd sure be nice to think this could be an end of conflict between them but, well, maybe all anyone could do is just... try.

he just sends an emote in parting. there won't be casual conversation between them, he supposes. ] 🕊