[Susato can be found on Tuesday, wearing a wide sunhat, a linen blouse and some belted trousers, picking through ingredients at the market. She glances up when she sees him with a little huff.]
[ I'll allow little a fashion for Rex today and say that he's wearing a light airy shirt, but the skintight pants and slightly-too-small jacket remain ON.
[Susato does have very good spatial awareness. In fact, as someone comes and approaches her, she seems to shift automatically, as though she's getting in a defensive martial arts stance, preparing to dodge -
And then she just doesn't. He can punch her as hard as he wants. She weighs only about a hundred pounds, so it likely knocks her to the ground.]
[She doesn't try to roll away, just lets him kick her in the side. And then she reaches for something - the sword at her waist, fingers gripping the hilt and pulling it from its sheath.]
Rex?
[She extends her hand, holding out the sword for him to take.]
[ She's not fighting back. She's just taking it. Does she feel bad about what she did? The way she's just letting him hurt her, offering her sword to him, it looks like remorse. And the idea that she feels bad for killing him almost makes him sick--oh, boohoo, I'm sorry I murdered you, but I'm still gonna make everyone fawn over me and think I was just a helpless victim here too! Yeah, right. He almost wants to slap the offered sword away--he doesn't need her insincere pity. Like he's going to let her do anything to relieve her own conscience.
And yet...it's so perfect, it'd be so easy. He could just kill her right now, pay her back for what she did to him in the first place.
But what would that do? I'd still be dead. Killing her won't solve the problem. This is it.
...but if he killed her, she'd be dead too. Just as trapped with no way back to her life, where she could keep conniving and killing others too.
In a way, then, isn't this a public service? Let her pity get her killed, just as his willingness to help got him. This is justice. This is revenge. This is for the greater good.
He takes the sword. Grips it with both hands. Brings his arms up, takes a deep breath, and then plunges the sword down with as much force as he can.
Or, he would, if he didn't poof into a big ol' cloud of glittery dust, leaving the sword to clatter harmlessly to the ground before her. ]
When he takes the sword and raises it, she closes her eyes. She's not sure this is right. She promised she would find a way to help, to make this worthwhile, and this will prevent it from happening. This will mean - Sheba, Xie Lian, Rochalizo, Lieutenant Kitsuragi, Mr. Sholmes - they'll all feel sorrow over this, not knowing, just more pain brought to the people who care for her without their knowledge that it was by her own hand. It's selfish, ugly of her, but she can't go on like this anymore. It needs to be over.
She sucks in her breath when she realizes he really is going to do it, braces for the sword to strike her, and then it clatters to the ground. Nothing happens. After a long quiet moment, she sits up, her head still spinning slightly from being hit.]
Rex?
[She sees that he's gone, turned to dust, and she covers her mouth.]
A minute or two later, Rex comes stomping back, furious. Great, one more insult to being dead. Either way, though, as long as he's here, he's not letting Susato go unaddressed. So he returns and picks up the sword off the ground, and kneels down to try and yank the sheath away from her.
He gives her a violent look that just screams I dare you. ]
[She won't stop him. She looks a little miserable at the sword. Wuming. Xie Lian had made her feel hopeful she could learn, but . . . she won't try to stop him.]
. . . So you can't kill me, but you can hurt me, or take my things.
[She takes a deep breath, relieved in a way when he's back.]
Do you want to keep hurting me? You can. [She says it calmly, evenly, not afraid.] You have that right. I can also . . . I can't promise I'll be able to explain. This is already more than I have been able to tell anyone else.
[She swallows.]
It might help all of you, and other people here, if I could tell you. But I won't, if you don't want that.
[ He clenches his jaw at the suggestion of "continuing to hurt her." Like he's some kind of sadist who's into torturing people.
He sheathes the sword and then attaches it to his own belt. Once it's secured, he waves his hand in a go on motion and crosses his arms, waiting to see if this is going to be worth listening to. As much as he hates her, he can't deny the allure of information. And if he doesn't like it...well, he can always change his mind on what to do with her after. ]
[She nods. She sits up, folding her hands in her lap, looking down at them. At first, it almost seems like she expects she won't ]
Last week, on Tuesday, I was visited by an Angel of Dust. [She swallows.] I thought it would be like Mr. Hoover said - that it would offer me something I wanted, or threaten me. But instead, I - something happened to me. It's hard to explain. I simply - believed it. [. . .] Please believe me, I would take any punishment they could have given me. I have never believed in them, I have always thought this war between factions was a farce and knew I would refuse to participate.
But after the angel visited me, I believed with all my heart that something terrible would happen to that world and to all of our worlds and I could prevent it so long as I did what I was told. And it was more than mere belief, it was like a compulsion. Refusing would have been like refusing to take a breath - eventually you will always find yourself gasping for air.
[She shudders, but then looks up at him.]
However. . . the rest was me, I won't deny that. I chose you because I was cowardly, and I didn't know you very well, and that seemed easier. That awful plan - I was too squeamish to do it myself, so I meant to use carbon monoxide. The decision to make myself seem like a victim, knowing it would keep suspicion off me. All of that was undoubtedly my own decision.
Once the vote was over, it wore off, and I realized what I've done. Since then, I've been. . . I've been trying to get them to figure it out. If I try to say the words, nothing will come out. But if you can help expose me, please - I want nothing more.
[ Rex considers this for a long moment before sighing and tilting his head back at the ceiling exasperatedly. God, he wished he could just hate and condemn her wholeheartedly. And who knows, she could be lying. But if she's lying, then her willingness to remain defenseless even as he tried to kill her would be one hell of a commitment. She...really does seem genuine about this.
Genuine, but still crafty, a snake. Capable of lying, and lying very well, and with little enough care for him to kill him. Does she only care about him now because of that and nothing more? Does she even know anything about him at all?
...well. He supposes he can't really use that as a metric to judge others, now, can he.
He hates that their goals align, but to deny her this would be to deny himself what he wants too. So with a glare, he gives her a slow nod. No guarantees, but he can certainly try. ]
[That is the problem. There's a pretty ugly part of herself that is clever, and proud of herself for being clever, and now having seen just how far it could go, it's terrifying. When he nods, she sighs, relieved, and bows her head deeply in response.]
Thank you. I feel that . . . they need to realize they can't discount people just because they think they would be unlikely to kill. I've been trying to - to convince them to see me differently. [Hence the sword. She doesn't intend to hurt anyone with it, only to wear very obviously evidence that she's capable of doing harm.]
All I want now is to help everyone, however I can. And the Watchers say that I cannot be manipulated by the angels again, so - even though you have every right to hate me, perhaps we could work together in some way.
I will always owe you a debt greater than I can repay, so there is nothing you cannot ask of me that I will not do.
[ oh...this IS pretty pathetic, actually. Rex isn't sure quite how to feel about this. The remorse is...better than a lack of it, at least, but the pity? desperation? is so strong he almost feels less like a person and more like an embodiment of her guilt.
well. at least he can make some use of it, right? He gives her one sharp nod, less of a confirmation or agreement and more of a stern reminder that she's on thin ice with him. ]
[ He sighs silently. He does have something he wants to ask, but he doesn't want to mime it out in front of Susato. Somehow, playing charades with his murderer feels wrong.
But...let's give it a try. He mimes stabbing up and down with a fist and points outside to the crowd of partygoers. Then he points to Susato before tapping at his temple.
I've had suspicions, but I don't know whether any of them are right. We aren't working together. In fact, the Watchers said that there's no chance for those of us who have been visited before to be asked to do it again.
[Hmm. She doesn't really want to name names, but she did say she would tell him anything he wanted.]
I had thought perhaps the culprits the week before last were Alisaie and Mr. Turner. But . . . having had a few conversations this week, I'm no longer as certain. Still, rest assured there are a number of us who have been hard at work on solving all of these cases. They have invited me into many of their discussions, but I have done nothing but try to lead them in my direction within the bounds of what I'm permitted to say and away from scapegoating someone innocent.
At the least, all of you ought to know your killers have not been forgotten.
[ He just nods. Yeah, he knows who killed who by now, but it's not like he can catch them, is it? So it's good to know what someone on the living side is thinking, even if it is...Susato.
Her final words, though, rankle him, and he's not sure if it's worth continuing this discussion now. Pfft, yeah, easy for you to say, Susato. You're not the one who has to watch everyone fawn over your killer more than try to find them.
So, lips thinned in a grimace, he just gives her another curt nod and walks off, her sword in tow. We're done here for now. ]
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week 3; tuesday
Oh. . . hello there, Mr. Salazar.
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He tenses when Susato addresses him. ]
Uh...you can just call me Rex, you know.
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[Hmm.]
How are you finding this city?
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It's definitely the best one so far. It's actually got people and food in it, for once. And technology.
[ Amparo circles his legs a few times before sitting down next to him, looking absolutely pathetic. ]
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Yes, that's true. What sort of technology are you interested in?
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Or, well, I think they used to say that, right?
w4, tuesday
The second Rex gets within arm's range of her, he throws a mighty punch right for her jaw. ]
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And then she just doesn't. He can punch her as hard as he wants. She weighs only about a hundred pounds, so it likely knocks her to the ground.]
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Then his face twists and his fists clench and he goes to kick her right in the side. ]
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Rex?
[She extends her hand, holding out the sword for him to take.]
Take this. If you want to return it, do.
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And yet...it's so perfect, it'd be so easy. He could just kill her right now, pay her back for what she did to him in the first place.
But what would that do? I'd still be dead. Killing her won't solve the problem. This is it.
...but if he killed her, she'd be dead too. Just as trapped with no way back to her life, where she could keep conniving and killing others too.
In a way, then, isn't this a public service? Let her pity get her killed, just as his willingness to help got him. This is justice. This is revenge. This is for the greater good.
He takes the sword. Grips it with both hands. Brings his arms up, takes a deep breath, and then plunges the sword down with as much force as he can.
Or, he would, if he didn't poof into a big ol' cloud of glittery dust, leaving the sword to clatter harmlessly to the ground before her. ]
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When he takes the sword and raises it, she closes her eyes. She's not sure this is right. She promised she would find a way to help, to make this worthwhile, and this will prevent it from happening. This will mean - Sheba, Xie Lian, Rochalizo, Lieutenant Kitsuragi, Mr. Sholmes - they'll all feel sorrow over this, not knowing, just more pain brought to the people who care for her without their knowledge that it was by her own hand. It's selfish, ugly of her, but she can't go on like this anymore. It needs to be over.
She sucks in her breath when she realizes he really is going to do it, braces for the sword to strike her, and then it clatters to the ground. Nothing happens. After a long quiet moment, she sits up, her head still spinning slightly from being hit.]
Rex?
[She sees that he's gone, turned to dust, and she covers her mouth.]
Oh, please no. Rex!
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A minute or two later, Rex comes stomping back, furious. Great, one more insult to being dead. Either way, though, as long as he's here, he's not letting Susato go unaddressed. So he returns and picks up the sword off the ground, and kneels down to try and yank the sheath away from her.
He gives her a violent look that just screams I dare you. ]
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. . . So you can't kill me, but you can hurt me, or take my things.
[She takes a deep breath, relieved in a way when he's back.]
Do you want to keep hurting me? You can. [She says it calmly, evenly, not afraid.] You have that right. I can also . . . I can't promise I'll be able to explain. This is already more than I have been able to tell anyone else.
[She swallows.]
It might help all of you, and other people here, if I could tell you. But I won't, if you don't want that.
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He sheathes the sword and then attaches it to his own belt. Once it's secured, he waves his hand in a go on motion and crosses his arms, waiting to see if this is going to be worth listening to. As much as he hates her, he can't deny the allure of information. And if he doesn't like it...well, he can always change his mind on what to do with her after. ]
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Last week, on Tuesday, I was visited by an Angel of Dust. [She swallows.] I thought it would be like Mr. Hoover said - that it would offer me something I wanted, or threaten me. But instead, I - something happened to me. It's hard to explain. I simply - believed it. [. . .] Please believe me, I would take any punishment they could have given me. I have never believed in them, I have always thought this war between factions was a farce and knew I would refuse to participate.
But after the angel visited me, I believed with all my heart that something terrible would happen to that world and to all of our worlds and I could prevent it so long as I did what I was told. And it was more than mere belief, it was like a compulsion. Refusing would have been like refusing to take a breath - eventually you will always find yourself gasping for air.
[She shudders, but then looks up at him.]
However. . . the rest was me, I won't deny that. I chose you because I was cowardly, and I didn't know you very well, and that seemed easier. That awful plan - I was too squeamish to do it myself, so I meant to use carbon monoxide. The decision to make myself seem like a victim, knowing it would keep suspicion off me. All of that was undoubtedly my own decision.
Once the vote was over, it wore off, and I realized what I've done. Since then, I've been. . . I've been trying to get them to figure it out. If I try to say the words, nothing will come out. But if you can help expose me, please - I want nothing more.
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Genuine, but still crafty, a snake. Capable of lying, and lying very well, and with little enough care for him to kill him. Does she only care about him now because of that and nothing more? Does she even know anything about him at all?
...well. He supposes he can't really use that as a metric to judge others, now, can he.
He hates that their goals align, but to deny her this would be to deny himself what he wants too. So with a glare, he gives her a slow nod. No guarantees, but he can certainly try. ]
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Thank you. I feel that . . . they need to realize they can't discount people just because they think they would be unlikely to kill. I've been trying to - to convince them to see me differently. [Hence the sword. She doesn't intend to hurt anyone with it, only to wear very obviously evidence that she's capable of doing harm.]
All I want now is to help everyone, however I can. And the Watchers say that I cannot be manipulated by the angels again, so - even though you have every right to hate me, perhaps we could work together in some way.
I will always owe you a debt greater than I can repay, so there is nothing you cannot ask of me that I will not do.
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He gives her a skeptical once-over. He doesn't want to work together, really, but...she'll do anything he asks of her?
He holds an arm out for a handshake. ]
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Yes, anything in my power to do. No matter what it takes. I swear it.
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well. at least he can make some use of it, right? He gives her one sharp nod, less of a confirmation or agreement and more of a stern reminder that she's on thin ice with him. ]
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Is there anything now, that I can do? I know you cannot speak, but. . .
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But...let's give it a try. He mimes stabbing up and down with a fist and points outside to the crowd of partygoers. Then he points to Susato before tapping at his temple.
Do you know any of the other killers? ]
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I've had suspicions, but I don't know whether any of them are right. We aren't working together. In fact, the Watchers said that there's no chance for those of us who have been visited before to be asked to do it again.
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Still, though...
He tilts his head and makes a "go on" gesture. Suspicions of who, Susato? ]
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[Hmm. She doesn't really want to name names, but she did say she would tell him anything he wanted.]
I had thought perhaps the culprits the week before last were Alisaie and Mr. Turner. But . . . having had a few conversations this week, I'm no longer as certain. Still, rest assured there are a number of us who have been hard at work on solving all of these cases. They have invited me into many of their discussions, but I have done nothing but try to lead them in my direction within the bounds of what I'm permitted to say and away from scapegoating someone innocent.
At the least, all of you ought to know your killers have not been forgotten.
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Her final words, though, rankle him, and he's not sure if it's worth continuing this discussion now. Pfft, yeah, easy for you to say, Susato. You're not the one who has to watch everyone fawn over your killer more than try to find them.
So, lips thinned in a grimace, he just gives her another curt nod and walks off, her sword in tow. We're done here for now. ]