POISON GAME: WILD CITY

[idolpro]

[ The room is plain, white walls and white ceiling, except for the steel-panel flooring. There are three metal stands rising out of openings in the floor, each of which carries a glass vial on top. One of them just holds water. Of the remaining two, one contains a pale pink, opaque liquid with a creamy consistency; the next is tinged barely yellow like a weak tea, and would be almost completely transparent but for the pulp and fibers mixed in, drifting through it.

Both have flowers floated across the surface: the first a tiny sprinkling of cherry blossom petals; the second a small, but whole, bloomed lotus. They're cute and smell nice. ]

Comments

[zugzwange]

Actually, I don't.

[eatsthecanary]

So sending poison to HSS would be fine?

[zugzwange]

Is that your preferred target?

[eatsthecanary]

Not really, but I wanted to know if it was yours.

[zugzwange]

They're all the same, really, except SensitIV.

Anyway, I need to ask you a favor.

[eatsthecanary]

Yeah? That's rare. What is it?

[zugzwange]

I'm playing a game called 'protect Aries at all costs even against his will', want to join?

[eatsthecanary]

Sounds good to me. He wants to keep the poison, I'm guessing?

1/2

[zugzwange]

One favor in return is yours, then.

[zugzwange]

I don't think that's his actual preference, but, and I quote [ imitation of Aries voice ] "I don't mind not sending the poison, as long as I'm the one that drinks whatever comes back."

[eatsthecanary]

Isn't he supposed to be our leader?

[zugzwange]

All leaders have flaws. Sometimes the footmen need to protect the prince, or something like that.

[eatsthecanary]

Right. I'm saying it's flawed for a leader to take a bullet like that.

So would you drink the poison instead?

[zugzwange]

Right? Well, we'll just have to train him to accept it.

[ waves a hand, loose wristed ]

Of course. Silver wants to but I'm sure we can agree I'm more disposable.

[eatsthecanary]

I don't think you're disposable. But if we're talking on a relative scale you're more disposable than him, sure.

[zugzwange]

Ehhh~? Really? I'm so touched ♥ Whisky is too kind!

[ hm hm ]

But yes, that's what I mean. Everything has to be ranked logically, doesn't it.

[eatsthecanary]

[ don't make him change his mind!! ]

Right. And even from Silver's perspective ... wouldn't it look bad if we let him take the poison?

[zugzwange]

Exactly and he has to have more friends on different units than me, a twin even! So the choice is only logical.

[eatsthecanary]

He doesn't like it.

[zugzwange]

Well, obviously.

[eatsthecanary]

I can't hold him and Aries down at the same time.

[zugzwange]

[ groans, exaggerated ]

Honestly, they're so stupid.

[eatsthecanary]

Aries is fine with sending out the poison, though, right?

[zugzwange]

Of course he is. That shortstack loves taking the direct violent route to loyalty and problem solving.

[eatsthecanary]

Well, that's the majority of us.