3 WAY PRISONER'S DILEMMA: Taisho Roman Revolution

[idolpro]

[ The room you wake up in is barren. The floor, walls, and ceiling are all metal, and the only furnishings are a large television-sized touchscreen monitor and a massive pane of glass cutting through the room, separating Kuzuebiko from the rest of the unit. You can beat against the glass as much as you like, but it won't break. Both the touchscreen monitor and the elevator doors are on the same side of the room as everyone but the hostage.

Once Mukuro finishes his intro spiel, the monitor display switches to a catalogue of pictures of flowers, each with their name, associated meaning, and a checkbox underneath them: ]

Amaryllis (Red&White) - Talkative
Baby's Breath - Purity of Heart
Calla Lily (White) - Maidenly Desire
Camellia (Red) - Perish with grace
Camellia (White) - Waiting
Cherry Blossom - Transience of all things
Foxglove - Insincerity
Hydrangea (Blue) - Heartlessness
Iris - Faithfulness
Lantana - Change of Heart
Marigold - Despair
Morning Glory - Willful promise
Mountain Laurel (Red) - Ambition
Oleander - Caution
Poppy (Red) - Fun-loving
Poppy (White) - Rejoice
Poppy (Yellow) - Success
Tulip (Red) - Fame/Charity/Trust
Yarrow (White) - Conflict

Comments

[syncintohell]

[ Sets his jaw. ]

Of course. It's only right that I should control our movements, and shoulder the consequences as I demanded the last time.

[rollplayinghouse]

...I don't know what happened last time. But I don't think we should force you into either taking a risk you don't trust or risking another team to save yourself. You're the one behind the glass, so it's your decision this time.

1/

[syncintohell]

[ His head jerks, stiffly— it would be a nod except for the broken mechanical nature to the movement

He starts working through it aloud. ]

They have indicated they intend to take the consequences no matter what— should they be sincere, they are prepared if we pull the trigger and betray them. Should they be insincere, it is merely a set-up that will end up with us being betrayed. Either way, they will show us no ill will should we choose betray. So the consequences from that angle are immaterial.

It only comes down to this: will it be a heavier cost for them to be harmed for our sake, or one of us to be harmed for theirs.

2/

[syncintohell]

[ And continues: ]

Blindly sentencing another is the most foul position I can imagine being put in. There is no jury here, simply prisoners each with their own eyes blinded and a hand placed upon a lever— one for freedom and one for condemnation. Which is which has not been made clear. But still: one must be pulled!

3/

[syncintohell]

We've been given no indication of the consequences either, only that one will be permanent.

4/

[syncintohell]

[ and keeps going: ]

Ah! If only we were given some indication of who they were— human nature is so base. If there is a mere number placed upon a death toll, it has far less impact than if there are faces to which we may offer affection and sympathy. Empathy— can I allow myself to blind here? How pathetic that I am even hesitating this much. If I am dirtied so far as to harm others, then never will I be able to proudly lift my head again!

5/

[syncintohell]

Very well.

I do not trust them.

But to select betray would be to cast myself into hell!

6/6

[syncintohell]

[ swallows, his voice wavering slightly but face set firm in his decision ]

We cannot do that to others, regardless of the cost. The selection cannot be anything but trust, even if I do not feel any.

[rollplayinghouse]

[her face is impassive through all this. you do you bro]

...Then, that's what we'll do.

[syncintohell]

[ at least he doesn't have a split personality to get into shouting matches with right now ]

There is no other option.

[rollplayinghouse]

No, there is. It's just not an option that you're willing to pick. That's who you are... apparently.

[syncintohell]

[ now that Yasuragi and Ken are both !!!!ing at him he's stepping back from the glass, but his body language is more defensive, certain because to be uncertain would be a weakness he's not willing to show

dryly ]

For now, if they are right.

[rollplayinghouse]

There's going to be consequences either way. You can deal with that when it happens.

Re: 6/6

[furrytailprince]

[ Wow, you really had an entire monologue by yourself... ]

... Very well. We will trust.

[syncintohell]

I see no other option.

[furrytailprince]

You have to make decisions that your heart will be all right with. No matter what happens.

[syncintohell]

[ He nods, and then quietly continues: ]

Though I know it is awful to say, at the very least I am glad it is not Ori— [ He corrects himself: ] Ken. I made him a promise to protect him. To break it would break my heart.

[furrytailprince]

How many new members did we acquire while I was gone?

Re: 6/6

[acappsella]

You know what that means, right!? You'll change if they betray us!

[syncintohell]

And if they do not, their hostage will also be irrevocably changed. You think I can simply continue on as I have been, knowing the blood I had spilled on my behalf?

[sonof]

It's good if you've braced yourself, but so long as you're prepared to accept some irrevocable change, just don't become a person I can't stand.

[syncintohell]

[ flinches, like he's been struck ]

As much as it is within my power to do so, I will not.

[sonof]

[ approaches the glass and presses a hand to it. soft, low-voiced, not meant for anyone else this time ]

I trust you.

[ implicitly: I trust you now. ]

[furrytailprince]

[ Just going to shoot a confused glare at that. He's not thrilled with Kuzu's rationality either, despite agreeing with the conclusion. But he will not dictate another's fate. ]

[sonof]

Welcome back. Excuse me for not saying so earlier.