[It is very still and dark when Chiron wakes up, surrounded by familiar faces that are still lost in slumber -- and it takes him a beat to shake off his sleep and realize what that means, that all of his suggestions and subtle pleas these last few weeks have not gone unnoticed.
He's to die tonight.
And that... aches a bit more than he expected, but still far less than any mortal wound. It's what he deemed necessary in the end; he will not go back on his word.
Enough time is taken to right himself and his mind, leave his gifts on the bodies of his beloveds, make sure those three are safe and comfortable... and then the centaur takes to the woods in the dead of night with his lyre at his side.
Music will play not long after: a somber, melancholy song that comes from deep within the forest, easily heard but difficult to reach unless someone means to find him for a specific purpose.]
[ The revolver is tucked into a shorts pocket of whatever ridiculous beach outfit Dorothy is wearing and she's slower than usual as she makes her way towards the music.
For many reasons, first and foremost being that she'd rather not do this at all.
But she had committed and so she continues, finally coming into view with a soft little sigh.
Might as well get this over with. With this, her Faction will be safe. ]
To be perfectly frank with you, this was not how I had wished to hear your playing.
[a calm, impeccable smile that hardly gives away anything, though his fingers will still over the strings of his lyre. He watches her, his head tilted, seated in the grass]
Seeing as I doubt you only came to hear me play, how might I help you?
[Spoken after a glance, a considering beat of silence as he stares at that gun, mouth pulled into a firm line]
You may have my life if you wish it, but I will not die by that.
[And normally he would move along as if his word were law, but that is not the way of life, not tonight. If she were to pull the trigger on him with no regard for his command--
His eyes... glance at the stars through the treetops, another beat of thoughtful silence, but then he shakes his head again. No. He will not use it; there is no need]
Someone I care for also carries a gun. And while I have no interest in fighting you, I would not see him tried for your crimes.
[ Dorothy studies him for a moment, glances down at the gun, considering.
And then, silently, she props herself against a tree and begins to fiddle with the revolver. Piece, by piece, by an expert hand, it starts to come apart. ]
I'm a Fox. We've lost enough of us that our Leader doesn't have their powers tonight and if they're targeted before we achieve our second required kill... I don't think I need to point out how problematic that might be.
[ she continues to work as she speaks, softly. ]
As I said... we need one more kill for our Faction and I refuse to let the kids do it. I also don't want to put our last member at risk-- he's too important.
As for why you... I don't want to hurt a child. And I thought an adult might actually be someone I could speak sensibly with. You don't appear to be from a Faction that can't afford to lose another person, according to my sources.
... And it may be my imagination, but you seemed to be subtly hinting that you might be fine with it.
... If I was at all subtle, that is perhaps the biggest surprise of tonight.
[Uttered with a soft, good-humored laugh. No one in this Realm will have doubted Chiron was content with dying at this point.]
But you are correct -- I am of Rabbit's faction, and most of my members are... young. I would not see them harmed if possible, so that you have chosen me grants me peace.
[Even if he must leave those that he promise he wouldn't.]
I assume this important member has a role? If so, I agree -- I would see all of the role carriers live to the end, even if I've been told their duties have mostly ceased.
[...]
But if it eases your soul, I am already dead, Miss Dorothy -- twice, in fact. Those are the only memories I have left to me. [That is all the Realm has left him with, it seems, and he cannot even be angry at that fate.] A third time will not matter.
He does, yes. [ Well, no point in lying. He seems like he's going to cooperate, even if she was half-hoping she'd at least have to work for this. She likes Chiron.
But she blinks, tilting her head. ]
... Twice? -- Wait, those are the only memories you have left??
Well, there are some stray memories of my time here in the Realm -- promises I made, for instance. The memories that I promised to keep with me, should others forget.
[The joy he has experienced being surrounded by people who cared for him]
But as for my own history, who I am... that is long forgotten.
... I'm sorry. I've been rather fortunate, in comparison.
[ Bits and pieces from memories, but she remembers everyone who had been important to her. She remembers who she is. ]
I know what you've said... but you're absolutely certain you're all right with dying by my hand? If you wish to fight it, I'm more than happy to oblige.
[Though his voice remains kind, there is an unwavering firmness to it; his mind is set]
Your faction must make a kill -- and so harming you would harm us all. After all, you come here not just to end my life, but to ensure that the dead might return to us if we are fortunate.
[It is a precarious, short-term sacrifice meant to tip the scales in their favor, and even if he had made all of the promises in the world to his loved ones... he cannot change the duty that drives him]
... Besides. [With a faint smile] I think you have already suffered enough.
[ Dorothy's laugh is quiet-- and a little bitter. ]
Have I? What makes you say that?
[ She's been fortunate. She hasn't been targeted for murder. Ange is still alive. She's still very much aware of herself. Compared to Chiron, who's forgotten who he is and everything except his own two(?!) deaths and is now facing his third...
[Death is... easy. Perhaps it is not a total end in the way that people believe it to be, but Chiron is aware that between the two of them right now--
It's Dorothy who has the harder job.]
... Enough idle chatter. You will only have so many hours to stack the deck in your favor.
[Moving on as if they are simply discussing business]
So long as my death does not involve a gun, I am content with any decision you make. Additionally, I believe a strange death will encourage the others to focus on another person.
[Make the riddle hard enough and their fellow participants tend to shy away.]
[He resisted death by bullet, and will continue to do so, but admittedly it would have been the simplest solution. Whatever he is, Chiron suspects he's hardy enough to avoid most deaths that would kill humans.
...]
Drowning would be sufficient. Or falling from a great height.
[A pause, considering, with a hand rubbing thoughtfully at his chin]
Or I suppose we might combine the two with the equipment that is available...
[It's one of those moments where thoughts begin to pile inside of Chiron's head, but he doesn't dare chase down why he is so familiar and comfortable with these scientific theories.
He only continues to talk, voice musing]
Assuming it can hold my weight, one of the them might be able to reach an appropriate velocity -- then all you would need to do is manipulate the controls so that the cart holding me stops suddenly.
Even with my size, I would be airborne and land in a different location, and even if the fall were not to kill me, I doubt I would survive long after.
[ ... Wow, she really hopes he stays unconscious if the fall itself does not kill him, because that would be terrible??
Dorothy is quiet, pondering the possibilities of this. It's... definitely far more complex than just shooting him, but you know what, it's... still death??
Wow, she hates this. ]
Let's try the rollercoaster, then. While the Ferris Wheel can certainly reach an impressive height, there's not much we can do about velocity.
[he barely knows what such a thing is, only familiar enough to theorize, so he will defer to Dorothy's judgment in this case.]
I watched it before... it might take a couple of loops before we reach an acceptable speed, if such a thing is possible. Then an abrupt stop will suffice in making me fall.
[slowing getting to his legs, an arm folded behind him]
Though in case it does not work, I suggest we look at the controls quickly.
[Casually helping his killer murder him, it's fine.
-- Though he hesitates a bit, standing there, his eyes drawn closed by some enigmatic thoughts before he takes his lyre, and very carefully places it at the base of a tree.
[Eyes ticking down when he hears that sigh and... ah. Yes, that would pose a problem, wouldn't it?
A quick fix in his eyes -- Chiron approaches her without prompting and quietly lifts her up into his arms, as one of his hooves stamps into the soft earth, masking the crutch imprint from sight.
So long as it and the rest of his prints aren't closely examined, it will... have to do.]
It really is a shame that any joke made tonight will be doomed to fall quiet and defeated, but he offers her a smile regardless, eyes soft with regret.]
I suppose not.
[Saying nothing more, he will carefully pick his way directly over the path she took to get to him, masking her crutch-prints until they finally arrive at the first aid station.
Getting what they need there is a simple matter -- Chiron steals whatever prescription will be strongest, and then heads for the northern area, towards the rides he knows so little about. If he stops, it is only so Dorothy might discard portions of her gun.
Otherwise, conversation is very... thin on his end. It is not sadness or anger that keeps him quiet. He is only musing over thoughts that will accompany him to the grave, and has to rouse himself out of them once they come upon their destination]
[ Dorothy doesn't feel like talking much, either. In the silence, she seems to become less... troubled, more composed. As though she's donned some manner of professional mask that doesn't really allow for teasing or thoughtful remarks.
He deserves all the time he needs to think and when they finally stop, it's in front of the rides. Dorothy's gotten rid of the majority of her revolver and now she stares up at the rollercoaster, frowning. ]
... Well. I suppose no better time than to familiarize myself with the controls than now.
[After gingerly setting her down, Chiron glances back up at the machine that will be assisting in killing him... and does have a moment of pause, wondering if this will even work. Theory is one thing; execution is another.]
As long as you can control the speed and prompt it to stop suddenly, it should suffice.
[ Dorothy glances over at the nearby equipment, lips pursed in thought. It looks straightforward enough, and she may not be as quick to pick things up as certain other people she knew from home, but she's no slouch. ]
It may be a bit of a gamble, but if you're certain this is how you'd like this to happen...
Very well. Should I be granted the opportunity to come back and be able to tell them...
[That's the goal, isn't it? Even if Chiron can already feel himself preparing for a future where that will not be so... it is not a cruel thing to hope for a better outcome.
A faint smile on his face, Chiron will then open up the bottle of painkillers, give the entire area on more glance over, and then swallow whatever is left inside the bottle.]
There.
[No going back now. The wheels of fate turn without regard.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
antaressnipe) wrote2020-11-11 12:43 pm
W6 || Thurday
He's to die tonight.
And that... aches a bit more than he expected, but still far less than any mortal wound. It's what he deemed necessary in the end; he will not go back on his word.
Enough time is taken to right himself and his mind, leave his gifts on the bodies of his beloveds, make sure those three are safe and comfortable... and then the centaur takes to the woods in the dead of night with his lyre at his side.
Music will play not long after: a somber, melancholy song that comes from deep within the forest, easily heard but difficult to reach unless someone means to find him for a specific purpose.]
no subject
For many reasons, first and foremost being that she'd rather not do this at all.
But she had committed and so she continues, finally coming into view with a soft little sigh.
Might as well get this over with. With this, her Faction will be safe. ]
To be perfectly frank with you, this was not how I had wished to hear your playing.
no subject
[a calm, impeccable smile that hardly gives away anything, though his fingers will still over the strings of his lyre. He watches her, his head tilted, seated in the grass]
Seeing as I doubt you only came to hear me play, how might I help you?
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[ She leans on her crutches, though she'll pull the revolver out to show it to him. Full disclosure here. It's only fair. ]
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[Spoken after a glance, a considering beat of silence as he stares at that gun, mouth pulled into a firm line]
You may have my life if you wish it, but I will not die by that.
[And normally he would move along as if his word were law, but that is not the way of life, not tonight. If she were to pull the trigger on him with no regard for his command--
His eyes... glance at the stars through the treetops, another beat of thoughtful silence, but then he shakes his head again. No. He will not use it; there is no need]
Someone I care for also carries a gun. And while I have no interest in fighting you, I would not see him tried for your crimes.
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And then, silently, she props herself against a tree and begins to fiddle with the revolver. Piece, by piece, by an expert hand, it starts to come apart. ]
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[A quiet word of gratitude is offered with a bowed head, and his shoulders slump with a sigh]
Now, before we discuss the matter of my death and how I might aid you, I have a few questions, if you do not mind.
-- Namely, your team, and why you have decided to target me tonight.
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[ she continues to work as she speaks, softly. ]
As I said... we need one more kill for our Faction and I refuse to let the kids do it. I also don't want to put our last member at risk-- he's too important.
As for why you... I don't want to hurt a child. And I thought an adult might actually be someone I could speak sensibly with. You don't appear to be from a Faction that can't afford to lose another person, according to my sources.
... And it may be my imagination, but you seemed to be subtly hinting that you might be fine with it.
no subject
[Uttered with a soft, good-humored laugh. No one in this Realm will have doubted Chiron was content with dying at this point.]
But you are correct -- I am of Rabbit's faction, and most of my members are... young. I would not see them harmed if possible, so that you have chosen me grants me peace.
[Even if he must leave those that he promise he wouldn't.]
I assume this important member has a role? If so, I agree -- I would see all of the role carriers live to the end, even if I've been told their duties have mostly ceased.
[...]
But if it eases your soul, I am already dead, Miss Dorothy -- twice, in fact. Those are the only memories I have left to me. [That is all the Realm has left him with, it seems, and he cannot even be angry at that fate.] A third time will not matter.
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But she blinks, tilting her head. ]
... Twice? -- Wait, those are the only memories you have left??
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[Looking down at his lyre]
Well, there are some stray memories of my time here in the Realm -- promises I made, for instance. The memories that I promised to keep with me, should others forget.
[The joy he has experienced being surrounded by people who cared for him]
But as for my own history, who I am... that is long forgotten.
no subject
[ Bits and pieces from memories, but she remembers everyone who had been important to her. She remembers who she is. ]
I know what you've said... but you're absolutely certain you're all right with dying by my hand? If you wish to fight it, I'm more than happy to oblige.
[ Yes. She will. Fight on a broken leg. ]
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[Though his voice remains kind, there is an unwavering firmness to it; his mind is set]
Your faction must make a kill -- and so harming you would harm us all. After all, you come here not just to end my life, but to ensure that the dead might return to us if we are fortunate.
[It is a precarious, short-term sacrifice meant to tip the scales in their favor, and even if he had made all of the promises in the world to his loved ones... he cannot change the duty that drives him]
... Besides. [With a faint smile] I think you have already suffered enough.
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Have I? What makes you say that?
[ She's been fortunate. She hasn't been targeted for murder. Ange is still alive. She's still very much aware of herself. Compared to Chiron, who's forgotten who he is and everything except his own two(?!) deaths and is now facing his third...
She can't call this suffering, she thinks. ]
no subject
[Death is... easy. Perhaps it is not a total end in the way that people believe it to be, but Chiron is aware that between the two of them right now--
It's Dorothy who has the harder job.]
... Enough idle chatter. You will only have so many hours to stack the deck in your favor.
[Moving on as if they are simply discussing business]
So long as my death does not involve a gun, I am content with any decision you make. Additionally, I believe a strange death will encourage the others to focus on another person.
[Make the riddle hard enough and their fellow participants tend to shy away.]
no subject
Strange... [ she echoes this instead. ]
I'm not entirely sure how bizarre you'd like this to be, but if we're to be doing strange, I'd prefer a method that didn't prolong your suffering.
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[It is perhaps obvious by the slow way he concedes that his comfort was not at any part a concern, not to him.
But he supposes it would be selfish to make her watch the life slowly leak out of him, too.]
Medication can remedy that -- anything that might put me to sleep.
no subject
Then we can use a high enough dosage of the painkillers in the first aid station... not enough to kill you, but enough to make up for your build.
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[He resisted death by bullet, and will continue to do so, but admittedly it would have been the simplest solution. Whatever he is, Chiron suspects he's hardy enough to avoid most deaths that would kill humans.
...]
Drowning would be sufficient. Or falling from a great height.
[A pause, considering, with a hand rubbing thoughtfully at his chin]
Or I suppose we might combine the two with the equipment that is available...
no subject
And then it clicks, and her eyes widen. ]
You don't mean to say-- use the rides?
no subject
He only continues to talk, voice musing]
Assuming it can hold my weight, one of the them might be able to reach an appropriate velocity -- then all you would need to do is manipulate the controls so that the cart holding me stops suddenly.
Even with my size, I would be airborne and land in a different location, and even if the fall were not to kill me, I doubt I would survive long after.
no subject
Dorothy is quiet, pondering the possibilities of this. It's... definitely far more complex than just shooting him, but you know what, it's... still death??
Wow, she hates this. ]
Let's try the rollercoaster, then. While the Ferris Wheel can certainly reach an impressive height, there's not much we can do about velocity.
no subject
[he barely knows what such a thing is, only familiar enough to theorize, so he will defer to Dorothy's judgment in this case.]
I watched it before... it might take a couple of loops before we reach an acceptable speed, if such a thing is possible. Then an abrupt stop will suffice in making me fall.
[slowing getting to his legs, an arm folded behind him]
Though in case it does not work, I suggest we look at the controls quickly.
no subject
Then let's find some medicine and go investigate this properly. I suppose this is the plan we ought to commit to, as... unusual as it will be.
no subject
[Casually helping his killer murder him, it's fine.
-- Though he hesitates a bit, standing there, his eyes drawn closed by some enigmatic thoughts before he takes his lyre, and very carefully places it at the base of a tree.
Spoken quietly, more to himself:]
I do not think I can bring it with me...
[So here it will remain.]
-- Let us be off, then.
no subject
[ She has pieces of gun that she's just putting into her pockets, but then she glances down as she grasps her crutches and.
Hm, that's going to be conspicuous imprints with how much she has to use them. They're already present. ]
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A quick fix in his eyes -- Chiron approaches her without prompting and quietly lifts her up into his arms, as one of his hooves stamps into the soft earth, masking the crutch imprint from sight.
So long as it and the rest of his prints aren't closely examined, it will... have to do.]
no subject
... Wow, having your murder victim assist sure is helpful?? ]
And to think I can't even enjoy being held against your muscular chest...
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It really is a shame that any joke made tonight will be doomed to fall quiet and defeated, but he offers her a smile regardless, eyes soft with regret.]
I suppose not.
[Saying nothing more, he will carefully pick his way directly over the path she took to get to him, masking her crutch-prints until they finally arrive at the first aid station.
Getting what they need there is a simple matter -- Chiron steals whatever prescription will be strongest, and then heads for the northern area, towards the rides he knows so little about. If he stops, it is only so Dorothy might discard portions of her gun.
Otherwise, conversation is very... thin on his end. It is not sadness or anger that keeps him quiet. He is only musing over thoughts that will accompany him to the grave, and has to rouse himself out of them once they come upon their destination]
no subject
He deserves all the time he needs to think and when they finally stop, it's in front of the rides. Dorothy's gotten rid of the majority of her revolver and now she stares up at the rollercoaster, frowning. ]
... Well. I suppose no better time than to familiarize myself with the controls than now.
no subject
[After gingerly setting her down, Chiron glances back up at the machine that will be assisting in killing him... and does have a moment of pause, wondering if this will even work. Theory is one thing; execution is another.]
As long as you can control the speed and prompt it to stop suddenly, it should suffice.
no subject
[ Dorothy glances over at the nearby equipment, lips pursed in thought. It looks straightforward enough, and she may not be as quick to pick things up as certain other people she knew from home, but she's no slouch. ]
It may be a bit of a gamble, but if you're certain this is how you'd like this to happen...
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[It's is, perhaps, a very cruel riddle to leave those who must stay behind, knowing their chances are slim at best to catch his killer.
... But it must be done in his eyes. And so Chiron looks down at the bottle of painkillers.]
Is there anything else left for us to discuss?
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[ Well. She'll hear him out. ]
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[Spoken after a quiet pause]
Many knew of my resolve, and I have left flowers for the others. Tell them the truth only if you wish to do so.
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[ It will just sound like excuses, coming from Dorothy. ]
Then, it seems as though we truly have nothing more to discuss.
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[That's the goal, isn't it? Even if Chiron can already feel himself preparing for a future where that will not be so... it is not a cruel thing to hope for a better outcome.
A faint smile on his face, Chiron will then open up the bottle of painkillers, give the entire area on more glance over, and then swallow whatever is left inside the bottle.]
There.
[No going back now. The wheels of fate turn without regard.]
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[ Then again, who knows how much it takes to take down a centaur?? ]
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[Why? He cannot... remember... but that is fine, isn't it? He doesn't need to remember anything for what comes next.
His smile still gentles upon looking at her, though, and after a beat, he leans down and wraps an arm around her shoulders]
no subject
Archer...?
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[For... not killing any of the children, and sparing Alex, and in Chiron's eyes -- for choosing wisely]
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[ Though he might feel her lean a little. ]