doublesmall | [AUDIENCE] junpei

I don't see why it can't be both. Talk business and let you lay low here for a while after.

[he lifts his head slightly, though, glancing over-]

Matches what?

Wasn't sure I could do that. [But he grins a little because that's nice. It's evident he didn't think about the fact that he said that out loud though because he blinks for a moment.]

Matches nicknames Akane and I had. Carlos was part of C-Team with us, so...it's just funny. Never mind. [Let him be amused on his own.]

Found another role, by the way. Pretty sure there's thirteen of them, and now I know seven of them including myself.

[whomst the fuck is akane though... but it doesn't sound like junpei wants to talk about it, so he lets it pass for now.]

Then you're making good progress. Got any thoughts so far?

[He's not going to waste Chuuya's time talking about Akane, they can dive into his plethora of problems later. Instead, he...thinks.]

I think it's best to have all of them in my pocket and working together. You told me there were a few reasons it was best if I found everyone, and if I'm right...it's because all thirteen need to work together to find and eliminate these demons since the different jobs can either help or hurt. Better to have on my side than the enemy's.

Just bear in mind you guys aren't the only ones here.

[that's all he has to say on that, though he looks like he's considering for a moment-- before he sighs and shakes his head slightly.]

I know, there's...everyone else who doesn't have roles. Unless you mean something else, like the ghosts of fucked-up past.

[Likewise, he frowns again.] I'm not interested in losing more people than we have to, so I'm still making contact with everyone who doesn't have a role in this game, too.

-good. That'll help, too.

[he shifts, deciding it's a lot easier to just roll onto his side and face junpei so he's not halfway talking to the damn ceiling.]

At least you're setting reasonable expectations-- I have no idea what to do with people who think they can keep everybody alive.

[not losing more than they have to is far more pragmatic than trying to stop it entirely?]

[He'll match the stance because why not. Up close he looks exhausted and also a little more than stressed out but he's still talking and dissecting what he's learned.]

In games like these, you can't. It's like I said to Shiraishi, there are going to be some casualties even if we want no casualties. We just have to work on minimizing them.

...but trying to convince people isn't easy. I'm working on that, too. It's not in my job, but it can't hurt. [...] Can I ask for clarification on something we think might be true?

It works like that outside this kind of situation, too. Anyone who thinks you can always save people is deluding themselves-- if they don't learn it here, they will later.

[it's just naivety, as far as he's concerned. people the world hasn't gotten to yet or people too stubborn to get it.

...not that he isn't stubborn sometimes, too.]

Same deal as always-- you can ask whatever you want, but I can't make you any promises.

Preaching to the choir, Chuuya. Detective, remember? I've watched way too many people die and couldn't do a thing about it. [Which is neither here nor there. And has nothing to do with the fact that he fought for a timeline where everyone in the Decision Game lived.]

Thought I'd try anyway. [...] If we really have to execute Escha tomorrow, does her role really transfer to someone else? Like how the demons split.

Always good to have people around who get it.

[except not, in a broader sense, because the world definitely sucks? but. the thought behind it stands.]

...don't know what I can tell you about that, though. Maybe nothing, might just be too soon.

Why does that always feel like the answer. [He's not mad, just frustrated he hit another wall. He stares at Chuuya for a moment like he's going to dare to ask.]

...I know we can't save everyone. But isn't there any way we can save her? She didn't really do anything wrong.

She got voted for, Junpei. There's nothing we can do to change that-- otherwise what's the point of doing it at all?

[if they could just change the results when they wanted to, the system wouldn't exist.]

I don't know. Figured maybe there was a workaround, like somebody taking her place or something. [Which sounds stupid and he's not volunteering in the slightest, but:] Would her role have worked if she used it on herself? If she protected someone from an exorcism but there wasn't a demon there, would she live tomorrow? The way the roles work is still vague.

I can't tell you how it works.

[which, yes, business as usual! he huffs out a frustrated breath.]

But what, you think your workaround wouldn't be just as much of a mess? I don't think you're really proposing a better solution, here. [a pause, and:] For the record, if you ever try to get yourself killed for someone else, I will kick your ass for it.

Yeah, yeah, not enough power, I have to sleep with you first. I know. [But. AHHH.]

I've died way more than I've ever wanted to, Chuuya. I'm not interested in doing it again, and I can't. I have things I have waiting for me, so...it's not an option. I was just wondering what can be done.

I feel like I have to be clear about that, considering some people-- but at least we're in agreement there, too.

[he's just saying...

he pauses again, though, frowning slightly before he decides to just be blunt-]

There's nothing you can do for her.

[Just. A blank stare for a moment before there's a slow nod again.]

Okay. [...what else can he say? Escha's going to die tomorrow, they're losing one of the roles he was supposed to find (the one who started pointing him in the right direction), and there's literally nothing he can do. It's not the greatest feeling in the world, but feeling sorry for himself is something he can do later.] Okay. I...appreciate the honesty.

[Even if it fucking sucks.]

Am I allowed to ask you for advice, or is it another "you can ask but I won't be able to tell you exactly" thing?

You know what they say about the truth.

[sometimes, it fucking sucks!]

Depends on the kind of advice you want-- try me on it.

[There's a look that says yeah, he knows, but...he goes silent again as he thinks.]

I need to figure out a faster way to confirm the roles of the people I'm finding. I'd rather not waste my chance on Tuesday checking people who've told me on their own, but some of these are so specific I'm having trouble figuring out what to do with them. Playing the question game worked for Dick and Escha, but for some others it's too hard to specify.

So you observe them. Spend more time around them, pay attention to what they say and what they know-- and who they know. See if you can find any kind of clue in there that'll let you ask them better questions.

You're going to be stuck working within your ruleset no matter what, so gather your information outside of it and bring it back within that framework when you're ready to use it. If you've got a network, use that too.

[did he expect anything different from mafia boy, here.]

What do you think I've been doing? [Now he just sounds amused.] It's how I got Haymitch to admit that he had a role, too, even if I'm still not entirely clear on everything. As far as I know, there hasn't been a lot of solid links between the people with roles.

[So. No. He expected nothing different.] I think I'm just thinking about the next step. When I do find all of these roles and who they are and what they do. My job isn't over after that, is it?

Oh, you found that one out too? You really do work fast.

[but he hums thoughtfully, considering.]

...that's something to ask again later. Keep doing your job for now, okay?

He approached me confirming that I had a role, but there's nothing in my rulebook that says I have to answer just because someone says so. So...I made it work. Right now it's me, Dick, Beck, Kagachi, Taako, Haymitch...and Escha. Those are the ones I know, plus others I suspect based on things people have brought to my attention.

[So yes, he's steadily working and by working I mean people are just showing up for no reason.] ...if you think that's best, I have no reason not to listen. [A pause.] One of my rules still bothers me because I can't figure out why that's going to change anything. That's all.

You mind if I ask you to talk about the one bothering you later? Not to tell you to just suck it up for now, but I think we could both use a break.

[as he rolls over onto his stomach instead, head pillowed on his folded arms. thank god this bed is giant and there's no fear of touching.]

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