[ Considering the havoc that someone(s) wreaked on Rhys's door, unsurprisingly, Rhys will be staying with Break at this point forward. More surprisingly is that Break was actually the one to offer, but only the very observant ghosts (AKA Gilbert) would have overheard this offer, most likely. Rhys had brought some of his stuff over earlier in the day, but both Rhys and Break had left for some time at night.
Rhys returns, but he's very noticeably angry. Whatever he does in the time before Break shows up, I'll leave to Squee to decide and describe, but maybe ten minutes or so after, Break returns to his room. He closes and locks the door after himself, but he's quick to pick up a conversation quite seriously. ]
...It's at least taken care of, more or less. Though if it's any comfort, I'm no happier about it than you are.
[ man, that ten minute window sure is embarrassing because rhys did multiple things in that time.
first, he dramatically threw himself down on the bed. second, he screamed into a pillow, punched the mattress, and banged his head against the bed a few times. third, he rolled himself into a blanket burrito which would have been fine if he didn't, fourth, fall off the bed into the burrito and proceed to bang his head against the bedside table as he goes down. fifth, there's a lot of swearing and jerking around as he tries to untangle himself from the blankets.
finally though, he'll crawl out of the blankets and just sort of sit against the edge of his bed, head fallen backwards onto the mattress as he stares up at the ceiling. his arms hug around himself and he swallows heavily before staying like that in silence until break shows up. he doesn't look up as break does but at his words, he closes his eyes and frowns to himself. ]
Thanks. You understand why this is all bullshit, right? Why I can't just accept it for what it is?
[ a sigh here ]
"Trust me", she says and it's like okay, yeah. I'll just go on and do right that without caring about my own life in the process.
[ Break pauses and he hesitates before a softer smile briefly comes to his face. He shakes his head as if to get rid of that expression, and it easily goes back to something harder and more steeled. ]
She responded better than I expected, essentially. But I was trying to be careful with my words. I can disagree, but I don't want to make her angry and have her decide that we're more trouble than we're worth.
[ He steps further into the room to take a seat on his own bed, but he doesn't flop down dramatically just yet. He keeps a hold on his cane, almost nervously tossing the handle back and forth between his hands. Break is full of an anxious energy himself, and though there's a clear determination on his face, he doesn't seem very happy about it. ]
She's just a normal girl. Perhaps I thought differently because she's so important to things here, but I realized that tonight.
[ rhys will look up as break sits and watch break settle, eyes flicking towards the movement with the cane before rhys finally relaxes a little himself. what break says seems to give rhys a little bit of relief and he nods, though break can't see it. ]
I've been telling her that for ages, even before what happened to Gilbert and Alisha, you know? I knew something like this would happen and I guess... I don't know, part of me wanted to make sure she'd be okay? But this is way too far and it just makes me so angry.
[ he stops then, biting into his bottom lip and twisting his flesh fingers in his shirt. he's distressed but he's not really quite sure how to explain it. ]
I don't know. [ he gives a short, awkward laugh. ] I feel like I just got stabbed in the back, honestly and I don't think I can do this anymore, not after tonight. I might have to rely on you instead. If Fiona dies because I say the wrong thing, I don't think I could live with myself.
[ Break nods along, since the first part isn't a surprise. If he had known her as long as Rhys had, then perhaps he would have come to the same conclusion. But really, he's still only been getting to know her through those little meetings, piece by piece, and the reality isn't something he had liked. It's no fault of her own, and he knows that. But it's also difficult to have complete confidence when she's so clearly just someone doing their best. The truth is that the best just simply might not be enough, and Break is frightened by that.
He listens, but the nervous habit of tossing his cane pauses when Rhys says that he might have to rely on Break instead. He looks towards Rhys in surprise, but it turns to a small, soft smile before his gaze drifts down to his hands. His tone is rather light and joking to start. ]
Well, that's only fair, I suppose. You saved me from doing something stupid and reckless, so it's the least I can do to return the favor.
[ Break pauses to release a sigh, but it's a heavy one that lingers for a bit longer before he nods. ]
I can't promise any kind of different result, since ultimately I have no choice but to follow her. But I think you at least know well enough by now that I'll pursue it more than any of the rest. So I won't let her die. Neither her, nor Oz, nor any of the rest, though I'll admit that the rest are also incidental so far as I'm concerned.
[ He shrugs, then smiles with a soft laugh as he thinks about his own words at the end there. ]
Neither of us exactly cut out to be heroic, are we? Yet somehow that's the hand that we've been dealt.
[ what's funny is that if break told rhys that, he'd agree. his assessment isn't far off from what rhys believes too and it's part of why he suggested what he did tonight. he can handle it, he knows he can but the outright refusal combined with the explanation... it's left him wrung out and going against his instincts. ]
I scratch your back, you scratch mine? Or... something of the equivalent but, you know.
[ and when break continues, rhys just lets out a laugh. he follows it by pulling out his robot hand and projecting a holographic list of names for himself. what's on that list? oh, only the names of all the hostages that were taken. after a moment, rhys sorts it down to seven:
Asgore, Fiona, Frisk, Light Field, Oz Vessalius, Rose Lalonde, Toriel ]
My priority is Fiona, you know that. I thought they'd be sent home. They're not, whatever. We deal. But these six -- we have to prioritize them too. Clover and Roxy are good kids, they don't deserve this. And I really like Undyne and her skeletons, so... we do our best.
[ the list disappears after a moment and rhys hugs his arm to himself again. at the mention of being heroic, rhys looks to the ground and of course, he thinks about jack. ]
Jack always said he was the hero of Pandora. I believed him because duh, he revitalized the planet. A... lot of other people don't but I don't know, Jack's a pretty great guy. I want to be like him. I don't... want to be a hero but I can be like Jack. That should be enough, right? [ . . . ] Ah, I guess that's kind of rhetorical, huh?
[ There's a moment where Break frowns and looks towards Rhys when he starts to speak about Jack and Pandora, but he catches himself quickly. He shakes his head with a laugh, and though he won't interrupt, if Rhys pauses and gives him a look, he'll at least explain. ]
...Sorry. Talking about people named Jack being a hero is... Well. It's a long story. [ TO SAY THE GODDAMN LEAST which is also why Break will wave a hand dismissively instead of explaining. The irony here is that he's not wrong about Rhys's Jack either, so maybe there's something about that name.
At this point, Break flops backwards onto the bed, though he does bring his cane with him so that he can lay it at his side. All things considered, he feels especially on edge lately, so having his cane within reach at all times has become important to him. He rubs at his face with clear exhaustion, but it doesn't carry in his tone. There's always a sense that Break is pushing himself and refusing to rest until he accomplishes his goals, but it's been showing up more and more lately. He's aware of it, but despite certain peoples' best efforts to convince him otherwise, he also has no plans of stopping that behavior. ]
Honestly, we don't have to be heroes. It doesn't suit me very well either. We want to save the people we care about, and I don't think that's particularly heroic. After all, it seems more as if it just so happens to be an "all or nothing" sort of thing. So if this works, we'll save them. All of them, the dead and the hostages alike.
[ He sounds sure of that sentiment, since at least that's not what he's concerned about. He has to have faith in that much, otherwise, he'd be unable to push forward. Instead, his doubts are on whatever needs to "work" to assure that. ]
Though, at the very least, I'll at least tell you that she understands our doubts. "It's not your town and your family, so I get it." You left before that much, so I thought I should at least pass that part along.
[ that brings a wry grin from rhys and he perks up a little. ]
Weird stuff from home, huh?
[ but he won't press because they've both got their own things to worry about. instead he just watches break settle back and thinks that you know, maybe it's a good thing they're rooming together now officially. he could make sure break does get some sleep and eats, even if it's not something rhys is used to taking care of himself. he just... owes break that much at this point. ]
All or nothing.
[ this rhys says just to follow up with a nod, for himself, to convince himself. he understands this approach more than anything else, it aligns with what he believes and he can... feel better about it. he lets out a slow breath and the tension in him since he came in the room earlier seems to drain away, if only a little. he repeats it to himself -- all or nothing -- quietly, under his breath and then lets his head drop back again. a glance towards break as he speaks and he frowns a little. ]
Huh. I still don't like it. I thought the stakes were higher, I thought it was a whole different thing. This is... insulting, you know? Hyperion's done much worse. I've done much worse. And now it's come to... this? Again, stabbed in the back.
[ but he's getting upset again, he feels it and he scrubs his flesh hand over his face with a groan. ]
Let's talk about something else. I don't know, anything else. Just change the topic before she kills us for talking without her.
[Undyne will probably remember that full throated screaming that Break was doing in his Ultimate Naked Anger earlier.
Now, the rest of squad babysitter can hear it too because that's sure EXACTLY WHAT GILBERT IS DOING and pretty much what he's been doing since the name "Oz" appeared on the list. In between his Panic, he'll coherently share his thoughts with the ghost class.]
They're here?! Still here?? Do they know where the hostages are?! They know where the hostages are—?! They know where the hostages are—
Gilbert, calm down! I'm certain there'll be a way to help them--
[ But they know where the hostages are. And Gilbert is screaming, and while she's not entirely sure how she feels about... all of this, the prevalent emotion here is concern, for all of them. As she is - as all of the ghosts are - she can't do much to help, if anything.
But they should probably know they've had an audience, so she'll step forward while Gilbert... ululates. Rhys will receive a pat on the head. As for Break... well. A few seconds after that pat, one of the pillows on the bed will try to inch itself closer to Break's head.
... But lifting Break's head requires more energy, so the pillow will just kind of insistently nudge the side of his head. REST PROPERLY, AT LEAST. It's a good thing he can't hear the screeching of his... boyfriend-thing.
The hostages aren't gone? They're still here? Why didn't they tell us that earlier?!
[Undyne's freaking out too, though it's nowhere near Gilbert's extent. It helps that Rhys had offered to prioritize Asgore and the others, which she's genuinely touched by, and...well, that her hostage isn't Alphys. Asgore can take care of himself, she thinks - she would have been able to beat Satan on her own if Lucifer hadn't stepped in, so he shouldn't have much of a problem if they do try anything against him.
Still. The part where they're still here and Break and Rhys both knew about this and no one said anything IS NOT MAKING HER HAPPY, though she does try to take a few deep breaths.]
Alisha's right, we have to help them! [JUST IGNORING THAT PART ABOUT CALMING DOWN don't be silly] We can't let these two carry the burden of saving the dead and the hostages - Break's super sick and Rhys is super incompetent, it'd be pathetic if we just sat by and let them do all the work without pitching in!
There's four of us here, isn't there? And we're ghosts, we can go where the living can't! We have to be able to do something! Someone get them to tell us where the hostages are so we can save them!
They know where the hostages are! They know where the hostages are!
[GHOST RIOT GHOST RIOT GHOST RIOT ALL ABOARD THE PANIC TRAIN, not that Clover's shit wasn't already lost but if Gilbert's going to be in the middle of screaming hysteria then goddamn it, so is she.
She's tearing up terribly, too, because crying screaming hysteria is the best kind apparently, but her brother is still in danger and that's enough on its own, but they're talking like they have a plan to help all the hostages and they know where the hostages are and who the fuck does Rhys think she is making her brother a priority and calling her a good kid the day after she fucking axed his door in was she not already having enough emotions.]
There's gotta be something! They know where the hostages are, they're still in danger, we've gotta be able to do something!
[All the useless bullshit (horror movie reenactments) she's spent the week doing have left her absolutely exhausted but damned if she isn't stubborn and obnoxious even in death, so she darts back and forth between Rhys and Break, tugging weakly at their arms. Guys guys guys pay attention pay attention to her GHOSTS ARE HERE AND LISTENING WHERE ARE THE HOSTAGES]
Of course. The longer that I'm here, the more that I realize there's not anything "normal" about where I come from.
[ He at least responds to that with a laugh, and he honestly would explain more about that, since that definitely counts as changing the topic. Yet luckily, Rhys is saved from an explanation of the plot of Pandora Hearts because even while most of their audience is something that they're both oblivious to, the gentle nudge of the pillow catches Break's attention. He rolls his head slightly towards it, but then sighs as he shifts to put it under his head. He's at least getting better at listening to ghosts when they aren't kicking his ass, at least. ]
Ahh, that must not be Gilbert. You must be—
[ But he breaks off there with a frown, since he feels the very faint tug at his arm, and he sighs. ]
Right, there you are. I said "Oz," so now I bet you're regretting using up all of your energy on stupid things like I've been saying for two weeks.
[ Since he totally assumes that the person tugging on his arm is Gilbert, and as such, he just uses this to be an asshole and prove his point. Which technically, he'd be nicer if he was more aware that it was Clover, but the sentiment applies to everyone. ]
[ when rhys gets those headpats, he definitely has to lift a hand to his head and look bewildered up at the air. he really doesn't know how to react to that, what the fuck? which also means when he gets tugged, he's just as bewildered. someone here is not as well versed in ghosts as the blind guy. ]
Wait, Gilbert's here? Shit, who else? Someone... someone patted me on the head which is weird and kind of nice and ohmygod, is Alisha here? No one here is that nice to me. I mean, Morrigan would do it because she's a passive aggressive bitch and if that's Morrigan, I'm going to be pissed. Please be Alisha, I need to talk to her anyway and --
[ aaaand he needs to calm down. taking a deep breath, he drops his hand from his head and looks over at break. ]
You replaced her, you know. After everything. That was why she was so pissed at us. ... Well, me. It was kind of my fault, huh? But Alisha wasn't supposed to die and I really need to talk to her.
[THERE'S PLOT BEING DROPPED HERE VAGUELY (that Gilbert is actually not too surprised by, considering what he'd told Undyne earlier), BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY--]
You knew where Oz was all this time and that's the first thing you say—?!
[AAAAAAA
WHAT THE FUCK UGH Clover may go for the silver with her arm-tugging but Gilbert just straight up marches over to Break's bedside to punch him square in the face, because I guess this is how friendship works with gay seal grandpas?? It happens.
Fortunately for Break though, his ghost powers are definitely significantly diminished by Thursday because he wasted so much of his energy that morning, so all Break will feel is a bit of pressure on his nose, probably...]
[Well, Undyne had been trying to keep calm thanks to her shounen determination, but that little revelation pretty much shatters her resolve. She whirls around, pointing a finger at Alisha.]
What?! You knew -- and Rhys...and Break! [Yeah, she's just kind of spluttering with rage at this point. Goddammit, she always knew Break was shady, but she thought she could trust Alisha to be upfront at least. How many more members of Team Pride are hitting betray on her!!]
Great! Fine! Everyone's keeping secrets now! At least Astrid will be happy knowing she was right all along! [She throws her arms in the air, looking furious.] I guess it was just too much to ask for one of you to mention 'oh hey there's a plan so maybe don't try to kill the people in charge yet' or 'the hostages are still around stop sitting on your ass doing nothing' or 'the kid is a time-traveller who might be resetting the whole timeline don't fucking make them your bestie'!
[...okay, so maybe there's another reason why she's so pissed off at people not telling her shit that has nothing to do with the actual game.]
NGAAAAAH! Get over here, Gilbert! You wanna hit him so badly, I'll help!! [And she'll proceed to pick Gilbert up, hoist him all the way above her head, and hurl him at Break like a goddamn missile.]
[COOL ALL RIGHT NOW EVERYONE'S ANGRY AND HYSTERICAL, THIS IS GREAT, GHOST RIOT ALL AROUND. Clover could maybe care more about all of these revelations and this screaming but absolutely nothing else matters as much as figuring out if Light is okay.]
Ugh, yell at me about wasting energy after you tell me where my brother is! [She stomps her foot, petulant, and runs around to shake Break's right shoulder because she's not Gilbert and she is having a lot of problems right now so he isn't allowed to give Gilbert credit for her tantrum. Ugh pay attention to her!! She's having a crisis!!! She needs answ—
—OR WE CAN SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS BY THROWING GILBERT AT THEM, and Clover shrieks and drops to the floor because being caught in the crossfire of a Gilbert projectile is not how she wants to die again.
......right. okay. looks they've got bullying Break over this covered so she's just gonna. crawl across the floor so she can go harass Rhys some more, he's not being harassed enough right now, he can have his teacup water but she's just gonna yank at his robot arm instead!! someone pay attention to her]
[ The boop on his nose gets Break to laugh surprisingly pleasantly, since he can totally guess what's happening there. Gilbert is angry, and he's trying to hit him, obviously. It's probably odd to feel a sense of nostalgia over something like that, but that's the weird friendship that they have. He stretches languidly and opens his mouth to actually be helpful and reply, but. Then Undyne takes matters into her own hands.
Luckily, Gilbert isn't solid enough to actually get thrown on top of Break completely, because he would definitely be more than a little injured by that. We would have to put a ghost on trial for killing Break, which while hilarious, he would not appreciate. So technically, this alternative is better as Gilbert phases just enough to slam a brief, but heavy weight down onto Break. He jerks, because someone just got thrown on him, and the noise he makes is definitely one of immediately being winded, even if nothing is actually there.
He gasps sharply to regain his breath, but this comes with a rather predictable effect of a wheezy, rattling shakiness as he draws that breath. It catches, since he's still not properly healed up from the last time he had coughed so violently, and Break is quick to sit up and start coughing. He only sits up because he knows his body well enough to not want to potentially choke. As the wet sound of blood comes with it, he at least catches it in his hand like always. It's at least not as bad as the other day, but truly, thanks guys. He appreciates being pushed closer and closer to his inevitable demise. ]
[ see and then there's rhys who has been here the whole time and not really witnessing any of this ghost bullshit. he's not well-versed, okay! instead he just watches break get pushed around a little, a teacup float out of the bathroom, and kind of just wonders what the heck is going on.
and then break starts coughing up blood. rhys goes a little wide eyed and jerks upright, ignoring anything from ghost clover and instead just dropping the teacup full of water instead. oh no, last living friend, what's wrong? ]
Dude! Duuude. Do you need... I can go get a towel or some water or... I don't know. What happened? You were just sitting there! People don't just randomly start coughing up blood by just sitting places!
[AAAAAA FUCK OFF BREAK HE'S STILL FURIOUS AND NOW HE'S SCREAMING AGAIN BECAUSE BREAK IS BEING AN ASSHOLE AND LAUGHING. He's so mad that he doesn't even care when Undyne picks him up and throws him like a projectile. HE'LL TRY TO GET ANOTHER PUNCH IN AS HE CRASHES THROUGH but then he just sort of
loses his becoming-solid power on the way down so, you know.
Now it's his turn to fall into Urashima's room. BYE GUYS, he'll be back soon...]
[ ... This is not a good day, for any of them. And while Alisha flinches because okay, she really doesn't want Pridesis to be mad at her (and time-traveling what), there are other things to be concerned about. Like Gilbert being thrown at Break, and now Break is dying, and Rhys just dropped the teacup, which she has to lunge for and catch and move over to Break instead (well, there's still some water in there, and--
She turns her head veeeery slowly to look at Undyne. And then over to Clover. And back to Undyne. ]
I don't know everything about the hostage situation, and there were certain things I can't say if we want to rescue every single person, and if you could give me at least three minutes to listen to what they have to say about the situation, I will more than willingly share with you what I can afterwards and perhaps we can find a way to help!
But please refrain from hurling disdain or other people until that happens!!
[Okay, normally she would feel somewhat ashamed for causing Break to cough up blood and Alisha to actually get pissed at her, but not this time. She can deal with finding out one person she trusted was hiding something huge from her, maybe two, but right now the count is up to four this week alone and probably about to get higher.
But at least she no longer looks like she's about to hurl Clover and then herself onto Break too? So...progress.]
Then explain! Tell me why I shouldn't feel like the world's hugest moron for trusting anyone right now, especially Break! [YEAH SHE STILL HASN'T GOTTEN OVER THAT INCIDENTAL COMMENT YET BREAK] You can't ask for trust if you don't give it in return!
[ugh Undyne can't hurl Clover at Break, Clover's busy harassing Rhys!! All the rest of the yelling going on continues failing to matter to Clover at all as she continues tugging at Rhys's arm, stomping her foot and yelling a little breathlessly as she does. We've gone into full temper tantrum territory, but goddamn it, she's dead and her brother's in danger and something's being done about it and she doesn't know what and she can't actually yell at anyone and her brother is in danger and she is so, so angry and frustrated and tired.
So fuck absolutely all the screaming and arguing going on around her! She's just gonna start pressing robot arm buttons. Maybe she'll hit Rhys in the face! That'll get his attention! Maybe one of these buttons is the hostage list button, maybe one of them will make his arm explode, she is so beyond the point of caring about the specifics.]
[ It takes Break several gross coughs to be able to catch his breath enough to speak, but when he does, now he's not the only one that's angry and yelling, though he is the only one that Rhys can hear. He pulls off his cravat and uses it as a makeshift handkerchief, but it's still probably worrying. It's not a huge amount of blood, but it's still blood all the same, and a sharp eye will notice Break's hand shaking as he wipes away the blood. Which could certainly be from anger, but there's no way to tell. ]
I— Damn it all, I have no idea what happened! I think someone got thrown at me?!
[ He definitely sounds distressed about that, because what the fuck. Honestly, just what the fuck? Since it wasn't solid, it had to be something to do with their ghostly friends, but with that very brief weight, he was absolutely sure that it could only be a person, which is completely ridiculous. He coughs again, though this time he catches the blood in the cravat, which is definitely charming. Once his throat is cleared, he pulls the cloth away from his mouth, though he doesn't quite bother trying to wipe his mouth just yet. ]
Did it ever occur to you idiots that I didn't mention it for precisely this reason?! If you've just thrown someone at me, then of course I'm not going to tell you where they are! This isn't some game that can be solved with brute force or without care!
[ He wipes at his mouth roughly with the back of his hand, and though he has to pause again as he threatens to break out into another coughing fit, but his breathing just stays heavy. He calms down slightly, though he does pause to instead rub at his temple tiredly. This definitely gets blood there too, and now you can understand why Break is covered in blood in so many of his icons. ]
Dammit... [ He seems frustrated by something, but he just shakes his head and ends up standing up to head to the bathroom to grab a towel for himself. ]
Explain whatever you think is necessary for them to know, but not everything. If Katerina is listening, then I won't give her the satisfaction of every piece. No, I'll cut off her damn head myself for all of the trouble this has brought me.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
thursday night
Rhys returns, but he's very noticeably angry. Whatever he does in the time before Break shows up, I'll leave to Squee to decide and describe, but maybe ten minutes or so after, Break returns to his room. He closes and locks the door after himself, but he's quick to pick up a conversation quite seriously. ]
...It's at least taken care of, more or less. Though if it's any comfort, I'm no happier about it than you are.
no subject
first, he dramatically threw himself down on the bed. second, he screamed into a pillow, punched the mattress, and banged his head against the bed a few times. third, he rolled himself into a blanket burrito which would have been fine if he didn't, fourth, fall off the bed into the burrito and proceed to bang his head against the bedside table as he goes down. fifth, there's a lot of swearing and jerking around as he tries to untangle himself from the blankets.
finally though, he'll crawl out of the blankets and just sort of sit against the edge of his bed, head fallen backwards onto the mattress as he stares up at the ceiling. his arms hug around himself and he swallows heavily before staying like that in silence until break shows up. he doesn't look up as break does but at his words, he closes his eyes and frowns to himself. ]
Thanks. You understand why this is all bullshit, right? Why I can't just accept it for what it is?
[ a sigh here ]
"Trust me", she says and it's like okay, yeah. I'll just go on and do right that without caring about my own life in the process.
no subject
[ Break pauses and he hesitates before a softer smile briefly comes to his face. He shakes his head as if to get rid of that expression, and it easily goes back to something harder and more steeled. ]
She responded better than I expected, essentially. But I was trying to be careful with my words. I can disagree, but I don't want to make her angry and have her decide that we're more trouble than we're worth.
[ He steps further into the room to take a seat on his own bed, but he doesn't flop down dramatically just yet. He keeps a hold on his cane, almost nervously tossing the handle back and forth between his hands. Break is full of an anxious energy himself, and though there's a clear determination on his face, he doesn't seem very happy about it. ]
She's just a normal girl. Perhaps I thought differently because she's so important to things here, but I realized that tonight.
no subject
I've been telling her that for ages, even before what happened to Gilbert and Alisha, you know? I knew something like this would happen and I guess... I don't know, part of me wanted to make sure she'd be okay? But this is way too far and it just makes me so angry.
[ he stops then, biting into his bottom lip and twisting his flesh fingers in his shirt. he's distressed but he's not really quite sure how to explain it. ]
I don't know. [ he gives a short, awkward laugh. ] I feel like I just got stabbed in the back, honestly and I don't think I can do this anymore, not after tonight. I might have to rely on you instead. If Fiona dies because I say the wrong thing, I don't think I could live with myself.
no subject
He listens, but the nervous habit of tossing his cane pauses when Rhys says that he might have to rely on Break instead. He looks towards Rhys in surprise, but it turns to a small, soft smile before his gaze drifts down to his hands. His tone is rather light and joking to start. ]
Well, that's only fair, I suppose. You saved me from doing something stupid and reckless, so it's the least I can do to return the favor.
[ Break pauses to release a sigh, but it's a heavy one that lingers for a bit longer before he nods. ]
I can't promise any kind of different result, since ultimately I have no choice but to follow her. But I think you at least know well enough by now that I'll pursue it more than any of the rest. So I won't let her die. Neither her, nor Oz, nor any of the rest, though I'll admit that the rest are also incidental so far as I'm concerned.
[ He shrugs, then smiles with a soft laugh as he thinks about his own words at the end there. ]
Neither of us exactly cut out to be heroic, are we? Yet somehow that's the hand that we've been dealt.
no subject
I scratch your back, you scratch mine? Or... something of the equivalent but, you know.
[ and when break continues, rhys just lets out a laugh. he follows it by pulling out his robot hand and projecting a holographic list of names for himself. what's on that list? oh, only the names of all the hostages that were taken. after a moment, rhys sorts it down to seven:
Asgore, Fiona, Frisk, Light Field, Oz Vessalius, Rose Lalonde, Toriel ]
My priority is Fiona, you know that. I thought they'd be sent home. They're not, whatever. We deal. But these six -- we have to prioritize them too. Clover and Roxy are good kids, they don't deserve this. And I really like Undyne and her skeletons, so... we do our best.
[ the list disappears after a moment and rhys hugs his arm to himself again. at the mention of being heroic, rhys looks to the ground and of course, he thinks about jack. ]
Jack always said he was the hero of Pandora. I believed him because duh, he revitalized the planet. A... lot of other people don't but I don't know, Jack's a pretty great guy. I want to be like him. I don't... want to be a hero but I can be like Jack. That should be enough, right? [ . . . ] Ah, I guess that's kind of rhetorical, huh?
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...Sorry. Talking about people named Jack being a hero is... Well. It's a long story. [ TO SAY THE GODDAMN LEAST which is also why Break will wave a hand dismissively instead of explaining. The irony here is that he's not wrong about Rhys's Jack either, so maybe there's something about that name.
At this point, Break flops backwards onto the bed, though he does bring his cane with him so that he can lay it at his side. All things considered, he feels especially on edge lately, so having his cane within reach at all times has become important to him. He rubs at his face with clear exhaustion, but it doesn't carry in his tone. There's always a sense that Break is pushing himself and refusing to rest until he accomplishes his goals, but it's been showing up more and more lately. He's aware of it, but despite certain peoples' best efforts to convince him otherwise, he also has no plans of stopping that behavior. ]
Honestly, we don't have to be heroes. It doesn't suit me very well either. We want to save the people we care about, and I don't think that's particularly heroic. After all, it seems more as if it just so happens to be an "all or nothing" sort of thing. So if this works, we'll save them. All of them, the dead and the hostages alike.
[ He sounds sure of that sentiment, since at least that's not what he's concerned about. He has to have faith in that much, otherwise, he'd be unable to push forward. Instead, his doubts are on whatever needs to "work" to assure that. ]
Though, at the very least, I'll at least tell you that she understands our doubts. "It's not your town and your family, so I get it." You left before that much, so I thought I should at least pass that part along.
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Weird stuff from home, huh?
[ but he won't press because they've both got their own things to worry about. instead he just watches break settle back and thinks that you know, maybe it's a good thing they're rooming together now officially. he could make sure break does get some sleep and eats, even if it's not something rhys is used to taking care of himself. he just... owes break that much at this point. ]
All or nothing.
[ this rhys says just to follow up with a nod, for himself, to convince himself. he understands this approach more than anything else, it aligns with what he believes and he can... feel better about it. he lets out a slow breath and the tension in him since he came in the room earlier seems to drain away, if only a little. he repeats it to himself -- all or nothing -- quietly, under his breath and then lets his head drop back again. a glance towards break as he speaks and he frowns a little. ]
Huh. I still don't like it. I thought the stakes were higher, I thought it was a whole different thing. This is... insulting, you know? Hyperion's done much worse. I've done much worse. And now it's come to... this? Again, stabbed in the back.
[ but he's getting upset again, he feels it and he scrubs his flesh hand over his face with a groan. ]
Let's talk about something else. I don't know, anything else. Just change the topic before she kills us for talking without her.
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Now, the rest of squad babysitter can hear it too because that's sure EXACTLY WHAT GILBERT IS DOING and pretty much what he's been doing since the name "Oz" appeared on the list. In between his Panic, he'll coherently share his thoughts with the ghost class.]
They're here?! Still here?? Do they know where the hostages are?! They know where the hostages are—?! They know where the hostages are—
[GUYS, THEY KNOW WHERE THE HOSTAGES ARE.]
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[ But they know where the hostages are. And Gilbert is screaming, and while she's not entirely sure how she feels about... all of this, the prevalent emotion here is concern, for all of them. As she is - as all of the ghosts are - she can't do much to help, if anything.
But they should probably know they've had an audience, so she'll step forward while Gilbert... ululates. Rhys will receive a pat on the head. As for Break... well. A few seconds after that pat, one of the pillows on the bed will try to inch itself closer to Break's head.
... But lifting Break's head requires more energy, so the pillow will just kind of insistently nudge the side of his head. REST PROPERLY, AT LEAST. It's a good thing he can't hear the screeching of his... boyfriend-thing.
Well. The others will probably have Words, too. ]
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[Undyne's freaking out too, though it's nowhere near Gilbert's extent. It helps that Rhys had offered to prioritize Asgore and the others, which she's genuinely touched by, and...well, that her hostage isn't Alphys. Asgore can take care of himself, she thinks - she would have been able to beat Satan on her own if Lucifer hadn't stepped in, so he shouldn't have much of a problem if they do try anything against him.
Still. The part where they're still here and Break and Rhys both knew about this and no one said anything IS NOT MAKING HER HAPPY, though she does try to take a few deep breaths.]
Alisha's right, we have to help them! [JUST IGNORING THAT PART ABOUT CALMING DOWN don't be silly] We can't let these two carry the burden of saving the dead and the hostages - Break's super sick and Rhys is super incompetent, it'd be pathetic if we just sat by and let them do all the work without pitching in!
There's four of us here, isn't there? And we're ghosts, we can go where the living can't! We have to be able to do something! Someone get them to tell us where the hostages are so we can save them!
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[GHOST RIOT GHOST RIOT GHOST RIOT ALL ABOARD THE PANIC TRAIN, not that Clover's shit wasn't already lost but if Gilbert's going to be in the middle of screaming hysteria then goddamn it, so is she.
She's tearing up terribly, too, because crying screaming hysteria is the best kind apparently, but her brother is still in danger and that's enough on its own, but they're talking like they have a plan to help all the hostages and they know where the hostages are and who the fuck does Rhys think she is making her brother a priority and calling her a good kid the day after she fucking axed his door in was she not already having enough emotions.]
There's gotta be something! They know where the hostages are, they're still in danger, we've gotta be able to do something!
[All the useless bullshit (horror movie reenactments) she's spent the week doing have left her absolutely exhausted but damned if she isn't stubborn and obnoxious even in death, so she darts back and forth between Rhys and Break, tugging weakly at their arms. Guys guys guys pay attention pay attention to her GHOSTS ARE HERE AND LISTENING WHERE ARE THE HOSTAGES]
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[ He at least responds to that with a laugh, and he honestly would explain more about that, since that definitely counts as changing the topic. Yet luckily, Rhys is saved from an explanation of the plot of Pandora Hearts because even while most of their audience is something that they're both oblivious to, the gentle nudge of the pillow catches Break's attention. He rolls his head slightly towards it, but then sighs as he shifts to put it under his head. He's at least getting better at listening to ghosts when they aren't kicking his ass, at least. ]
Ahh, that must not be Gilbert. You must be—
[ But he breaks off there with a frown, since he feels the very faint tug at his arm, and he sighs. ]
Right, there you are. I said "Oz," so now I bet you're regretting using up all of your energy on stupid things like I've been saying for two weeks.
[ Since he totally assumes that the person tugging on his arm is Gilbert, and as such, he just uses this to be an asshole and prove his point. Which technically, he'd be nicer if he was more aware that it was Clover, but the sentiment applies to everyone. ]
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Wait, Gilbert's here? Shit, who else? Someone... someone patted me on the head which is weird and kind of nice and ohmygod, is Alisha here? No one here is that nice to me. I mean, Morrigan would do it because she's a passive aggressive bitch and if that's Morrigan, I'm going to be pissed. Please be Alisha, I need to talk to her anyway and --
[ aaaand he needs to calm down. taking a deep breath, he drops his hand from his head and looks over at break. ]
You replaced her, you know. After everything. That was why she was so pissed at us. ... Well, me. It was kind of my fault, huh? But Alisha wasn't supposed to die and I really need to talk to her.
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You knew where Oz was all this time and that's the first thing you say—?!
[AAAAAAA
WHAT THE FUCK UGH Clover may go for the silver with her arm-tugging but Gilbert just straight up marches over to Break's bedside to punch him square in the face, because I guess this is how friendship works with gay seal grandpas?? It happens.
Fortunately for Break though, his ghost powers are definitely significantly diminished by Thursday because he wasted so much of his energy that morning, so all Break will feel is a bit of pressure on his nose, probably...]
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[ Okay, well, she's probably got the most energy out of them-- even though she's not exactly happy Rhys is saying things like this.
But she'll retrieve a teacup, go to the bathroom to fill it with water, and bring it over to Rhys-- that should be proof enough.
But geez. She's going to have to talk to the others after this now. And then take a very long nap. ]
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[Well, Undyne had been trying to keep calm thanks to her shounen determination, but that little revelation pretty much shatters her resolve. She whirls around, pointing a finger at Alisha.]
What?! You knew -- and Rhys...and Break! [Yeah, she's just kind of spluttering with rage at this point. Goddammit, she always knew Break was shady, but she thought she could trust Alisha to be upfront at least. How many more members of Team Pride are hitting betray on her!!]
Great! Fine! Everyone's keeping secrets now! At least Astrid will be happy knowing she was right all along! [She throws her arms in the air, looking furious.] I guess it was just too much to ask for one of you to mention 'oh hey there's a plan so maybe don't try to kill the people in charge yet' or 'the hostages are still around stop sitting on your ass doing nothing' or 'the kid is a time-traveller who might be resetting the whole timeline don't fucking make them your bestie'!
[...okay, so maybe there's another reason why she's so pissed off at people not telling her shit that has nothing to do with the actual game.]
NGAAAAAH! Get over here, Gilbert! You wanna hit him so badly, I'll help!! [And she'll proceed to pick Gilbert up, hoist him all the way above her head, and hurl him at Break like a goddamn missile.]
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Ugh, yell at me about wasting energy after you tell me where my brother is! [She stomps her foot, petulant, and runs around to shake Break's right shoulder because she's not Gilbert and she is having a lot of problems right now so he isn't allowed to give Gilbert credit for her tantrum. Ugh pay attention to her!! She's having a crisis!!! She needs answ—
—OR WE CAN SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS BY THROWING GILBERT AT THEM, and Clover shrieks and drops to the floor because being caught in the crossfire of a Gilbert projectile is not how she wants to die again.
......right. okay. looks they've got bullying Break over this covered so she's just gonna. crawl across the floor so she can go harass Rhys some more, he's not being harassed enough right now, he can have his teacup water but she's just gonna yank at his robot arm instead!! someone pay attention to her]
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Luckily, Gilbert isn't solid enough to actually get thrown on top of Break completely, because he would definitely be more than a little injured by that. We would have to put a ghost on trial for killing Break, which while hilarious, he would not appreciate. So technically, this alternative is better as Gilbert phases just enough to slam a brief, but heavy weight down onto Break. He jerks, because someone just got thrown on him, and the noise he makes is definitely one of immediately being winded, even if nothing is actually there.
He gasps sharply to regain his breath, but this comes with a rather predictable effect of a wheezy, rattling shakiness as he draws that breath. It catches, since he's still not properly healed up from the last time he had coughed so violently, and Break is quick to sit up and start coughing. He only sits up because he knows his body well enough to not want to potentially choke. As the wet sound of blood comes with it, he at least catches it in his hand like always. It's at least not as bad as the other day, but truly, thanks guys. He appreciates being pushed closer and closer to his inevitable demise. ]
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and then break starts coughing up blood. rhys goes a little wide eyed and jerks upright, ignoring anything from ghost clover and instead just dropping the teacup full of water instead. oh no, last living friend, what's wrong? ]
Dude! Duuude. Do you need... I can go get a towel or some water or... I don't know. What happened? You were just sitting there! People don't just randomly start coughing up blood by just sitting places!
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loses his becoming-solid power on the way down so, you know.
Now it's his turn to fall into Urashima's room. BYE GUYS, he'll be back soon...]
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She turns her head veeeery slowly to look at Undyne. And then over to Clover. And back to Undyne. ]
I don't know everything about the hostage situation, and there were certain things I can't say if we want to rescue every single person, and if you could give me at least three minutes to listen to what they have to say about the situation, I will more than willingly share with you what I can afterwards and perhaps we can find a way to help!
But please refrain from hurling disdain or other people until that happens!!
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But at least she no longer looks like she's about to hurl Clover and then herself onto Break too? So...progress.]
Then explain! Tell me why I shouldn't feel like the world's hugest moron for trusting anyone right now, especially Break! [YEAH SHE STILL HASN'T GOTTEN OVER THAT INCIDENTAL COMMENT YET BREAK] You can't ask for trust if you don't give it in return!
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So fuck absolutely all the screaming and arguing going on around her! She's just gonna start pressing robot arm buttons. Maybe she'll hit Rhys in the face! That'll get his attention! Maybe one of these buttons is the hostage list button, maybe one of them will make his arm explode, she is so beyond the point of caring about the specifics.]
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I— Damn it all, I have no idea what happened! I think someone got thrown at me?!
[ He definitely sounds distressed about that, because what the fuck. Honestly, just what the fuck? Since it wasn't solid, it had to be something to do with their ghostly friends, but with that very brief weight, he was absolutely sure that it could only be a person, which is completely ridiculous. He coughs again, though this time he catches the blood in the cravat, which is definitely charming. Once his throat is cleared, he pulls the cloth away from his mouth, though he doesn't quite bother trying to wipe his mouth just yet. ]
Did it ever occur to you idiots that I didn't mention it for precisely this reason?! If you've just thrown someone at me, then of course I'm not going to tell you where they are! This isn't some game that can be solved with brute force or without care!
[ He wipes at his mouth roughly with the back of his hand, and though he has to pause again as he threatens to break out into another coughing fit, but his breathing just stays heavy. He calms down slightly, though he does pause to instead rub at his temple tiredly. This definitely gets blood there too, and now you can understand why Break is covered in blood in so many of his icons. ]
Dammit... [ He seems frustrated by something, but he just shakes his head and ends up standing up to head to the bathroom to grab a towel for himself. ]
Explain whatever you think is necessary for them to know, but not everything. If Katerina is listening, then I won't give her the satisfaction of every piece. No, I'll cut off her damn head myself for all of the trouble this has brought me.
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