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week 6; tuesday ( veronica )
[content warning: suicidal thoughts eventually, probably]
[yo, veronica. were you expecting to see belph today? no? too bad.
he's certainly different, at any rate. now, it might be clear that he's always been friendly before, in some capacity—whether it be through banter, teasing, or even the moments where he was taking things seriously. at least he, well, emoted like a normal human being, even if "smarmy asshole" was his default.
today, though, when he approaches veronica, his expression is perfectly empty. his tone isn't much different.]
Veronica. A few weeks back, you wanted to see my letter from Beauty, right?
[yo, veronica. were you expecting to see belph today? no? too bad.
he's certainly different, at any rate. now, it might be clear that he's always been friendly before, in some capacity—whether it be through banter, teasing, or even the moments where he was taking things seriously. at least he, well, emoted like a normal human being, even if "smarmy asshole" was his default.
today, though, when he approaches veronica, his expression is perfectly empty. his tone isn't much different.]
Veronica. A few weeks back, you wanted to see my letter from Beauty, right?
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I... Yeah, I did. [uh.] Are you okay?
[what the heckie, belph.]
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he ignores the question. it's not important.]
For the record, I have her permission to do this. She's planning on telling the rest of you soon enough, anyway.
[whom he means by that will become clear as he holds up the letter, with his own writing around the blotted parts. he won't let veronica actually take the letter, though—but the reasons for that are also likely obvious.]
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If only because, you know, she's gaping at the fact that Steph's is a hecking Vizier.]
—Oh, what the fuck?! Stephanie?
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[there are so many things he could say. things that the pettier part of him wants to say, really.
but in the end, there's only one reason why he requested that he be able to tell veronica beforehand. (for closure, he supposes...?) he has no need to discuss anything else.]
In any case, there's something more important I want to talk to you about—and I'd rather not say it to Varian's or Ion's face.
[or in front of steph, for that matter. partly because it's embarrassing, and partly because it'll inevitably upset her, even if she at heart knows this about him.]
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Either way, her concern is back and stronger than ever. She isn't sure what he wants to talk to her about, but the fact that he'd rather not mention it in front of the others is enough to make her doubt it's anything good at all. After a moment, she nods.]
Okay... What is it? I'm all ears.
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above all... ha. there's a reason why he can't say this in front of steph. she likes him far too much. but in front of someone who doesn't care about him, to whom his life would be worthless if he weren't a "villain"? it's so much easier.
after all, that just makes it business.]
I'll be frank: I'm not ready yet to accept that we have to reduce our numbers to nine. Until it reaches that point, I'm still looking for another ending. But if it does come down to that...
... You and Varian intend to be two of the three villain survivors, I assume. And if Natsuo was still a villain, you were probably going to kill me to ensure his spot. Steph didn't think you would, but she's also kind of naive at times, so...
[in spite of everything, his tone remains utterly neutral; the eerie blank he's maintained since the start of this conversation.]
To be honest, I don't really care. If I have to die for everyone to come back, then whatever—not like I'm all that attached to living anyway.
... However...
[... and now, his expression takes on a sharp edge, his tone deadly serious.]
That's only for when we reach the critical point. Until then, I'll fight with everything I have to survive. I've made my promises to win this, and I intend to see them through to the end.
[also... there's someone he wants to show the result of this to. that it's worth it to fight for the rest of the world. he won't voice that out loud, though.]
More relevant to your group—I'm the Vizier with all the connections to other roles, not Steph. As long as I'm the one in danger, she won't have to be. [...] That's the other reason why I have to stay alive.
[at this point, his words are half a warning, half a plea. if they choose to cross him, they'll find out just how ruthless he can be; ultimately, though, he's not here to be their enemy. he just needs time. i know you don't like me. i know you find me annoying. but even if just for her sake, then please...]
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Veronica opens her mouth, wordlessly. Closes it. Stares at him with wide eyes, disbelief written all over her face.
And then she gets really, really pissed off.]
Are you fucking kidding me?! [HI. SHE'S YELLING.] I don't know if you're dense, or if you're trying to make a joke. Why the hell would we kill you?! In case you haven't noticed, Einstein, we don't want to get the numbers down to nine any more than you do!
[THIS! STUPID!! PIANO MAN!!! If it weren't for the fact that he's way taller than she is, she'd be reaching over to shake him right now. As it is, she's just gesticulating wildly and inching closer into his personal space.]
I think of you as my friend, you stupid asshole. Hell, I'd rather kill myself than let any of the other villains die because of some bullshit rule we aren't even sure about! God. What is wrong with you? Do you really think we're going to throw you under the bus because of this bullshit war?
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uh.
... there were a lot of ways he envisioned this conversation going on and in his cynical as heck mind, this was not even remotely one of them, so he's just. hmm.
well, congrats, veronica. belph is giving her one (1) startled and very confused stare, but hey, at least he's not looking so emotionless anymore?]
...
[he's... not quite sure? how to respond to this?]
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When it becomes clear that he isn't going to say anything, though, she groans and drags a hand down her face.]
Oh my god, you're an idiot. A complete dumbass. I can't believe you.
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you know what? he's just... going to take a step back... and contemplate fleeing...]
Um... well. This is going places I didn't think it would.
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Yeah? Then maybe you should have given it more thought before assuming I wanted to kill you.
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... In my defence, I spend half my time talking to people who'd have no qualms about backstabbing me once I'm no longer useful to them? Kind of colours a guy's perception?
[is this better.]
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No one? Like I told you, it just comes with being a Vizier.
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Are you sure? I'm in the mood to practice my left hook.
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[WHIRLING AROUND AND FLEEING NOW.]
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