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[ The door is locked. But Tim will come. ]
Hi.
[ Soft, raspy. There's a welt around his neck he thinks to hide under a turtleneck, but decided against it. Someone did this to him. And until they're caught, they need the reminder. ]
Hi.
[ Soft, raspy. There's a welt around his neck he thinks to hide under a turtleneck, but decided against it. Someone did this to him. And until they're caught, they need the reminder. ]
[It matches the one on Nami. Koby's already in a state, though he oddly isn't in tears for once in his life. He looks for a long, long moment, then slowly brings his eyes up to meet Tim's, staring at him, thinking about the last thing he'd said -- whatever happens, I love you.
Thinking about how that could've been the last thing he'd ever said to Tim.
He steps closer, reaches up carefully, gently, cradles Tim's face between his callused hands.]
Hi.
Thinking about how that could've been the last thing he'd ever said to Tim.
He steps closer, reaches up carefully, gently, cradles Tim's face between his callused hands.]
Hi.
[ He'll be jumpy, sensitive to unexpected touch for a while. Koby might not see it, because Koby is safe, and Tim knows that, so when he's touched he doesn't flinch, he leans right into it and reaches for more, pulling him into a hug, as tight as he can muster with the exhaustion. ]
How's Nami?
How's Nami?
[Is he? Koby doesn't know anything anymore -- somewhere in the middle of the night, the entire world turned upside down again. The first round it was Erik, sweet and compelling and fun, somehow embodying the illusion that this place could be safe, could be a home.
This time it was Tim and Nami. This time it was so, so much closer to home, and while they both escaped by a hair, the act of protecting them had put a target on Hawk and Shanks. There's no way to win.
He clings to Tim so tightly it makes his shoulders ache, stands up on his tiptoes so he can hold onto him better.] Scared. Exhausted. She's with the crew, she's safe. People will know for sure it wasn't her, or you.
This time it was Tim and Nami. This time it was so, so much closer to home, and while they both escaped by a hair, the act of protecting them had put a target on Hawk and Shanks. There's no way to win.
He clings to Tim so tightly it makes his shoulders ache, stands up on his tiptoes so he can hold onto him better.] Scared. Exhausted. She's with the crew, she's safe. People will know for sure it wasn't her, or you.
I wasn't concerned about being accused.
[ Because he didn't do it, and he does his best not to rustle feathers. His name had only come up once, with Armand's pettiness. ]
They'll come for Hawk next, for saving me.
[ Because he didn't do it, and he does his best not to rustle feathers. His name had only come up once, with Armand's pettiness. ]
They'll come for Hawk next, for saving me.
No, it seems like that's the best possible option, at this point. The safest, definitely.
[Which isn't something he'd ever thought he'd say about being in prison, but. Nothing about the past couple weeks is normal, is it.
Koby leans back, wanting to insist that Tim's wrong, that Hawk is safe and sound, that everything's going to be fine. But he can't. He can't summon up the words. He has the same gut-clenching terror about Shanks.]
They might not. [It sounds hollow, even to his own ears -- they'd come for Paul, for saving Alina.] If someone else seems like a bigger threat, they might not.
[Which isn't something he'd ever thought he'd say about being in prison, but. Nothing about the past couple weeks is normal, is it.
Koby leans back, wanting to insist that Tim's wrong, that Hawk is safe and sound, that everything's going to be fine. But he can't. He can't summon up the words. He has the same gut-clenching terror about Shanks.]
They might not. [It sounds hollow, even to his own ears -- they'd come for Paul, for saving Alina.] If someone else seems like a bigger threat, they might not.
No. I'm not hiding down there while someone who tried to kill me waits for a chance to do it again. I want to fight.
[ Not...literally, if he can avoid it, but with his head, with his friends, with their minds and their votes together. They can beat this. He has to believe they can beat this. ]
They will. Unless we get three, now, then they'll be few enough to go for bigger targets.
[ Alina, Pierce, Matt. He hates the way he's thinking, like they're just chess pieces, or shields he can throw in front of Hawk. Tim doesn't know if he's strong or brave enough to keep all his promises, and that feels just as bad as the aching bruise that collars his neck. ]
[ Not...literally, if he can avoid it, but with his head, with his friends, with their minds and their votes together. They can beat this. He has to believe they can beat this. ]
They will. Unless we get three, now, then they'll be few enough to go for bigger targets.
[ Alina, Pierce, Matt. He hates the way he's thinking, like they're just chess pieces, or shields he can throw in front of Hawk. Tim doesn't know if he's strong or brave enough to keep all his promises, and that feels just as bad as the aching bruise that collars his neck. ]
Edited 2024-10-13 00:56 (UTC)
[Despite everything, that makes Koby smile a little, stepping back and reaching again, instinctively, to push up his glasses, bumping himself gently in the nose.] No, you're right. Everyone I care about in the world is in this stupid house, I'm not going to run away and hide while they're threatened.
[Even though he wants to. He really, really wants to.]
You should sit down. [Fussy mode, reaching out to gently nudge Tim back towards the inside of the room, reverting to old habits. Like it's still summer. Like they're still sharing a room and bickering over sink space.]
[Even though he wants to. He really, really wants to.]
You should sit down. [Fussy mode, reaching out to gently nudge Tim back towards the inside of the room, reverting to old habits. Like it's still summer. Like they're still sharing a room and bickering over sink space.]
[ Tim's exhausted and every breath is like fire in his throat, so he's not hard to convince. He complies, ruffling Koby's hair as he pulls away to perch himself on the edge of the bed. ]
Could you get the kettle? Tea with honey helps. You can bring some back for Nami.
Could you get the kettle? Tea with honey helps. You can bring some back for Nami.
[The gesture is comforting, and Koby has to actively bite back the urge to seek out more, more affection, more contact, to replace the void left by his newfound powers evaporating. He nods, already finding the kettle, the hot plate, the tea. He can do this part, shaky hands and bitten-bloody fingernails and all.
He can do this.] She likes tea, I think. Well, sometimes. She liked it in the village.
He can do this.] She likes tea, I think. Well, sometimes. She liked it in the village.
[ He watches Koby for a moment more, before settling back against the headboard with a wince. The red welt around his throat is the most obvious, but there's bumps and scrapes all over, a cut on his chest, road rash on his back, all resulting from getting dragged through the grounds. He's not comfortable, and probably won't be for some time. ]
Even if she doesn't. It hurts to talk.
Even if she doesn't. It hurts to talk.
[ If she could, Alicent would shut out any thought of Koby in a place worse than this, just as she rejects that Aemond may yet die. It would be foolish to spurn his experiences and knowledge, however, least of all when they mirror what she believes true for Alia. ]
It is relevant, Koby. We must remind others that none of us may be fully ourselves, in this game.
[ As for his defense of her, it — it aches to hear it, in truth. After going so long without support or companionship, the presence of it now is overwhelming, as food would be to the starved. It nearly burns, even if she wants for it all the same.
Did she play the game smartly or coldly, selfishly or wisely? ]
I suppose I did not. [ have a choice, that is. She cards her hand back through Koby’s pale strands. ] I forsook one alliance for another, when I bled House Atreides. We shall see if the gods punish me for my sins — or if the Wolves target me for my role in this vote — but I will not rest, until justice is done.
[ or she can’t seem it any longer. ]
It is relevant, Koby. We must remind others that none of us may be fully ourselves, in this game.
[ As for his defense of her, it — it aches to hear it, in truth. After going so long without support or companionship, the presence of it now is overwhelming, as food would be to the starved. It nearly burns, even if she wants for it all the same.
Did she play the game smartly or coldly, selfishly or wisely? ]
I suppose I did not. [ have a choice, that is. She cards her hand back through Koby’s pale strands. ] I forsook one alliance for another, when I bled House Atreides. We shall see if the gods punish me for my sins — or if the Wolves target me for my role in this vote — but I will not rest, until justice is done.
[ or she can’t seem it any longer. ]
[Promptly, immediately:]
You have nothing to be sorry for. You were right. I acted without thinking, or
I thought like a Marine. The scariest and most dangerous and unfamiliar force had to be locked up, regardless of what was true or not. And I was wrong.
I just
I don't know
I saw all those bodies lying there and my first thought was to look for a mop.
You have nothing to be sorry for. You were right. I acted without thinking, or
I thought like a Marine. The scariest and most dangerous and unfamiliar force had to be locked up, regardless of what was true or not. And I was wrong.
I just
I don't know
I saw all those bodies lying there and my first thought was to look for a mop.
You couldn't help it. We all go back to our foundation when shit like this happens. When people you care about are hurt.
Take a deep breath. Stick with your friends. The house is up to something and the more you can stay by the sidelines and not dragged into all this the better.
You're a good person. Don't forget that.
Take a deep breath. Stick with your friends. The house is up to something and the more you can stay by the sidelines and not dragged into all this the better.
You're a good person. Don't forget that.
I do.
[ The clock keeps ticking whether he wants it to or not. ]
Shanks, your friend. Can you convince him to save one of the witches next round?
[ The clock keeps ticking whether he wants it to or not. ]
Shanks, your friend. Can you convince him to save one of the witches next round?
[Koby startles a little at Shanks's name, in spite of himself, breath catching a bit. He turns and looks at Tim for a long moment, thoughtfully, ears red, before turning back to making the tea.]
The ones who can bring people back? Like Alina? I can ask him. He usually has his own plans, but he's...we're...he'll listen to me, I think. He'll at least consider it.
The ones who can bring people back? Like Alina? I can ask him. He usually has his own plans, but he's...we're...he'll listen to me, I think. He'll at least consider it.
Alina and Pierce. If Nami keeps her head down this time, she shouldn't need him.
[ Hopefully. The doctors need to protect those that have the most helpful roles, so that the most people can survive. Easier said than done, with any chance of Hawk choosing anyone other than Tim died the second that belt wrapped around his neck. ]
You're blushing. You like him?
[ Hopefully. The doctors need to protect those that have the most helpful roles, so that the most people can survive. Easier said than done, with any chance of Hawk choosing anyone other than Tim died the second that belt wrapped around his neck. ]
You're blushing. You like him?
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