[But then that familiar sensation of rebuilding, of time rewinding comes back. everyone's blood is returned, and the tubes pull away from the body. Soon, everyone is healthy and back to normal.
Teal is there, looking terrified of Magenta but still having enough determination to prevent everyone's deaths.]
[Shalem gives her a look. The considering kind of look. Then he turns his head away and keeps running, without even a word to her. Just a nod as acknowledgement for the heal, unneeded as it is.]
[ A really good way to snap out of it, per se, is to watch another person die and two others almost follow in his place.
This is all so cruel. Why would anyone force people to do things like this? It's so cruel. So cruel...
Teal tells them to run and he doesn't think twice about it. With unsteady steps Rutile whirls on his heel and follows after the rest, thoughts about Sou doing all that for his sister as static in the back of his mind. ]
[ Let's hope Shalem is relatively strong (not that Rutile weighs very much, probably?), because once he's scruffed he goes a little limp. It's just instinct. ]
[ He'll pull himself together entirely, but for now he relies on Shalem's sturdiness to keep himself going and getting OUT of this wretched room. ...Not like the next one will be any better, probably... ]
[This is quite possibly the worst time to do this, but then again, when will he ever get another opportunity? He'll be leaving as soon as this palace crumbles to dust and never speaking of it again, just like all the other times.]
[ Apology? An apology? That was, quite honestly, the last thing Rutile was expecting. He looks up briefly at Shalem before dropping his gaze to the ground again. ]
No... It's okay. You had no choice. And you said yourself it was luck, so, so...
[ It simply was not on his side that time around. In his daze he didn't quite register them figuring out the trick, so that's simply not something he's thinking about.
Either way, he'll grab what he can of Shalem—his arm, probably—and shake his head. ]
[He can tell Rutile is really not as strong as he would like to present-- in many definitions of the word. Thus, Shalem simply picks him up in his arms, barely even registering his weight (17). Clearly a Caster-- rarely do they have any meat on their bones, Shalem being a rare exception due to what he decided to specialize in.]
You know, there are many, many reasons for that, and in this last few minutes alone. Like, say, shooting you.
[Shalem wonders if he'd still say that if he saw the argument with Atem, or even took a peek at Shalem's thoughts throughout this place. Or even in the previous places. Or perhaps he's the sort who's easily swayed by public opinion-- the serpent has quite a lot of bad press, after all. Nobody likes him here, and that's fine by him.
He's been a loner all his life, and he will die alone.]
Very well. Since you're so set on that, I shan't fight it.
[ And conversely, Shalem doesn't know the sort of company Rutile keeps on the regular. The second most powerful man in the world, who would seal Rutile away if only because Rutile's freedom is his inconvenience. A man who has lied to him since birth, who sees him as leverage, a tool. Liars, manipulators, cold-hearted pragmatists.
Yet despite what truths they have, he cares for them all the same. Even if he saw the argument, read his thoughts, it's likely Rutile's opinion would remain unchanged.
He's been surrounded by love and family his whole life, and he will die at the hands of love and family. ]
Hehe. [ At least this conversation has done wonders to soothe his nerves in the meanwhile. He reaches up to pat Shalem on the face, in a mirror of their first meeting. ] I win.
( mafuyu's been frozen in terror the moment the results played out, and she almost hesitates when teal orders them to run. guilt churns in her stomach more than the fear, but-
but-
she pulls atem up and practically drags him along. ah, is she going the right way? she can't see very well like this. )
[Still too stunned from the needles and dying to help much, but aware enough to know Mafuyu's helping him out of there. Hia vision is only red. He tries to speak--- to say anything to try and reassure her.
The words die in his throat.
At least they seem to have gotten out safely..?
But Atem needs a moment to recover from his death experience.]
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2/2
Teal is there, looking terrified of Magenta but still having enough determination to prevent everyone's deaths.]
Go!
[A door opens up behind everyone.
It's probably a good idea to run.]
Re: 2/2
Without a word, Aubrey is grabbing Sayaka's hand to drag her out of here and into the next room before Magenta can come back for them, bye!!]
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You know what? Let's get the fuck out of this hellhole!]
...Please stay safe!
[Sayaka shouts that to Teal, but come on guys let's move--though, Sayaka will look to Shalem afterward, rubbing her head apologetically as they run.]
I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gotten so reckless, but--thank you. For trying to save me.
[...She's not sure if they're all feeling better after that, but she will shoot him a Dia as thanks.]
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Then sheathes his blade and leaves.]
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This is all so cruel. Why would anyone force people to do things like this? It's so cruel. So cruel...
Teal tells them to run and he doesn't think twice about it. With unsteady steps Rutile whirls on his heel and follows after the rest, thoughts about Sou doing all that for his sister as static in the back of his mind. ]
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Th-thanks, Shalem...
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Just move the way you can. I don't blame you for this moment of weakness. [Shalem did shoot him after all. Call this part of his repentance.]
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A-all right...
[ He'll pull himself together entirely, but for now he relies on Shalem's sturdiness to keep himself going and getting OUT of this wretched room. ...Not like the next one will be any better, probably... ]
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I'm sorry for killing you.
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No... It's okay. You had no choice. And you said yourself it was luck, so, so...
[ It simply was not on his side that time around. In his daze he didn't quite register them figuring out the trick, so that's simply not something he's thinking about.
Either way, he'll grab what he can of Shalem—his arm, probably—and shake his head. ]
But, apology accepted. I forgive you.
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You're far too generous to me.
[But he doesn't pull his arm away, he just lets Rutile have it so the man can stabilize himself.]
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[ It's not like he hasn't heard that before. Rutile squeezes, his eyes drifting back up to Shalem. ]
But we're allies now, and we'll be friends when we leave this place.
[ Weakly, he tries to smile. It comes off a little strained. ]
Why wouldn't I be?
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You know, there are many, many reasons for that, and in this last few minutes alone. Like, say, shooting you.
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It's true, he is very skinny, and very light. ]
But I know you didn't do it out of a place of malice. You didn't do it because you wanted to kill me.
[ His voice is a little firmer now that part of his functions aren't going towards trying to walk. ]
And so forgiving you is easy.
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He's been a loner all his life, and he will die alone.]
Very well. Since you're so set on that, I shan't fight it.
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Yet despite what truths they have, he cares for them all the same. Even if he saw the argument, read his thoughts, it's likely Rutile's opinion would remain unchanged.
He's been surrounded by love and family his whole life, and he will die at the hands of love and family. ]
Hehe. [ At least this conversation has done wonders to soothe his nerves in the meanwhile. He reaches up to pat Shalem on the face, in a mirror of their first meeting. ] I win.
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[Silly little Rutile.]
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[ Hehe. ]
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but-
she pulls atem up and practically drags him along. ah, is she going the right way? she can't see very well like this. )
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The words die in his throat.
At least they seem to have gotten out safely..?
But Atem needs a moment to recover from his death experience.]