[ breaks my timelines to say he didn't leave so he can approach and sit down across from them. gently swatting their hands. stop that. ]
I don't think any of us did. But people probably got scared and suspicious and panic-voted instead of going for what was likely a very obvious, easy answer.
[I BROKE YOUR TIMELINE NOO. they jump a little at the gentle swat, separating both their hands before curling them both into fists and resting them on the table now. ah oops.]
We still don't know if Justice was the correct choice, but I had assumed that's where it was going for most of everyone. [ tapping idly on the table now with one hand, expression thoughtful. ] After all, Yuzuriha had pointed out two psychs that fell under Justice so it seemed like the best choice.
I don't think it was the incorrect choice. Maybe it wasn't Simon himself but with four cryo users on that team there had to be something there. So you'd think that's where everyone would go, too. So why the swerve? The votes had to be a lot to beat it out.
During the trial, some of them said they decided based on the factor that their second psych uses were done in the privacy of the rest of their own team. Which, I can understand in a way. It can get overly suspicious when you only have your team to cover for you. [ ... ] However, in the end, we had to look at the evidence between both cases rather than just one. At least, that way we can heighten the chance of getting one of them. But now we don't get either.
In the end, we were focusing more on what was the cause of Shenhe's death and ignoring that we had evidence for Lambda's. And I understand wanting to find Shenhe's killer. Believe me, I...really, really wanted that, too. But it doesn't mean risking shit and fucking up for both of them. Because you're right. Now we don't get either, two killers are free, and we're erasing an innocent person.
...I know. [ it's said softly. after all, they know Shenhe meant something to him, to quite a number of the people here. and they know it surely was the case with Lambda as well to others. but it's as he says... ]
I think it's worse that we got neither compared to if there had been only one erasure. [ because the chances should have been better with two. they should have gotten at least one. and maybe that's why it's so frustrating. ... ] I'm sure everyone will be thinking about what happened today. At least, I would hope so.
[ ... their shoulders slump a little, gripping their own hands together again. ] It feels worse to fail again. [ again... ]
Yeah, exactly that. If we had only one person we were trying to find, it'd make more sense for someone to get away. But we had twice the chances and we didn't manage to do anything with it. It doesn't make sense. But people are going to have to live with this. So I hope they're happy.
They'll have to live with it no matter how they feel. [ mm ] ..And tomorrow, we'll have to see what decision Hot Mess ends up with.
[ who they pick to send off to execution... they're a bit distracted, blinking a bit as they look at him, before that insecurity kicks in and they look down. their hands fidgeting a little. ] ...Sorry. It's that... effect that keeps happening this week. Having failed today just... I keep thinking about how many times I've failed back during my own time loops.
[ how many times they failed another, lost entirely. they bring a hand to rub at their face a little. as if to chase away those insecurities. this effect has been especially tiring. seeing their friends thrown into turmoil because of it, going through it themselves, it's frustrating especially when dealing with those erased on top of it. ]
I feel bad for them. I can't even...[ he rubs a hand over his face. ] Even trying to imagine having to pick one of you guys to sacrifice stresses me out.
[ but they watch their hands for a second before looking at their face again. ]
...it's been getting to all of us. [ jonas maybe a little less obviously, but he usually feels like this to some degree so maybe that's why. ] We just have to remember it'll be over Monday. And you've had successes amongst your failures, right? Don't forget those.
...I have never even considered being in that position until now. [ their hands clench cause. oof. though they don't say they would just select themselves first before them.. that's probably a given. ]
Just as the weeks before. [ Setsu is used to having their lows but... this seems a lot more excessive. ] Right... on Monday, it'll be something new.
[ a slow nod. ] I did. ...And, I won't. [ at least, they'll try. ] Thanks Jonas.
[ yes he knows. they all know that. it would probably be a fight amongst themselves but he's not thinking about it right now. they don't have to. so he focuses on what he can answer. ]
On Monday it'll be something new and we can put this week's effect behind us. We'll be a little more back to normal and have a better handling of stuff. So...don't thank me just for pointing it out. We could all use the reminder, you know? It's hard sometimes when we're stuck with our own thoughts. [ he says, sort of as a hypocrite. ]
We might have voted wrong today, but...there's plenty of weeks to make up for it. We have to think of it that way, too.
[ jonas... your hypocrisy... but they don't say that, they only listen, feeling some of that anger boil the more they think about tonight. still, they try to reel it, visibly trying to calm down as they nod. ]
..How have you been feeling? [ because they can't imagine it's easy on anyone. especially since someone like themselves, who is normally better at keeping their cool, has had issues with it striking up. they look at him, worry, concern. ]
...No, you're right. We can't let one wrong vote affect our decisions completely in the coming weeks. All the more reason to push and remind everyone as a whole to look at things more broadly. [ to go for who seems to be the most likely, rather than a side potential option. ]
...a little worse than usual, but it's easy enough to ignore most of the time. [ he can be honest about that, at least, because it doesn't really make a difference to him now in the wake of this trial. but there's a little smile, not quite sincere but close enough to try and ease them. ] I can make it until Monday, don't worry.
The problem is people were looking at things broadly which is why Hot Mess came up, I think. People started trying to find another team and focused on the most loose ideas they could to apply to them. Unfortunately, it was enough to sway enough people without more definite evidence. So...broadly, but not too broadly.
..Mm. [ a quiet hum of acknowledgment. they keep their gaze on him, offering a small smile in return, but it does not rid them of their worries. the concern still in their gaze. ] If you need anything, let me know.. okay?
[ they understand, the want to ignore it. to push aside to keep going until the effect ends. briefly, their hand turns over palm up, a signal for an invitation. before they bring their own hands together and consider the rest of his words. ]
To an extent... No, you're right. [ a quiet sigh, their head aching a little. they tried to all branch out too much and that distracted them from what was in front of them. ] Maybe if we... if we had gone over what we knew right before the end... [ our catherd... ] Next time. We'll do better next time.
I will. I know it...[ he pauses, trying to think of how to say this. ] I know it sounds like I'm just saying it to say it. But I do know. That I can ask you if I needed anything. I'm not even sure what it is I'd need at this point. Things are just...the way they are.
[ very clear, thank you. but he watches their hands to make sure they aren't going to dig their nails into their palms and will continue to be kind to themselves. ]
...we should try to do that at the halfway point of the trial, maybe. Regather our information, make sure we're examining everything that's available to us and not leave things to the last minute. It's easy to say that now, but...we know by now how unpredictable things can be.
[ us living in fear of a trial-break ghost weeks later. ]
No, I know what you're saying... after all, there are times I'm not even sure what to ask for myself.
[ so, they get it. technically. jonas is trying their best, be nice ty. still, Setsu continues to try to push away the insecurities plaguing their thoughts and focus on the rest. and their hands are fine, it's okay. well, their grip on one another is loose for now, as they try to remain calm. ]
Right... something could happen to throw everything off. Whether it was the sickness, or... [ that. the hallucinations. they shake their head. ] At least, if something does happen, if we do regather our information halfway through, we'll still have plenty of time leftover compared to doing it too close to the end.
Exactly. I know it's hard for everybody when so much is happening and everything's predictable and we have a bunch of clues we can't solve right away, but we can't let people get too distracted. As long as we have a few people who can keep us all on track when the time comes...you know, the whole lead by example thing? That should help us.
Yeah. Especially if this happens again, where two are erased.. [ they seem distracted by those words in particular. lead by example, huh... ] We'll do all our part. We'll do better. I.. I'll do more.
[ it's said assuredly, tugging a bit at their gloves now. ] ..I appreciate you checking up on me and keeping me company, Jonas. I.. should be okay now.
[ with a hand, they reach out to lightly touch his. they grip it briefly. ]
It has been. But you've already spent some of your precious time here, [ with them ] and I know it must have been hard on you too. [ they let go, offering a small smile. ] Just... don't spread yourself too thin, okay?
[ he allows the grip. it's important that they know it's not like he's wasting his time here. ]
I only spend my time where I really want to these days. [ a reminder. but he does let their hand go when they pull back. ] But I'll be okay. We'll...regroup back at the warehouse with the others soon. I doubt any of us are gonna stay out too late.
I know. [ they smile softer at that. of course they trust his word. ] Mm... I doubt any of us will, yeah. But I may stay here a bit longer for now. Only just a bit.
[ we can also gently clwose this thread for more things... ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
I don't think any of us did. But people probably got scared and suspicious and panic-voted instead of going for what was likely a very obvious, easy answer.
no subject
We still don't know if Justice was the correct choice, but I had assumed that's where it was going for most of everyone. [ tapping idly on the table now with one hand, expression thoughtful. ] After all, Yuzuriha had pointed out two psychs that fell under Justice so it seemed like the best choice.
no subject
I don't think it was the incorrect choice. Maybe it wasn't Simon himself but with four cryo users on that team there had to be something there. So you'd think that's where everyone would go, too. So why the swerve? The votes had to be a lot to beat it out.
no subject
During the trial, some of them said they decided based on the factor that their second psych uses were done in the privacy of the rest of their own team. Which, I can understand in a way. It can get overly suspicious when you only have your team to cover for you. [ ... ] However, in the end, we had to look at the evidence between both cases rather than just one. At least, that way we can heighten the chance of getting one of them. But now we don't get either.
no subject
no subject
I think it's worse that we got neither compared to if there had been only one erasure. [ because the chances should have been better with two. they should have gotten at least one. and maybe that's why it's so frustrating. ... ] I'm sure everyone will be thinking about what happened today. At least, I would hope so.
[ ... their shoulders slump a little, gripping their own hands together again. ] It feels worse to fail again. [ again... ]
no subject
[ ...but he raises an eyebrow gently. ]
Again?
no subject
[ who they pick to send off to execution... they're a bit distracted, blinking a bit as they look at him, before that insecurity kicks in and they look down. their hands fidgeting a little. ] ...Sorry. It's that... effect that keeps happening this week. Having failed today just... I keep thinking about how many times I've failed back during my own time loops.
[ how many times they failed another, lost entirely. they bring a hand to rub at their face a little. as if to chase away those insecurities. this effect has been especially tiring. seeing their friends thrown into turmoil because of it, going through it themselves, it's frustrating especially when dealing with those erased on top of it. ]
no subject
[ but they watch their hands for a second before looking at their face again. ]
...it's been getting to all of us. [ jonas maybe a little less obviously, but he usually feels like this to some degree so maybe that's why. ] We just have to remember it'll be over Monday. And you've had successes amongst your failures, right? Don't forget those.
no subject
Just as the weeks before. [ Setsu is used to having their lows but... this seems a lot more excessive. ] Right... on Monday, it'll be something new.
[ a slow nod. ] I did. ...And, I won't. [ at least, they'll try. ] Thanks Jonas.
no subject
On Monday it'll be something new and we can put this week's effect behind us. We'll be a little more back to normal and have a better handling of stuff. So...don't thank me just for pointing it out. We could all use the reminder, you know? It's hard sometimes when we're stuck with our own thoughts. [ he says, sort of as a hypocrite. ]
We might have voted wrong today, but...there's plenty of weeks to make up for it. We have to think of it that way, too.
no subject
..How have you been feeling? [ because they can't imagine it's easy on anyone. especially since someone like themselves, who is normally better at keeping their cool, has had issues with it striking up. they look at him, worry, concern. ]
...No, you're right. We can't let one wrong vote affect our decisions completely in the coming weeks. All the more reason to push and remind everyone as a whole to look at things more broadly. [ to go for who seems to be the most likely, rather than a side potential option. ]
no subject
The problem is people were looking at things broadly which is why Hot Mess came up, I think. People started trying to find another team and focused on the most loose ideas they could to apply to them. Unfortunately, it was enough to sway enough people without more definite evidence. So...broadly, but not too broadly.
no subject
[ they understand, the want to ignore it. to push aside to keep going until the effect ends. briefly, their hand turns over palm up, a signal for an invitation. before they bring their own hands together and consider the rest of his words. ]
To an extent... No, you're right. [ a quiet sigh, their head aching a little. they tried to all branch out too much and that distracted them from what was in front of them. ] Maybe if we... if we had gone over what we knew right before the end... [ our catherd... ] Next time. We'll do better next time.
no subject
[ very clear, thank you. but he watches their hands to make sure they aren't going to dig their nails into their palms and will continue to be kind to themselves. ]
...we should try to do that at the halfway point of the trial, maybe. Regather our information, make sure we're examining everything that's available to us and not leave things to the last minute. It's easy to say that now, but...we know by now how unpredictable things can be.
[ us living in fear of a trial-break ghost weeks later. ]
no subject
[ so, they get it. technically. jonas is trying their best, be nice ty. still, Setsu continues to try to push away the insecurities plaguing their thoughts and focus on the rest. and their hands are fine, it's okay. well, their grip on one another is loose for now, as they try to remain calm. ]
Right... something could happen to throw everything off. Whether it was the sickness, or... [ that. the hallucinations. they shake their head. ] At least, if something does happen, if we do regather our information halfway through, we'll still have plenty of time leftover compared to doing it too close to the end.
no subject
[ or, at least, he hopes. ]
no subject
[ it's said assuredly, tugging a bit at their gloves now. ] ..I appreciate you checking up on me and keeping me company, Jonas. I.. should be okay now.
no subject
[ but he just sort of lightly knocks on the tabletop with his knuckles. ]
...you sure? It's been a pretty intense day.
no subject
[ with a hand, they reach out to lightly touch his. they grip it briefly. ]
It has been. But you've already spent some of your precious time here, [ with them ] and I know it must have been hard on you too. [ they let go, offering a small smile. ] Just... don't spread yourself too thin, okay?
no subject
I only spend my time where I really want to these days. [ a reminder. but he does let their hand go when they pull back. ] But I'll be okay. We'll...regroup back at the warehouse with the others soon. I doubt any of us are gonna stay out too late.
no subject
I know. [ they smile softer at that. of course they trust his word. ] Mm... I doubt any of us will, yeah. But I may stay here a bit longer for now. Only just a bit.
[ we can also gently clwose this thread for more things... ]
no subject
[ gently closes thread.... ]