Day 10

[andascholar]

[Everything is terrible and Zelda has no time to mourn forever. She needs to make plans and solidify alliances. And so she is making invitations to her dressing room whenever boys are available.]

Comments

[talktothestand]

Hah? [Well now you got him paranoid!!!]

Hope it wasn't something I did... I promise the poison gas wasn't me. I didn't even make a bid.

[andascholar]

You're not here to be accused, Nijimura. I promise you aren't in trouble. I trust you know that, while I've been recovering, Lotus has been taking care of the votes?

[talktothestand]

[Tense shoulders slump down to relax... Phew. He's been seeing everyone point fingers at people about these things, so he really just didn't want to get roped into that.

...Lotus??? Okuyasu crossed his arms as he thinks about the past days.]

Rohan-sensei's friend...?

Uh. Yeah, I'm aware she kinda just took a Brite Lite and took it upon herself to organize the votes. Man, The pegs are a pain. Your notebooks and writing was better that that.

[andascholar]

[She can't help but be a little pleased to hear that, but, this is not the time to feel good about herself!] I'm hoping to return to that soon. The reason I called you here is to warn you about something that happened tonight. You should sit down. When organising the votes, Lotus failed to account for a vote for Mary. She herself still had a spare vote left to use, however, she refused to put it on the board or reveal that she'd made a decision. Instead, when Mary tried to ask the vote be used to save her, Lotus lied and told her she'd have to ask Niles for his. But, Niles had already used his final vote on you. So Lotus tried to bribe him into changing it. Before I go on, I want to assure you, Niles has not changed his vote and your life is safe.

[talktothestand]

.... [Well, now his fists are clenching at his sides and he's looking very stiff. Might have paled a bit, even. ]

He didn't...? [Oh my god he is suddenly very apprecaitive of Niles more than he already was. He wants to be relieved. But he still was tense.]

...And she knew what would happen if he did this?

[andascholar]

She did. Niles refused to abandon you, and told her that if she wanted him to change his vote so much she'd have to convince you. Which she had set out to do, until she found out that Link died. She took that opportunity quite quickly. [Biting back bitterness, she's still mad, but this isn't about her this isn't about Link focus on the person in front of you.] I don't mean to upset you, Nijimura. But I think it's important that you know she was willing to forfeit your life, when she still had the option of using her own vote. If Niles hadn't refused her bribes... It's a danger you should be aware of.

[talktothestand]

And he doesn't even know me that well... [ Oh, thank god. Thank god for Niles, for both Zelda and Okuyasu, really. (He was also aware he helped Zelda and Link in the fire.) Okuyasu almost wants to fall to his knees in relief that he barely lives another day. But he's a punk! Gotta be tough... So he might at least lean against the wall to keep balanced. ]

...

I thought she cared about me. She's Rohan's friend. Rohan said it himself that Lotus and those Ushiromiya ladies would help me too if I ever needed it. [LOOKS LIKE HE GOT PROVEN WRONG. THEY NEVER ONCE HELPED HIM SINCE DAY 1. ROHAN HELPED ONE DAY AND STOPPED AFTER THAT.

They were just like his big brother, Keicho. Would be alright with using Okuyasu even if it meant him dying.

He's... not going to cry. NOPE. I'M A PUNK HIGHSCHOOL KID. PUNKS DON'T CRY... Just tear up a bit. Fists are clenched and shaking.

He punches a wall in a fit of rage. He'll apologize later, Zelda..]

I already know my chances here are slim. I'm not that smart. But... I fucking wanna die on my own terms.

[andascholar]

[She might not have been expecting the punch, but after what he's just heard Zelda won't begrudge him an emotional outburst.] I'm sorry Nijimura. But you aren't alone here. Neither myself, or Niles, or Corrin will allow you to be used like that.

[talktothestand]

[A few more moments of deep breathing before he finally lessens in shaking and starts to look less like He's going to wring someone's neck on the spot. Don't worry Zelda, he wouldn't hurt you. Just... Someone named Lotus. that's all. ]

....

Fuck that "network" they've got going on. [That word that Rohan so fondly liked to call it.] It's shady and I want nothing to do with them.

I'll beat her to a bloody pulp. Tell me where to find her.

[andascholar]

['Network' huh] -Nijimura no. I understand you're angry, but if you attack her she has allies that can endanger you. We won't let her get away with this, but we have to be smart about it.

[talktothestand]

And if you know this... Niles had to tell ya, huh? [A hand runs through his slightly disheveled hair. Ok, he's almost calm, but he sure is seeing red. ]

Can't do that and make Niles look like a guy who can't keep a secret in front of people. ...You're right.

...I may not be smart. But if you need some help somewhere. I can step in.

[andascholar]

Thank you. We would appreciate your help, if you're willing. [She's still not sure how much they should trust him with, they haven't spoken enough, but she hopes they can work together.] Can you tell me more about this network you mentioned?