restitui | ⚘ ♥ ⚘

⚘ ♥ ⚘ — snow

you deserve
better

The lights flicker on and you find yourself standing inside a vintage-looking subway car.

It both feels and sounds like it's in motion, but the only thing that can be seen outside the windows is pitch black darkness.

It also feels like there's somebody else in the car with you. There are three small cases in the front, middle, and back of the car that hold a small vial.

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[ He notices that, but he's not gonna comment given... Well. Everything. ]

Do you think low value will offer a pass?

Lowest average score is still a win condition. And it's the easiest way to make sure neither of us comes to harm.

...

Cinth... my boyfriend, has a bunch of plushies. I'm borrowing one while he's... recovering.

I'll sacrifice that.

[ He frowns, breathing out before nodding. ]

If you're sure. I'm sure it means a lot given...

[ a beat ]

I don't have a lot of, like, sentimental personal items - Not like that. I have the photograph of my brother. From when we were younger. You know....

[ before the changed bodies, before they died. does it count if it's another life? Maybe, if Tommy finding Tommy and remembering his brother was entire drive in this world and in that. ]

Is it something you'd be willing to give up for five days...?

[ ... ]

Yeah, I mean. It's important to me, but it's not like - It's nice to have, but it's not like I can see him anyway.

Then... I'd prefer you gave that up rather than something that could hurt you physically. But that's my own personal wish.

[ He swallows and nods. ]

Physical stuff doesn't bother me so much as... mental, identity stuff. I'm still not sure I'm recovered from last time -

[ how do you tell when you already had identity issues? anywaaaay ] - Will you really be okay without yours?

..It'll suck. I always end up looking at it before I fall asleep. But I can survive.

[There's a twinge of sadness just at the thought, even if it, like everything else, is slightly dulled.]

...What, physically, would be even easier to give up than the photo?

Weird suggestion but hear me out... if you don't do it anyway maybe Aster would be okay if you stayed with him a couple of days?

[ He's not sure if that's the kind of thing they'd do. ]

[ But hm, ]

... I'd probably get a lot of scolding if I said being blind again wouldn't be the worst thing ever after last time.

Ah- we stay in my room, actually. It's soundproofed so Nettle doesn't have to listen to us being mushy.

[THAT'S A WHOLE THING. APPARENTLY.]

-Knowing you sacrificed your sight would definitely get a scolding.

[HELLO???? Concern for Phoenix is still muted but like, it's there!!]

Oh. So it wouldn't be as effective.

[ like unbothered... almost like it's not abnormal to him weird anyway - ]

I know. Goose would probably tell me he's just going to gouge my eyes out this time if I wanted it so badly.

Little worried about Goose there but I'm a selfish person. I don't want to see people important to me end up hurt.

[ It's fine. Totally fine!!! Goose would but he also would never. He nods as he glances down. ]

I get it. It's always hard for me to see anyone hurt — [ for obvious reasons, he glances up a little. brows furrowing. He thinks Snow will be able to guess, but he does notice the tinge in difference too, which is why he continues: ]

Like my instinct is to do whatever it takes to protect them. Anything. Which is why I'm trying to not go with that since the reasons why I'd do it aren't great.

Edited 2025-07-23 21:04 (UTC)

...I think it's understandable, wanting to protect others. But I think - making the most minimal sacrifice really is the best play. Sacrificing to get two or three points might get you a win, but everyone who decided to sacrifice something will still lose them for a time. Sacrificing more can only ever protect a single person at a potentially huge detriment to yourself - which others might have to expend a lot of effort to help you through.

... I don't care about winning anyway. Not in performances like this.

[ He breathes out. ]

I'd say if I did something stupid then that's on me and not them so they shouldn't have to expend the effort, but I know that's not how it works.

...No, it's not. Not when you belong to a group.

Or when people love you.

[ slightly pointed but also gross who would do that? ]

Especially when people love you.

Honestly, kind of gross maybe we should get on to them.

[ light hearted to ease the tension. ]

... I think I'm going to go with the picture, if you're okay with it. I'm not under valuing your life it is super important to me... but if we are thinking like that, I have promises to keep.

Edited 2025-07-23 22:32 (UTC)

That's fine. I'll sacrifice the plushie, like I said.

[ nods ]

And if it's somehow not enough - [ because producers will producer ]- no hard feelings and we try to help each other if we can?

Of course. That's a given.

... okay. I mean, it should be fine for a pass even if it is just two points by their standard, right?

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