Trauma Prom

[cihuatlatoani]

[WELP.]

Comments

[thehirohewanted]

[WELP INDEED]

[Flare was staring at the wall, eyes dazed and unfocused, breathing quick and shallow.]

[People were going to die, people are going to die, they had to decide who'd die if they lost.]

[Oh god]

[cihuatlatoani]

[Montage looks very grave as well, though outwardly calm except for a slight tremor in her hands. One would think this would be easier for her, coming from a culture that practices human sacrifice, and to some extent it is; she accepts the reality of the situation. But this choice, this immediacy is almost too much to bear.

Nobody should have to suffer through this, but especially not a child, especially not one as innocent and fragile seeming as Flare. She needs to take control of this situation, for his sake. And she knows already what decision must be made.]

Flare. I must be the sacrifice.

[thehirohewanted]

[His head snapped up when she spoke. Almost looking confused before the words registered.]

Montage-

[What does he even want to say? One part thinks he should volunteer. He should volunteer because he's a superhero and that's what heroes do, right? He certainly doesn't want to watch Montage die, but the thought of it....the thought of maybe failing, of dying]

[His body shakes and he can't bear to look at her.]

[He's afraid, terrified, he doesn't have that bravery he remembers. That's why it was so weird, because he's not brave or self sacrificing and even for someone he wants to protect, he can't-he can't-]

[He wraps his arms around himself and when he speaks, it's quiet, painful, but he can't get himself to argue.]

Okay.

[cihuatlatoani]

[She can tell that he's taking it hard, but she's privately relieved that he acquiesced so easily. It needs to be this way.

She bends down a bit, and hugs him tightly.]

It will be okay. I've been through situations like this before.

[thehirohewanted]

[He's tense in her arms, stiff...then he leans against her. He doesn't move his arms from himself, but he at least accepts the touch.]

Is there anyone to avoid people dying?

[Because he's not seeing any loopholes.]

[cihuatlatoani]

An offering. If it is deemed suitable, it shall be taken instead.

[thehirohewanted]

But people will still die.

....

Are we...going to do that?

[It's his first game, he doesn't know what she can take. He doesn't know what HE can take.]

[cihuatlatoani]

We have no other alternative. This is not only for the sake of our team, but also our own worlds. Remember that.

[thehirohewanted]

[He nods.]

Yeah. Yeah, I...I guess so.

[One hand moves to grip the edge of her shirt.]

So it...has to be good to win, right?

[cihuatlatoani]

[She pats the top of his head.]

I suspect that is so. Perhaps my clothing and jewelry. Or perhaps I will go further, and give of my own body.

[thehirohewanted]

It is important? The clothing and jewelry?

...is it possible to get the stuff back, eventually?

[cihuatlatoani]

I do not know. I do hope so. It seems to have been the case in the past, but I suspect it will take some time.

[thehirohewanted]

I don't have a lot. Even the hat...I don't even know why it's important.

At least...physical things.

[cihuatlatoani]

Regardless of what you do have, merely offering something still puts you at risk of being killed. I cannot allow that.

[thehirohewanted]

Aren't we both supposed to be offering something?

[cihuatlatoani]

[She thinks for a moment.]

Ah, you are correct. Either, or both of us can.

[thehirohewanted]

So if you're the...

Then I just offer to supplement and up our chances.

[cihuatlatoani]

Yes, if you wish so.

[thehirohewanted]

I do.

Is this...is this a magic thing. Does it just have to be physical, or does anything go as long as it's mine?

[cihuatlatoani]

Hmm, I suppose it could be anything.

[thehirohewanted]

Does open up possibilities. 'cause otherwise, it's limbs and- [And he's not that brave.]

[cihuatlatoani]

Yes. Think about it carefully.

[thehirohewanted]

[He nods. He...he'll have to. He just needs to calm down. He needs to think, what has value, that he can deal with-]

What about you?

[cihuatlatoani]

I think I shall choose my jewelry. They are quite valuable, and have powerful symbolic meaning.

[thehirohewanted]

[Nods.] So something symbolic. Something hard to let go.