[ She is. Not going back to the dorm until all of the Summers have been located, and of course she can't find Mandricardo and it's freezing but Otome is on a mission.
And finally, finally, she locates him, breathing a little heavily and one hand pressed to her ribs, in one of the classrooms. ]
In the end, it's still the taking of a life. I think I know how she feels, though maybe not the extent of it.
[ She sighs, tiredly. ]
But your feelings are important-- you know that, right? If you want to protect her, I'm not going to tell you not to. If you don't, that's fine too. I think she would understand, either way. But I also don't think you need to make that decision immediately.
... If anyone tries to attack her, I'm going to protect her. [ quietly. ]
I can't... protect people on Thursday. I can't stop these executions from happening. But regardless, I can't let someone take a life if there's anything I can do to prevent it. No matter what happens, I don't agree with the idea that it has to be a life for a life.
Week 3, Saturday
And finally, finally, she locates him, breathing a little heavily and one hand pressed to her ribs, in one of the classrooms. ]
There you are--!
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[Like. That is literally where he is right now.]
[He startles from her entering, and raises his head, conking it, and DYING IMMEDIATELY but no. It just hurts.]
O-Ow!
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[ aaaaaaaaaaaaaah.
Otome's instantly hurrying over there, dropping down into a crouch beside him. ]
Is it bleeding? Let me see.
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[He looks like a shy turtle with the way he pulls his knees to himself as she approaches.]
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[ And she offers him a soft, sad smile ]
Mandricardo, please come out?
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[He just looks to the side.]
Why?
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Also, it doesn't feel right returning to the dorm without everyone present.
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I don't know what to do, Otome.
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I don't know whether to...protect her. Or let things happen as they will.
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I don't think she'd want you to protect her.
... But I also don't think we know the whole story, either. This entire situation was unfair the instant they made us the judges.
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[It's what he kept repeating back there. Like it meant anything.]
And I know. Maybe they're just...following a script. Maybe nobody is actually dead. But...it still doesn't change much, I think.
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[ She sighs, tiredly. ]
But your feelings are important-- you know that, right? If you want to protect her, I'm not going to tell you not to. If you don't, that's fine too. I think she would understand, either way. But I also don't think you need to make that decision immediately.
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[He just stares past her shoulder.]
What if she ends up dead tomorrow? Even...outside of the execution.
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[ Hopefully?? ]
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[He feels very cold.]
I don't think people will just allow her to walk around like it means nothing.
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I can't... protect people on Thursday. I can't stop these executions from happening. But regardless, I can't let someone take a life if there's anything I can do to prevent it. No matter what happens, I don't agree with the idea that it has to be a life for a life.
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That's my job. And I don't even know if I have the guts to do it.
[Does he even have the feeling to do it?]
...That's nice of you, Otome. But I don't like the idea of you putting yourself in harms way.
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[ And thus Mandricardo doesn't have to worry(??) ]
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[He frowns.]
It feels too much. If you're doing such a thing...you shouldn't be doin' it alone.
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What if she kills again?
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Then we vote for her.
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[It just feels like...they've backed themselves into a moral corner, here.]
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Things have always been more grey than I've been willing to admit.
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