The Heist

[crypddyd]

They had been investigating for weeks, planning and setting up for what seemed like forever. But now was the time for everything to go into action. One team dressed up and settled into various undercover positions in the casino- including Lion himself over at the slots, in case he needed to call Greta and let her know someone was calling her out. Though hopefully, word of mouth would find her first.

Another at the bank, Mona using her Executor weapon to prove they could break-in at any time. It was all or nothing now- either way Greta was about to learn there were way more Executors than she previously assumed.

That is, if the Executors were right in their assumptions. But after last time who knows what might happen...

Comments

[phantasmagorial]

[ Did you want an explanation? Little an exposition, as a treat? USUALLY, Rei would be exactly the girl to provide that but right now she's entirely too stressed to be of use/ So instead, she's pelting down the street as fast as her little legs will carry her and the instant she lays eyes on Ruin, she all but tackles him. HUG INCOMING. ]

Ruin! Are you alright? How did everything go? N–nothing went wrong, did it?!

[ SHE WAS SO STRESSED!! ]

[heir_to_ruin]

[Oh sweet Sothis hi Rei. He actually tenses up briefly, very firmly reminded of the absolute outlandishness of his outfit now that he has an armful of concerned girl but... honestly?

He's been playing everything up so hard for the past few hours that having a brief moment to just crumple against Rei is a huge relief. Which is precisely what he does, wrapping both arms around her and giving her a solid squeeze. And potentially messing up her poor shirt because he's a bit overwhelmed and stressed and upset and has forgotten that he's got the guyliner thing going on.]

Aside from someone putting things in the wrong account? N-no... no everything's fine. The Authority had already switched over by the time she thought to get violent.

[phantasmagorial]

[ RIP to her nice white blouse, your sacrifice will not be forgotten. They can absolutely, definitely afford to buy her a new one at least.

She sags against him in turn, some of the anxious tension winding out of her, even if just by a little. They still have the Underside to make their way through, but at least fighting Revenants isn't quite as complicated as a battle of wits with an Authority. ]

I was so worried it would be like Esme all over again... everybody's okay, right? I thought the message might have given us away, or–

[ She's rambling, more out of delayed adrenaline and relief than anything. ]

[heir_to_ruin]

[He just keeps squishing her, honestly, and might sort of half drag her into his lap so they can lean on each other. Emotional Support Smol.]

From what I heard Greta was a lot less aggressive than Esme. Mostly because she was just too smug to realize what was actually going on until it had happened.

[phantasmagorial]

[ The true reason Rei is so titchy: Makes her the perfect huggin' size. Deepest Can Cry lore. ]

I see... then I guess that's better.

[ It means she had less time to retaliate or lash out as Esme had but... something about it still makes Rei feel churned up inside. ]

Is it... bad... if I hope that this is the last time we have to do anything like this?

[ She wants to believe that maybe next layer, they won't have to sink to all this deceit and stealing and fighting all over again.

But they probably will. ]

[heir_to_ruin]

Why would that be bad, Rei?

[Hold on, gotta apply another squish to this sweet girl.]

Having to trick people or fight them, both, whatever... it's awful. Of course we want to hope that maybe someone along the way will allow us to just do our jobs. Even I hope that.

[And he's sort of a cynical bitch.]

But as much as we might hope we've still got to be prepared to do what's necessary, right? Otherwise everyone else is trapped.

[phantasmagorial]

W–well, it's just... naive, isn't it? Both of the Authorities we've seen so far have been so cruel... and maybe taking that power from them was a good thing in the end. But if we have to trick them and fool people– and when it ends up hurting them so much–

[ It's a little hard to sound grave when you're being affectionately squished, but Rei's managing it. ]

Even if it's our duty, I don't want anyone to end up hurt because of what we need to do. Even... people like Esme and Greta.

[heir_to_ruin]

It'd be naive if you thought further measures weren't necessary. If you tried to stop us from doing what needs doing. You can recognize the reality if that sometimes we're not given a choice.

Wanting better is not the same. That just means you're still a sweet, optimistic kid in there.

[phantasmagorial]

[ She looks a little bashful, as if she's on the verge of protesting, but after a moment she manages to give him a weak smile. ]

... right. Maybe so long as I keep that in mind... one of these times we can make sure it doesn't end in a fight.

[ And maybe not. But she won't know unless she tries, at least. ]

Thank you, Ruin.

[heir_to_ruin]

I hope we can.

[It's something they have to at least try for. Optimism isn't his strong point but he thinks, if it's something that means so much to her it's something he can work towards too. If it means making her happy.]

Thank you. You're the one that's keeping us all together and... reminding us that we're working towards a goal, not just a fight.