cancry | third loop

Is there anything wrong with that?! If your reality's unfair, if everything you try fails, if everyone around you looks down on you and they say they don't but the people you're supposed to trust only ever tell you to just give up, you'll never be good enough and they shop around to replace you --

Wolfsbane!

[ it's not anger that Mona cries out with — it's concern. she's made a misstep somewhere, pushed some button that she didn't know Wolfsbane had. immediately, she moves to grasp Wolfsbane's shoulders in a gentle hold, hoping to snap her out of it. ]

That's not it. No one is thinking that way.

[She wrenches free, but something stops her. Wolfsbane looks at Mona, expression starting to cloud.]

...What do you think is happening, then. With this president of theirs.

[ ah. a sense of nerves comes over her; it feels like if she says the wrong thing, there'll be a worse outcome than just being wrong. ]

I think... that something terrible happened to the students at that graduation, including the former student council president, and that Miss President — the one we met — is using her Authority to avoid it. I think she's trying again, and again, and again to find a way to change it. And I think... she's so desperate to fix things that she can't accept any other outcome.

... I think that maybe all she wants is to save someone she cares about.

[Wolfsbane exhales quietly. She frowns and looks the room over.]

Perhaps. But hasn't everyone who's been lost not come back? And the carnage in the gymnasium is still there.

... You're right. Even though she's repeating it, it doesn't change. If she knows what's happening, she would definitely have noticed that. So... She doesn't know?

...Are we so sure it's she who's the real Authority? We'd also considered the principal, had we not? Her one and only obstacle to holding school events...

[ …He snaps out of the mental blackout he’d been in these last few minutes when he hears Mona say all this. Like he suddenly realized something important. ]

—Ah. I just remembered.

I actually… if it is her… I actually think there’s a good chance she doesn’t even realize what she’s doing.

So maybe... like Medic said? That the Authority transferred to her, but she doesn't know...

... And Wolfsbane is right, too. It's strange that the damage wasn't fixed. So she isn't really changing anything, and the people she lost won't come back. She's just... repeating it? [ she shakes her head. ] I don't know. We probably need more information.

Yes, I… I apologize for not mentioning it sooner but after last meeting I decided I would go by myself to do a little investigating of my own. I wanted to try the same tactics I did last time to get Greta to slip and… honestly with the number of new eidolons we’ve already been seeing I didn’t want to discount the possibility of her being like Sir Amber or Lady Etoile.

So I told her I was new here and also mentioned that I had come from Avaritia. There was no reaction to either of these things - it was no different than talking to a spectre, quite frankly. Either she’s an extremely good actor or she… truly doesn’t know. And judging from what I saw I am inclined to believe the latter.

So I’m starting to think it’s possible that she’s not awakened at all and that, if she really is who we’re looking for, that the person who’s been telling the Authorities all about Executors and how the layers work hasn’t made it to her yet.

[ WHICH MEANS…… MAYBE THERE MIGHT ACTUALLY BE A CHANCE TO RESOLVE THIS PEACEFULLY THIS TIME??? HE HOPES???? HE LIKES THE GIRL TO BE HONEST PLEASE. ]

But yes, I agree that we need more information. I would personally like to try and determine if she’s aware of the loops at least, if she isn’t about the other things.

[ …Hm. Thinking on it a bit more though… ]

As for stuff not changing back with the loops though… this has been on my mind since we became stuck here but… if we go with the assumption that the Authority doesn’t want anyone to leave once they’ve come here…

Instead of saving those who were already lost… could it be an attempt to protect those still here instead?

Ah... I see. She'd still be taking the burden on herself, but... instead of undoing what already happened, she might be trying to stop more harm from happening.

Maybe... Maybe we can help her. If we could get through to her, find out what she's trying so hard to avoid, maybe we can step in as Executors to help protect everyone. I want to... I do want to resolve this peacefully, without opposing her. I want that, but— I think, if it can't be stopped, or if she doesn't trust us to share the burden... then there will be a problem.

[ if she's like Esme, like Greta — then no matter how kind she is or how noble her intentions, it might be impossible for her to let go. Mona won't give up just because of that, she'll try to reach out her hand until she's rejected, but it seems important to understand that they might be dealing with someone driven into a corner once again. ]

If she really is someone who represents Pride, then it won't be easy to convince her.

So what, do you suppose we ought to just tell her the truth?

Maybe... but probably later, I'd think?

I dunno, Achilles, I might be able to try to ask her about the loops without making it obvious that's what I'm doing. Y'know just make up an overdue book on her account from before the current loop starts and go from there, see how she reacts to that...

[For how much of a lead he took on the last layer he sure is cagey about actually contributing anything this time. Ah that good ol self loathing.]

It's... just a thought.

[Oh, now you acknowledge her. She glares before turning away.]

And I'll keep on searching. There's got to be something in this pit.

[ “Replace you—“

There’s something about the way Wolfsbane says that, in combination with his ill feeling earlier, that tugs at his brain. Makes him feel even worse about this than he already did.

He shuts his eyes and tunes out of the conversation for a while as Mona tries to handle it, finding his head beginning to hurt and his face lightly contorting from the discomfort.

Replace…
Replace…
Replace— ]

[...Hey buddy. Do you need a hand? Chiron's just gonna sidle on over beside Achilles. Sit beside him. Shoulder to shoulder. nbd buddy we all been there]

[ There’s a moment longer where mentally Achilles just isn’t here. He’s somewhere else entirely, hearing a voice that isn’t his that he’s still trying desperately not to remember, in a place he doesn’t fully recall yet nor ever really wants to—

But it’s not long before he finally becomes aware of Chiron’s presence beside him and he snaps out of it, looking at the other with mild surprise for a moment before realizing he was spacing out and attempting to smile.

He’ll be fine! He’s fine. ]

[Definitely fine. We're all very Fine here. Chiron pats him on the back, leaving his hand settled there. Moral support!]

…are you okay?

[Just going to sit next to him.]

Mm?

[ He snaps out of it and turns to look at her, (ah right, the new executor) before trying to force a smile. ]

Ah… yes, I’m all right, do not worry about me, Lady Etoile.

Are you sure? I can get you some water or something if you need it.

third loop

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