don't wait for a knight in shinin' armor, your savior's reflected in the mirror

[perpend]

[That sure was a fucking thing. That execution was a fucking thing. Those secrets are a fucking thing.

Cabanela retreats to his room, but not for all that long. Everyone will get a note eventually, written in very neat handwriting

I do not plan on bowing down to threats and intimidation. If you did not act, it means you were, like me, aware of the risk, but decided against it. Your reasons are entirely your own.

Join me in the dining room if you agree enough is enough, and that you won't acquiesce to threats. I don't plan to let this stop me, and neither should you.

-C

In the dining room itself, Cabanela has set up coffee and tea for those who want it-- there's no food, because to be honest, he doesn't know how to cook. Two more candles have been lit-- he wasn't really sure what to do about the whole... parasite thing... so Fern's candle will have to make due.]

Comments

[notaccurate]

Yes, it's surprising how a particularly horrifying trial can bring people together.

[He's still upset about that, by the way. Fern was his friend.]

I do know one thing though: I do not judge you for your secret.

[hesperos]

That and the note probably helped some with that.

[ That trial was...certainly a thing. ]

You don't, huh? Guess I should be grateful about that--mine isn't as bad as some others but it's not like it's entirely harmless on it's own. If you're curious, I could tell you somewhat about it; everyone's stuff is out in the open anyway.

But for the record, yours isn't something I'm judging either. I don't think anyone should either.

[ But in general if Jericho thought that it'd keep him from talking to anyone had their secrets out... he had another thing coming. ]

[notaccurate]

The reason I don't judge yours is exactly the same reason why I could see someone judging mine: intent matters.

[hesperos]

Yeah, intent matters. Though even for something like yours, I'm sure it's not really something worth judging without knowing the full story.

[ Unless your secret is like...so bad that it's basically instantly judge-worthy. But Yuri plans on asking those people directly. ]

[notaccurate]

...do you want the full story?

[Yuri is actually one of the few people he would tell that story to, so.]

[hesperos]

If you don't mind, sure, I'd like to hear it.

[ ...He's actually been wondering about it because he was curious but shh. ]

[notaccurate]

Alright.

[Better sit down Yuri, it's quite a story.]

As you probably guessed from my secret, you have to be licensed to use my world's version of magic- which is more of a science, by the way, but I am simply calling it 'magic' here for he sake of understanding. In order to get this license, you have to attend a university and pass the tests. These universities exist in a country I was not born in, which is also a country that happens to be a bit...mmm, 'cautious about foreigners' is probably the nicest way to put it.

[aka 'they're taking our jeeerbs']

Since I could never even hope to be accepted as a student, I have no way of passing the tests. Thus I have no way of getting the license, and the only way for me to do this magic is illegally.

[That explains the first part of his secret, at least. He pauses there to see Yuri's reaction though, that is by far the tamest part of his secret.]

[hesperos]

Huh. Sounds like that country sucks.

[ ... Alrighty then - ]

Good on you not letting them stop you from doing whatever you want--as long as you're not trying to hurt someone who doesn't deserve it.

[ In essence, he doesn't really find anything wrong with what Luca's doing/explained so far. ]

So, I'm guessing that's not all, right? What's the rest?

[notaccurate]

[He snorts at that response.]

Indeed, it does suck. But it's where I need to be, so I tolerate it.

[But it's time for the rest, so he turns a bit somber.]

As for the 'hurting' part...well. I don't specifically remember attacking or blackmailing anyone, but I could see myself doing that if pushed, so I imagine I will be remembering something like that before too long. And as for the rest-

['the reason he hasn't killed anyone here yet is because he can't easily do it without that magic.']

-it is true. Back in the first week, if I had my magic, I would have absolutely tried to kill someone to escape. Now? It is unlikely. I...there are people here I don't think I could condemn to death just so I could escape. One of the unfortunate side effects of coming to care about people, I suppose.

[hesperos]

For some reason I have a hard time seeing you attacking or blackmailing anyone.

[ Just knowing what he does know about Luca, anyway. ]

Caring about other people can help keep you in check, so maybe it's less unfortunate and more fortunate, considering what could happen if you'd kill someone and tried to escape anyway.

[ Or caring can do the exact opposite but he's not going to point the obvious out? Why bother. ]

[notaccurate]

[HAHAHAHA ABOUT THAT]

Yes, it is a good deterrent for murder, I suppose. I hate to think of how rashly I would act if someone I have come to care for was threatened, though.

[hesperos]

[ Pffft. ]

I'm guessing it'd 'hatch a plan to punch Jerry in the face repeatedly, among other things' if he were responsible for something like that. Am I wrong?

[notaccurate]

Well yes, if it were him. If it were someone else, I would probably just stab them.

[Since he. Doesn't have his magic and all.]

[hesperos]

[ He snorts. ]

At least no one can say you don't like to get straight to the point.

[notaccurate]

[He sees what you did there.]

Well I have been told that my sharp wit is a powerful tool.