Didn't we just do this last week?

[perpend]

[It's starting to look like this is going to be a weekly occurrence.

Just like last week, Cabanela waits a while before he makes his rounds, writing everyone quick notes and sliding them under each occupied door.]

Stay strong.
If you don't want to be alone tonight, meet in the dining hall.
-Cabanela

[Like last week, Cabanela hasn't bothered to provide anyone with food-- that would just be... rude right now, he thinks. Upon first entering, you'll notice that there are now four lit candles in the center of one of the tables.

Feel free to leave mementos for the dead; it's probably appreciated.]

Comments

[decrees]

They like to think they have any sort of idea of what it's like to be king.

[...]

I'm the second monarch Albion has had.

[DO YOU SEE HOW RIDICULOUSLY STUPID THIS IS]

[clearasmud]

Wellll... you're both new at this then, right? You're the king, but they are just two monarchs behind!





I'm sure that that's what they must think, anyway.

[ lmao like this was really going to turn into youko, advocate for the people ]

[decrees]

...I have ruled Albion for over a decade. Nearly thirteen years, at this point.

[...Unless that profile is right, then uh. Add another year.]

My rule changed drastically four years ago, after the... incident. They were used to how I used to rule and did not take well to the changes. I understand, of course, but... sacrifices must be made.

[clearasmud]

What, seriously?!

[ THAT'S FOREVER IN HUMAN YEARS ]

That's amazing! You're 33! You've been going at this since you were 20?! That's a baby, even for humans!

[ Youko sits up so she can deliver some earnest applause! Logan, you need to show her your cool side more often!! ]

They should be way more understanding!

[ SHAME ON THEM

and that's how youko became cross at the people of albion for being unhappy about a tyrant. ]

[decrees]

Thirty-two.

[The correction is automatic. He can't be thirty-three, if he was then that would mean that that had happened, and that's not possible--]

They don't particularly care, what matters is that their ruler makes decisions that they find acceptable. I have not been the best at that, but it is ultimately to save as many people as possible.

[There are so many that have died because of what he's done and those that haven't died are suffering. He doesn't leave the castle often because he can't stand to see the extent of what he's done. Age has nothing to do with this - the decisions he's made would have reflected poorly on him had he been twenty-two or fifty-two.]

[clearasmud]

[ Hah? Oh dear, not Logan too... ]

If it's to save as many people as possible, how can they not care?! [ HOW SELFISH. ] They'd better be careful about deciding they'd like a better life in exchange for the lives of others, lest theirs fall on the side of "sacrificed for comfort"!

[ People who don't know the full story: Youko. ]

[decrees]

...They don't know about what's coming. As far as they're aware, my policies have changed for no reason and I'm acting like this because...

[??????? what the fuck do they think he's doing, actually]

I suppose they must assume I've gone mad.

[And isn't that funny.]

[clearasmud]

[ wait

what?

she may have been too hasty in her judgement... ]

Why not tell them so they'll understand? Or at least give them a good, similar cover story if you can't tell them the truth.

[decrees]

There is no way to cover for it. They would not believe me if I told them the truth. It... isn't something anyone has encountered before. They would have written me off as crazy and my sister would have been forced to take the throne instead. I couldn't do that. I had to handle this on my own.

[clearasmud]

...But you just said they probably think you're crazy.

[ ????? More saying her thoughts aloud than speaking to Logan: ]

Okay... you probably didn't think of that when you first started. [ And maybe you should have, uh. ] I thought they had people whose job this was... [ She's also judging you for your apparent underutilization of PR. ]

[ But back to Logan. ]

Well, you can't change anything about the past, but maybe when you get back... find somebody really clever and get them to come up with a story for you? I mean, are you sure you can just keep saying nothing?

[ That seems risky, for the reasons he stated. ]

[decrees]

[...what people, we don't have PR in Albion.]

It won't work at this point. Why would I keep it from them for four years only to break my silence now? It's for the best if they aren't aware. I... will come up with something closer to the time.

[He hasn't really thought much about it, honestly. Five years seemed so far away at the start and now...]

They know better than to attempt to rebel. I... have never been particularly kind to traitors.

[The lucky ones are killed. The unlucky ones are sent to Ravenscar Keep.]

[clearasmud]

[ Youko sighs unhappily. That doesn't sound like a solution to her, but it's not like she has one either. ]

Well, if you're sure things can hold out... [ ... ] ...Or maybe just tell them you couldn't tell them earlier. If you gave a good enough sounding reason, I'd believe it. [ She shrugs. ]

So that's what 'likes: executions' is about?

[ She thought he was just into that and thought nothing of it ]

[decrees]

...Yes. I believe it is. I have used executions as a way to maintain control of Albion. If the people are afraid, they will not rise up.

[He can't look at her when he admits it.]

I have never liked the actual act of executing someone, though I have attended every execution I have ordered. Some of them have been...

["--And they will suffer the same fate as Major Swift; the fate of all enemies of the Crown!"]

Some are far worse than others.

[clearasmud]

[ ...Yeah, that's kind of fucked up. He's kind of fucked up. And it sounds like he fucked up in a lot of places. ]

Your life makes you so unhappy. There's got to be places where you can make changes!

[ ... ]

...I'm sorry. Just preaching that over and over without giving you anything solid to act on - I'm not helping.

[ And possibly just making Logan feel worse. ]

[decrees]

It's alright. I'm not angry. I understand the thought, but believe me, I have searched for places to make changes. There isn't anything more I can do.

[...]

But you're right. My life does make me unhappy, but I don't have any choice. If I didn't do this, no one would.

[clearasmud]

[ Youko frowns sadly. Logan...

But then, she perks back up. It's forced, but dwelling on this - it's pointless. There are better ways to spend their time. ]

Hey! Let's talk about something that makes you happy, alright? It can be anything. But if you don't pick, I will! Got it?

[ THEY'RE DOING THIS ]

[decrees]

[Something that makes him happy...?]

Ah, well... I'll admit I'm curious to see what you would pick.

[clearasmud]

Really?

[ Something about that... pleases her. ]

Well. Forgive me if this is a little dark... [ but Reaver liked dark, and he is - was - his friend... ] But the people we're locked up in here with are... a strange, unlikely and occasionally annoying sort, are they not? And some certainly appear more bound to fall than others.

Tell me: would you be opposed to playing a game where we try to guess if and how our fellows will go out? Not all need be discussed, of course.

[decrees]

...

[Logan tips his head a bit at that. He doesn't smile, but he sounds very interested when he responds.]

That sounds like it might be a nice way to spend time.

[...Okay, it's really dry, but what were you expecting from him.]