WEEK 1 - SUNDAY; RACHEL (night, lounge)

[crushcard]

[ The lounge table that he's picked is in a secluded enough corner that they can speak without being overheard, and it's although it's past ten, they're in no danger of being kicked out of the lounge before closing.

He doesn't exactly drink, more like only if the occasion calls for it, and honestly, with the events over the past weekend and having come into contact with some of the more... colourful characters in the motel, it's no wonder that he has a glass of whisky (Scottish, on the rocks) in his hand, which he sets down - the glass making an audible clink as its set down on the mirrored surface of the table. ]

I hope you didn't mind that I wanted to speak with you privately. [ It's something that has been bothering him throughout most of the day. ] Forgive me for eavesdropping on your conversation with Craftly, but you seemed interested in the Dark Room.

Comments

[restlessgods]

[ Rachel is in the lounge looking through her papers, nursing her own drink - tea, however. A good lady must always keep their head clear.

She gives him a slight smile once he speaks, though her intentions are not easily visible given her veil and her general lack of strong emotion. It's a surprise that her efforts to ensure privacy aren't completely successful, but at least Kaiba isn't accusatory. ]

Of course. One would, given what it implies...

[ Cannibalism. ]

[crushcard]

[ Asking her to remove her veil would be rude, although Seto has to admit that being unable to see Rachel's face clearly, obscured as it is by the veil and her generally mild demeanour, is slightly... alarming. He's used to being able to read people and their intentions.

He inclines his head, unscrutable blue eyes locking on to her. ]

I admit, I'm not entirely familiar with the entirety of the implications save for what is in the rulebook. [ It's enough. He'd thrown a fit at Craftly over that, earlier.

There's a question there that he's hesitating on asking. ] ... Would you actually have any reason to use it?

[restlessgods]

[ If anything, she remains inscrutable beneath his gaze, her calm unbroken. ]

Not at the moment, no. But if anyone else were to use it... I would prefer to be aware of how they would be using it. Just in case one of us was forced inside....

[ She's not lying. ]

[crushcard]

Not at the moment means that there could be a reason you will use it eventually.

[ He gives her a carefully appraising look. With her unbroken calm and how serious she looks, it's difficult for Seto to think that she's lying, even though she seems very much more well versed on how the Dark Room works besides having arrived the same time as everyone else. ]

Being forced inside by the other people here? Or by more... unorthodox means?

[restlessgods]

[ Her countenance has no cracks, as if she had absolute belief in her sincerity. ]

Were you privy to our full conversation? Craftly said that he was the only one who could explain without eldritch language. Are you familiar with the writings of H. P. Lovecraft, young man?

[ She didn't get a lot of info out of him, alas. ]

[crushcard]

[ Unfortunately, said row with Craftly from earlier also means that he'd stormed out of speaking range with Craftly, although he did see the benefit of hearing everyone else clamour for questions and had lingered nearby enough to catch most of them. ] I heard enough of it.

[ He shakes his head. He's always been more of a non-fiction person. ] Only in passing, actually. Enough to recognise some of the things that have been referenced here.

[restlessgods]

[ It pays off to be unassuming. ]

Then you would understand, some of the implications.

[ Rachel spreads her hands. ]

The people who know how to use it presumably already do... and if you recall, the rulebook says that the dark room is for all of one's nutritional needs. It would not be too much of a step to assume that one of the people here who have checked in are one of Them. Possibly multiple.

[crushcard]

[ His gaze narrows further. Sharp, accusatory, cold severity in a glinting cobalt stare. He's not angry, or upset, even though his features are hard and stern. Rather, more like he's connected a few dots in his head and he's painfully aware of its implications. ]

You imply that you need that kind of sustenance. Are you one of Them?

[ Please don't deflect that question, Rachel. He's being direct enough as it is. ]

[restlessgods]

[ If anything, she only looks hurt. A surprising amount of emotion compared to what she's shown so far. ]

Of course not.

[ Though whether he believes her is another question altogether. ]

Have you not noticed, the number of young people amongst here? All these children, trapped in a dark place with a risk of being hurt... I must do something.

[ She hasn't actually gone into the Dark Room, ftr. ]

I can hardly walk, much less fight... so if I have to put my life at risk to save them, then so be it.

[crushcard]

[ Was your intention to make him feel bad? Because if it is, it's working a little too well. He hasn't felt guilt like this, sharp and painful, in a while. Not since Duelist Kingdom, when the image of his younger self had accused him of standing by and doing nothing while his brother was in danger.

Not since then.

So it's understandable that Seto flinches, and while he doesn't believe Rachel entirely (the evidence is stacked against her favour, his rational mind says, but emotionally, he's not so sure), her sentiments strike a chord within him, raw and primal and--

He can't afford to get attached. Damn it, Rachel.

He breathes sharply. ] You would sacrifice yourself for people you don't know? [ How noble. How foolish. ]

[restlessgods]

[ Remember, she's only asked how it should be used. Not if she could use it herself. ]

Children still have many years ahead of them. A life that they could call their own. I am not only an orphanage teacher, but also a mother. Seeing young people's happiness is equivalent to my own.

[ Which presumably Seto won't understand, since he'd be a father if anything. ]

We may die here. If someone must, let it be me.

[ She's already pre-settled her affairs, after all. ]

[crushcard]

[ He's aware of that. But even speculation, backed by whatever scant evidence he's scrounged up, is as good as any.

But even the rational side of him has been drowned out. There's a hollow thundering in his ears as Seto freezes, the colour draining out of his features. He'd started this conversation believing that he had the upper hand, that he could wrangle some sort of information about the Dark Room from Rachel.

He's seeing a side of Rachel Claudius that he has no idea ever existed - something that's way too familiar, something that cuts way too close for comfort.

(Seto Kaiba was still alive for three reasons only - pure, unrelenting spite, defeating his rival, and making sure that Mokuba was taken care of, no matter what the circumstances.)

He understands Rachel. He would die here, and willingly, if he could guarantee Mokuba's happiness.

He laughs, softly, bitterly, as he picks up his drink and knocks back the remainder of the alcohol, ignoring how it burns down his throat. Is this what Craftly means by incentives? Damn bastard. ]

Forgive me for saying so, but you're a fool. [ His hands are still shaking, a crack in his exterior. Rachel just needs to chip at it. ] This is a battle royale till only three survivors are left - the children you would be looking out for will most likely end up dead, regardless.

[ It's not as venomous as it should be. ]

[restlessgods]

[ This is the side of a mother.

There's no hint on her face nor her countenance that she's acting, nor that she's noticed his response. She's composed herself again, that's for sure - but her expression falls back to neutrality, voice remaining the same soft tone as before, as if she was not completely here. ]

Do you allow yourself to give in so early?

[ No accusations, only facts. She, who has nothing to hide, cannot be accused - like trying to grasp at a slippery ball. ]

We have been here scant days. To fall into the trap of rules set by another... does that not seem to hasty to you?

[ She's aware of her convictions. None will sway her, for she must follow the grand order that things must be, no matter the cost. ]

You only lose when you stop fighting.