[ Xiao has been making a few rounds after Ho-Oh's announcement. There's a lot that isn't sitting well with him, but unlike yesterday's malaise, he's more composed. Processing. Assessing things, hoping for the best while predicting the worst.
While he hasn't spoken much to Lacus Clyne, some things she'd said on the network stood out to him. She could have lied, sure, but something she'd said resonates with him. He will take that chance, because, perhaps, a part of him wants to commiserate with likeminded people, despite being a clown on the network earlier. He's being selective.
He will seek her out at the Seagull cabana area and knock on the door. ]
[ Lacus is rarely ever at her cabana, most often spending the days walking the beach and watching the birds. It's a stroke of luck that Xiao knocks on their door when Lacus is just on her way back - she winds up approaching him from behind, instead of opening the door from inside. Whoops. ]
[ Lacus has been smiling for a lot of the first week, and not a lot today, but she does muster up a little one in greeting. ]
Of course. Should we head somewhere a little more private?
[ It's easy enough to guess that the kinds of conversations one might want to have today are not the ones best held in the busiest spot on the island. ]
[ He can't say he really knows what a cafe is, but it seems like it'll be a nice places for conversation. The garden would've been his first pick, but...lmao. ]
[ Lacus nods at that. As morbid as it is, there is a benefit to having experienced bloodshed before. They can keep a level head now. ]
I did not think you had any intention to make light of it, it just... came out unfortunately. I understand you were in a hurry to get word out to all of us.
[ He nods at that, looks a little embarrassed, but continues on. ]
It was imperative to alert people as soon as possible. While I expected this to happen, I wasn't expecting it to happen so soon.
[ At least it wasn't because of any of them, at least. Leave it to Ho-Oh and rapt0r to be the absolute worst. ]
I think we all have a better understanding of the expectations, but I agree with your ideas. Our focus needs to be on getting off of this island, and if Ho-Oh and Rapt0r's deaths are what we need to accomplish that, so be it.
[ Lacus is silent for a moment. It is understandable that nobody is inclined to be particularly merciful towards the administrators, but she's tired of bloodshed. Does escape need to be built on sacrifice yet again? Is playing by those rules of pain really going to lead them to their desired ending? ]
If they are then... yes, so be it. But... is there reason to assume they are? They have seniority on us, a longer time to understand the workings of this place. But they do not control it. Would their deaths amount to anything more than another human sacrifice to temporarily appease the distortion?
[ Lacus is more insightful than one may assume at a first glance. He's not surprised, but her words give him pause. He's lead a life full of slaughter, repentance, violence being the answer to most things – but Xiao also knows mercy.
Even if it's hard to extend it to the two birds watching them from afar. ]
You mean to imply that they are only victims, like the rest of us are. ... I suppose you're right. We are all trapped and at the island's mercy. Perhaps it would be best to find a way to cooperate with them to stop the island itself.
I wouldn't call them 'only' victims, either. They have made the conscious choice to outsource the needed death to us, while keeping themselves safe.
[ And that is thus their responsibility to bear. Lacus still doesn't want to kill them for it, and rather prefers speaking to them and coming to an understanding, but... It's a reality that seems hard to deny. ]
But as they are not the originators of this place, their deaths would only satisfy our desire for retribution. Nothing would change.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
w1 saturday, after All of That
While he hasn't spoken much to Lacus Clyne, some things she'd said on the network stood out to him. She could have lied, sure, but something she'd said resonates with him. He will take that chance, because, perhaps, a part of him wants to commiserate with likeminded people, despite being a clown on the network earlier. He's being selective.
He will seek her out at the Seagull cabana area and knock on the door. ]
no subject
Oh my, hello Xiao. Are you looking for somebody?
no subject
You, actually. Do you have a moment?
[ He looks pretty calm, considering everything, indicating that whatever discussion he wants to have will be civil. ]
no subject
Of course. Should we head somewhere a little more private?
[ It's easy enough to guess that the kinds of conversations one might want to have today are not the ones best held in the busiest spot on the island. ]
no subject
[ He can't say he really knows what a cafe is, but it seems like it'll be a nice places for conversation. The garden would've been his first pick, but...lmao. ]
no subject
[ As good a place as any that is not right between everyone's bedroom doors. Lacus starts walking in the direction without further questioning. ]
You've seen the body, right? Are you alright?
no subject
[ His tone is steady, gaze fixated on the path up ahead. ]
...I apologize for that announcement. The others who were around were occupied, so I took matters into my own hands, and I got ahead of myself.
It's troubling, how some others didn't seem to take it seriously at all. Despite the message I sent, I do not take death lightly.
no subject
I did not think you had any intention to make light of it, it just... came out unfortunately. I understand you were in a hurry to get word out to all of us.
no subject
It was imperative to alert people as soon as possible. While I expected this to happen, I wasn't expecting it to happen so soon.
[ At least it wasn't because of any of them, at least. Leave it to Ho-Oh and rapt0r to be the absolute worst. ]
I think we all have a better understanding of the expectations, but I agree with your ideas. Our focus needs to be on getting off of this island, and if Ho-Oh and Rapt0r's deaths are what we need to accomplish that, so be it.
no subject
If they are then... yes, so be it. But... is there reason to assume they are? They have seniority on us, a longer time to understand the workings of this place. But they do not control it. Would their deaths amount to anything more than another human sacrifice to temporarily appease the distortion?
walks back in here!!
Even if it's hard to extend it to the two birds watching them from afar. ]
You mean to imply that they are only victims, like the rest of us are. ... I suppose you're right. We are all trapped and at the island's mercy. Perhaps it would be best to find a way to cooperate with them to stop the island itself.
no subject
[ And that is thus their responsibility to bear. Lacus still doesn't want to kill them for it, and rather prefers speaking to them and coming to an understanding, but... It's a reality that seems hard to deny. ]
But as they are not the originators of this place, their deaths would only satisfy our desire for retribution. Nothing would change.