[Lan Wangji isn’t really the shrugging type, but if he was, he’d do so now. He dips his head once, just to acknowledge her words.]
It is absurd to suspect someone of taking a life based on discomfort alone. [So he stands by it, even if he thinks she made it worse unnecessarily. He, too, wasn’t about to let just anyone look him over—anything beyond a hand check he would’ve refused unless Otome asked.] Kaoruko’s judgment was equally unfair.
[She was guilty, and deserved to be punished for that—but nothing about the way this was handled sits well with him. Not a single part.
Still... he looks back towards the field, grim.]
Other forces are at play. We will need to cooperate to investigate them.
[He agrees, actually! That’s an “mm” of agreement. Not from a cynical perspective, exactly—but from the point of view of someone who is very used to being on his own, save for his brother. He’s already spoken more to the people here than he ever did to his peers back home, save for necessity during cultivation excursions. Friendship does not come easily to him, and thus, trust doesn’t either.
But even so…]
…Panic leads to recklessness. Assumptions, poor decisions. [A pause, like he’s trying to figure out how to convey what he means, or maybe like he’s remembering something.] Cooperation mitigates needless accusations. It need not extend to all.
[That’s how he’s going about it, anyway. He certainly isn’t going to be best buddies with every single person around—but there’s a couple of people that he doesn’t mind relying on a little more heavily, when it comes to figuring out the bigger picture.]
[Catra also knows what it's like to be alone. . . especially after Adora first left the Horde. but. . . she wouldn't say it was a good experience, just a sobering one. one that taught her how not to trust, how to close herself off from the world, how to protect herself and only herself. everyone else be damned]
[. . .]
[she knows that she has to break free of that conditioning, but-- maybe not like this]
[her lips twitch a bit; she isn't smiling, exactly, but she does look less frustrated and more pensive]
. . . you're pretty logical when you aren't spouting off nonsense about following ridiculous rules.
BUT… yeah. Yeah. Honestly, he kind of feels the same way, which sucks. He’s not an inherently mistrustful person, but he is cautious, and he knows people are capable of concealing their true intentions.]
I believe there was more to Kaoruko’s actions than a simple choice of violence. But I do not know where to begin.
[That is, he’d like to start looking into something, but… he doesn’t really have anything solid to work from.]
[YEAH. YEAH!!!! He looks tired. He is tired. He wants to go home.
Though, for all that—]
I am doubtful that is the whole truth. Others spoke with her, and it seems she told no one why she chose to kill. [Because surely??? Murder couldn’t have been the first choice???? He’s not naive enough to believe that ~nobody could ever be that fuckin murderous and nuts~ or anything, but it just seems… odd. The whole situation doesn’t fit together properly, to him.]
[yeah, Catra is of the same mind. it seems. . . very strange. out of place. sudden and inexplicable]
Yeah. Finding someone annoying is kind of a lame reason to decide to kill them. Not that I don't think anyone is capable of doing that, but. . . someone like her?
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[tail flick. she seems a little self-conscious??]
You got it, when other people didn't.
[quickly, she adds--]
It's not a big deal, so I won't talk about it again. But I just wanted to say that, okay? That's all.
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It is absurd to suspect someone of taking a life based on discomfort alone. [So he stands by it, even if he thinks she made it worse unnecessarily. He, too, wasn’t about to let just anyone look him over—anything beyond a hand check he would’ve refused unless Otome asked.] Kaoruko’s judgment was equally unfair.
[She was guilty, and deserved to be punished for that—but nothing about the way this was handled sits well with him. Not a single part.
Still... he looks back towards the field, grim.]
Other forces are at play. We will need to cooperate to investigate them.
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It was unfair. We just. . . got lucky.
[with her being the killer, she means. otherwise, red hands, a growling dog, and a simple injury when everyone is so injured means nothing]
. . . everyone talks about working together to figure out what's going on here. Cooperation, team work. . . that sort of thing.
[. . .]
[she looks like she wants to say something else, but she doesn't, leaving things hanging in the air instead]
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You disagree?
[His tone doesn't seem to be judgmental--it's just a genuine question, apparently.]
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[she can't deny the wisdom in it! she's just. . . a cynic]
I just think it's harder than most people are making it out to be.
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[He agrees, actually! That’s an “mm” of agreement. Not from a cynical perspective, exactly—but from the point of view of someone who is very used to being on his own, save for his brother. He’s already spoken more to the people here than he ever did to his peers back home, save for necessity during cultivation excursions. Friendship does not come easily to him, and thus, trust doesn’t either.
But even so…]
…Panic leads to recklessness. Assumptions, poor decisions. [A pause, like he’s trying to figure out how to convey what he means, or maybe like he’s remembering something.] Cooperation mitigates needless accusations. It need not extend to all.
[That’s how he’s going about it, anyway. He certainly isn’t going to be best buddies with every single person around—but there’s a couple of people that he doesn’t mind relying on a little more heavily, when it comes to figuring out the bigger picture.]
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[. . .]
[she knows that she has to break free of that conditioning, but-- maybe not like this]
[her lips twitch a bit; she isn't smiling, exactly, but she does look less frustrated and more pensive]
. . . you're pretty logical when you aren't spouting off nonsense about following ridiculous rules.
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Rules are important.
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[said in a lightly teasing, obviously disbelieving tone]
Well, whatever. Needless to say, I agree with you.
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I believe many of us have begun trying to look further into this strange place. May we have no further incidents that hinder our progress.
[Meaning, if they're lucky, Kaoruko was a fluke and they won't need to argue about strip check ever again anyway.
haha!!!!]
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Yeah, wouldn't that be nice.
[a bit dry]
I don't think we'll be that lucky, though.
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BUT… yeah. Yeah. Honestly, he kind of feels the same way, which sucks. He’s not an inherently mistrustful person, but he is cautious, and he knows people are capable of concealing their true intentions.]
I believe there was more to Kaoruko’s actions than a simple choice of violence. But I do not know where to begin.
[That is, he’d like to start looking into something, but… he doesn’t really have anything solid to work from.]
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[that gets her to pause, before she asks, genuinely curious]
Did you talk to her after the trial?
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I did.
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What did she say? About why she-- you know.
[killed Hiyori]
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Also he just. Stares into the void for a moment, radiating exasperation.]
She claimed he was annoying.
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What?
[THAT'S. THAT'S ALL?]
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Though, for all that—]
I am doubtful that is the whole truth. Others spoke with her, and it seems she told no one why she chose to kill. [Because surely??? Murder couldn’t have been the first choice???? He’s not naive enough to believe that ~nobody could ever be that fuckin murderous and nuts~ or anything, but it just seems… odd. The whole situation doesn’t fit together properly, to him.]
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Yeah. Finding someone annoying is kind of a lame reason to decide to kill them. Not that I don't think anyone is capable of doing that, but. . . someone like her?