[Traumaprom]

[tatsumi_textiles]

[WE LIVE, WE DIE, WE LIVE AGAIN]

Comments

[eluvianathema]

--Ochre? Oh, no...

[tatsumi_textiles]

[Well he was going to suggest they throw the game-

But not with someone like Daisy in the room.]

I'll take it, don't worry.

[eluvianathema]

You can't! How can you say that sort of thing so easily?! Value your life a little more!

[tatsumi_textiles]

Hey, come on, it ain't like it's the first time I've died here! I know what I'm offerin' and onna us has gotta take it, so it might as well be me.

Less you want ta throw the game and us both die.

[eluvianathema]

That's not at all what I'm saying! Oh, Elgar'nan... this can't be the only choice...!

[tatsumi_textiles]

[-oh shit don't be crying, that's not the reaction he'd wanted]

Look, that's kinda just how this shit goes. We either play by their rules, or we don't and we both die.

[eluvianathema]

[she's not crying (yet) but she does look distressed]

I remember what the Yaksinis game was like, and I vowed then that I wouldn't ever let myself feel that helpless again, Ochre.

[tatsumi_textiles]

Look, as far as I see it, we've got three options here. We offer low, and one of us takes the hit, we offer high, and we both lose somethin' really important ta us-

[And then he pauses, steeling himself.]

Or we tell her ta go screw herself, and we both die, but she don't get anythin' outta it either.

[eluvianathema]

... I would have considered refusing to play, but--I told Nightingale I'd try to stay alive.

What would you be willing to give up?

[tatsumi_textiles]

[Hesitating]

Honestly, I want ta tell her ta go screw herself, but if you think yer team needs the win, a hell of a lot.

I ain't got nothin' my team won't notice missin' and quest ta fix.

[eluvianathema]

... see, I was right. You are very kind.

[she tries to smile, just a little, just to lighten the mood]

[tatsumi_textiles]

H-hey, come on, that ain't what I meant-

[Damn it, Daisy, stop doing that]

[eluvianathema]

It's still true even if you didn't do it on purpose.

[tatsumi_textiles]

Yeah, well-

I'm still takin' this one.

[eluvianathema]

What are you going to offer?

[tatsumi_textiles]

Are we lookin' ta win, or ta just keep you alive?

[eluvianathema]

I don't want either of us to die.

[tatsumi_textiles]

Then we both gotta offer somethin' really important.

[He pauses, then sighs]

Hell if I can think of anythin' that big, though.

[eluvianathema]

You could offer your muscles. You've got a lot of them on you, I think.

[tatsumi_textiles]

Yeah, but there's no way it'd be big enough. I know these people, they're gonna be comin' up with crazy shit.

What're you thinkin'?

[eluvianathema]

...

The only thing I can think of... is my vallaslin. But if you say that's not enough, then that won't be enough either.

[tatsumi_textiles]

I think it's gotta be what's important ta you.

My muscle's are- hell, they're useless here. Ain't like I can fight any of the damn echos, and alla these games are won through smarts, not strength.

[eluvianathema]

My vallaslin connects me to my people, but to everyone here it just looks like a fancy tattoo. What's important to me are... my people... my team... and my memories. But those--I can't give those up... I don't think...

[an idea comes to her; she bites her lip]

What if I gave up a part of my body?

DECISION

[tatsumi_textiles]

Ochre will be giving up his relationship with Peony of Dawon. (8)

Daisy will be giving up her right arm. (8)

If their offer isn't taken, Ochre will be the one getting the axe.

Re: DECISION

[cardless]

[Congratulations! Your offering was ACCEPTED.]

[The words “We must all suffer one of two things: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret or disappointment.” appear on the ground before you in glowing green, bursting into a magic circle which engulfs you both in light. Whatever you chose to sacrifice is gone (unless you stipulated that you would do it yourself, in which case the necessary implements will appear before you), and if it was a body part the circle isn’t kind enough to make it painless, even if it does make sure you don’t bleed out.]

[Once it’s done, a glowing portal appears before you, letting you finally leave the book.]