[Traumaprom]

[tatsumi_textiles]

[WE LIVE, WE DIE, WE LIVE AGAIN]

Comments

[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?

[tatsumi_textiles]

That'd work. Heal quests suck, but it wouldn't be that bad, not with yer patron.

[eluvianathema]

[looks down at herself, cringing]

My... arm?

[tatsumi_textiles]

[Already wincing himself]

Yeah, uh- that oughtta do it.

[eluvianathema]

Okay. Then, that's--that'll be what I'll offer.

[tatsumi_textiles]

[Hesitating]

Look, you really don't gotta, I've died before, I can do it again.

[eluvianathema]

I'd rather lose an arm than live with someone else dying for me.