[Game 18] Endgame

[arsgoetia]

It's early morning by the time they tidy up the house and fix the windows—leaving it as neat as they'd entered it, Tristan promises—and head out. Tristan seems to be itching to just get away from the place, though they can't return to the church, and it's now New Year's Day—so they head back across the border to the house in New York. Even Sariel comes along—albeit reluctantly—at Tristan's suggestion.

"To my understanding," Tristan says, "the kid's with Sera right now, which I'm cool with. I was a bit rough on him, so he might be sleeping it off for another little while—and like you all said, he might be a bit freaked out to see a dozen people staring at him. So let's leave him there for now. I can send you all home." He pauses.

"But if you want to come back soon . . . I can bring you back. No agenda necessary. If you don't want to come—well, let me know, and I'll try not to bring you."

Comments

[psychopompous]

I was . . . dishonest with her.

[liarliarliar]

I'm glad.

I don't want her to get him. She...

Would she make him a proper angel?

[psychopompous]

She should.

[liarliarliar]

[pulls his hoodie tighter around himself]

Mmm.

Thank you for lying to her.

I'm selfish so I don't want him to go. Although I don't want you to go either so. Be careful, okay?

[psychopompous]

. . . don't want me to go?

[liarliarliar]

If you get in too much trouble they'll punish you, right?

What would happen if they knew what you did? I imagine it'd be bad.

Even if they just take you away I wouldn't like it.

[psychopompous]

[looks . . . miserable . . .]

[liarliarliar]

Ah I guess that didn't help, did it...

Just this once. What can I do for Sariel?

[psychopompous]

Why do you think there's anything you can do? None of you can—I don't know why I didn't just—

[liarliarliar]

You know why you did. You just hate the answer.

And that's fine. If you can't look that in the face yet I won't try to make you anymore.

I wish there was something I could do for you. But I guess you're right when you said there's nothing. There's not much I can accomplish.

[psychopompous]

You're an idiot.

[liarliarliar]

I know I am.

You know, the last part was a lie. There's some things I can do. But it's not becoming to brag now is it?

Ah, but maybe we could talk about how cool I am! That would lift both our spirits!

[psychopompous]

I'm protecting you because I was asked to.

[liarliarliar]

Maybe.

But I have to believe otherwise or else I'll just die. Because I can't be alone the way you're saying I am.

Everyone I love is gone except Madison. So even if it's just pretending...

I'll pretend for my own sake. Sorry.

[psychopompous]

. . . what are you pretending?

[liarliarliar]

[hops to his feet]

I'm not telling you. It's silly.

You'll just say I'm wrong and I don't want to hear it.

[psychopompous]

[scowls and knocks Kano's feet out from under him]

[reaching out to catch him to cushion his landing]

[liarliarliar]

Ah!

[clings once he's caught, more startled than he'd like to be]

What the hell was that for?!

[psychopompous]

We weren't done talking. Answer my question.

[liarliarliar]

My family is gone now so you're replacing it.

Are we done embarrassing me now?

[psychopompous]

What.

[liarliarliar]

Are you going to laugh at me?

Or just lecture me?

It's okay. I don't need you to want me to pretend. That's why it's pretending.

[psychopompous]

I don't understand. Why do you want that?

[liarliarliar]

Because.... Lots of things! I don't know how to be alone! I need someone!

And if I pretend you look after me because you want to and not because you're told to then I feel like I have a big brother who cares about me! And I'm not as lonely! Do you know how lonely I am?! My family have all been murdered and Madison can't talk to me and I'm not close to anyone here!

So if I can pretend I have something everything is a little easier! And I feel safer in a world that scares me all the damn time! And I have someone who I can depend on and rely on who I love and....!

Trust me I know how stupid this all sounds! And I like you anyway! You stupid chicken! So I can pretend what I like!

[psychopompous]

[STARES AT HIM]