Viewing Party 2 - R3: THE RE-CRY-ENING

[misanthropicprinciple]

We got castmates. We got clues. We got crap to bitch about. They get a library? And a LAUNDRY MACHINE?

Welcome, murderfam... TO THE R3 LIVEWATCH.

Comments

[scourgingstars]

I was trying to avoid saying 'I'm the only person that he's killed', but if we're just being straightforward then his actual body count to my knowledge is a staggering 'one'.

[Ardyn paused, thinking for a second or two before muttering to himself:]

...Ravus more than likely didn't count. I think that was more on my hands than theirs.

[misanthropicprinciple]

All right. Because... for those who haven't had to before, having to vote to execute someone, even if it's to save their own skins... that's tough.

[See: Just about every vote in R2.]

Don't know if what you did to him really speaks to the same moral quandary.

[scourgingstars]

...

['You could still get to the Crystal...if you went on your own. Your friends will have to stay behind. You'd better think fast--I don't envy you your decision.']

[Forced to abandon his own would-be Kingsglaive in fight alone against tremendous odds, for the sake of a chance at living and defeating the larger threat. What was the difference between that and the executions they'd voted towards in the name of surviving? So that they could live long enough to seek vengeance against those that orchestrated this in the first place?]

Closer than you think.

[Ardyn didn't dare meet Junpei's eyes when he answered.]

[misanthropicprinciple]

[Junpei's quiet again, watching Ardyn's face rather than the screen. Eventually, he nods and looks ahead again.]

Then maybe he'll be able to help the ones who haven't had to make that choice yet.

[Like Finn. Like Queenie. Like everyone who had to have someone else step in for the vote at that first trial.]

[scourgingstars]

...He's stronger than he looks.

[Because Ardyn forced him to be that way, through fire and crushing blow after blow as one forged a blade from steel--with unending bloodshed, suffering, and death after death fueling the flames.]

Even if he can't remember it yet. Noctis became a better leader than I ever would have bee; once he starts catching up with himself, he'll look after the others.

[misanthropicprinciple]

I believe that much. About him being stronger than he looks.

[If Junpei's the one who reminds Ardyn of Noctis, then Junpei has no doubt they have more in common than a thread of what Ardyn considers 'mercy.' Regardless, he nudges Ardyn gently with his elbow.]

But maybe you just weren't born into the right people for you to lead.

[They all wear it, now. The symbol of the Kingsglaive.]

[scourgingstars]

...Maybe not. [He gave Junpei a shaky smile, hand raised to the black sigil at the back of his own neck.]

He'll find his footing and handle however many of the rest he can until we determine what to do. Somehow.

[misanthropicprinciple]

[He sighs and stops slouching in his seat to type some more notes into his computer.]

No exterior shots this time, so we can't try to triangulate their location like last season's crew did with us. We'll have to look for some other kind of clue... like if their Overseer's a celebrity, we might be able to follow his trail somehow.

[scourgingstars]

Right. That's something I might not have considered, but it's an excellent idea. This early on, I expect our courses of potential action will be as limited as our information.

[misanthropicprinciple]

And I'll keep looking for leaks. God, I just--why are all the actual experienced detectives locked up in TV space jail right now? God damn fucking inconsiderate.

[scourgingstars]

We'll manage. I may not be a detective, but I do have the occasional moments of utter genius.