The message comes by carrier pigeon actually, which is a pretty weird way to deliver a message but of course, it's thematic. A very pretty looking brown pigeon swoops down out of the sky to wherever you just so happen to be that afternoon and holds out its leg. The message is short and simple:
You've been picked. Head to the Church this evening so we can talk.
- Hal
P.S. Might wanna burn the note. Ain't gonna help you any to share it.
And that's it. Of course, if you choose to listen to the message, you'll find the Sheriff sitting in the front pew at dusk. You'll be greeted with a tip of his hat and one word:
"Bandit."
And then he holds out a small notebook. Looks like you've been chosen to be the killer this week. Good luck.
The notebook only contains a few short rules as follows:
You are a Bandit. Your partner is also a Bandit. The two of you have been chosen to kill one of the townsfolk this week.
If you kill and get away with your kill, you will be rewarded.
If your partner kills and you help them to get away with it during the trial, you will be rewarded.
The one who kills may not reveal their victim to the other Bandit. You must tell me privately who your target is.
If one of you refuses to participate, neither of you will be rewarded.
If both of you refuse to participate, you will both be killed.
Both of you are allowed to kill.
You are allowed to kill each other instead.
You may not tell anyone you were here tonight or you will be killed.
[While being picked couldn't mean anything good, he's still clearly unhappy as he reads through the notebook. He holds it up, as if he's pointing something out.]
You can't expect us to agree to this.
[And Ezio looks to his fellow bandit for some back-up because come on?]
I don't agree with this either... but I don't think it matters if we don't meet those expectations.
[ They'll end up dead, otherwise. Unfortunate luck, as fate would have it. Higekiri is tilting his head to read the rules again, before frowning. He's as happy as you are about this, Mister Auditore, but he's also... grimly accepting. ]
[ The Sheriff glances between the both of them and to Ezio: ]
Yeah, I can.
[ And to Higekiri: ]
'Cause I thought it'd be interesting if y'all went next. You can ask me any questions you got, but you're gonna have to do this eventually. Might as well start deciding between the two of you who's gonna go.
[If they don't meet the expectations? They have no idea if he's telling the truth, considering no one's tried otherwise. Ezio scowls, but swallows the string of curse words he'd rather say.]
I'm not "going" or whatever it is you call this. I won't be an accomplice either.
For a person who expertly slit a girl's throat with a knife hidden in your wrist, you have strong morals. It's commendable... I say that as a living weapon who's seen a lot of bloodshed in my life.
[ He's not trying to sound insulting, his voice is gentle as always. Unfortunately, he's... practical about it. Assassin he is not, but he's here believing those rules to the letter. He turns to Hal, with another question. ]
If we both refuse, would you just find someone else to carry this out? Or would our corpses be a part of another cruel trial where an innocent will definitely die with us?
You gonna deprive this guy of his reward just cause you don't wanna help? You ain't gotta do anything with the kill, that's his job. You just gotta not hinder and possibly help him at the trial. [ Gesturing to Higekiri then. ] What would you ask for a reward? You'll be granted anything, even the impossible. So, tell him what he's gonna deprive you of.
[ And to answer Higekiri's question. ]
There's a role specifically to kill you if you refuse.
You know how to take a life. [ A kill is a kill. They have their reasoning and contexts... Hell, Tiara had one and she broke many hearts that way... but. ]
However, I won't ask you to do it. We are strangers to each other, stuck with a horrible role. Instead, I ask that you accept me "going" with this. I'm... interested in this reward.
[ He turns to the Sheriff, with a very serious expression. ]
Hal. [ Well, he remembered a name. It's one syllable, so it's easy. ] Can you seriously grant me anything I want as a reward? I may be more willing, but I've lived for centuries to know empty promises. You're just a sheriff. Or something else, playing the role of one. What gives you that power?
[ For the moment, he ignores Ezio because that's an argument he cannot have right now. Instead he focuses on Higekiri and then gives a short nod in response to his question. ]
I'm mechanical, a robot. Something metal given life. The power to grant your reward ain't come from me but I'm a vehicle for it's distribution. My employers need you to play. In turn, they reward ya for your participation. What you want the very most, you may have. If you participate.
[ He pauses, considers. ]
I doubt you'd want this, but if you want to be human, fully, that is something I can grant. I can also bring back the dead. To put example to the, er, metaphysicality of my rewards.
[ Wherever that bandit notebook is, if Ezio still had or he put it down to argue against this ordeal, Higekiri's going to take it gently and read it over once more. Just to make sure he gets what it's asking... or demanding of them. He wants to argue with Ezio about this, but with the Sheriff going straight for him, because he's asking these rewards like he'd consider them... he should probably answer. ]
I do not want to be human. What I want...
[ He takes a deep breath. ]
There's a young man that was betrayed by my family, and his life is in a frail state. He doesn't like me very much, but he adores my brother. If he has a long and happy life, then I'm sure my brother will be happy too. They deserve it.
I believe you, all things considered. If you can bring back the dead, then you can probably prevent a life from easily disappearing.
[ The Sheriff just gives a sure nod to Higekiri in response to that. ]
Consider it done if you do this, Mister.
[ And then back to Ezio, the problem child. ]
Rewards are usually what I'd prefer to give out but I could also make it so when you go home, you are the only person left alive in your universe. I've done it before for those who ain't fond of cooperating and ain't scared of death. Would you be okay with that fate in exchange for this moment of pettiness?
[Both responses cause him to go silent for a moment. His partner's request is not selfish, but he's not fully convinced until the sheriff speaks. There's a horror in being the only person alive on a planet, but that would mean his mother, Claudia, Mario, Leonardo, Cristina... everyone would be gone from his life. A part of him still doesn't believe the sheriff, but can he risk their lives on a feeling?]
I... Fine. I understand. But [He looks to Higekiri] I will handle it. You are right in that I am experienced in such things. I am an assassin, after all. However, [and now he looks to the sheriff] can you tell us if any of those among us are truly deserving of such a fate? There must be some who are guiltier than others considering some of the reactions at the execution...
[ Higekiri is surprised at the threat of sorts made at Ezio, but even more at his compliance and taking up the deed himself. To show his appreciation, fully and earnestly, he bows to the ground. ]
Ah... Thank you.
[ He doesn't have a lot of wants, because he knows from the years there are things that are not very possible. It's close and yet so far with this, but close enough. He picks himself up to hear the sheriff and what he has to say. ]
Whether or not we can know that, I trust your judgement, sir. I am curious too. Those wanted posters say we all have crimes, but they very in transparency.
[ But of course, he's happy to give in to this demand. He considers, thinking about it heavily. After a few moments -- ]
I got one. Manfred von Karma. Cruel man, has the death penalty back home anyway for his crimes, and isn't participating in this game. Doesn't deserve a place here if he isn't going to participate. Doesn't deserve to have his secrets kept. Will he do? I can suggest others, if you need it.
[ Right... This is like before. Higekiri nods, with a faint smile but understanding why he doesn't feel well about this.
That does sound like a horrid man, though. Well... perhaps it's something, or specifically, a target he's more comfortable to take down. Now, it's his job to make sure that Ezio does not get caught. ]
I got nothing. If you need any weapons, just ask. S'up to you two to do what you gotta. I can't help you with the murder other than supplying ya and letting you get to it.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sheriffexe) wrote2017-01-13 11:15 am
no subject
You can't expect us to agree to this.
[And Ezio looks to his fellow bandit for some back-up because come on?]
no subject
[ They'll end up dead, otherwise. Unfortunate luck, as fate would have it. Higekiri is tilting his head to read the rules again, before frowning. He's as happy as you are about this, Mister Auditore, but he's also... grimly accepting. ]
Why did you pick us, specifically?
no subject
Yeah, I can.
[ And to Higekiri: ]
'Cause I thought it'd be interesting if y'all went next. You can ask me any questions you got, but you're gonna have to do this eventually. Might as well start deciding between the two of you who's gonna go.
no subject
I'm not "going" or whatever it is you call this. I won't be an accomplice either.
no subject
[ He's not trying to sound insulting, his voice is gentle as always. Unfortunately, he's... practical about it. Assassin he is not, but he's here believing those rules to the letter. He turns to Hal, with another question. ]
If we both refuse, would you just find someone else to carry this out? Or would our corpses be a part of another cruel trial where an innocent will definitely die with us?
no subject
You gonna deprive this guy of his reward just cause you don't wanna help? You ain't gotta do anything with the kill, that's his job. You just gotta not hinder and possibly help him at the trial. [ Gesturing to Higekiri then. ] What would you ask for a reward? You'll be granted anything, even the impossible. So, tell him what he's gonna deprive you of.
[ And to answer Higekiri's question. ]
There's a role specifically to kill you if you refuse.
[ Very matter of fact there. ]
no subject
[And every other time was different too. He sighs.]
There is no reward in killing an innocent. I will not sit by and allow that to happen, especially after what we witnessed.
Fine. Then send them after me. They can try.
no subject
However, I won't ask you to do it. We are strangers to each other, stuck with a horrible role. Instead, I ask that you accept me "going" with this. I'm... interested in this reward.
[ He turns to the Sheriff, with a very serious expression. ]
Hal. [ Well, he remembered a name. It's one syllable, so it's easy. ] Can you seriously grant me anything I want as a reward? I may be more willing, but I've lived for centuries to know empty promises. You're just a sheriff. Or something else, playing the role of one. What gives you that power?
no subject
I'm mechanical, a robot. Something metal given life. The power to grant your reward ain't come from me but I'm a vehicle for it's distribution. My employers need you to play. In turn, they reward ya for your participation. What you want the very most, you may have. If you participate.
[ He pauses, considers. ]
I doubt you'd want this, but if you want to be human, fully, that is something I can grant. I can also bring back the dead. To put example to the, er, metaphysicality of my rewards.
no subject
I cannot accept that. Regardless of this... reward, for your sake or mine. I'm not interested in any of that... If I die, so be it.
no subject
I do not want to be human. What I want...
[ He takes a deep breath. ]
There's a young man that was betrayed by my family, and his life is in a frail state. He doesn't like me very much, but he adores my brother. If he has a long and happy life, then I'm sure my brother will be happy too. They deserve it.
I believe you, all things considered. If you can bring back the dead, then you can probably prevent a life from easily disappearing.
no subject
Consider it done if you do this, Mister.
[ And then back to Ezio, the problem child. ]
Rewards are usually what I'd prefer to give out but I could also make it so when you go home, you are the only person left alive in your universe. I've done it before for those who ain't fond of cooperating and ain't scared of death. Would you be okay with that fate in exchange for this moment of pettiness?
no subject
I... Fine. I understand. But [He looks to Higekiri] I will handle it. You are right in that I am experienced in such things. I am an assassin, after all. However, [and now he looks to the sheriff] can you tell us if any of those among us are truly deserving of such a fate? There must be some who are guiltier than others considering some of the reactions at the execution...
no subject
Ah... Thank you.
[ He doesn't have a lot of wants, because he knows from the years there are things that are not very possible. It's close and yet so far with this, but close enough. He picks himself up to hear the sheriff and what he has to say. ]
Whether or not we can know that, I trust your judgement, sir. I am curious too. Those wanted posters say we all have crimes, but they very in transparency.
no subject
There you go. Knew you'd come around.
[ But of course, he's happy to give in to this demand. He considers, thinking about it heavily. After a few moments -- ]
I got one. Manfred von Karma. Cruel man, has the death penalty back home anyway for his crimes, and isn't participating in this game. Doesn't deserve a place here if he isn't going to participate. Doesn't deserve to have his secrets kept. Will he do? I can suggest others, if you need it.
no subject
Don't thank me. Not for this, and especially not yet.
[He sighs, as he's used to receiving more detailed information and reasons for why he's doing something- but... it'll have to do.]
That's fine. Is there anything else?
no subject
That does sound like a horrid man, though. Well... perhaps it's something, or specifically, a target he's more comfortable to take down. Now, it's his job to make sure that Ezio does not get caught. ]
...I don't have anything more to ask.
no subject
I got nothing. If you need any weapons, just ask. S'up to you two to do what you gotta. I can't help you with the murder other than supplying ya and letting you get to it.
no subject
[It's only one old man, otherwise he might ask for more of his weapons. But there's really no point now.]
That's it, then.