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[transponders]

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✉️ text — un: silco.

[powerhungry]

Devon. Do you want him out?

[transponders]

I wouldn't be outing myself and playing games with that Saber punk if I wasn't sure.

So, yes. I do.

[powerhungry]

Good. Then, for the sake of saving us both time, I hope you'll forgive me for skipping past any further pleasantries.

I have something you want, and you have something I want. I have the ear of some of the louder players in the game. You can have my vote, and my influence in driving their attention away from your girls, if I may make a suggestion — merely a suggestion, to be followed at your discretion — as to a direction in which to corral their votes next round.

[transponders]

I'm a simple woman, Silco. I just want my girls safe. You put votes on Devon, I'll put myself up next round.

But hopefully your idea is smarter.

[powerhungry]

Somehow, Miss Quigley, I very much doubt that "simple" is the word best suited to describe you. But we're in accord. My vote is yours, and I'll see what I can do as to more.

[transponders]

Thank you. If this works, I'll owe you.

[powerhungry]

[ Later, after choosing to restart this conversation on the least drastic note possible: ]

For what it's worth, I did appeal your case to those I consider allies.
I hope I don't have to explain what my solitary vote means for you.

[ i.e. that she isn't well-trusted by the people whose votes he'd intended to pull. ]

[transponders]

[ She can pick up what he’s putting down. It’s no great offense. She’s used to not being trusted. She can lie, she can tell the truth, she can fight, or she can lay down – it doesn’t matter. Misty fucking Quigley will always be worth second guessing. She was on the outside long before that plane hit the forest floor. ]

What’s your angle? If your people didn’t buy it, they can’t be impressed with you throwing your lot in with us.

[powerhungry]

Not unless some form of our agreement still stands. Whether or not a wolf hides in your flock, after this vote, at least four other wolves will remain. Four other directions in which to look.

[transponders]

I’ll still be willing to hear you out. There’s too many variables to make you a promise right now.

[ What violence next round brings, against who, where the uneven sands of public opinion shift. ]

But I'll tell you this. If we all wake up Saturday morning, we’ll be laying as low as the mob will let us. We don’t need to lead another charge.

[powerhungry]

[ Theoretically, he does think that the promise to lay low would be enough to bring back, but alas, things have already gotten a little more complicated. ]

I already know of some who mean to come after you in retribution for the accusations made last round. They're laying bait. Don't take it.

I can give you the name of someone my would-be compatriots already suspect, not among your number, and a guarantee of my best efforts to direct their attention elsewhere.

Give me your assurance the girls will keep their heads down so long as a specific accusation isn't made, and if you cannot give me a guarantee of your vote, I still need something more to take back. Is there anything you know that you'd be willing to share?

[transponders]

I'll talk to them. Some are more volatile than others, but I'll do what I can. Got any names? It'll help convince them.

I need the reasoning, too. And like I said - we don't need to lead another charge. We can hop onto yours. We can even use my question to confirm.

I can promise our votes, unless one of the girls is hurt. Then we're going after whoever did it.

[powerhungry]

[ He reads her message once, twice, barely taking in all of the words each time. This is as good a deal as he's going to get. The issue is he already knows what threatens to scupper it. ]

Thank you.

August Moreau. The apparent suicide pact he made with Buffy drew attention away from him in this vote, but the reasoning she put forth is all true. He is suspected by several I've spoken to, and by himself — it won't be difficult to sway votes in his direction next round unless the evidence changes drastically.

I know this may contradict your own accusation, as he is primarily suspected in Castiel's death, but on that same token, I'm afraid your ability is in doubt. If you have some way to prove yourself, I would suggest finding it.

I'll send you other names as they come up.

[ Beat. He can't not reveal this card. ]

I only know of one person who might physically harm any of the girls. If any of your number are targeted by a girl with blue hair, let me take care of it.

[transponders]

I'll bring it their way.

I can't prove himself until the next round. I guess I'll have to ask better questions.

Jinx. No point in leaving out her name if she's the only blue haired girl here.

[powerhungry]

[ deep sigh ]

Yes, Jinx. If she causes you and yours trouble, I'll take full responsibility.

As for the rest, I'll consider the deal done.

what, like, 1 hour later?

[transponders]

She's already threatening to "take us all out". She's texting Shauna.

[powerhungry]

She wants an excuse to take a swing. Don't give it to her.

[transponders]

You're trying to keep one teenage girl under control. I'm working with five.

FIVE!

[powerhungry]

And all five screamed their way through the last round, as Jinx is doing now.

I said I would take responsibility if she causes trouble — let me be more specific: If she takes direct, physical action, I will bear whatever repercussions you see fit for it. I don't care about her text messages.

[transponders]

That's not what handling it means. I don't care if you spank her after she blows up their hut, I want it not blown up in the first place.

[powerhungry]

I'll put things more clearly.

I warned you she would try to provoke the girls, and I said I would take whatever punishment you see fit in her place, if it becomes necessary, not that I would keep her from acting.
I said so to make you aware of her intentions, and because she's a teenage girl. She won't listen to her father. I can't reason with her. I could at least warn you.
You care for those girls. I care for Jinx. She intends to fall. The best I can do is throw myself on whatever sword she tries to fall on.

And, to be even clearer, this sidebar wasn't a part of our deal.

[transponders]

She intends to fall? Meaning what, she has a death wish?

[powerhungry]

[ aha. well.

He's already said too much, trying to keep hold of ropes that are fraying in his hands, and he's already made himself too vulnerable to someone like Misty by admitting that he cares at all. ]

I told you: she's trying to make trouble.

[transponders]

Thanks for the heads up.