Blank State - an anti-austria alliance?

[whiterosefoes]

[Sometime during the day, Harriet and Malik approach Kouha with a thinly veiled excuse to check out the infirmary together. As Harriet chats on the way over, Malik is being eerily quiet. He can probably guess they have something on their mind, which is confirmed when Harriet locks the door.]

So anyway. We noticed you were really laying into Austria at the trial. Do you think she's the one who's possessed?

Comments

[bigthings]

[He looks surprised at the question, shrugging.]

Maybe. Either she's lying 'bout how she really felt when whatsherface died, or she's a horrible old witch who really doesn't give a shit about her own family. I ain't trustin' her an inch either way.

[whiterosefoes]

[Harriet nods.]

Whatever way you look at it, she's ice cold. I can't claim to be from a perfect family either, but to act that way is just.... unthinkable to me.

But if she was lying, then she's also dangerous. I don't trust her either, and if my theory about the shape of blame is right, the other two don't seem to match it as well...

[obeytherod]

In other words...

[His gaze darkens.] The chances that she's one of the spirits is higher than any of the others. And yet everyone else seems so content to just let her go.

[bigthings]

Yeah, I'm with ya there. Shit happens during war all the time, I don't think Norway's got anythin' to feel guilty about and I'm not surprised he doesn't. Same with Ace, he was just followin' orders and it's not like he betrayed anyone.

[He plops down on a nearby chair and leans back.] If we're right, then I don't really got anythin' against Austria for lying to protect herself - I woulda done the same thing, and it ain't her fault Youmu just up and confessed. But if the cat's telling the truth, then she's dead anyway so there's no point in trying to spare her.

[obeytherod]

The issue isn't trying to spare her.

[He watches Kouha sit, but doesn't bother moving himself. He prefers to loom.]

It's if we're going to have a second chance at getting rid of her. Obviously the spirits won't kill her off, and if we want to get out of here, we have to kill all of them.

[whiterosefoes]

Right. The way the case is set up, it seems natural to shoot for the culprit of the day. But I'm not sure how else we're meant to take care of the one we missed.

[Harriet will take a seat on the small bed.]

That's why we're hoping to exchange ideas and ally with people who appear to have similar ideas to us. You agree that we shouldn't abstain, and you're also one of the few people we're pretty sure aren't a shadow. If you're interested in joining with us, I think we can work out a strategy to get rid of Austria.