[Makoto is, in fact, sitting next to Haru. She makes sure their shoulders are touching just a little, so that Haru doesn't forget that she isn't alone. Besides this, she looks calm--except for her eyes, which are steely, and her lips, which are thin.]
I agree that it isn't a question of fault, but unfortunately I think we all know that Akechi won't see it that way. I think it's fair to say as well that he won't pick and choose who between us to blame. If one of us shares information, his paranoia towards all of us will increase. He's always seen it as all of us against him.
That being said, the longer we wait to tell him, the more deceptive we'll seem, the harder he'll take it. And he will find out. This is a small ship with a very small number of people on it--not that it matters. Even in a city, he can dig up anyone's secrets. It would be a mistake to forget how highly competent he is.
As to your question, Hinata. [And here Makoto looks at Hajime, expression severe.] Do you really want to take the risk? Is there anyone here who wants to take the risk?
[For the most part, Ryuji's been conspicuously quiet during the bulk of the meeting so far. Even if Haru stepped up to co-share some of the blame, and even if Makoto had said that it wasn't the point to play faults or push an agenda towards culpability, Ryuji still feels entirely too responsible for the new kid in the room.
And he hasn't done an analysis of Akechi anywhere near Makoto has either. He can only assume the very plain, obvious path of resultant action that's going to come when he finds out what happened. He's going to retract farther than he was before. But it's also wrong to deceive him. As dumb as Ryuji could be at times, his sense of morality still guides him true north in the compass direction of his heart.
Eventually he makes eye contact with Hinata.]
I know we're asking a lot outta you, man. I got you dragged into this shit, and all, but. Makoto's right, here. It's kinda a big thing. Shit, you could sneeze in Akechi's direction and he'd probably think you're conspirin' against him.
Hajime's not exactly close to Goro; he'd thought the other boy was kind of cool, in a 'wow, he's obviously talented' kind of way. But that was all, just a vague admiration from afar. Even if Goro had said he'd trusted him, was that just a lie...? It's one thing to say it, and foist off Rogue's body on him in the infirmary. But he's realizing he doesn't know anything about Goro. Hell, he feels like he hardly knows anything about anyone in this room anymore, and it's hard not to shrink in on himself and get defensive.]
What are you guys afraid he's going to do when he finds out that I know? [he asks instead, crossing his arms and making a conscious effort not to hunch his shoulders.]
[It's impossible to miss how Makoto's gaze shifts instantly to Ren. The truth of the matter is, she doesn't want to tell Hinata--not because she doesn't trust him, but because the risk is too great. They've already disclosed enough information about Akechi, and this is so personal.]
[But she recognizes that she can be cold. She does. And she sees that there are good reasons to tell the truth as well. She just . . . needs someone else's opinion, someone else's clarity.]
. . . I worry, [she says after a quiet moment,] that that isn't ours to tell. Ren?
[ Yeah, this would be his fault for being adamant. The other Thieves mostly agree, but with how close Ren is to it, how Akechi exists as an almost perfect photo negative of his circumstances as a Wild Card through no fault of either, maybe it wouldn't fly to say "It's my responsibility" and refuse to offer any other explanations to an outsider.
Ren's gaze shifts to Makoto in acknowledgement, very much collected as he looks back to Hajime and leans against the wall. ]
It isn't. That's not out of being obstinate, but I want to respect Akechi's wishes given they've already been overstepped.
What I will say is that he's not a killer because he wants to be. He's had a hard life and he was forced to make choices that shouldn't be put to kids our age. Younger. He's been hurt and been forced to hurt people just to survive.
[ His chin drops, fingers itching inside his jumpsuit pockets like they want to soothe his own agitation. ]
And we had to put a stop to it. The kind of punishment he deserves for what he's done can't be doled out by us or this place. But that doesn't mean we don't sympathize with his story or don't want to help heal what we can. All I can say is he's not a danger to anyone here. He deserves to rest.
[There's a weak point in that argument. He can almost see it, gaze flicking back and forth between Ren and... Makoto, right? He's only seen her in passing, so he can't be sure.]
So... you have to tell him I know, but you can't tell me what he'll do when he does know. Just that we have to tell him before he finds out for himself.
[He holds out a hand, offering this like it's something physical that can be taken apart piece by piece.]
I mean... you guys get that doesn't make sense, right? You can't have it both ways. Either we tell him, and I find out, or we don't tell him, and... he still finds out, and then I find out anyway.
[Makoto nods. It isn't that she doesn't understand the point here, or the gap in logic. It bothers her a lot. The straightforward thing to do is to bring everything out into the open right now--the Gordian knot solution. Once upon a time, that's the solution Makoto Niijima would have taken.]
[Not anymore.]
The means matter in this case. Look at it the other way around: either way, you find out. Like Ren said, he isn't a danger to you.
[ At this Ren's a little ticked, but it isn't like he doesn't understand the frustration. Even so the outburst seems to have a minor impact and for a few moments Ren appears to look inward, evaluating. Is withholding information, honorable though his intentions may be, equal or fair when it comes to Hajime?
Makoto's reluctant backup is appreciated but Ren can tell she's not crazy about not being clear, and Ryuji doesn't have room for half-truths in him. Akechi already hates them. The temptation is to simply make this easier on everyone and gain an ally along the way.
Ren stares hard at Hajime. ]
He's not a danger to you because he only ever killed in service of taking down a powerful politician that also happened to be his piece of shit, abandoning dad.
You don't have anything to do with him? Good. You're off his radar.
[That's not what I was asking... I'm not expecting him to kill me.
He sighs through his nose, runs a hand through his hair, and shakes his head. Makoto's right; he'll find out one way or another. It doesn't make much of a difference if it's now, where he has time to both prepare and dwell over it, or this hypothetical later.]
Okay, so we've established he's not going to hurt me, and he's not a danger to anyone on this station.
[When it comes down to it, though, he only has Ren's and the other Thieves' side of the story. He needs to hear what Goro has to say for himself about murder before he can really justify it to himself, especially when one of the victims was someone Haru cared about.]
If you really think it's better to tell him... I'd like to talk to him, too. I don't want to make things worse, I just... want to understand.
[He's trying not to, but he's glancing sideways to Ryuji, hoping for some kind of support. Even something nonverbal, just so he knows he's not making too much of an ass of himself.]
[yusuke's just going to dive headfirst into what everyone seems to be dancing around]
Akechi isn't a danger to anyone save himself. And we would like for him to trust us, but by revealing to you his past actions, we've likely severed any possibility of that happening. That, unfortunately, is inevitable. But just because he doesn't trust us doesn't mean he has to distrust you, Hinata. This was our mistake.
[yusuke glances at ryuji, and then ren. and then back to hinata]
I imagine Akechi will not be quick to speak candidly on the matter, but please, reach out to him regardless. Try not to pass judgment on him until you truly understand. Our hands are obviously tied.
[He hates the way this is going, and it's extremely hard to sit there and watch Hinata get grilled in front of his friends like this. Choices are choices, and taking responsibility for them is one thing, but in the end, they honestly had no say over whether or not Hinata would go to Akechi and tell him what he already knows. Ryuji made him promise not to say anything, but even if he did break that, he wouldn't hold it against him. It's not his place to do that to begin with, and slowly, as Yusuke starts staring between him and Ren, he walks over to Hinata, and squeezes his shoulder lightly.]
He ain't gonna do shit to any of us, and he ain't gonna do shit to you, either, Hajime. Yusuke's right, we're tiptoeing around the thing that nobody wants to say. It's uh. It's definitely more a fear of what he's gonna do to himself.
[He wasn't stable, that much was for sure.
But there's another thing bugging him out of all of this.]
And Hajime has every right to join in the conversation if that's what he wants. And if we wants to join up with us goin' forward, I don't see why he can't be one of us, either, y'know? All of us joined up together through finding out the truth one way or another. I mean, shit. Makoto was stalkin' us and... uh, sure, it was kinda my lame ass big mouth that spoiled it, but still. Just 'cause we're in goddamn space doesn't mean we stop bein' who we are or what we're supposed to do.
Think about it, y'know? We're supposed to make life better for people, even if it costs us our own happiness. Akechi's not excluded from that either!
[His head reels back to the conversation he had with Ren about the possibility of Akechi having a palace. It feels right, and Ryuji runs on feelings and hunches. They wouldn't have even started up as thieves if it weren't for that mentality.]
[Immediately Makoto's demeanor totally changes. Crossing her arms over her chest, she narrows her eyes at Ryuji and shifts from Serious Makoto to Kvetching Makoto.]
I never said he didn't have a right to join in the conversation! There are just a lot of factors to consider! You don't have to bring me into it.
[Don't spill her embarrassing stalking secrets.......]
[Oh god oh god oh god what is he doing? He feels that wrath coming from Makoto's direction and his hand comes off of Hajime's shoulder as he backs up a step or two, scratching the back of his head.]
I... Uh...
[Well it's not like Makoto was HACKING THEM to find out more deets about their misadventures. He could probably mention Futaba in the mix of this, but that??? Doesn't seem like it would make anything better, so he'll just.
[Ryuji's hand on his shoulder eases some of the tension that had been building in his frame, the hands that had been clutching his opposite arms relaxing their grip. It does kind of make him feel better that it sounds like Makoto ended up in this position more or less the way he did, though, by prying. Just hers was a bit more, uh, intentional than his was.
--And then, just as quickly, Ryuji's retreating again, and Hajime's face lapses into an all-too-familiar expression whenever Ryuji's involved as he glances behind him.]
Uh, nowhere. Just kinda. Thinkin' about... [Shit, claim something cool or funny, do something to get the spotlight off of him.] Y'know, that time after you joined up and we were studyin' for exams, and I said that English would never matter since we were never going to use it, and then we wound up in Hawaii. Please don't come after me, I didn't do nothin' wrong.
[Ryuji, she loves you, but you are as transparent as glass. In a way, though, she's starting to realize she's glad for the interruption, embarrassing as it is. She could feel them all winding up tighter and tighter, herself especially; with the spotlight on someone besides Hinata, there's a moment for everyone to breathe. Even if it's at her expense.]
[She narrows her eyes at Ryuji, letting him know in no uncertain terms without saying a word that she will Get Him later, which may or may not be true. But then she relaxes again, resting her shoulder against Haru's and nodding slightly.]
[He looks over at Hinata when she asks that question, and instinctively, he already knows it's a pretty straightforward answer. Ryuji doesn't really trust a lot of people- they all probably don't, really, after they've been burned so many times over and over again. But he scratches the back of his head and nods.]
Yeah!!! I mean, he's a good guy, and he has a good heart. He--- oh. You were askin' Haru weren't you.
[Okay, he'll just... calm the hell down a bit and not interrupt for a little while.]
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no subject
I agree that it isn't a question of fault, but unfortunately I think we all know that Akechi won't see it that way. I think it's fair to say as well that he won't pick and choose who between us to blame. If one of us shares information, his paranoia towards all of us will increase. He's always seen it as all of us against him.
That being said, the longer we wait to tell him, the more deceptive we'll seem, the harder he'll take it. And he will find out. This is a small ship with a very small number of people on it--not that it matters. Even in a city, he can dig up anyone's secrets. It would be a mistake to forget how highly competent he is.
As to your question, Hinata. [And here Makoto looks at Hajime, expression severe.] Do you really want to take the risk? Is there anyone here who wants to take the risk?
no subject
And he hasn't done an analysis of Akechi anywhere near Makoto has either. He can only assume the very plain, obvious path of resultant action that's going to come when he finds out what happened. He's going to retract farther than he was before. But it's also wrong to deceive him. As dumb as Ryuji could be at times, his sense of morality still guides him true north in the compass direction of his heart.
Eventually he makes eye contact with Hinata.]
I know we're asking a lot outta you, man. I got you dragged into this shit, and all, but. Makoto's right, here. It's kinda a big thing. Shit, you could sneeze in Akechi's direction and he'd probably think you're conspirin' against him.
no subject
Hajime's not exactly close to Goro; he'd thought the other boy was kind of cool, in a 'wow, he's obviously talented' kind of way. But that was all, just a vague admiration from afar. Even if Goro had said he'd trusted him, was that just a lie...? It's one thing to say it, and foist off Rogue's body on him in the infirmary. But he's realizing he doesn't know anything about Goro. Hell, he feels like he hardly knows anything about anyone in this room anymore, and it's hard not to shrink in on himself and get defensive.]
What are you guys afraid he's going to do when he finds out that I know? [he asks instead, crossing his arms and making a conscious effort not to hunch his shoulders.]
no subject
[But she recognizes that she can be cold. She does. And she sees that there are good reasons to tell the truth as well. She just . . . needs someone else's opinion, someone else's clarity.]
. . . I worry, [she says after a quiet moment,] that that isn't ours to tell. Ren?
no subject
Ren's gaze shifts to Makoto in acknowledgement, very much collected as he looks back to Hajime and leans against the wall. ]
It isn't. That's not out of being obstinate, but I want to respect Akechi's wishes given they've already been overstepped.
What I will say is that he's not a killer because he wants to be. He's had a hard life and he was forced to make choices that shouldn't be put to kids our age. Younger. He's been hurt and been forced to hurt people just to survive.
[ His chin drops, fingers itching inside his jumpsuit pockets like they want to soothe his own agitation. ]
And we had to put a stop to it. The kind of punishment he deserves for what he's done can't be doled out by us or this place. But that doesn't mean we don't sympathize with his story or don't want to help heal what we can. All I can say is he's not a danger to anyone here. He deserves to rest.
no subject
So... you have to tell him I know, but you can't tell me what he'll do when he does know. Just that we have to tell him before he finds out for himself.
[He holds out a hand, offering this like it's something physical that can be taken apart piece by piece.]
I mean... you guys get that doesn't make sense, right? You can't have it both ways. Either we tell him, and I find out, or we don't tell him, and... he still finds out, and then I find out anyway.
no subject
[Makoto nods. It isn't that she doesn't understand the point here, or the gap in logic. It bothers her a lot. The straightforward thing to do is to bring everything out into the open right now--the Gordian knot solution. Once upon a time, that's the solution Makoto Niijima would have taken.]
[Not anymore.]
The means matter in this case. Look at it the other way around: either way, you find out. Like Ren said, he isn't a danger to you.
no subject
Makoto's reluctant backup is appreciated but Ren can tell she's not crazy about not being clear, and Ryuji doesn't have room for half-truths in him. Akechi already hates them. The temptation is to simply make this easier on everyone and gain an ally along the way.
Ren stares hard at Hajime. ]
He's not a danger to you because he only ever killed in service of taking down a powerful politician that also happened to be his piece of shit, abandoning dad.
You don't have anything to do with him? Good. You're off his radar.
no subject
He sighs through his nose, runs a hand through his hair, and shakes his head. Makoto's right; he'll find out one way or another. It doesn't make much of a difference if it's now, where he has time to both prepare and dwell over it, or this hypothetical later.]
Okay, so we've established he's not going to hurt me, and he's not a danger to anyone on this station.
[When it comes down to it, though, he only has Ren's and the other Thieves' side of the story. He needs to hear what Goro has to say for himself about murder before he can really justify it to himself, especially when one of the victims was someone Haru cared about.]
If you really think it's better to tell him... I'd like to talk to him, too. I don't want to make things worse, I just... want to understand.
[He's trying not to, but he's glancing sideways to Ryuji, hoping for some kind of support. Even something nonverbal, just so he knows he's not making too much of an ass of himself.]
no subject
Akechi isn't a danger to anyone save himself. And we would like for him to trust us, but by revealing to you his past actions, we've likely severed any possibility of that happening. That, unfortunately, is inevitable. But just because he doesn't trust us doesn't mean he has to distrust you, Hinata. This was our mistake.
[yusuke glances at ryuji, and then ren. and then back to hinata]
I imagine Akechi will not be quick to speak candidly on the matter, but please, reach out to him regardless. Try not to pass judgment on him until you truly understand. Our hands are obviously tied.
no subject
He ain't gonna do shit to any of us, and he ain't gonna do shit to you, either, Hajime. Yusuke's right, we're tiptoeing around the thing that nobody wants to say. It's uh. It's definitely more a fear of what he's gonna do to himself.
[He wasn't stable, that much was for sure.
But there's another thing bugging him out of all of this.]
And Hajime has every right to join in the conversation if that's what he wants. And if we wants to join up with us goin' forward, I don't see why he can't be one of us, either, y'know? All of us joined up together through finding out the truth one way or another. I mean, shit. Makoto was stalkin' us and... uh, sure, it was kinda my lame ass big mouth that spoiled it, but still. Just 'cause we're in goddamn space doesn't mean we stop bein' who we are or what we're supposed to do.
Think about it, y'know? We're supposed to make life better for people, even if it costs us our own happiness. Akechi's not excluded from that either!
[His head reels back to the conversation he had with Ren about the possibility of Akechi having a palace. It feels right, and Ryuji runs on feelings and hunches. They wouldn't have even started up as thieves if it weren't for that mentality.]
no subject
[Immediately Makoto's demeanor totally changes. Crossing her arms over her chest, she narrows her eyes at Ryuji and shifts from Serious Makoto to Kvetching Makoto.]
I never said he didn't have a right to join in the conversation! There are just a lot of factors to consider! You don't have to bring me into it.
[Don't spill her embarrassing stalking secrets.......]
no subject
I... Uh...
[Well it's not like Makoto was HACKING THEM to find out more deets about their misadventures. He could probably mention Futaba in the mix of this, but that??? Doesn't seem like it would make anything better, so he'll just.
Shut up. For once.]
no subject
You were totally stalking me though.
[ Ren loves his friends~~. ]
no subject
--And then, just as quickly, Ryuji's retreating again, and Hajime's face lapses into an all-too-familiar expression whenever Ryuji's involved as he glances behind him.]
Oi...
[Coward.]
no subject
[But she's going red because she totally was stalking him. It's the worst and she hates that Hajime knows that now! God!!]
[But here, a target that isn't Ren and his totally correct smug face. She points accusingly at Ryuji.] Where are you going?
no subject
You will learn this too.
There's a reason why her code name is Queen.]
Uh, nowhere. Just kinda. Thinkin' about... [Shit, claim something cool or funny, do something to get the spotlight off of him.] Y'know, that time after you joined up and we were studyin' for exams, and I said that English would never matter since we were never going to use it, and then we wound up in Hawaii. Please don't come after me, I didn't do nothin' wrong.
no subject
[Ryuji, she loves you, but you are as transparent as glass. In a way, though, she's starting to realize she's glad for the interruption, embarrassing as it is. She could feel them all winding up tighter and tighter, herself especially; with the spotlight on someone besides Hinata, there's a moment for everyone to breathe. Even if it's at her expense.]
[She narrows her eyes at Ryuji, letting him know in no uncertain terms without saying a word that she will Get Him later, which may or may not be true. But then she relaxes again, resting her shoulder against Haru's and nodding slightly.]
Do you trust him?
no subject
Yeah!!! I mean, he's a good guy, and he has a good heart. He--- oh. You were askin' Haru weren't you.
[Okay, he'll just... calm the hell down a bit and not interrupt for a little while.]