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Gilphon (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#2301: Jun 30th 2011 at 1:15:28 PM

Gear stirrred awake, momentarily confused. Where am I?

Then memories of the previous came back. Oh right, the hospital.

He reached for his glasses instinctive. They weren't there. They had been broken when he fell, Gear recalled.

Broken for a plan that hadn't worked. Damn it all. Well, he could probably use that credit card to buy a new pair. Probably.

Damn Wolf. Damn him to hell.

His thoughts shifted to the file he had been given on his former life. Alex Wright.

He didn't sound like the kind of person Gear wanted to be. So he wasn't in any hurry to find out more about him.

The doctors came in, and fussed over him a bit, but the bottom line was that he was let out.

As he walked out of the hospital, he briefly considered his next move. Read the file. He'd put it off for long enough.

He red.

Alex definitely wasn't the kind of person he wanted to be. Poor family, becoming a petty thief to make ends meet, and then getting mixed up in something he didn't understand.

And all that was six years ago. Could he really have been trapped in this 'game' for six years? First a nothing, and then a toy. What kind of life was that?

Better go back to the hotel, in any case. I'll figure out what to do from there.

Motree Dancing All Night from The Midnight Channel Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
Dancing All Night
#2302: Jul 6th 2011 at 7:41:13 PM

Someone can run into or notice Key in the hallway or something.

Key had already been up and about, probably since about 4 or 5 AM. He'd gotten up for a very specific reason... He needed to speak to his family.

He'd been talking with his father

in the hallway over the phone the past hour or so- about his plans, and to assure him and his mother that he was fine. His plans... And the probable results.

He asked if he could speak with the kids. As a parent... Being away from them this long has been torturous. He waited nervously for his father to put the phone on speaker.


Adelina had no need for sleep... But fortunately, that lawyer she'd been ordered to babysit

did. Goddamn it, why was she getting attracted to him?! Probably because Key'd banned her from hitting on people. Yeah, that's it. She wasn't actually developing feelings for someone, she's just been deprived of her favoite pasttime for awhile.

Yep, that had to be it.

“DAMMIT WHEN I HEAR 'SPACE CQC' ALL I CAN THINK OF IS BIG BOSS WITH A FISHBOWL ON HIS HEAD, STRANGLING AN ASTRONAUT OUTSIDE THE ISS."
CrystalGlacia from at least we're not detroit (Living Relic)
#2303: Jul 6th 2011 at 8:06:56 PM

Wolf emerged from his room, having cut his bangs short, revealing his severely cataracted right eye. Instead of his brown work shirt, he wore a black shirt, making his already unusually pale complexion look even paler.

Approaching Key, he gave him a polite nod before continuing on past him.

Shinji was waiting, after all.

edited 6th Jul '11 8:14:52 PM by CrystalGlacia

"Jack, you have debauched my sloth."
Dragon573 Sanity not included from Sitting at a bonfire Since: Jun, 2016 Relationship Status: Wishfully thinking
Sanity not included
#2304: Jul 6th 2011 at 8:27:17 PM

Prosecution woke gently and easily. He'd had pleasant dreams, most of which involved playing with his sister when they were children. He rose with a smile on his face, the cliche morning background music almost audible.

"Good morning, Miss."

It's kind of funny. Sufficiently advanced stupidity is like sufficiently advanced science; eventually, you find something you can't solve.
Motree Dancing All Night from The Midnight Channel Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
Dancing All Night
#2305: Jul 6th 2011 at 8:59:05 PM

Key nodded in response to Wolf passing by, and readied himself for the noise that would ensue.

Finally, he heard a little girl over the phone, "Hello?"

Key smiled, but seemed a little melancholy as well, "Bonsoir, sweetie," he said in a gentle, fatherly tone, "It's me... How're ya doing?"

The excited squealing on the other end was so audible anyone standing withing a few feet of him would be able to hear.


She put her thoughts on hold, "Oh, good morning, or whatever."

After a brief silence she continued, "You know, I have a feeling... That things are going to be changing."

“DAMMIT WHEN I HEAR 'SPACE CQC' ALL I CAN THINK OF IS BIG BOSS WITH A FISHBOWL ON HIS HEAD, STRANGLING AN ASTRONAUT OUTSIDE THE ISS."
Dragon573 Sanity not included from Sitting at a bonfire Since: Jun, 2016 Relationship Status: Wishfully thinking
Sanity not included
#2306: Jul 6th 2011 at 9:00:59 PM

"Oh?" he asked, curious.

It's kind of funny. Sufficiently advanced stupidity is like sufficiently advanced science; eventually, you find something you can't solve.
CrystalGlacia from at least we're not detroit (Living Relic)
#2307: Jul 6th 2011 at 9:19:32 PM

He continued onwards into the elevator. Once inside, he took out a small slip of paper with an address scrawled onto it in katakana, then checked his watch.

8:25 AM.

He had plenty of time. Wolf slid it back into his pocket, then headed on out the door to find this cafe.

"Jack, you have debauched my sloth."
Motree Dancing All Night from The Midnight Channel Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
Dancing All Night
#2308: Jul 6th 2011 at 9:27:21 PM

"Papa! Papa! Papa!" the little girl cried with excitement, then managed to sob out, "Papa... I miss you so much..."

"I miss you too, Anya... Both you and Marcus. Is he there? Can he hear me?"

"... ... ... I hear you, Papa," a second, quieter voice replied on the other end. The boy seemed to be crying.

"Hey there, buddy," Key said cheerfully, "So, what've you two been up to?"

"I drew you and Uncle Matt some pictures!" She replied cheerfully, "He said I got a lot better from last time! Then he let me look at his cane-thingy, but I had to give it back."

Key chuckled at his daughter's antics. She was certainly wilier than her brother, "Well, don't get in Uncle Matt, Gradmere, and Grandpere's hair too much."

".... ....... Papa, when are you coming back?" The little boy asked.

"... It might be awhile, guys." Key responded, after some hesitation.

Marcus made some sort of mumbly noise over the phone before asking, "... Y- You're not going to disappear like Maman, right?"

Key took in a sharp breath, before selecting his response, " ... No. We'll see each other again. Someday. That's a promise. But can you two do something for me? I want you guys to be strong, no matter what happens and no matter how long it takes for us to see each other again. And I want you both to work hard at and do your very best at whatever you do."

"Okay, Papa!" Anya replied.

"Anya... I look forward to seeing your drawings. And Marcus... Keep working on your confidence. You were more direct than usual, and I'm very proud of you. But you know what I say- You never run out of room to improve."


"Just... The atmosphere. You probably can't pick it up, being human and all, but... Something's definitely stirring," She replied.

edited 6th Jul '11 10:17:28 PM by Motree

“DAMMIT WHEN I HEAR 'SPACE CQC' ALL I CAN THINK OF IS BIG BOSS WITH A FISHBOWL ON HIS HEAD, STRANGLING AN ASTRONAUT OUTSIDE THE ISS."
Dragon573 Sanity not included from Sitting at a bonfire Since: Jun, 2016 Relationship Status: Wishfully thinking
Sanity not included
#2309: Jul 6th 2011 at 10:14:35 PM

"...I'm almost afraid to ask... good or bad? Or is vaguely ambiguous?"

It's kind of funny. Sufficiently advanced stupidity is like sufficiently advanced science; eventually, you find something you can't solve.
Motree Dancing All Night from The Midnight Channel Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
Dancing All Night
#2310: Jul 6th 2011 at 10:26:03 PM

"Okay, Papa." Anya replied, "That's our promise!"

"Oui," Key responded, "Well... I need to speak to Grandpere pretty soon here. I love both of you... Anya, Marcus." He was shaking a bit now, "I love both of you with all of my heart... Anything I've ever done has been for you guys... Ever since you came into my life. You two are everything to me. And I'll never stop loving you two... No matter what."

"... ... I love you too... Papa." Marcus said.

"I love you Papa! I can't wait for you to come home!" Anya chirped, before handing the phone to her grandfather.

Key exhaled before speaking to his dad, " ... Vati

... I think I finally know what you meant... What you told me when I was younger. Can you give a message to Matt for me? Or... Record this or write it down or something?" He waited for his father to start recording, "All right...

'Matt,

'Hi there... I'm sorry I won't be able to say this to you personally, but here goes. I know you don't need the extra stress... But chances are, I'll be dead by the time you get this... Unless I somehow mysteriously channel Luka's ridiculous luck. Joking aside... I want you to know something- I'll never regret being your frind, despite all of the whore jokes you threw my way, the attention whore comments I threw at you, and the various nationality-based insults and slurs we'd throw at each other when in really heated arguments. And no, I have not slept with six hundred girls. Ahahaha. Seriously, it's been great. When it really counts... You're the best friend I could've ever asked for. And I'm going to miss you. Maybe you can come visit me in Hell sometime.

'Well, I wish you and your family luck in whatever you do. Thanks for everything. My only regret is not being able to watch our families grow together... But other than that... I know I'm doing the right thing. See ya later.'"

After the recording was finished, he said final farewells to his father and mother and hung up.


"Well, for one..." Adelina started, "Key is planning to takke on the Orchestrator. And he's completely serious about it, even though he knows he's probably going to die. Hell, he's tying up loose ends as we speak."

edited 6th Jul '11 10:55:05 PM by Motree

“DAMMIT WHEN I HEAR 'SPACE CQC' ALL I CAN THINK OF IS BIG BOSS WITH A FISHBOWL ON HIS HEAD, STRANGLING AN ASTRONAUT OUTSIDE THE ISS."
Dragon573 Sanity not included from Sitting at a bonfire Since: Jun, 2016 Relationship Status: Wishfully thinking
Sanity not included
#2311: Jul 6th 2011 at 11:11:48 PM

"Wha-" Prosecution fell out of the bed. He pushed himself up quickly and headed into the bathroom. In mere moments, he exited, dressed in a wine red suit with a black vest and a white cravat.

"Is he out of his fucking mind?! Pardon my language, miss..."

"What could have possessed him to try to-?! Moron!!"

Then, he froze mid-rant. Seeming to almost pivot in place, he turned to look at the girl who had freed him of his inhibitions.

"What happens to you if, slash, when he dies?"

It's kind of funny. Sufficiently advanced stupidity is like sufficiently advanced science; eventually, you find something you can't solve.
Gilphon (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#2312: Jul 6th 2011 at 11:37:32 PM

Having unwittingly missed Wolf by only a few minutes, Gear arrived in the hotel looby and sat down in a nearby chair.

The previous day had been a disaster, no two ways about it. Wolf had seen to that. But… could it be salvaged?

It depended how much Key had been told, he supposed. The trick would never work if Key knew about it.

Best to prepare for worst case scenario, Gear told himself. Except that he knew there was nothing to be done. If he was facing the worst case scenario, he was already doomed. He wouldn't be able to pull any other tricks now, he life rested entirely on Key's mercy.

Or lack there of. Key had apparently been ordered to prioritize civilian lives above his own, but how much would that count for? Gear remembered why Key said he hadn't told Wolf about his past; dying becomes harder when you have something to live for. Those were the words of a man who did have that something.

And compared to me, who doesn't have anything in particular… heh. He must want to live a hell of a lot more than I do, and that's no small feat. There's no way it'd be easy for him to accept his death. No, he won't just sit back and let me kill him, no matter what his orders say.

That was an oddly soothing thought. It should have been an awful realization, but it wasn't. Gear realized that, despite everything, he'd never actually wanted things to end like that. Key didn't deserve to die, but if he had to, it should be a death greater than that of a sacrificial lamb.

My life is still more important to me than his, though. But now… there's no way I can win against him, and trying to convince him that Tick's dead probably won't be possible now. The only hope I have left is if he believes he stands a chance against the Orchestrator.

So it was that simple. He had to set Key against the Orchestrator, or he would die. No schemes, no tricks, just making sure a good man kept his priorities straight. Making sure he still had hope.

He stood up and began to walk towards Key's room. This'll be the more difficult thing I've tried so far, but also the easiest.

Motree Dancing All Night from The Midnight Channel Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
Dancing All Night
#2313: Jul 7th 2011 at 8:31:27 AM

Key stared at the wall for a few seconds, waiting to calm down.

Time to make another call.

He dialed in another number on his phone, and started heading down the hall as he was talking.

"Hey, it's me," he said, in a much more serious tone than he had with his children, "Have all importand documents and personnel been moved out of the city?"


"No. Apparently, he and his little buddies have a plan. A plan that may just get all of you out of here alive."

"As for the question of what will happen to me should he die..." she started, "I'll have to take him down to Hell. That's what our deal entails. I'm admittedly more concerned with other things."

“DAMMIT WHEN I HEAR 'SPACE CQC' ALL I CAN THINK OF IS BIG BOSS WITH A FISHBOWL ON HIS HEAD, STRANGLING AN ASTRONAUT OUTSIDE THE ISS."
Dragon573 Sanity not included from Sitting at a bonfire Since: Jun, 2016 Relationship Status: Wishfully thinking
Sanity not included
#2314: Jul 7th 2011 at 9:51:01 AM

Might get us out alive?

"So... you're one of the eternally damned, in a sense?"

It's kind of funny. Sufficiently advanced stupidity is like sufficiently advanced science; eventually, you find something you can't solve.
Motree Dancing All Night from The Midnight Channel Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
Dancing All Night
#2315: Jul 7th 2011 at 5:20:19 PM

After hearing the news he needed, he simply thanked the person on the other end of the line. All Key needed to do now was wait until the proper time. For now, maybe he'd head down to the lobby to get some bottled water or something.


"Eh, half right. I can still redeem myself, damn myself, or just vanish. You're close enough."

“DAMMIT WHEN I HEAR 'SPACE CQC' ALL I CAN THINK OF IS BIG BOSS WITH A FISHBOWL ON HIS HEAD, STRANGLING AN ASTRONAUT OUTSIDE THE ISS."
Dragon573 Sanity not included from Sitting at a bonfire Since: Jun, 2016 Relationship Status: Wishfully thinking
Sanity not included
#2316: Jul 7th 2011 at 5:32:15 PM

"Ok... So, if you don't sink lower or stand taller, you just disappear?"

It's kind of funny. Sufficiently advanced stupidity is like sufficiently advanced science; eventually, you find something you can't solve.
Motree Dancing All Night from The Midnight Channel Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
Dancing All Night
#2317: Jul 7th 2011 at 5:50:14 PM

"Once again, not quite. You only disappear if you shouldn't exist. It's a little too complicated to explain fully." Adelina said.

“DAMMIT WHEN I HEAR 'SPACE CQC' ALL I CAN THINK OF IS BIG BOSS WITH A FISHBOWL ON HIS HEAD, STRANGLING AN ASTRONAUT OUTSIDE THE ISS."
Gilphon (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#2318: Jul 7th 2011 at 6:58:38 PM

Gear met Key on the way, which was a mild surprise to him. He had been trying rehearse what he was going to say, but it just hadn't been coming together in his mind. Honesty is surprisingly difficult, he reflected momentarily.

"Hey Key. You're just the person I wanted to talk to," he smiled.

Motree Dancing All Night from The Midnight Channel Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
Dancing All Night
#2319: Jul 7th 2011 at 7:03:58 PM

Key sighed a bit. Hoo boy. Hopefully the kid wasn't scheming something. Some carefully-thought-out plot that's probably end up exploding in a certain someone's face was the last thing he needed right now.

"Ah, sorry," he caught himself, "That was a bt rude.. I just have a lot of things on my mind right now. So, what is it you want to talk about?"

“DAMMIT WHEN I HEAR 'SPACE CQC' ALL I CAN THINK OF IS BIG BOSS WITH A FISHBOWL ON HIS HEAD, STRANGLING AN ASTRONAUT OUTSIDE THE ISS."
Gilphon (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#2320: Jul 7th 2011 at 7:21:09 PM

He paused, looking at his feet. How should he…

Ah, forget it.

"I'm just going to be completely honest with you, here. I've reached the end of my rope. After yesterday's little screw up, there's no way I'll convince anyone to go along with my plans, or even convince them that I'm not currently enacting some plan. I can't do a damned thing anymore. So unless you believe beat the Orchestrator, well… I'm as good as dead."

Here he made eye contact. "So I'd really like to know if you think you can win."

Motree Dancing All Night from The Midnight Channel Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
Dancing All Night
#2321: Jul 7th 2011 at 8:18:44 PM

Key let out another sigh, before responding, "If that's all you're asking, then no. I'm not convinced I can kill him. But I do know I'll be able to bide time."

Gear wasn't the only one that had been plotting.

“DAMMIT WHEN I HEAR 'SPACE CQC' ALL I CAN THINK OF IS BIG BOSS WITH A FISHBOWL ON HIS HEAD, STRANGLING AN ASTRONAUT OUTSIDE THE ISS."
Gilphon (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#2322: Jul 7th 2011 at 8:34:16 PM

What? He's unsure, but he's still going for it? Why would he…

The confusion was plain on Gear's face. "Bide time for what?"

Motree Dancing All Night from The Midnight Channel Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
Dancing All Night
#2323: Jul 7th 2011 at 8:43:25 PM

Key looked around to make sure they were the only ones in the hall before continuing, "I was keeping in touch with my colleagues, figuring out what should be done. If I can keep the Orchestrator entertained or distracted long enough... They may be able to get you guys out of the city and out of the detonation radius for the collars... Or, manage to deactivate them."

"In other words, it's an attempt at freeing everyone here."

“DAMMIT WHEN I HEAR 'SPACE CQC' ALL I CAN THINK OF IS BIG BOSS WITH A FISHBOWL ON HIS HEAD, STRANGLING AN ASTRONAUT OUTSIDE THE ISS."
Dragon573 Sanity not included from Sitting at a bonfire Since: Jun, 2016 Relationship Status: Wishfully thinking
Sanity not included
#2324: Jul 8th 2011 at 8:31:28 AM

"Okay... So, What exactly is Key thinking, trying to fight the Orchestrator? I've fought him myself, and he's not to be trifled with."

It's kind of funny. Sufficiently advanced stupidity is like sufficiently advanced science; eventually, you find something you can't solve.
Motree Dancing All Night from The Midnight Channel Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
Dancing All Night
#2325: Jul 8th 2011 at 9:57:43 AM

"He and his little buddies at OCMPA are planning an escape for all of you," she answered, "He's going to keep the Orchestrator busy while Drake and Desmond deactivate the charges on you guys' collars and transport you all out of the city. They were among those you saw the other day- you know, the homely one that looks like your stereotypical nerd and the white-haired man with the girl."

Noticing she was getting off-track she went on, "In other words, he's going through with orders... You'll be happy to know the order to have you silenced has been overturned, and you'll merely have government supervision to make sure you don't slip up and mention them." She wanted to try to dodge around the fact Key knew he was going to die.

edited 8th Jul '11 9:58:15 AM by Motree

“DAMMIT WHEN I HEAR 'SPACE CQC' ALL I CAN THINK OF IS BIG BOSS WITH A FISHBOWL ON HIS HEAD, STRANGLING AN ASTRONAUT OUTSIDE THE ISS."

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