week three - thursday night - hector - death log

[arockstar]

[Newt's had a busy night. It's taken a fair amount of time to set the stage—ransacking the lab, dismantling the generator, rigging up the trap in the fun house... But it's finally time to go find Hector. This is the nervewracking part of it all. Once the plan is underway, Newt will feel better, but for now, he's jittery. It's annoying. Maybe if he'd had more time to plan...

Whatever. It doesn't matter now. He heads for the school to begin the search, but he stops short when he spots something moving on the football field. Uh oh. Another murder? This could give him a leg up at the trial if he manages to stay unseen.

He ducks behind the bleachers to watch, but it doesn't take him long to realize what he's seeing: It's Hector, and he's... Digging? And that sure is a body next to him. Huh.

Newt should just lay low until Hector's done with whatever he's doing. Hide, get the jump on him as he's leaving, and kite him into the trap as planned. But, dammit, he can't fight the curiosity. If nothing else, confronting the guy will just speed things along. They don't have all fucking night.]

I gotta say, I'm impressed. Didn't think you had it in you.

[Newt approaches with his hands in his jacket pockets, fingers gripping the mirror shard just in case.]

Then again, you are one of Ruin's, so I can't be too surprised.

Comments

[ateanalien]

She was at the wrong place at the wrong time. I just needed someone, anyone. [He stops, leaning against the shovel] It wasn't like I thought about all this too much...I just thought I had to act before I was the one who died.

[The mystery of Ava's sketchbook freaked him out a lot, Newt. Hector really doesn't act well when he thinks there's danger]

You're gonna tell the others now that you saw me, won't you? My death is certain now.

[Leaving aside that they'll have to pinpoint his alignment, but how hard can that be, really]

[arockstar]

So... You killed her just to thin the herd? I don't get it.

[He glances between Hector and the grave—which, given that Blackfire's already dead, that has to be what this is. A grave. Newt doesn't see the point. Guilt, maybe, but this is an awful lot of effort to put in when the gods will just unearth her in a few hours. If anything, he's just creating more evidence.]

Mm, no, I'm not here to bust you.

[The corner of his mouth ticks up.]

[ateanalien]

Yeah, it doesn't make sense. [He has to admit he did it all pretty half-heartedly. All he knew was the end goal:] I just wanted to make things easier for my god so I could get the reward for this shit.

[He had convinced himself it was for the best, and now that he had actually done the deed, well...he regrets it, yeah.

Newt saying he's not here to bust him isn't what he expected, though. He finally turns towards Newt]

Why the hell wouldn't you? What exactly are you gonna do now?

[He's awake after curfew. The chances Newt did something bad are pretty high, as far as Hector knows]

[arockstar]

[Newt would be disappointed if he wasn't already planning to bail on Ruin. Killing at random is a terrible strategy, so all Hector's doing is making Newt more confident in the choice he's making. The choice he's already made. There's no going back now, after all.]

I don't know why you'd pick Ruin if you were gonna crumple the minute you had to get your hands dirty.

[As to the questions... Newt chews his lip. Outing himself is risky. Hector's got a shovel. But, then again, Hector's probably tired himself out with all that killing and digging. Newt could probably outrun him long enough to get back to the fun house. That's all the lead he'd need.]

I'm here for you, obviously. I wish I would've known you had your own plans, though. I could've just sat back and let the trial hang you.

[ateanalien]

Great. Thanks for the vote of confidence.

[He says that with sarcasm even though Hector himself was sure he wouldn't survive the trial. You're such a pal, Newt. Still, turns out Hector really had reasons to be concerned he'd get targeted, it just didn't come from someone he expected]

Why me?

[arockstar]

[He laughs. A fraction of it is out of relief—Hector didn't immediately turn him to stone, so he probably doesn't have that power. If he has Cataclysm or Equivalent Exchange, he won't have a chance to use it, assuming this all goes to plan. Hell, he may have used his power in taking down Blackfire. This is working out better than Newt anticipated.]

We're teammates, buddy. And our team is losing. Badly.

[And then he shrugs.]

It's nothing personal. You get that, I'm sure.

[ateanalien]

Yeah, I get that. It sucks to be Ruin.

[Nothing personal. Boy, Hector would be feeling much more aggressive if he didn't know people would get revived once the six weeks are over, that's for sure. But even though Newt pretty much is telling him he wants to kill him...

...Hector just can't bring himself to care. This place obviously has been an awful influence on him. May as well bow out before he ends hurting someone else, like he's sure he'll end doing if he continues alive for long. He's sorry, Blackfire]

Whatever. I'm done with this competition. Just let me finish the grave and then kill me. You got a weapon in mind already?

[He's expecting Newt to pull out a dagger or something, yeah]

[arockstar]

[That response gets the eyebrow raise to end all eyebrow raises.]

Uh. You're just, like, cool with this? Really?

[Newt would bank on this being a trick, except you can't fake that exhaustion. Newt's been feeling it himself these days. Part of him, anyway.]

You just killed someone to further your own goals, and now you're going to throw in the towel? Why?

[ateanalien]

...I can't face my daughter if I have even more blood in my hands. Once was bad enough.

[It was already plenty bad when he killed the alien for food and out of suspicion it was dangerous. This here and any future murder is much less justifiable]

Chances are I'd have to do this again if I stay in the competition. I just--I just can't bring myself to do this again.

[arockstar]

[Some deep, buried part of Newt bubbles up briefly. The guilt—he understands that. He understands doing the unthinkable and hating yourself for it, but not being strong enough to say no.]

Alright.

[He swallows, and tamps that part down again. He can't afford to go soft tonight.]

You asked about a weapon. The generator from the ferris wheel has enough power to yield a fatal shock. I chose it because it'll be quick.

[ateanalien]

...isn't that too unusual? [A ferris wheel. Who kills someone with electricity from a ferris wheel generator. Hector actually gives him a look of disbelief] Won't that point at you or anyone else who can do something like that?

[But hey, a quick death. He sure isn't going to complain about that]

[arockstar]

Do you actually care about my odds of getting away with murder, or are you just curious?

[He'll answer the question regardless, even if he feels a bit like a villain monologuing about his ingenious plot. This is the wildest conversation. Newt's so glad he chose to investigate.]

There's plenty of other mechanical types here. It might point to one of us, but I've taken pains to cover my tracks. Trust me.

["Trust me," says Newt, who also just said "I'm here to kill you" not two minutes ago.]

Anyway, the others know I'm good, but they don't know how good. I've made sure of that.

[ateanalien]

[Hey, he can be curious about the odds of Newt getting away with his own murder! It's...morbid, now that he thinks about it]

That's still narrowing it down. [It's possible it's out of twisted gratitude that Hector is even giving this thought. Newt's the one getting him out of the competition, it sure would suck if Newt dies two days later] You think you can make it look like I did it? Dead men tell no tales.

[arockstar]

[Newt squints. This all seems incredibly too good to be true, but again, Hector doesn't seem like he's lying.]

I could, yeah, but why would you do that for me?

[ateanalien]

...I'm not even sure why. [He murmurs] I had half of my mind on asking Ruin to eliminate me, honestly. At least if you get something out of this this night, her death and mine won't be a complete waste -- even if all you get is less odds you get executed.

[Well, not that Hector can do that much. Most of the work on staying alive is Newt's responsibility]

If someone else other than me and Blackfire dies, the rest won't have much time to think much about this. If it's anything like last week there'll be too much at once.

[arockstar]

You're not wrong there.

[Newt's been hoping for another body pile. That would certainly draw the attention off of his own plan. Confusion will go a long way in helping him get off the hook.]

I still think this is awfully nice of you, but hey, it's not like you're not getting anything out of it, either. Like I said, electrocution will be quick.

[Ish.]

How much longer on the grave? You do know the gods will just dredge her up in the morning, right?

[ateanalien]

It's still better than leaving her out in the open.

[and its also better than doing like uncivilized itachi did, burning his victim in a bar. who the hell does that.

Hector climbs out of the hole and tosses a few thigns inside. Half a javelin, a few small shards of mirror, pretty much. It's deep enough to hold Blackfire in. After some consideration, he also puts his shotgun near the hole]

Give me ten minutes. You get ready...whatever it is you did with the ferris wheel.

[arockstar]

[Hm. Newt could certainly use a minute to redesign his trap. He doesn't love the thought of leaving Hector alone, though. This is a big risk.

But Hector doesn't have a power that would let him get the jump on Newt, and if he was lying and intends to implicate Newt as his killer, Newt will have time to recheck this area before morning.

It takes him a moment to finish weighing his options, but finally, he pulls the shard of glass out of his pocket. He holds it up.]

Fine. I'm trusting you.

[He tosses the glass into the hole as a sign of good faith. It should fit right in with the shards Hector's already tossed in.]

You've got ten minutes.

[He heads back to the ferris wheel to make preparations. It shouldn't be hard, really. All he's got to do is unhook the cables.]

[ateanalien]

[It takes him a little more than that before Hector approaches the ferris wheel, covered in mud and looking rather tired. He's fit and rather strong, but it's still exhausting to dig a large hole all by himself]

Okay, I'm ready. What do I have to do?

[arockstar]

[Newt started to get antsy long before the ten minutes was actually up, but he finished with his own business quickly enough to keep an eye on Hector out on the field. It's an open space, so even if he bolts, Newt will have plenty of time to react. That, or Newt just lets him go and outs him first thing during the trial. Either way, he wins.

Hector heads over as discussed though, which does make his life easier. At the ferris wheel, Newt has the generator box pried open just enough for two long cables to snake out. They're coiled at his feet, and he's holding the ends, the insulation stripped off to reveal the wires inside.]

Grab the exposed wiring. Both hands. That's all.

[He holds the cable out. He's expecting a little more fanfare, but, well. That's up to Hector. Maybe he's just eager to get this over with.]

[ateanalien]

That's it? I have no idea how the hell you expected to force or fool anyone into grabbing exposed wires.

[Sounds like only someone actually willing to do it would. But hey, Newt's the genius, not him. Hector steps forward, and although he said he'd do it, he hesitates, his hands hovering near the exposed wires]

...you made sure this is going to be as quick as possible, right?

[Because he's hesitating, and he knows if he's aware and not dead for long enough, he'd use his Equivalent Exchange power to save himself. Self-preservation can be really powerful sometimes.

Oh well. It's too late to back down, anyway]

[arockstar]

[Newt gives him a look. You might be about to die for him, buddy, but don't be condescending!!]

I had a trap rigged up. I dismantled it to go along with this whole murder-suicide plan.

[He feels like that should be obvious, but whatever.]

The whole point of using electricity is to make your death as quick as possible. I didn't want you to have a chance to use either Equivalent Exchange or Cataclysm, whichever power you have. It has the bonus of being hands-off for me, too.

[Since he can tell by looking at Hector that he would lose in a fair fight. Newt's arrogant, but he's not dumb.]

[ateanalien]

[hes going to die with this plan of yours, newt. hector has the right to criticize it, pal.

Good, Newt took into account the part about making it as quick as possible. That's enough for Hector. Wanting to get done with this before he changes his mind at the prospect of actual, real death -- even if it's temporary -- is enough to make him start getting afraid.

Should he say anything? Like 'I'm sorry', or give his last will? Ask Newt to tell to Shang and others that he regrets what he did? Tell Newt to not die?]

...good luck.

[Good enough.

Almost launching himself onto the wires, Hector extends his hands, closes his eyes tight, and grabs the exposed wires as strongly as he could.

He doesn't even stay conscious for long enough to be aware of the electricity coursing through him. Newt wasn't wrong, it really was quick.

Hector Ramos is dead]

[arockstar]

[There's a crack and a flash as Hector connects with the wires, and Newt ducks away. He knows he's safe enough, but it's hard to reason with instinct. Once Hector's down, Newt reaches to nudge the cables out of his hands, but stops himself. This is supposed to look like a suicide.

He's glad, then, that the shock seems to have overloaded the generator. The distinct smell of burnt flesh lingers in the air, but it's not as bad as it would be if the electricity was still burning him. Even at the risk of outing himself, Newt would've pulled away the cables had that been the case. There's no need for cremating the guy's body like that. Newt's still gonna have to deal with it on Saturday, and a charred corpse would be gross.

But, welp, that's all there is to be done here. No cleanup necessary given this little twist, which means Newt can even get some sleep before morning. You're a pal, Hector.]