Week 2, Tuesday: Desparation

[unwittingking]

[Caleb isn't wrong. If no one kills, they could just kill off the hostages and find a different motivation. It's simple enough to understand.

But actually being informed of that possibility...It does something to King. A dark look comes over his half-lidded eyes as he stares at the floor. He doesn't move for a solid minute. He's just...frozen.

Then, he walks behind the bar, face not changing, and starts rummaging around.

Investigate...?]

Comments

[katzenpfote]

[Is he...]

[Caleb gets up after moving the smaller cat to an arm of the chair, following King.]

I thought you said you should not drink.

[unwittingking]

I don't.

[He should see, then, King moving around a bunch of bottles. Mostly moving big ones out of the way, trying to find a smaller one.]

[katzenpfote]

... What are you looking for?

[unwittingking]

One the right size.

[…that's...ominous...]

[katzenpfote]

... You probably shouldn't drink... I can get you some water if you'd like.

[But he's not going to stop King.]

[unwittingking]

I'm not drinking.

[He finally gets a bottle on the smaller side. One he can really wrap his paws around.]

Yeah, I think this'll do.

[katzenpfote]

[He takes a few steps back at the firm tone and just watches.]

[unwittingking]

[He notices that, and his eyes soften a bit.]

Sorry, did that freak you out a bit?

[katzenpfote]

... It's fine.

[His voice is still soft and distant.]

[It's not fine. But nothing is.]

CW: Vague Threats

[unwittingking]

No, it's not. I didn't...

[He looks at the bottle-no, the reflection of himself in the glass-before looking back at Caleb.]

I didn't mean for you to think it was for you.

[katzenpfote]

... What are you doing, Herr King?

[unwittingking]

…what do you think I'm doing, Caleb?

[It should be obvious by now.]

[katzenpfote]

Either finding something to drink, which you said you are not doing, or you are going to smash someone's head in with a bottle.

CW: Talk of Contemplating Suicide

[unwittingking]

[He actually lets out a bitter chuckle at that.]

I'm not gonna smash someone's head in with it.

I'm not sure I could even do that to myself...

[That should...clear things up, shouldn't it?

[katzenpfote]

... King. Tell me exactly what you are planning to do.

[unwittingking]

Simple. Look over those rules, see how I can...technically get away with murder, and follow through with it.

Just so happens that the victim and the murderer will be the same person.

[katzenpfote]

... You have children, King. You need to be there for them.

[unwittingking]

And they're in danger, Caleb. What kind of father lets his family suffer while he has the chance to save them?!

[katzenpfote]

[He reaches out and grabs King by the shirt and the wrist of the hand holding the bottle.]

You will find another way, King. Your death will leave a hole in their hearts that will never heal. Right now they will at least have hope for your return. Do not take it away from them. It is the most precious thing they can have.

[There's a quiet intensity to his voice as he looms over the small dog.]

[unwittingking]

[He tries to struggle against Caleb, but considering the size difference, he knows already he probably won't be successful.]

And if they d...

[He can't even say the word.]

…if they...get hurt too badly, what am I supposed to do? Just live with it? My heart shattered into pieces?

[He can't let them die. He just can't.]

[katzenpfote]

Then you live for their sakes, and to hunt down those who caused them pain. As someone who has plenty of blood on his hands, I know how that feels.

But at least give yourself a chance.

[unwittingking]

[He doesn't seem convinced still, but then...something seems to hit him. A thought that he hates, he wants to get rid of it immediately, but...]

They...they wouldn't know...

[His arms fall limp and he lets go of the bottle. It doesn't break, only because of how close he already is to the ground.]

[katzenpfote]

[He lets go of King's arm so he can tuck the bottle away and then finally lets go of his shirt.]

... Come sit down with me.

[unwittingking]

[He'll nod and follow, but the blank look won't leave his face. He's staring at the ground, eyes wide with tears starting to prick at the ends.]

[katzenpfote]

[He sits King down and hands him a napkin to use as a tissue before going back to the bar and filling up a glass with water. He brings it back and sets it down next to King, before settling into the next chair over.]