[John gets a flat look for the remark about the shards.] No shit.
Then how are you expecting to get that many shards? The war would've been over a hell of a lot faster if more than a few people on either side were inclined towards mass slaughter, and it's not something I've ever been interested in.
[The moment he found out the primary way for either side to win was to slaughter the other, Bellamy tuned out from the court system. Individually, could he take someone else's shard? Probably; he knows he's capable of killing. But a whole mass of people? It leaves a bad taste in his mouth.]
[He doesn't really have a solid reaction to that. Disbelief, maybe. Surprise, for sure. His face doesn't hide any of that well. He doesn't know how it's gonna be pulled off at all, but it sounds better than a lot of other options, at least on the upfront. But he's still skeptical, especially if it's apparently supported by the Shuck.]
Couple questions here, in case you weren't expecting them. [Bellamy knows he would be. He runs a hand through his hair.]
How are you gonna use them to push back the Void, do you know that yet? How many are stockpiled by each side?
[The latter is because he wants to know how many shards might be enough to stop the Void. How many shardbearers the Shuck would have wanted killed.]
Don't know the exact number, but I'd guess in the hundreds at least. Thousands of years of war, after all.
[ It could be less. It could be many, many more. ]
I knew how to use my shard at least a little, when I had one. Others know or have been taught, can use it even if they don't have a shard in their chest if they have one with them -- that's what Reynard did.
[He's not sure why it never occurred to him that the courts would have a stash of shards, somewhere. If the war's been going on, over and over, of course they'd be collected. The monarchs were always after more.]
[He exhales, mulling it over.] I unlocked mine. I'm still learning, but I might be able to help others unlock theirs soon too.
Does the Shuck know the Red Hand doesn't plan on killing everyone? You don't plan on pulling off a massacre to add to that collection, I assume?
No, I don't plan on it. We may have to kill some people to cover ourselves, but the hope is for a smaller amount of bloodshed. What the Shuck knows... it's hard to say. But I'm Death by Mercy, kind of goes against my nature to blatantly murder people if it isn't somehow mercy.
[Bellamy abruptly realizes he's still holding the kitten when its paws dig into his arm. He scowls down at it, but it just burrows into the crook of his elbow.]
[He frowns. He's not stupid enough to think a plan like this can go off without any death - but minimal still sounds better than all.]
I don't trust him with it, the Shuck, not with how furious and determined he was to kill everyone. Seems like he's given up on us, and though I can't say I blame him either, I'm not interested in killing for him, just like I'm not interested in killing for the courts.
[He - mostly - trusted Aly, as sneaky and suspicious as she could be at the same time. But she always felt more approachable than most other people in power in this world.]
Breaking and entering's always a challenge. [He says it lightly, even if it's not meant to be taken lightly at all.]
Who are they, anyway? And I'm not - I can't promise myself to this. Not unless you can promise me that no one else'll know. Too many friends in high ranking court places, and I don't want to put them in any danger.
It's not that I thought you were before either. [He makes to run a hand through his hair and startles the kitten.] But things've obviously gotten even more intense.
This especially, I can't have anyone else knowing. [A beat. He trusts John at his word, and though he's still cautious, it's enough to settle him.] I'll do what I can for now, but I'm leaving my option to bail open, especially if it threatens my sister or Clarke.
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[ That's helpful, right? ]
Shards are power. More shards, more power.
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Then how are you expecting to get that many shards? The war would've been over a hell of a lot faster if more than a few people on either side were inclined towards mass slaughter, and it's not something I've ever been interested in.
[The moment he found out the primary way for either side to win was to slaughter the other, Bellamy tuned out from the court system. Individually, could he take someone else's shard? Probably; he knows he's capable of killing. But a whole mass of people? It leaves a bad taste in his mouth.]
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[ And John will have to take action if he does, but he thinks -- he hopes -- he can trust him. ]
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[He frowns in recognition of its severity though, and then offers a nod. The emphasis on the 'anyone' hammers it home.]
I swear it. [And for now, at least, he means it.]
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We're going to steal them. The courts have shards stockpiled, hidden away out of the hands of anyone else. Combined, the amount might be enough.
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Couple questions here, in case you weren't expecting them. [Bellamy knows he would be. He runs a hand through his hair.]
How are you gonna use them to push back the Void, do you know that yet? How many are stockpiled by each side?
[The latter is because he wants to know how many shards might be enough to stop the Void. How many shardbearers the Shuck would have wanted killed.]
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[ It could be less. It could be many, many more. ]
I knew how to use my shard at least a little, when I had one. Others know or have been taught, can use it even if they don't have a shard in their chest if they have one with them -- that's what Reynard did.
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[He exhales, mulling it over.] I unlocked mine. I'm still learning, but I might be able to help others unlock theirs soon too.
Does the Shuck know the Red Hand doesn't plan on killing everyone? You don't plan on pulling off a massacre to add to that collection, I assume?
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[ so. kanyeshrug ]
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[He frowns. He's not stupid enough to think a plan like this can go off without any death - but minimal still sounds better than all.]
I don't trust him with it, the Shuck, not with how furious and determined he was to kill everyone. Seems like he's given up on us, and though I can't say I blame him either, I'm not interested in killing for him, just like I'm not interested in killing for the courts.
How long's this plan been in motion?
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[ Well. ]
-until she left. But it's solid.
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How do you plan on actually stealing them?
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[ because that's not scary at all ]
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[He's not the best mage, and he prefers not relying on it - but there are a lot of things about this plan he's pretty interested in.]
[He doesn't seem nearly as spooked by that as he probably should be though.] Like places where they hide away old shards?
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[ John grins, nods. ]
Exactly.
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Is it bad if it all sounds like too good a plan to be true? [As 'good' a plan as it can qualify as, at any rate.]
[He hesitates for a second, but he needs to ask.] If I wanted to help, what could I do?
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[ But no, he understands a healthy dose of pessimism. ]
Sign up for one of the missions we're offering; I know your skills but the other two don't. We'll go from there.
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Who are they, anyway? And I'm not - I can't promise myself to this. Not unless you can promise me that no one else'll know. Too many friends in high ranking court places, and I don't want to put them in any danger.
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I can promise we're not going to go around telling people you're involved, Bellamy.
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This especially, I can't have anyone else knowing. [A beat. He trusts John at his word, and though he's still cautious, it's enough to settle him.] I'll do what I can for now, but I'm leaving my option to bail open, especially if it threatens my sister or Clarke.
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You need me to do anything else in the meantime? [You know, regular Red Hand business, but mostly in the sense of what John himself might need.]
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[ Because of course John doesn't get that subtext. ]
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I've been looking into shards already, last month and this one coming. As soon as I hear back from the people I'm sending out, I'll pass it along.
[A beat.] I don't spend a lot of time in Caer Scima, that might be a little harder.
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[ John scratches at the back of his neck. ]
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