Cornelius Hickey (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
spotsalone) wrote2025-03-11 02:26 am
spotsalone) wrote2025-03-11 02:26 am
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[ Hickey too turns to give Junior his full attention, a cloyingly friendly smile spread across his face. ]
It would benefit the both of us, to have each other's backs in a situation such as this.
[ He takes a few steps toward his little friend, lowering his voice. ]
I need that wish, Junior, if I have any hope of survival beyond this game.
It would benefit the both of us, to have each other's backs in a situation such as this.
[ He takes a few steps toward his little friend, lowering his voice. ]
I need that wish, Junior, if I have any hope of survival beyond this game.
I understand. You're in a very harrowing situation, back home.
[Junior still didn't know what he wanted, if a wish would benefit him or not. But if Hickey was going to kill someone...]
I have a request.
[Junior still didn't know what he wanted, if a wish would benefit him or not. But if Hickey was going to kill someone...]
I have a request.
Indeed I am.
[ What luck, that he was able to find someone like-minded so quickly here. And from the outside, it must look like an odd pairing. Good. That will suit them, should either of them need to call upon each other.
As for the request, he hums and makes a gesture with his hand. Go on, he's listening. ]
[ What luck, that he was able to find someone like-minded so quickly here. And from the outside, it must look like an odd pairing. Good. That will suit them, should either of them need to call upon each other.
As for the request, he hums and makes a gesture with his hand. Go on, he's listening. ]
An Lili, Clover, and Hwylryn, from my suite. Leave them out of any plans you make. If you go after anyone else, I'll help cover your tracks to the best of my ability.
[It would be useful to have that effort reciprocated, if he found himself in the same position.]
[It would be useful to have that effort reciprocated, if he found himself in the same position.]
[ Hickey nods. ]
I'll leave them be. You have my word.
[ He holds out a hand. Shake on it? ]
I'll do the same for you, should you decide to get your hands dirty as well.
I'll leave them be. You have my word.
[ He holds out a hand. Shake on it? ]
I'll do the same for you, should you decide to get your hands dirty as well.
[Junior considers him carefully for a long few seconds...but then nods and accepts the handshake. His hand is small in Hickey's, but he still holds on fiercely.]
All right. Allies, then.
All right. Allies, then.
[ Excellent. A hearty shake, and the pact is sealed. ]
Allies.
[ With that settled, he purses his lips. There's not much of a plan to share yet, but... ]
I won't move this week, though. Best to wait and use the time to strategize. In the meantime, let's keep our distance, yeah? We don't want to draw attention to ourselves.
Allies.
[ With that settled, he purses his lips. There's not much of a plan to share yet, but... ]
I won't move this week, though. Best to wait and use the time to strategize. In the meantime, let's keep our distance, yeah? We don't want to draw attention to ourselves.
[ Hickey keeps his distance from Junior most of the week, as agreed. They ought not to look like they're friendly with one another. The testimony of a near-stranger will carry more weight at trial than the testimony of a friend.
But Hickey does need to speak with him. He waits until Junior wanders off somewhere secluded, where their conversation is unlikely to be overheard. He greets the kid with his usual chipper smile. Hello! ]
Have you put any thought into where you'll post up tonight?
But Hickey does need to speak with him. He waits until Junior wanders off somewhere secluded, where their conversation is unlikely to be overheard. He greets the kid with his usual chipper smile. Hello! ]
Have you put any thought into where you'll post up tonight?
[Perhaps in his wanderings, Junior was also looking for a place of seclusion. He's laid down in one of the pews when Hickey approaches, shaking himself off from his thoughts to sit up and greet him properly.]
Hello.
[He shakes his head.]
I hadn't decided, yet. Did you need me to be somewhere?
Hello.
[He shakes his head.]
I hadn't decided, yet. Did you need me to be somewhere?
[ Hickey takes a seat in the pew next to Junior. ]
Nowhere specific, but I would avoid the first floor of the palace if I were you.
[ He fishes through his jacket to unearth a cigarette. As he searches for a match, his eyes wander up to the light streaming in through the stained glass windows. ]
And be ready at the carnival.
Nowhere specific, but I would avoid the first floor of the palace if I were you.
[ He fishes through his jacket to unearth a cigarette. As he searches for a match, his eyes wander up to the light streaming in through the stained glass windows. ]
And be ready at the carnival.
Edited 2025-03-27 01:19 (UTC)
[Avoid the first floor...he nods. He'll have to see if he can bring any of his suite along with him, find a reason to want to be upstairs. If there's something he needs to be avoiding, he'd rather them not get caught in the crossfire.]
Alright. Is there anything in particular you anticipate I might have to watch out for?
[Checking for injuries seemed to be common. He could offer to check people over...]
Alright. Is there anything in particular you anticipate I might have to watch out for?
[Checking for injuries seemed to be common. He could offer to check people over...]
[ There's the risk of injury, yes, but he doubts he'll need to be concerned about that. Even if he's hurt tonight, the inspections at trial have been a joke. He's sure he could evade detection easily enough.
So: ]
Smoke and mirrors.
[ There's a long pause as he lights his cigarette and takes a drag. ]
We spent so much time trying to puzzle together how Shiv was killed that we never quite got around to who killed her, did we? It would've been the same for Tiamat if her killer hadn't made himself so obvious.
[ Amateur! ]
My plan is to continue that trend.
So: ]
Smoke and mirrors.
[ There's a long pause as he lights his cigarette and takes a drag. ]
We spent so much time trying to puzzle together how Shiv was killed that we never quite got around to who killed her, did we? It would've been the same for Tiamat if her killer hadn't made himself so obvious.
[ Amateur! ]
My plan is to continue that trend.
[ Hey, check it out, Hickey figured out how to use his little crystal phone that I keep forgetting exists!!! Not too long after the trial, Junior will receive a curt message: ]
Laundry.
[ And then he hangs up!
Assuming Junior answers the call, he'll find Hickey waiting in the laundry room, washing his hands at one of the basins. Not super conspicuous, though, given he just spent way too much time manhandling a severed head. ]
Laundry.
[ And then he hangs up!
Assuming Junior answers the call, he'll find Hickey waiting in the laundry room, washing his hands at one of the basins. Not super conspicuous, though, given he just spent way too much time manhandling a severed head. ]
[It's easy enough for him to slip away, thanks to having been searching a different area from his suitemates. As he enters the laundry room, he considers Hickey for a moment before speaking.]
This is the first time there was more than one body. Did you kill both of them?
[It was possible Hickey wanted more than one wish, after all.]
This is the first time there was more than one body. Did you kill both of them?
[It was possible Hickey wanted more than one wish, after all.]
[ He laughs. Wow, Junior has a lot of faith in his capabilities. ]
No. I had nothing to do with Sabo's death, though I'm thankful that whoever did him in chose to leave such a mess behind.
[ And in the chapel, too. He wonders if the group will be able to figure out which evidence belongs to which murder. Unlikely, if last trial was anything to go by. ]
But now that the deed is done, I do have a request to make of you. Should the others push to search for injuries again, cover for me.
[ He gestures to the back of his right thigh. He's not pulling his pants down to show Junior what's up down there, but: ]
Had a little accident. It's not enough to tie me to any murder, but it'll attraction suspicion if seen. No one's been especially eager to enforce a full strip, but best to cover our bases just in case.
No. I had nothing to do with Sabo's death, though I'm thankful that whoever did him in chose to leave such a mess behind.
[ And in the chapel, too. He wonders if the group will be able to figure out which evidence belongs to which murder. Unlikely, if last trial was anything to go by. ]
But now that the deed is done, I do have a request to make of you. Should the others push to search for injuries again, cover for me.
[ He gestures to the back of his right thigh. He's not pulling his pants down to show Junior what's up down there, but: ]
Had a little accident. It's not enough to tie me to any murder, but it'll attraction suspicion if seen. No one's been especially eager to enforce a full strip, but best to cover our bases just in case.
[Junior nods. He didn't particularly know Sabo or Andrew--and Hickey followed his part of the alliance. As he said, he'd keep his secret and do what he could to cover him.]
In case they push for it, shall we come up with an excuse? I could say you were showing me something earlier yesterday when you had an accident?
In case they push for it, shall we come up with an excuse? I could say you were showing me something earlier yesterday when you had an accident?
A smart plan, yes.
[ He knew he picked you for a reason, little guy! ]
If it comes to such a thing, we could say we were in the workshop together. Both of us have spent enough time there. Easy enough to explain the wound saying we were exploring some of the tools there. Perhaps my little octopus spooked me and I cut myself backing into the forge.
[
]
In some ways, I'm lucky with the location of it. If Angelo can excuse himself from strip searches because of his history, surely anyone who saw my pictures on Wednesday would understand why I'm not eager to remove my trousers.
[ Not a comfortable subject to talk about, but hey, if he can repurpose his trauma into a tool... ]
[ He knew he picked you for a reason, little guy! ]
If it comes to such a thing, we could say we were in the workshop together. Both of us have spent enough time there. Easy enough to explain the wound saying we were exploring some of the tools there. Perhaps my little octopus spooked me and I cut myself backing into the forge.
[
]In some ways, I'm lucky with the location of it. If Angelo can excuse himself from strip searches because of his history, surely anyone who saw my pictures on Wednesday would understand why I'm not eager to remove my trousers.
[ Not a comfortable subject to talk about, but hey, if he can repurpose his trauma into a tool... ]
Edited 2025-03-29 02:05 (UTC)
Your octopus, or my bat. If it flew at you unexpectedly, I think that would be an acceptable reason to have stumbled.
[And Junior didn't think that anyone would outright challenge him, if he corroborated the story. Others had corroborated existing injuries, in the previous two carnivals.]
And I think that's fair, too. We were all...quite upset, about the things we saw. If it's still a fresh memory, you could easily exploit your feelings on the matter.
[Having not actually seen the crime scenes, Junior doesn't have very many questions to ask about it all, right now--and perhaps the less he knows, the better. But...]
If I may--did you choose her because of what happened with Siffrin?
[And Junior didn't think that anyone would outright challenge him, if he corroborated the story. Others had corroborated existing injuries, in the previous two carnivals.]
And I think that's fair, too. We were all...quite upset, about the things we saw. If it's still a fresh memory, you could easily exploit your feelings on the matter.
[Having not actually seen the crime scenes, Junior doesn't have very many questions to ask about it all, right now--and perhaps the less he knows, the better. But...]
If I may--did you choose her because of what happened with Siffrin?
[ Hickey nods. ]
Your bat, then.
[ As for the memory... It was a few months ago that it happened, but Junior brings up a good point. He could play it off as something more recent. Regardless, he considers it an airtight excuse.
So! Moving on. ]
I did, yes. Siffrin was well-liked. A number of us have every reason to be cross with Andrew for her weak framing of him. It's reasonable that someone may have wanted revenge.
[ But he shrugs. ]
I held no ill-will myself, but personal feelings hardly matter here.
Your bat, then.
[ As for the memory... It was a few months ago that it happened, but Junior brings up a good point. He could play it off as something more recent. Regardless, he considers it an airtight excuse.
So! Moving on. ]
I did, yes. Siffrin was well-liked. A number of us have every reason to be cross with Andrew for her weak framing of him. It's reasonable that someone may have wanted revenge.
[ But he shrugs. ]
I held no ill-will myself, but personal feelings hardly matter here.
[Junior nods, understanding. It was a risky move, but one that could play off in his attempts to deflect blame. Still, they--or perhaps just he--would have to play carefully. Junior's well aware that Hwylryn was one of those who had been outspoken about his displeasure toward Andrew--at least while the accusation had occurred.]
One more question, then. Just in case they question why we were alone together in the workshop--do you know any handicrafts? Anything we could say I was curious about, and you were giving me instruction?
[Might as well make their story as thorough as possible, in case either of them is put on the spot. Hopefully, it won't come to that, but...one could never be too careful. This was, after all, life and death.]
One more question, then. Just in case they question why we were alone together in the workshop--do you know any handicrafts? Anything we could say I was curious about, and you were giving me instruction?
[Might as well make their story as thorough as possible, in case either of them is put on the spot. Hopefully, it won't come to that, but...one could never be too careful. This was, after all, life and death.]
[ He chuckles. ]
Not especially—but after Siffrin's death, Cain rounded up those of us from Water Lily Suite to craft a memorial to the man. We attempted some wood carving given Siffrin's interest in the hobby. Perhaps I was there attempting to hone my own skills when you happened to join me. It's not as if there's much to do around here, anyway.
Not especially—but after Siffrin's death, Cain rounded up those of us from Water Lily Suite to craft a memorial to the man. We attempted some wood carving given Siffrin's interest in the hobby. Perhaps I was there attempting to hone my own skills when you happened to join me. It's not as if there's much to do around here, anyway.
Alright.
[It made sense, and it would play to people's emotions, if Hickey explained the tie to Siffrin with the wood carving.]
I'll remember that. Is there anything else you think we should discuss in preparation?
[Not that he was in a hurry, by any means, but he knew that his suitemates were probably distressed. Those who hadn't yet confirmed his well-being for themselves might want to see him.]
[It made sense, and it would play to people's emotions, if Hickey explained the tie to Siffrin with the wood carving.]
I'll remember that. Is there anything else you think we should discuss in preparation?
[Not that he was in a hurry, by any means, but he knew that his suitemates were probably distressed. Those who hadn't yet confirmed his well-being for themselves might want to see him.]
[ There's a long pause as Hickey runs through all the moving parts in his head. He's confident that he's covered his bases, but he does need to be careful. He's been caught once before for this sort of thing—he cannot let it happen again. ]
No, but remember what I told you: Keep focus on how it was done. They're never going to discover how I escaped the room, and as long as we rely on that fact, there's no reason to suspect me.
[ There's a thousand reasons to suspect him, but see: He's smarter than anyone here. :)
(author's note: HE IS NOT.)
With that, he gives Junior a smile. It even seems half-genuine. ]
The two of us can get through this, I'm sure of it. And I'll be in your corner next week, when it's your turn.
No, but remember what I told you: Keep focus on how it was done. They're never going to discover how I escaped the room, and as long as we rely on that fact, there's no reason to suspect me.
[ There's a thousand reasons to suspect him, but see: He's smarter than anyone here. :)
(author's note: HE IS NOT.)
With that, he gives Junior a smile. It even seems half-genuine. ]
The two of us can get through this, I'm sure of it. And I'll be in your corner next week, when it's your turn.
[Somehow, this feels like a "honey, you've got a big storm coming" kind of a moment, but--as far as Junior was concerned, Hickey's plan was reasonable enough. Even if Junior couldn't keep everyone from finding out, in the end, he would still play his part to try and keep that from happening.
Though he does narrow his eyes slightly at the last comment, as if wondering just what Hickey might know about the next week. Ultimately, though, he doesn't say anything.]
It's settled, then. Good luck.
Though he does narrow his eyes slightly at the last comment, as if wondering just what Hickey might know about the next week. Ultimately, though, he doesn't say anything.]
It's settled, then. Good luck.
[ If Hickey suspects that Junior is withholding anything, he doesn't show it. Instead, he simply nods and makes for the exit. Best to not risk being seen together ahead of the trial.
Besides, he needs a nap. ]
Besides, he needs a nap. ]
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