[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?
[ 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... ]
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?
[ 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.]
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.
[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.
[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.]
[ 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.
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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?
no subject
[ 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... ]
no subject
[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?
no subject
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.
no subject
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.]
no subject
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.
no subject
[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.]
no subject
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 subject
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.
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Besides, he needs a nap. ]