Spain's Room | Saturday Night Week Six

[vytis]

[Lithuania wouldn't know why he was visiting Spain. But maybe the Producer has his reasons. Maybe he just wants to see the results of the first successful designated killer's actions. At any rate, with Spain's door being left open at night, it's not difficult to walk right in and shut the door behind him.]

Congratulations.

[The tone is even. Business-like, really. It doesn't seem to be mocking; maybe he's actually being sincere.]

Comments

[pasodoble]

( God, he'd rather deal with Stiles putting this hat back on than Lithuania right now. As soon as the door closes, Spain's expression drops more from disappointment to disdain, )

Am I supposed to say thanks?

[vytis]

I wouldn't expect you to. [His face remains neutral.] Are you going to need someone to untie you on Sunday evenings, or will one of the others handle that?

[pasodoble]

Are you volunteering?

[vytis]

Yes. [He's completely serious.] Unless you'd prefer it be someone else.

[pasodoble]

I would have to be back before anyone checked again. And tied, I suppose.

( The last part sounds optional... )

[vytis]

I can take care of that. I'll even leave that hat off of you. It would be bad if you missed the meetings--you're the only one who's succeeded so far.

[pasodoble]

Hah! ( It's not really funny but he has to laugh some before addressing a more serious issue, ) ... Are my people really safe now?

[vytis]

You got away with your murder, didn't you? And to think everyone was so quick to assume you didn't have a good reason.

[pasodoble]

Are they or aren't they?! ( Spain keeps his voice controlled but he doesn't trust Lithuania for a moment when he's acting like the producer. ) If you tricked me...

( And then he trails off some. He really isn't sure if he'll be given another incentive to keep playing or not but he wouldn't put it past a game that was always making up new rules to fit it. )

[vytis]

I apologize for not making myself clear. You've saved your people. As long as you continue to cooperate, this will remain true.

[pasodoble]

( Spain doesn't say anything at first. He closes his eyes and says a silent prayer, takes a moment to let everything sink in, and finally addresses Lithuania again, )

... And Latvia's people?

( They would be safe too, right? Just like Ukraine's? )

[vytis]

His situation was like Miss Ukraine's, not yours. Don't worry about them.

[pasodoble]

I'm not heartless. ( He just got two people killed. ) ... I want to see my people. Can you show me again when we meet?

[vytis]

Yes, I can do that for you. You deserve at least that much.

[pasodoble]

Thank you. ( And since they are alone now, why not ask, ) Why are you playing, Lithuania?

[vytis]

I explained that the first time we had a meeting, didn't I? This is my game.

[pasodoble]

But why? Am I supposed to believe this is all happening because you were bored one day?

[vytis]

I won't tell you what to believe about that.

[pasodoble]

Then who died for you? The week someone from home was killed, there was someone for all of us, including you.

[vytis]

[There's a pause before he answers, though his face makes it impossible to discern the reason. There is an emotion there--and that's more than he tends to display during designated killer meetings--but it's very faint.]

I don't know.

[pasodoble]

( Spain's eyes narrow and and any politeness he had in his voice before is gone. When he speaks, there's an edge, )

What do you mean "you don't know?"

( Did they really pick a random stranger to die just to make it look like Lithuania was on the same level as them? How far was this game going to cheat them?! )

[vytis]

[He looks away, just slightly--off to one side away from Spain's gaze.]

I mean I don't know.

[pasodoble]

( He could yell right now but he won't risk Felicia hearing them. It doesn't matter if Kaoru does, but Felicia couldn't know anything. )

Are you cheating? ( Hissing, ) All of your talk about rules and you're breaking them?!

Then maybe we shouldn't bother following them either!

[vytis]

[He tilts his head a little.] I'm not cheating. I should follow my own rules.

[pasodoble]

Hah.

You didn't even know them! Everyone watched their friends and family die; I watched-- ( No, he won't even say it. Why waste his time now. ) It was supposed to be someone important and you don't even know the person that died for you.

What else are you exempt from? The other incentives? Being a suspect?

[vytis]

I'm not exempt from any incentive. Not even the first one.

[pasodoble]

( What the hell was even the first incentive oh my god, he doesn't even remember which is hilarious considering what it's about. The only one that's ever really mattered to Spain was the one Lithuania presented to him at their first meeting. Everything else had been connected to it in some way or another.

Spain goes quiet, trying to recall exactly what it is and then the angry look in his eyes gives way to shock, )

... The lost memories. ( Give him a moment to put the problem together ) You didn't know who it was because you didn't remember them.

[vytis]

[He looks at Spain properly again, nodding.] Not that I don't understand why you would get the impression, but I think you all believe I'm more devious than I actually am.

[pasodoble]

You're a player too.

( Not just a mastermind that oversees the game but someone that's actually playing with them. )

[vytis]

[It takes him a moment to choose his words.]

Forcing all of you to follow rules and following no rules myself would make even "unfair" an awful understatement.

[pasodoble]

But you're still playing.

( This is too much to think about right now he's never been very good at these things. This Spain! Things go over his head all of the time. )

And you're a nation like me. We would never play this game for any reason... ( Slowly connecting the dots. When he finally speaks again, his tone is much softer. Kind, even. ) What's wrong?

[vytis]

[He doesn't seem to know what to do with that tone--it's obviously not something he expected, not at all.

He answers quickly.]

Nothing--nothing's wrong. I should let you sleep; I doubt the others are going to let you sleep in. Have a good night.

[He pauses at the door, though. While he doesn't turn around, emotion is in his voice. Maybe it's just because he's preparing to go back outside.]

I'm glad nothing happened to your people.

[Then he's gone.]