I Broke You (4/25/12)

[brasca]

And finally Rikk does something.

Classic mistake of accepting a challenge instead of just killing your opponent outright and also cliche. As much as I want Di to survive I'm also hoping he doesn't take the bait and do something surprising.

[TCampbell]

I admit freely that the "one-on-one challenge" has been seen before-- in fact, it's been seen in Fans before, too. But I'm completely okay with that, because this turn was more or less mandated by the characters.

Wheaties and Di are two of a kind, not just because of their fighting skills, but because he and she are both lower-case alphas, with a driving need to prove themselves with their fists. They're not unintelligent, so they can check this tendency sometimes, when they have to.

But in this case, everything is working against Wheaties keeping his head. Rikk is egging him on. Bellhop is egging him on. The other members of his team are not there to steady him. And as far as he knows, this really is his only chance to defeat Di decisively.

Di, meanwhile, has become self-aware enough to use her own weaknesses against others, as well as the intimidating side of her sexuality, which she understands pretty well after seeing Baxter. This round goes to her. The more important round, though, is the one that follows it.

[Zanosuke Kurosaki]

I got 30 Silver that says she can take him.

[Muttley]

I got 30 Silver that says she can take him.

Judas' price? An odd choice of stake.

[sun tzu]

And finally Rikk does something.

Hallelucampbell.

Hm. What's driving Bellhop to doubt his teammates so early (if that's what's actually happening)? The death of his half-brother? The attack on Ally? Di's self-sacrificing move?

[retrophrenologist]

My money's on Di...


...luring Wheaties into the path of a retargeted orbital laser.

Also, does anyone think that Bellhop might be changing sides, here?

[Thray]

My money's on Di...


...luring Wheaties into the path of a retargeted orbital laser.

Also, does anyone think that Bellhop might be changing sides, here?

That was my first thought, but there are tons of civilians in DC, and I doubt that AEGIS is willing to cause *that* many innocent deaths.

As for Bellhop, I don't think he's switching sides. But remember, he is a child. He is squeamish about killing, and allowing Wheaties and Di to have a fair fight is probably something he can rationalize to himself as good for the Hand.

[Freemage]

I think Bellhop's still on the fence--he isn't switching, so much as watching for some sign to help him make up his mind. I think that if Wheaties declined to go through the gate, that could push him into buying into Rikk's spiel--and Wheaties, as noted, is smart enough to pick up on that. In other words, it's not just his own ego pushing him through the gate, it's knowing that this is NOT a good time to show weakness or fear.

[Zanosuke Kurosaki]

I got 30 Silver that says she can take him.

Judas' price? An odd choice of stake.

I was thinking more "Lunar 2", the scene where Lucia was facing down Zophar, really. "I got 30 Silver that says you can take him!" (from the sidelines.)