mortem | clue event three
Apr 26, 2019 13:25:18 GMT -5
Post by umber vivuus 12b 🥀 [dars] on Apr 26, 2019 13:25:18 GMT -5
His arms were crossed over his chest, ever on the defense as he stood next to Indigo. As far as friends here went, Adrien had realized he didn't have many. Blaine seemed okay enough to be sharing a room with him, but too indifferent for Adrien to think of him as a friend. Poppy came and went as fires did, burning everything down and leaving in a pillar of smoke. Beryl was nice in a way that made him doubtful.
But Indigo seemed genuine enough, even if there always seemed to be something lingering on the tip of his tongue. Even if he seemed like he was moments away from saying something every time Adrien approached him. Best case scenario, it was something small and insignificant. Maybe he wanted Adrien's advice on how to impress Amrin, as if he had a clue. Or maybe he just needed some reassurance about the competition.
Or, worse case scenario, maybe he knew the truth.
"It's nice out," he said to Indigo without looking at him. His gaze was preoccupied by his father, who'd just came out of the front entrance a couple hundred yards away. Adrien's hands squeezed his biceps a bit harder, his spine stiffening and his lips becoming a pressed line across his face. He liked to think he'd gotten better at seeming like he didn't care, taking a few notes from Blaine's book, saying the minimum in a pleasant tone and walking away at the first given opportunity. But it was still easily noticed by anyone who bothered to pay him any attention.
They were standing in a straight line by the time Malcolm reached them, experienced enough to know the drill. He liked to look each of them in the eyes when he spoke to them.
"Afternoon," he chimed. Everything he said felt like it was meant to be a secret, like what he was saying was privileged information.
""For three months now, you've done your best to impress me. You've taken on the trials, studied the mechanics, answered the questions, and I couldn't be more proud."
He was taken aback; had it really already been three months? When he put it into perspective it made sense, sure. It seemed like an appropriate time period for the numerous tests he and the others had taken, but time certainly did fly when one was kept busy. Adrien had gotten used to waking up with the sun and going to sleep long after it had set.
"But today's assignment isn't about impressing me. One by one, each of you will come and stand before the group. You will name one person, other than yourself, who you think deserves to win this competition, and then you'll name one person who you think doesn't deserve to win. Present reasons why for each."
A silence overcame the group, as if everyone was holding their breath. While several of the others hadn't bothered hiding their feelings about one another necessarily, this was different. This was asking them to stand in front of everyone and call someone out. This was a test, he realized, that would separate the weak from the strong. Adrien had counted not making any enemies thus far as a plus, but that would go away after this.
"Adrien," Malcolm said. He hated hearing his name on that man's lips, spoken like a secret. Because the difference was that Adrien was Malcolm's secret.
"You'll begin."
He huffed, uncrossing his arms for the first time to run his hands through his hair as he stepped up next to his father.
"Uh, okay. So, as far as hard work goes, I think Indigo has been really impressive. He's a quick thinker, and a good problem solver, and he's approachable," he said. Deep breath in. That was the easy part.
"I guess I haven't been impressed with Violet, though. When she does well, it seems like dumb luck, and it doesn't happen all that often. I, um-" he made eye contact with her, clenching his jaw.
"I don't think she's taking it as seriously as the rest of us."
He mouthed the word sorry to her before quietly filing in with the rest of the group.
"Next," Malcolm said.