Quoted By:
"Well, think about the average demographic! I'll help. The average person on the seafloor is male... ages 18-40... and dumb enough, reckless enough, or criminal enough to get themselves thrown down here. And, let me tell you, they did not <span class="mu-i">stop</span> being dumb, reckless, or criminal— I mean, most of them didn't." She jabs Monty's shoulder. He doesn't respond. "Even if they don't know Charlotte Fawkins from a hole in the ground, most people want to tell Ramsey to shove it. Some personally. I mean, Charlotte, I know you didn't know her that well, but she did live here. And she was polarizing! Much like a certain someone. So, no, no budging."
"More relevantly," Monty says, "imagine Camp did move. If you move with us, Jean will follow. If you <span class="mu-i">don't</span> move with us, that's you alone against— we don't know exactly how many people. Dozens. Before you face Ramsey. I know your circumstances are..." His eyes flick toward Lucky. "...unique, but I have no intention of throwing you to the wolves. We have no intention. We're in this together."
"Oh," you say, flustered. "Well, my circumstances <span class="mu-i">are</span> unique, so I probably would be fine. I— I really don't need—"
"I need it," Monty says evenly. "Also, I don't think Jean would enjoy pitting a few dozen against you, particularly with nobody watching. Odds are 50/50 she'd search us out and drag us back to spectate, if not worse. I believe she has the power for that."
Lucky nods. You adjust your tail and try not to look like you're adjusting your tail. Nobody here knows about the tail. "But it's okay, because I'm going to stop her. And her wicked band of..." You really wish you had more of a consensus on the evildoing. "Monty, do you think they're evildoers? You didn't say whether you did."
"I was hoping you wouldn't ask." He rubs his nose. "...As Mr. Blaine pointed out, the participants are largely volunteers. He didn't mention why anybody would want to volunteer. It's not just bloodlust."
"'Just,'" you say.
"Some of it is bloodlust. Some of the volunteers will have killed before. Some were thrown off their Pillar for committing murder. Some people play the Game because they enjoy killing— Jean, for instance. Not most. The rest are in it for the wealth, or the fame, or the excitement, or the desire to succeed. I'm talking about the ordinary Game here, but the same motivations could apply. I think they mostly don't, though."
"Why is why you listed them!" Eloise says.
"That's because, unlike the actual Game, Jean has offered a public reward. Did you know that?"
You think. "...Yes? The winner can duel her for the Crown?"
(4/5?)
