[ her voice is a little quieter, but it's only because the idea of being that close to the people who are headed into the arena makes her stomach turn ]

The only way I want to help them is helping them get out. Making them look pretty for their death sentence isn't- No.

[ Veronica doesn't mean to sort of study Jughead, but she's sure that's kind of what she's doing as she watches him. Betty's got the same amount of time missing as he does, but Veronica doesn't feel the same sort of.. disconnect between her as she does with Jug. like she has to relearn him, maybe. a little bit. she wonders if he's acting more guarded because he doesn't know he can trust her yet. it shouldn't bug her, but it does. especially with something like this on the line.

but she's not worried. she knows she'll be able to prove herself again. she's just taking time to read between the lines a bit, in a way she can effortlessly with Archie and Betty. they'll get there. ]

I want to get to the people in charge. I think that's- literally the safest place to be. They're untouchable, right? So if we get in with them, we're untouchable. [ her Lodge is showing, she knows. the plans in her head are mainly just manipulation, deception. she plays the long con, the back end. she wants to jump in, but under the radar. there has to be a way to do that, she's sure of it ]