Sharon Catch-All;

[misstrust]

Comments

[misstrust]

To put it lightly.

... I can't believe we slept through so much.

[maidforservice]

. . . it is uncanny, isn't it?

[so much happened in the kitchen AND YET, NONE OF THEM WERE AWAKE FOR IT AT ALL]

The sleep we experienced last night was not a natural sleep.

[misstrust]

Right...

[ And that bothers her quite a bit. ]

If that's the Realm's doing, I'm not sure why it would do that.

[maidforservice]

I can only think of one reason.

[and she is certain that the thought had crossed Dorothy's mind, too]

[misstrust]

... That it was encouraging it.

[maidforservice]

[gives an. unreadable smile]

And didn't wish for outside interference from others.

[misstrust]

Meaning that it did everything possible to ensure someone would get killed.

[maidforservice]

[. . .]

Is this the nature of the "competition" the Realm wishes for us to partake in?

[misstrust]

I can't say I agree with its wishes right now.

[maidforservice]

I doubt anyone here does. But it's curious. . . if Lady Hajime's death is part of this "competition," then why did the Realm decide the "competition" had to be this way?

[as though the realm is sentient?? which. . . based on how the Leaders talk about it, it might be??]

[misstrust]

I wish I knew. I think that's something we're going to need to keep in mind, though-- as much as I hate to say it, I don't feel like things will necessarily improve.

[ Poor Hajime, though. ]

[maidforservice]

Neither do I, even though I can't predict what will happen from here on out.

[SHARON IS NOT AN OPTIMIST]

[misstrust]

Brace ourselves... more or less?

[maidforservice]

. . . heehee.

[though the smile that accompanies laugh doesn't quite reach her eyes]

I suppose at this point. . . it's our only option.

[misstrust]

... You know, I think you don't need to laugh when you're not feeling it.

[maidforservice]

[ah]

. . . I suppose it is instinct. An attempt at lightening the mood, so to speak.

[misstrust]

I think we can save that for the younger ones.

... Really, I also need to stop forcing a smile all the time too.

[maidforservice]

[. . .]

Are you used to being the one who always smiles through difficulty, Lady Dorothy?

[misstrust]

Something like that! It helps keep me going, more often than not.

[maidforservice]

[. . . a small smile of her own]

Putting it that way makes me think your life must be quite difficult back home.

[misstrust]

Not too difficult, just... there were others who needed support.

[maidforservice]

[. . . hm]

Miss Ange told me you were her dorm mother. [smiles a little at that] Do you find it to be rewarding work?

[misstrust]

It's honestly more work than I thought it would be, looking after so many girls! [ And she says it with a laugh. ]

But it's been nice, being able to advise them and watch them grow. For the most part, they stay out of trouble.

[maidforservice]

Heehee, teenagers can be quite the handful, can't they?

[she speaks from experience]

But the trouble is worth the reward.