Blanca; catch-all

[misstrust]

Comments

[misstrust]

[ Dorothy is quiet, her eyes bright and alert as she listens-- and then she sighs, running a hand through her hair. ]

I don't want to put the kids through it, and I'm a little more likely to blend in among suspects than you are. I'll be as careful as I can.

But please, tell me what you can-- who I should avoid and viable candidates especially.

[papasha]

I understand...

[He doesn't want the kids to be involved either, but he also! doesn't want Dorothy! or any of the other ladies to be involved! Terrible.]

I'm afraid I can't explain why exactly, in full detail, but you should not harm Xie Lian, Emet-Selch, or Sora. It's best if you don't question them about anything. I'm sorry to force you to simply trust me. [His smile is a bit weak, but there.] And please don't tell anyone else those names.

There is another person, but... we haven't found out who they are quite yet.

[misstrust]

[ Dorothy will survive!!

Or maybe she won't, we just don't know. ]

... I understand. I won't aim for any of those three, and I'll keep it to myself. [ Rather, Sora is a child and she would die for him?? ]

[papasha]

[KIA STOP]

Thank you. I believe one of the people you may safely remove is Miss Elsa, though... I don't know if you would be willing to do so.

[Elsa has done nothing wrong, she is simply... collateral.]

The person who is able to help you... is me. As long as I'm not targeted, I suppose... so you still should be as careful as possible. We should do something about your crutch to obscure it. Or we should find you something else with a different bottom shape you can use for that night.

[misstrust]

To be honest, I was considering Elsa. I think I'd like to ponder that a little more before committing but I think it would be better to remove someone so gentle sooner rather than later when she finds herself having to kill someone.

... Well, I say that, but it will still be very horrible of me. [ With a saddened smile; the horse lowers her head. ]

As for my crutch... I'll do without it. It won't be for long.

[ It will hurt like a bitch, but it will eliminate one problem at its source. ]

But you mean you'll vouch for me?

[papasha]

[He offers the horse's head a comforting stroke.]

A little more than that, I'd hope.

I'm... able to remain awake on those nights. To look for clues to help us. I could possibly leave something behind, or take something away.

[misstrust]

[ And now both eyebrows shoot up. ]

You've been awake every Thursday?

[papasha]

[Haha!]

I have, yes.

[misstrust]

... Doesn't that mean you know all of the murderers?

[ Oh my god, Blanca. ]

[papasha]

I do wish it were that easy, Miss Dorothy, but no. I am only aware of two of them; one because they informed me, and the second because they had been missing from where they said they stayed.

I cannot interfere in anything that happens, and I don't see anyone but those who are asleep. Just as I saw you asleep in the graveyard by yourself.

[misstrust]

I see... that's why you were able to say it so confidently the other week [ when... was that again-- ] that certain people were asleep.

... Then yes, I do believe I could use your assistance with the... aftermath.

[papasha]

[He nods.]

Yes, that's why. [His smile is slight.] I'll help you, but you will have to tell me how you think you might go about doing it, so I will know not only where to look, but what to look for.

[misstrust]

... I finally get you alone in a beautiful environment and instead of falling into each other's arms, we're discussing the intricacies of murder.

[ Dorothy says this with a weary sigh. ]

I'll tell you when I have a better idea of what I'm doing. Likely Wednesday.

[papasha]

[He really shouldn't, but he chuckles in amusement. LISTEN. The image is funny, sue him.]

All right. Hopefully, things should go according to plan. If not, I can speak to you about it on Friday.

[misstrust]

Let's hope we're both here by Friday.

[ Help these adults. ]

[papasha]

I know things are grim and dire beneath the surface, but let's try to be at least a little optimistic, Miss Dorothy.

We'll both be here by Friday.

[He hopes.]

[misstrust]

And we'll fall into each other's arms.

[ Clearly. ]

[papasha]

[This gets him to laugh quietly.]

I'll tell you what: if we're both here by Friday, I'll allow you to fall into my arms once.

[misstrust]

[ She wags a finger at him. ]

I shall need it, so please remember you said that.

[papasha]

I promise to remember.

[Get it?

because they keep

losing memories.

It's a bad joke, he's so sorry.]

[misstrust]

[ She just.

Reaches out to flick him in the forehead. ]

[papasha]

[OOF. He make a dramatically pained expression even if it doesn't hurt.]

It was in bad taste, I'll admit.

[misstrust]

It was. I suppose I should be lucky that I haven't forgotten how to groan at terrible jokes.