[ What a fun time it is to be hobbling around a graveyard!
Well, though, even social butterflies like Dorothy need some peace and quiet, and no one will be living (heh) it up in the graveyard. She's also curiously examining the headstones when she blinks and glances up and-- ]
[ What a gentleman. Dorothy doesn't lean too much on him because she's an independent lady, but the arm is still appreciated and she laughs a little under her breath. ]
As well as can be expected? I'm still alive, my wounds are slowly healing, and I get a handsome escort. I don't see anything troubling about any of that.
(Look, he knows! Just let him help someone who could still use a hand,)
Quite the optimist! (He laughs,) It's a good trait to have here.
(Especially when the weeks have worn down so many over time.
Still, isn't that bar a little low? Well, he isn't one to pick at things like that. And luckily for them, the saloon is closest to the graveyard so it won't take them too long to arrive. It's just up ahead!)
It helps that we aren't alone in this situation and we have each other to rely on. (But he sighs, loudly!) It's just a shame that this place is so full of mysteries and secrets.
Normally, that'd make it rather fascinating to me.
[ But the saloon is just up ahead-- and once they're in, Dorothy is acquiring a scotch. Half because she feels like she's going to need it and half because she just likes alcohol. ]
... But I do think there's one mystery we'd both like to solve at the moment.
[ And she lifts an eyebrow at him. ]
Because it's not just the joy of my company you sought, was it?
Same here. Usually, I can appreciate a good mystery but the secrets all too often come at a heavy price.
(Honestly, he's probably getting the same thing. It might not be his preferred spirit but it's fine. This is fine.
He'll set down a pair of glasses for them and offer to pour for her first. He also doesn't react too much to her calling him out on his intentions. If anything, he just smiles-- that same, usual, charming smile he always has. That smile that doesn't quite reach eyes that are focused on other things,)
Not entirely, but I confess, I would never turn down company from a beautiful woman.
[ Dorothy won't turn down a gentleman even as she observes his expression with a subtle short of sharpness. A man whose smile doesn't reach his eyes is, in all honesty, a man much more dangerous than one who doesn't smile at all.
She pauses to take a hearty swig from her glass once it's nudged her way before she answers him. ]
I think I'd say the same. At the very least, we know we're on the same team which is more than what can be said about the others...
(Who! Are! They?!)
It's in our benefit to find others on the same team so we can share information more freely. My leader agrees and they gave me a clue to find one other on my team.
(Which is what has him looking not at Dorothy but at her glass.)
I'll tell you one part and explain. If I'm wrong, I can't have you finding the rest of us too easily.
If we went to a party and there were drinks... one of us might enjoy it more than others.
(It's no wonder why he's zoned in on Dorothy,)
Actually, I spoke to someone else before you but I was wrong. There aren't many others who would fit that here and I think it might be someone I don't speak to often, if at all.
"Once or twice a week," and "three at most" seems to be the number of times we can reveal our teams to others. It doesn't count if we reveal ourselves to someone on the same team as us. So what do you say? Regardless, it's in our favor to work together. (Has everyone been saying how "we all need to work together!" in this place?) At worst, we're on different teams but can exchange different information.
[ Dorothy continues to study him-- and then she laughs, softly. Well. She can't say she's surprised, though she wonders who else he would have gone to with a hint like that. ]
I've been rather cautious, even before that rule made itself known, so I'm afraid I might have made it more difficult to find me than I should have.
[ She pauses, before she continues. ]
My Leader was able to give me a clue, regarding a feast. And I remembered how you had arranged something like that before things went... [ She tilts one hand to the side. ]
So, Claude. I do believe we may have finally found each other.
Hah! Well, it took us long enough. Two foxes sharing a drink.
(What a relief. He can enjoy his own drink now.)
Let's see... my entire clue was, "Most of you could legally attend a drinking party, although a few of you in particular might enjoy it more than the others." I'm not really sure what it means by legally but it's something to maybe keep in mind.
Besides Shima, I suspect we might have lost at least one other... (Unfortunately for them. No confirmation, though.) The only other one I know is Izumo but...
(And he looks down at his glass. Kind of awkwardly,)
Don't mention me around her. We're not... talking anymore. (And he taps his cheek, still lightly bruised from last week.) Trust me on this.
(Or five because this is just going to be a lot of trouble. Also from now on, Dorothy isn't allowed to die.)
I'm not sure how many of us are left. There's at least the three of us and if we can find the fourth, we'll be better. It would appear we have some things in common, most notably, we seem to be, well... more faux than fox.
(A bunch of fakers, liars, and pretenders which has him re-evaluating what he thought about Dorothy, to be honest.)
You mean you aren't? If that's the worse you've done then I'm a real villain.
(TRULY. A SINNER. THE WORST.)
But let's discuss current affairs instead of, well, past slights.
(Because that would take forever.)
Starting with the big picture: Collect nova, figure out how to do that better, try to stay alive, don't kill. Killing actually doesn't result in that much nova but it does seem to give you back a memory or two. While most of us are forgetting things though, it would appear some of us are remembering things... including our leaders.
Namely, that we're able to bring back the dead. More specifically, that two murders from a Faction will guarantee that the members of said Faction are brought back.
[ Dorothy finishes her drink, glancing down at the foam remaining. ]
I had my doubts initially, but I've also heard other Leaders confirm it.
Yeah, that matches with what I've heard. (Which... feels grim. Two murders from the same faction, huh...) That's at least one down for us.
(But it's hardly worth celebrating. It's grim, and heavy, and it reminds him of things he's bee asked more and more these days.
He's also going to refill her glass,)
It also seems that that we're able to speak to the dead, believe it or not. (He still doesn't believe it at times. It seems so illogical to him.) I received a message from one of the dead this week. I wouldn't have believed it but... the message mentioned things only he would know about.
They're still around and trying to help us. I got a reminder, "Remind people this isn't about what's totally right. It's about survival."
There's nothing wrong with that. Without ethics and morals, we probably would have fallen apart by now. We'd probably have more than two bodies a week.
(But it's nice to know that there are others on the same page here. Some people certainly seem to have a harder time wrapping their heads around some of the logic in this place,)
We've found each other so that makes three of us so far... and I know we've lost enough on our team to warrant a whole new rule about our leader losing their powers but without knowing who we've lost, it's difficult to decide... what do you think about these return conditions?
(Only one person on their team has been able to murder. To bring back the others on their team, someone else will have to kill.)
I think I know who the fourth is, but I'd like to verify it with them first.
[ And Dorothy pauses, to tap her chin. ]
I'm... well, ideally, we wouldn't have to kill, but I think at this point, we're not going to be able to generate enough nova to negate that. I'm not sure if that's even possible.
But I think that's a talk best saved for all of us. I'm concerned that it's likely inevitable, but if that's the case, then we definitely need to talk about it. No more deaths than necessary, for certain.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Week 4, Tuesday
Well, though, even social butterflies like Dorothy need some peace and quiet, and no one will be living (heh) it up in the graveyard. She's also curiously examining the headstones when she blinks and glances up and-- ]
Oh. Claude, correct?
[ Not as empty as it could be here, after all. ]
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Don't ask Claude why he's here. He's definitely here for [redacted] reasons but that's not important for this thread okay.)
Hm? At your service. (And he bows his head in greeting,) And you're Dorothy.
(It's not a question. How could he forget after she CHUGGED ALL THAT BEER IN FRONT OF EVERYONE???)
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I see my reputation precedes me.
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(And he winks! No judgement from him.)
In fact, maybe I could treat you some time.
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[ Every drink here is free, Dorothy.
SHUT UP, BRACKET TEXT. ]
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(He'll hold out a hand to her now,)
In fact, if you'll let me, it'll be my treat.
(Like right now. Yes. What time is it? Does it matter? Anytime is an acceptable hour for a drink.)
I mean it. I've been wanting to talk to you for awhile.
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[ Give Dorothy a moment to just-- rearrange her crutches so she can take his hand like it's fine. Because it's fine. ]
But no better way to see how good of company I am than now, right?
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(And he sounds so amused by this. If she'll let him, he'll offer his arm to support her and just
guide her away from the graveyard like a gentleman!! A true noble.)
I think it'll pay off. And if not? Fine. I'm sure we'll make a great time of it anyway.
(But they can talk about business later,)
How are you today?
(You know, hobbling along and all? DOROTHY YOU'VE BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH.)
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As well as can be expected? I'm still alive, my wounds are slowly healing, and I get a handsome escort. I don't see anything troubling about any of that.
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Quite the optimist! (He laughs,) It's a good trait to have here.
(Especially when the weeks have worn down so many over time.
Still, isn't that bar a little low? Well, he isn't one to pick at things like that. And luckily for them, the saloon is closest to the graveyard so it won't take them too long to arrive. It's just up ahead!)
It helps that we aren't alone in this situation and we have each other to rely on. (But he sighs, loudly!) It's just a shame that this place is so full of mysteries and secrets.
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[ But the saloon is just up ahead-- and once they're in, Dorothy is acquiring a scotch. Half because she feels like she's going to need it and half because she just likes alcohol. ]
... But I do think there's one mystery we'd both like to solve at the moment.
[ And she lifts an eyebrow at him. ]
Because it's not just the joy of my company you sought, was it?
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(Honestly, he's probably getting the same thing. It might not be his preferred spirit but it's fine. This is fine.
He'll set down a pair of glasses for them and offer to pour for her first. He also doesn't react too much to her calling him out on his intentions. If anything, he just smiles-- that same, usual, charming smile he always has. That smile that doesn't quite reach eyes that are focused on other things,)
Not entirely, but I confess, I would never turn down company from a beautiful woman.
(Especially an interesting one,)
Do you speak to your leader often, Dorothy?
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She pauses to take a hearty swig from her glass once it's nudged her way before she answers him. ]
Not daily. But we're not entirely strangers.
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(Who! Are! They?!)
It's in our benefit to find others on the same team so we can share information more freely. My leader agrees and they gave me a clue to find one other on my team.
(Which is what has him looking not at Dorothy but at her glass.)
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Honestly, she could probably get through at least twenty more such glasses and be fine. ]
What did they tell you?
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If we went to a party and there were drinks... one of us might enjoy it more than others.
(It's no wonder why he's zoned in on Dorothy,)
Actually, I spoke to someone else before you but I was wrong. There aren't many others who would fit that here and I think it might be someone I don't speak to often, if at all.
"Once or twice a week," and "three at most" seems to be the number of times we can reveal our teams to others. It doesn't count if we reveal ourselves to someone on the same team as us. So what do you say? Regardless, it's in our favor to work together. (Has everyone been saying how "we all need to work together!" in this place?) At worst, we're on different teams but can exchange different information.
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I've been rather cautious, even before that rule made itself known, so I'm afraid I might have made it more difficult to find me than I should have.
[ She pauses, before she continues. ]
My Leader was able to give me a clue, regarding a feast. And I remembered how you had arranged something like that before things went... [ She tilts one hand to the side. ]
So, Claude. I do believe we may have finally found each other.
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Hah! Well, it took us long enough. Two foxes sharing a drink.
(What a relief. He can enjoy his own drink now.)
Let's see... my entire clue was, "Most of you could legally attend a drinking party, although a few of you in particular might enjoy it more than the others." I'm not really sure what it means by legally but it's something to maybe keep in mind.
(He shrugs,)
... But I do have another one.
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[ But some manner of tension in her shoulders dissipates. Thank goodness... she finally found one.
Her eyes lift to his face and she nods, encouraging him to continue. ]
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"Someone has been going by a nickname since they arrived."
(Time for business though, oh boy,)
Anyone come to mind for you? Have you found any others?
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[ Dorothy pauses, grasping her chin. That... hm. ]
I haven't confirmed it with any others yet-- as I said, I was trying to lay low. But that does bring someone to mind.
Also, if you'd tell me who else I need to speak with, I'd appreciate it. Better for them to hear it from me.
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Oh boy.)
Besides Shima, I suspect we might have lost at least one other... (Unfortunately for them. No confirmation, though.) The only other one I know is Izumo but...
(And he looks down at his glass. Kind of awkwardly,)
Don't mention me around her. We're not... talking anymore. (And he taps his cheek, still lightly bruised from last week.) Trust me on this.
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[ Dorothy just kind of takes a hearty chug of her drink before she pinches the bridge of her nose. ]
Is now... really the time to be having fights with your allies?
[ CHILDREN... PLEASE... ]
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(Look, he's not proud of this.)
Just... don't mention me, though. Really. She'll know I sent you.
And it wasn't my intention to make you our go-between but... it's probably the best way to exchange information, at least, for now, if you're willing.
(SIGHING.)
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[ That's... fine. Who needed a peaceful week? ]
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(Or five because this is just going to be a lot of trouble. Also from now on, Dorothy isn't allowed to die.)
I'm not sure how many of us are left. There's at least the three of us and if we can find the fourth, we'll be better. It would appear we have some things in common, most notably, we seem to be, well... more faux than fox.
(A bunch of fakers, liars, and pretenders which has him re-evaluating what he thought about Dorothy, to be honest.)
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You pretend to be seventeen once--
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You mean you aren't? If that's the worse you've done then I'm a real villain.
(TRULY. A SINNER. THE WORST.)
But let's discuss current affairs instead of, well, past slights.
(Because that would take forever.)
Starting with the big picture: Collect nova, figure out how to do that better, try to stay alive, don't kill. Killing actually doesn't result in that much nova but it does seem to give you back a memory or two. While most of us are forgetting things though, it would appear some of us are remembering things... including our leaders.
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[ Dorothy finishes her drink, glancing down at the foam remaining. ]
I had my doubts initially, but I've also heard other Leaders confirm it.
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Yeah, that matches with what I've heard. (Which... feels grim. Two murders from the same faction, huh...) That's at least one down for us.
(But it's hardly worth celebrating. It's grim, and heavy, and it reminds him of things he's bee asked more and more these days.
He's also going to refill her glass,)
It also seems that that we're able to speak to the dead, believe it or not. (He still doesn't believe it at times. It seems so illogical to him.) I received a message from one of the dead this week. I wouldn't have believed it but... the message mentioned things only he would know about.
They're still around and trying to help us. I got a reminder, "Remind people this isn't about what's totally right. It's about survival."
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Also Claude is a gentleman and a scholar and she'll toast him. ]
... I would have thought that would have been obvious at this point, but it's true that we seem to keep getting tangled up in morals.
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(He sees that eyebrow!!)
There's nothing wrong with that. Without ethics and morals, we probably would have fallen apart by now. We'd probably have more than two bodies a week.
(But it's nice to know that there are others on the same page here. Some people certainly seem to have a harder time wrapping their heads around some of the logic in this place,)
We've found each other so that makes three of us so far... and I know we've lost enough on our team to warrant a whole new rule about our leader losing their powers but without knowing who we've lost, it's difficult to decide... what do you think about these return conditions?
(Only one person on their team has been able to murder. To bring back the others on their team, someone else will have to kill.)
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[ And Dorothy pauses, to tap her chin. ]
I'm... well, ideally, we wouldn't have to kill, but I think at this point, we're not going to be able to generate enough nova to negate that. I'm not sure if that's even possible.
But I think that's a talk best saved for all of us. I'm concerned that it's likely inevitable, but if that's the case, then we definitely need to talk about it. No more deaths than necessary, for certain.