Izumo Catch-All;

[misstrust]

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[misstrust]

Goodness, was it that obvious?

[ Dorothy laughs, slowly shaking her head before she lets solemnity take over again. ]

I know that there needs to be two murders done by our Faction members in order to bring back the Foxes who were killed. I also know that we need one more to complete that task. And that Fox is going to be in trouble if someone decides they want to target a Leader this week, because we've lost quite a few among our number.

[sacredchants]

Let's just say there was a hint and you were one of the people that came to mind.

[ sorry dorothy if you've been having A Time getting them..? ]

There's only four of us left, right? Shima was a Fox just like us. [ laughs in execution ] ...and I suspect that Kano was also one.

[ laughs in execution times two, but it isn't really a laughing matter as izumo looks deep in thought. of the teams, they're not in great shape. the rankings mean nothing, but she doubts that fox isn't that far from the bottom. ]

But is that really the case? We have to kill in order to bring them back? When I spoke to Fox last week, they tried to assure me that things were fine, however, I'm not stupid enough to not think that people might consider killing them.

[misstrust]

[ DOROTHY HAS BEEN TRYING SO HARD but it's fine, she got her hint finally. ]

Seems this is the team for the clever ones. [ As she taps her chin. ]

I didn't believe Fox last week when they told me-- but I've heard it verified from multiple other sources not in our Faction that this seems to be the case.

Fox also confirmed that they don't know what will happen to the remainder of the Faction if they're killed, but if it means we're no longer part of one, I'm a little concerned it means we'll be removed.

[sacredchants]

[ she got her clue because of izumo and [ redacted ] both slept on monday for one reason or another. bless her though. ]

It would make sense if we were, wouldn't it? No Leader means that we aren't able to take part of the competition anymore. [ she'll look somber. ] I wonder if they'd make a show of us or if we'd just disappear overnight? I don't want to kill, but I also don't want to be removed.

[ ... ]

As things are with the nova, we were brought here to replenish what has been lost but we're effectively just breaking even with what we're able to gather. If we figure how to get into the positives and stay there perhaps we won't have to worry about killing anyone.

[misstrust]

[ Thanks, guys. Maybe also stop fighting. ]

... Don't kill. [ Dorothy says this softly, gaze darkening a bit. The thought of being made a show of or just... vanishing without a trace... neither one sounds particularly promising.

But also Izumo doesn't need to force herself. ]

If it comes to that, I'll figure out who among us remains and go from there. The positives likely include continuing to talk to and deepen our bonds with as many people as we can, as well as those problems that occur... well, today.

[ She can't wait. ]

But also it's so nice to finally speak with the young lady Alphinaud speaks so fondly of.

/2

[sacredchants]

[ HE KNOWS WHAT HE DID.

but when dorothy makes it clear not to kill, izumo will just shake her head. she won't kill. she could but she won't. there are just too many risks to take. though just as she was going to say something about the deepening of bonds—

(AGAIN. HE KNOWS WHAT HE DID.)

well. ]

[sacredchants]

[ cue the record scratch and her taking a double take at dorothy for a moment. that. that was not a name she thought would pop up in this conversation and she nearly falls over in her seat. ]

F, f, fondly?

[ SORRY THEY'RE HAVING A SERIOUS DISCUSSION BUT NOW SHE'S?? ]

[misstrust]

[ Here she is, just smiling beatifically. ]

But of course! We were roommates once, you see. We happened to grow rather close during that time.

[sacredchants]

[ SCREAMS INTERNALLY.

alphinaud is allowed to have as many friends (who largely tend to be female(?!)) as he wants but the fact that he talks about her to any of them has her uneasy. ]

Wh...what kind of things...did he say?

[misstrust]

[ Here, Dorothy pauses. ]

... This stays between us, understood?

[sacredchants]

[ this. feels ominous??? ]

Of course.

[misstrust]

[ It's really not that bad, Dorothy is just being dramatic. ]

The gist of it beneath his language is that he very much enjoys your company and speaking with you. Ah, he seemed to be flustered admitting it, but...

[sacredchants]

[ oh.


oh.

ha...ha...haha....?? cue izumo slowly looking away while also turning a lovely shade of red. actually she may also try hiding her face from view. please do not perceive her. ]

I...

[ uh. ]

I, I've become aware of that.

[misstrust]

... [ Oh, this is precious. ]

Is it really something to be that troubled over?

[sacredchants]

Wh, who said I was troubled by it! I'm not troubled at all. [ aaaAAAAHHHHHHH ] I'm...g, glad he told me.

[ she's happy about it. elated!!! they're a very soft couple and i, naru, live in fear for unlocks. ]

Anyway—! W, we should be talking other matters! I got another clue from Fox last week that I haven't figured out s, so maybe you could help me with that.

[ cries. alphinaud why. ]

[misstrust]

[ I, Kia... is a swedish furniture store but I welcome unlocks with a passion. ]

Oh? [ She hums, a little smile playing at her lips. ]

Do tell. I'd be happy to assist Alphinaud's lovely lady.

[ IZUMO IS SO CUTE. ]

[sacredchants]

[ she's still a lovely shade of red thanks to being referred to "alphinaud's lovely lady" because it's too much. she wants to crawl under the seat or scream but IT'S FINE.

""work"" will be a perfect distraction. ]

Th...The last Fox is someone who has been going by a nickname since they've arrived here. Fox told me that it should be someone I can figure out, but I haven't been able to reason out who it could be.

[misstrust]

[ Without missing a beat-- ]

It's Blanca.

[sacredchants]

[ ah.

.... ]

Well, that was easy. [ slightly anticlimactic, honestly. ] Normally I'm not the person to suggest this—but should we all get together and make ourselves acquainted?

I don't recall speaking to him outside of a few instances.

[misstrust]

[ Dorothy smiles a little sympathetically-- look, she's all for dramatic build-up, but she hadn't found any of them until this week. ]

He's very much a gentleman, if that helps. But I think you're right, we should all come together and see how we want to go about this.

[ ... Of course, that means [redacted] will be there. Can Izumo handle that-- ]

[sacredchants]

[ and now they've all been united. amazing??

though yes, yes she's more than aware that she is willingly suggesting that she and [ redacted ] need to be in the same room without her needing to rip his face off... but izumo is very serious about figuring this all out and she's not that petty. ]

Then should we meet up this week or hope for the best for next week?

[misstrust]

We could try for Thursday or... ah, Friday evening, if we're confident.

[ ... Are they confident ]

[sacredchants]

I have some questions I want to ask Tiger on Thursday... Let's risk it and say Friday.

[ please. please let none of them be dead (though i'll laugh if one of us are). ]

If something happens to one of us, we more or less know all of us now.

[misstrust]

[ And then there were three dead Foxes on Friday- ]

That's fair enough. All right, let's plan to meet on Friday. I'm... certain we'll have more to discuss then.

[ She says. With a grimace. ]

[sacredchants]

[ CRIES IN FOX....but yeah, nah, izumo knows there's a gamble waiting this long but.... her deets. the info!!!! ]

Right. Should we plan on where to meet? I'm not really partial to any place in particular.