week 4

[vicedirector]

seven vices week 4 28 players remaining ♫ monday - thursday Monday morning begins just like the rest, slow and uneasy. At 12pm, every television will go off with its usual bout of static, followed by a calm, albeit disinterested, voice. "Please gather in the hotel lobby within the next hour." That's all that it says before the televisions turn off. Anyone not in their rooms will hear the voice echoing around them as if through a speaker system, although there are (still) no speakers present. After hearing the motive, characters who choose to explore will find that the void around the town has retracted a bit, and there is now a police station to the far east of the chapel. On the chapel wall near the altar, black and white portraits of Youko, Zelos, and Morrigan have been hung up. Anyone looking for them will find that Youko's pink shoes and the fragments of Zelos's crystal are now gone. >Mingle? This is Week 4's mingle log, covering Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday. Investigations will go up on Friday. When posting toplevels, specify the time and location. If you plan on having any private conversations between characters, remember to let us know in the post linked below. More plot elements will be introduced this week. Mod comments will be occasionally distributed to open toplevels, accordingly. cast setting rulebook profiles private conversations

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tuesday

[fluorospar]

[This is starting to feel familiar.

She also doesn't feel quite so bad on encroaching on his quiet time, either, if only because she is concerned.]

I thought I might find you here.

[dhaosu]

[ He hears her voice, although just barely since he may have tuned out to his surroundings. ]

...Mm.

[ He turns his attention to her. ]

Predictable, am I?

[fluorospar]

Perhaps somewhat.

[It's okay, Dhaos, she's not judging!!]

I suppose this week's motive is... harder for you, then?

[dhaosu]

[ Hearing that from most people would have earned them a glare. In Selena's case, he knows she's not judging, however. ]

It has been so long, since I saw a familiar face, and yet for them to be shown in that manner once more...

[ Yes, harder, and disturbing him even more. He only theorized that they may have had such power, but to know they can very easily go through time, and record such a moment? That is more than even a miracle.

It also angers him, that they continue to toy with people like this. Once again he thinks of his people from his planet, those who sacrificed themselves only for him to fail, and his hands clench into fists. ]

Only reminds me of how much 'they' consider this be a laughing matter.

[fluorospar]

[... Yeah, that's definitely the sign of someone who is Not Dealing Well with a motive, and it concerns her. Last week, she didn't handle things so gracefully, and it seems this week is his turn.]

... It is certainly deplorable. Perhaps taking your mind off of it is simply the best you can do for now.

[It's not much of a solution, but it's all they've got.]

[dhaosu]

Yes, you are correct.

[ His voice is quieter, as he attempts to reign it all under control. At least with grief, he was used to feeling it, and knowing or rather thought he couldn't change things. This was immense, it was crushing him, the renewed images of those close to him sacrificing themselves, his people slowly suffering, dying, and everything after that. And yet when he tried to think of something else, he couldn't. ]

...Perhaps I...

[ Dhaos shifted, and seemed to fall silent. He had always been so guarded, especially against humans, but despite some of his still preconceived notions, he remembered slowly but surely not everyone of them was evil. Yet, he hoped sincerely, that his reacting did not make him seem 'weak' or perhaps 'bothersome'.

Not to one of the few humans he's ever managed to get along with. ]

I can... I can manage such a thing, surely. Yet, it is strange that no activity, no other thought comes to mind--usually there is something...

[fluorospar]

[... Yeah, he's struggling. Thankfully, she anticipated this somewhat, and she truly doesn't hesitate to offer up--]

If you are not opposed, I may very well have a suggestion for you.

[dhaosu]

[ He blinks at the offer, a bit surprised. He will take it though, and since it's Selena, he does trust it to be something potentially helpful. ]

...What is it?

[fluorospar]

It is nothing particularly impressive, but...

[Maybe it will help him? That would be nice, if nothing else.]

Once, I was given this advice, and I have held to it to this day. Oftentimes, when unsettled or unable to calm yourself, it can help to share stories with others of happier times, or even lighthearted moments.

If we must reminisce this week, it may as well be of the times that have made life worth living, do you not think so?

[dhaosu]

[ He is looking a bit hopeful, through the pain. ]

...

[ He seems to ponder upon it, thoughts shifting through old memories, or the ones he has briefly touched upon only a few times he has been here. ]

Then, I suppose, you would like to listen to a story I have to tell...?

[fluorospar]

If you wish.

[She nods simply at that, and adds:]

If you do not wish to dwell, I, too, am wiling to share. But I believe it would be best, if you are willing, for you to do so.

[dhaosu]

If... both of us could share, I would like that.

[ But Dhaos does wish to start first. ]

When I first arrived upon Aselia, I oft was concerned of what could occur concerning my people, and even now, I still feel the same. However, during that journey there, I met a small gathering of individuals who were part of a 'troupe' of some kind. Despite their unfamiliarity with me, they decided to invite me into their group, and even though it did not last very long... one of them in particular sought out my help quite frequently.

Sometimes it was for inane activities... and the one time it wasn't, it involved locating a unicorn of some type. I thought it may have been a waste of time, but it seemed that such a thing did exist, and when I found the animal, I was astounded. All in all, I have very fond memories concerning those within this group, as one of them... named Winona, was the one who even assisted me in my own goal.

[ Pause. ]

...Am I doing this correctly?

[fluorospar]

Yes--that is wonderful.

[She's smiling already, honestly--this seems fascinating to her, and when she has to admit:]

I must admit, this was not entirely selfless of me. I have been curious, after all--though what I said, about it having been advice given to me, was true.

I would not have suspected that you spent the time searching for and found a mythical horse, of all creatures, Dhaos.

[dhaosu]

[ His cheeks colored slightly. ]

Yes, well... it was something that seemed to just occur at any rate. Though, this advice appears to have worked so far.

[ He clears his throat. ]

But surely, you have a tale to tell as well?

[fluorospar]

I do, if you are willing to hear it.

[But by the fact that he's the one who brought it up, she's willing to launch right into her story.]

I had only just become a soldier--green as could be, and very young as well. I was stationed to guard the castle... likely because the continent was at peace, and there was honestly little chance of anything happening there. It was late at night, and I was jittery... it was my first proper assignment, and I remember wishing to do very well, and so... when I heard something, I immediately lifted my weapon and threatened the source.

... Of course, I had no idea that my emperor was prone to late, nightly walks to clear his head. That was the first time I'd met him, in fact, though I'd swore my allegiance to his cause long before. But he simply laughed, and waved off the fact that I had nearly speared the man I had sworn to defend, and even praised me for my diligence.

[The remembrance gets a fond smile out of her, even as she shakes her head.]

A kinder man you truly never would meet.

[dhaosu]

...Many in his position would not have been as kind and say such words following an event like that. It is no wonder you hold him in high regard.

[ There is a smile there. ]

And although it may sound silly, I do have a hard time imaging you as 'green'.

[fluorospar]

...There are many reasons for that, of course. He has earned my eternal loyalty a hundred times over.

[That much, she's 100% certain of.

But she chuckles at that.]

Yes, well... we all must start somewhere, correct? I was not born to be a soldier, I am afraid--though I daresay I have learned better since.

[dhaosu]

[ At this point, Dhaos has been very certain of that. He thinks upon on their stories, and truly, he is glad Selena did come upon him in this state. He could not have dealt with it on his own, and now, although it still hurt, it no longer felt like every breath he took was full of pain. ]

That is true...and pardon my curiosity, but I have to wonder, for you what was considered to be his defining moment of kindness and fortitude? The one that must have surely sealed your loyalty to him?

[fluorospar]

[That question doesn't bother her at all; she nods simply in response.]

Of course--I do not mind sharing. I am from a very poor village, on the very outskirts of my kingdom--so poor we were unable to gather enough food for the winter, much less pay our taxes to the empire.

[She laughs quietly, shaking her head.]

Rather than send armed soldiers to demand our missing taxes, he sent us food for the winter, to be certain that we would be all right. Rather than demand what he was owed, he merely wished to be certain that we would be well during the harder seasons.

I am sure the other rules of the other countries must have thought him mad, but...that kindness, that love of all of his people was what I had always wanted to serve.

[dhaosu]

[ Dhaos listens closely to every word that comes, and indeed, he believes that is good enough reason right there to be loyal to such a king, beyond anything else he has heard Selena say about him. ]

I see. An act like that is certainly something I would not think of as mad, although I suppose I can see why others in his position may think so. It appears some of those in a position to rule can forget that benevolence is one of many qualities in assisting in keeping the peace and safety of those who live within their kingdom.

[ He pauses, thinking upon something, but only for a moment. ]

...It is good to know your own emperor is not one who did.