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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[minogame]

( Two characters from canons with time-changing motifs......... struggling with time. )

No? It's what they call the second month of the year back home. ( And he holds up two fingers. ) It was the beginning of February when I came here. Master was telling us about a special holiday they celebrate now but I missed it~.

( And he's a little sad because he was looking forward to learning how to make chocolate and eating it even more but he doesn't sound too bothered. )

[stupidly]

Oh. ...We don't really have months...

[WHO KNOWS WHAT SYSTEM THEY USE THOUGH, it's a mystery...]

What holiday is it? Maybe you can still celebrate it later.

[minogame]

"Valentine's Day."

( He says it proudly like a child sharing something new he learned in school the day before or something. )

It's a day for lovers and loved ones! You give chocolate to the people you like and eat all of the chocolate you get. And you give hugs and kisses to eveyone you care about and spend all day with them in matching shirts~.

And New Year was coming too... but the old one that we had back when I was re~ally young. ( Before they switched to the new calendar he's still learning now. ) Master said we could have he day off for it still, though. And we'd have a big dinner with everyone.

[stupidly]

[There are definitely some parts about that that Gilbert's never heard of, but there are enough similarities that he's looking a little surprised.]

That sounds a little like a holiday where I come from - Saint Bridget's day. [Except there's weird mythos about angels and it's closer to tanabata in history BUT STILL--

Also, somewhat curiously:]

You celebrate New Year in the second month? [They probably have new years where Gilbert is from, at least, but why wait a month?!]

[minogame]

Ah... there was a holy person for Valentine's Day too but I can't remember the story~

( He only remembers the part about chocolate... )

Mhmm! It used to be the beginning of the year but when Japan opened its ports, the people adopted western things like their calendar. Mr. Mutsunokami knows more about it than me... but when that happened, our New Year came later in the year. Everyone celebrates the new New Year now but since all of us are used to the traditional one... master said we could celebrate that one too

[stupidly]

[It's kind of funny to find a similarity in such a bizarre place... "weird festivals about love and caring and friendship that came from a story about a holy person".]

So... two new years, then? [SEEMS COMPLEX, and so does the history he mentioned because what even, why do two separate parts of the same world use different calendars?? But he'll just nod...]

You'll be able to celebrate both, I'm sure. [He can't imagine that his comrades would take a break from looking for him just to celebrate - if time is moving properly, anyway (because HAHA THEY'RE SURROUNDED BY AN ABYSS HE KNOWS HOW THIS STORY GOES!!!!) He also seems to remember he'd been on his way to making dinner, though, and he gestures vaguely in that direction.]

—I should get started.

[minogame]

An old one and a new one, heh heh~!

( It sounds funny when you explain it like that. And Gilbert is right... if time is moving properly, they probably wouldn't stop looking for him or Mikazuki. On one hand, Mikazuki is the grandpa that is worth more money than the saniwa can ever repay if lost... but then Urashima is also the precious little brother of Hachisuka and he sure as hell isn't going to rest and neither would Nagasone. )

There's always next year too.

( He won't complain about missing a few holidays as long as he can get back home some day. )

Huh? ( Ah, is this the part where Gilbert is going to start to distance himself away from him again. ) Oh... sorry.

( Just drops an apology casually like no big deal. )

I didn't mean to distract you.

[stupidly]

[That's good, at least - that optimism. Always next year! If he could personally ensure it, he would in a heartbeat, but for now he just - does that weird face that isn't exactly a smile, but is something close.

The apology seems to throw him off a little, though.]

It's fine, you don't need to apologize. I should just get started now, or Break will complain and start throwing things.

[LIKE A PUNK.

But it does indeed seem like this is the part where Gilbert starts to distance himself again. Pretty much like clockwork.]

[minogame]

Hmm... he isn't very nice to you, you know.

( Just in case you haven't noticed, Gilbert. Just in case. )

You can stand up to him. You're no turtle.

[stupidly]

[OH HE'S NOTICED. He's noticed, Urashima...]

Every time I try, he just hits my kneecaps with that cane—!

[HIS HARD LIFE.]

[minogame]

( HE'S NOTICED THIS TOO and Urashima is quiet at the table, leaning back in the chair some and just sort of musing a bit to himself. )

And you can't leave him alone here either. ( This is a place where people need to stick together... And after losing the friend he arrived with, he doesn't want Gilbert to have go through the same. Even if Break is no where near as good as Mikazuki because even if Mikazuki was a killer Break is still the worse one. ) He's lucky you're nice.

[stupidly]

[Honestly that is not an incorrect assessment...

But Gilbert pauses, shifts where he stands, considers those words.]

...It's— not really about luck, I don't think. [Break would probably be better off without him? They would both be better off without each other?? They're a vortex of Bad Luck and Gilbert isn't even really that nice to him, all things considered...]

But I won't.

[minogame]

( It's definitely about luck. Urashima can tell! He just thinks it's Break's good luck having Gilbert for a friend versus either of them having bad luck. Because as an optimistic turtle sword it's always about good luck versus bad luck. )

Nu-uh, it's definitely about luck. He's really lucky you're a kind person.

( And he begins to gather his things from the table like he's ready to leave himself. )

... What're you going to make?

[stupidly]

[The adamant reply just earns Urashima a little huffing sound that might be something close to a laugh... IF YOU SAY SO, TURTLE SWORD.]

—I was going to make a few savory pies tonight.

[...]

Have you eaten yet?

[He can still fuss even if he's keeping his distance, okay.]

[minogame]

( What kind of huff was that... he's being serious! Gee. )

Not yet.

( THE ANSWER IS ALWAYS NO HE CAN BARELY FEED HIMSELF HERE HE NEEDS AN ADULT IN THE KITCHEN )

[stupidly]

[A LOOK... A look that says "why aren't you eating more!!!!", like a true fussy adult.]

I'll make one for you.

[And off to the kitchen! Gotta start on these pies so no turtles starve.]

[minogame]

( Okay but he actually eats just fine because there are plenty of people he can convince to cook for him? The problem is he can't cook for himself so the answer is literally always no until he finds someone to cook for him! But even then, he's feeding himself decently enough... he's not completely hopeless. )

Ah, thanks! ( He isn't even surrpised when people feed him anymore he's just grateful as usual. ) Do you need help or anything?

[stupidly]

[Gilbert fusses even when people are 100% capable of taking perfect care of themselves okay THERE'S NO ESCAPE...]

It's fine, I can manage it.

[minogame]

( Gee, Gilbert, first you avoid him then you don't let him hang around either. )

Oh... then I'll come back later. ( I guess. ) . . .

( Well, it's not like he wanted to stick around and remind you of anyone from home anyway so he'll just slip away, then. )

[stupidly]

[uuugh UGHHH HE JUST DOESN'T WANT TO BRING BAD THINGS TO URASHIMA'S DOORSTEP. There's a second where he considers going after him, but in the end, he just sets to work instead.

About an hour later, if Urashima doesn't mosey back first, he'll set out with a tray that has a little pot-pie looking thing on it though.]

Urashima?

[minogame]

( He actualy isn't back! He expected the cooking to take longer since it was for more than one person... that's how cooking works, right? But Urashima is easy enough to find, folding another one of his cranes to drop off at the school later maybe. )

Ah!( AAAAH??? He didn't expect Gilbert to come looking for him. ) Mr. Gilbert!?

( Looks at Gilbert looks at the food looks at Gilbert looks at the food LOOKS AT GILBERT-- )

... Is that for me?!

[stupidly]

[MORE CUTE ORIGAMI, oh no--

Also what kind of reaction is that?! Gilbert looks a little surprised, glancing down at the tray.]

Er— yes? It's... got carrots, potatoes, onions and peas, some chicken...

[Like he thinks Urashima has suddenly developed an allergy to any of these things and has just magically sensed they're in there.]

[minogame]

You're finished already? I thought it would take longer. ( Gee, he's scrambling over like it's his fault he didn't show up sooner or something. ) Thanks! It looks really good.

( He's a good sword spirit he isn't a picky eater, he'll eat all of his vegetables, Gilbert. And he'll reach to take the tray from Gilbert if it's all right. )

You're always cooking for me, Mr. Gilbert... I wish I could do something for you too.

[stupidly]

Oh— No, I made the dough the other night. That part would have taken the longest.

[But fortunately he was a smart cookie! Good work, Gilbert. But he'll let Urashima take the tray and seems a little relieved when the dish is complimented.]

—You don't have to do anything for me, though. If you remember to eat and drink and sleep as well as you can here, that's enough.

[minogame]

But anyone can do that. ( Eat and drink and sleep... any person can do that. ) You look out for me so I want to do something special.

( And a beat, )

Just like in the stories!