week 7

[vicedirector]

seven vices week 7 24 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 Katerina's 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 park and playground next to the clinic. >Mingle? This is Week 7'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

Comments

[symbologic]

An excellent choice.

[And with that, Faize stands up and promptly...hops off the edge of the roof, landing squarely on both feet a little ways away from Alisha. Because it's only a single story building and this is faster than climbing back down the way he got up, apparently. He's fine, don't worry. A very durable alien.]

[Once he straightens back up and brushes himself off, he offers a hand to Alisha. Because surely hand holding would make this all the more enjoyable, yes?]

[princessantly]

[ ... That's so unfair, because if Alisha flung herself off a roof like that-- well, she probably wouldn't die, but she'd probably break something.

She's more impressed than envious, though - and slightly concerned, which is why she's looking him over quickly for any signs of discomfort or pain - before she smiles and slips her hand into his.

... And then tugs. ]

Shall we, then?

[symbologic]

[What a sweetheart. He really is fine though. For as much as he was worried about dangerous playground equipment earlier this week, apparently roofs are a different story? Or at least low ones are, when controlled jumps are involved.]

[So you won't see him purposefully jumping off the roof of the hotel or anything, thank god.]

Ah... [She's tugging his hand, what the hell that's so cute???] O-Of course. Lead on, and I will match you every step of the way.

[princessantly]

Well, I'll certainly try not to leave you behind! [ With a laugh, and she is indeed taking the lead. It's an easy enough pace, though, so he can more than keep up with her. ]

[symbologic]

I think you would find that rather difficult, even if you were trying.

[Because!! He's gonna!!! Twine their fingers together. Ha! Try and get rid of him now! It cannot be done!!!]

[princessantly]

... [ Well. Isn't he sassy? ]

I see... you'll take my hand captive?

[ She's trying so hard not to laugh, despite the solemnity of her expression-- he's so cute???? ]

And what ransom will you demand?

[symbologic]

[You have not even seen the true depths of his hidden sassy side, Alisha. At least this is playful sassy instead of jerk sassy.]

[Though apparently he didn't really have a plan in mind beyond "capture her hand" because he looks momentarily surprised and a little flustered at the question of a ransom demand.]

Surely we can discuss the terms and conditions of its capture at a later time? [Judging by the look on his face, he does actually have something in mind, and isn't stalling for time. He's just being a little shit for unknown reasons.] You have my assurances that, until then, I will take excellent care of your hand, in its entirety. You will not so much as chip a fingernail.

[princessantly]

[ Color her intrigued. But hardly worried, least of all about the state her hand will be in when he opts to release it. From the way her fingers curl a little more securely around his, she doesn't mind at all. ]

Very well. I'll entrust you with its safety.

[ These dorks. ]

[symbologic]

[These dorks, indeed. Truly an embarrassment, at least they have the decency to keep the worst of it to private moments like this. So nobody else has to know just how bad they really are.]

[Faize raises their hands and presses a quick kiss, not to the back of Alisha's hand this time, but rather to their intertwined fingers. Which is kinda pointless, since Alisha is wearing gloves but YOU KNOW WHAT? FIGHT HIM.]

A wise decision.

[Faize pick a scenario and stick with it, are you a villainous hand-napper or not??? You're a hopeless nerd, shouldn't you know how to roleplay?]

[princessantly]

[ IS SHE GOING TO HAVE TO BE JEALOUS OF HER GLOVES, IS THAT HOW IT'S GOING TO BE-- except no, that's still plenty flustering to Alisha, and once again, thank goodness for relative darkness for all the blushing that's likely going to last until they part. ]

Trusting you has never been difficult.

[ She'll just point that out, softly, as they walk-- in no particular direction, and she's not in Investigation Mode right now; it's just nice to stroll. ]

[symbologic]

[Aimless strolling is surprisingly nice. Crunchy snow underfoot, snowflakes in the air, mostly-darkness save for moonlight, good company, hand holding...what an ambiance. Faize is pretty sure he could do this for hours.]

...I'm glad. [Okay, despite saying he's gonna take super good care of her hand, he does have to give it a brief squeeze. Just a little one. Reassurance, you know?] And just like your hand, I will do my best to care for the trust you have placed in me.

[princessantly]

[ Hands require a squeeze, every now and then; Alisha happens to like that little bit of pressure. And walking beside him, close enough for their shoulders to brush on occasion, is an additional thing she can appreciate. ]

You don't have to do anything that you haven't already done.

[symbologic]

Mmm...then I will continue to act in the same manner.

[He'll just keep doing what he's doing! Faize lapses into a comfortable sort of silence after that. The shoulder brushing is pretty nice...he actually does it a few times on purpose after the second or third accident. Just a few though.]

...can you imagine what it must have been like to do something like this when this town was...less deserted?

[Not that he's complaining of anything but consider: lights in the windows. No weirdass void obscuring half the town. Maybe other people out for romantic late night snow strolls??? It must have been really nice? In a quaintly sort of charming way.]

[princessantly]

I imagine it would only make the ambiance more cozy.

[ She looks at the buildings as they pass, the playground, imagining what Faize is speaking of. People around, talking and laughing, signs of a peaceful life all around them... Alisha slows then, lowering her head as the thought once again echos strongly in her mind: she doesn't want things to stay like this. ]

I wish there was more we could do, to try and make things right.

[symbologic]

Mmm...that was my thought as well. As is, it's...just as sad as it is beautiful.

[Because, really, it is kind f a pretty scene? Just...also very dead. Faize sighs.]

Helping would require us to know what went wrong in the first place. Something which both Miata and Katerina do not seem very inclined to do.

[What had she said when someone asked why the bodies were cut up? because they DID SOMETHING BAD? Something like that. How vague and infuriating.]

Miata, at least, did say that we would find out eventually, when I asked her. Granted, that was several weeks ago, now.

[princessantly]

"Eventually" could mean any given stretch of time... but I believe her. So then it's just a matter of waiting and learning what we can on our own...

[ Alisha states this with a worn-out sigh, though. Really, she dislikes not knowing how to solve a problem, and this one sure is a doozy. ]

[symbologic]

Yes, of course. But I had hoped "eventually" would be sooner, rather than later. After all, it would be rather disappointing if, by the time we do piece everything together, there are too few of us to do anything about this mess.

[FRUSTRATED SIGH.]

I simply do not see what they have to gain by being so cagey.

[princessantly]

I can't say I understand either, but-- [ She'll move, to place herself in front of him. Look at her and her determined self, dammit. ]

Let's not try to think of what could be disappointing, or what should happen if we fail. We can perhaps try to persuade Miata to be more forthcoming with us, and so long as we don't give up, I believe we will bring an end to all of this.

[symbologic]

......

[UGH, so inspiring. Why is he surrounded by so many inspiring people basically all the time? Edge... Alisha... Hinata...]

[Why are you all so good? And how can he be more like you?]

I was a bit pessimistic just now, wasn't I? You re right, of course. That's hardly the proper attitude to have. Make no mistake though, I have no intention of giving up, no matter how frustrating I find the situation.

[princessantly]

[ Achieve resolution! Good resolution!!

This seems to satisfy her, though, and she offers him a nod and a hand-squeeze, because she can do that too!! ]

I never thought that you would give up. That's one of the things that... ah, drew me to you in the first place.

[symbologic]

[Faize suddenly looks a little sheepish. A flatter sort of sheepish! But sheepish nonetheless.]

Was it? I'm flattered. [He gives her hand a slight tug. There are still more places to wander to, after all.] Though...I hope you are prepared to deal with the...less endearing side of that particular trait. I can be quite stubborn, you know.

[Look, there's a reason one of his elements is earth...]

[princessantly]

That's more than fine. I'm also stubborn.

[ To the dismay of the Council. But right, back to walking! There's still more to wander by. ]

[symbologic]

How fortunate for us both.

[It's hard to believe that this town was three buildings and a bonfire when they first arrived. That seems so long ago. But despite how much the town has grown, there are still only so many places to go. Wandering aimlessly may prolong the process, but eventually they'll find themselves back at the school.]

Well, here we are again. Back where we started. [He comes to a stop in the yard, staring contemplatively at the roof for a second before turning his attention back to Alisha, looking her over with a similar look of contemplation. He is...still holding her hand, because, speaking of stubborn, he's still going along with this ransom thing. Even if he has yet to get back to hostage negotiations.]

Would you still like to join me on the roof, or would you prefer to return to the hotel? You're not too cold, are you? [They've probably been wandering around for a pretty decent length of time at this point, after all. She may be dressed more warmly, but he thinks(???) normal people still get cold after a point, even if they're wearing extra layers. Maybe?? Is that how it works?]

[princessantly]

[ Truthfully, she's feeling the cold in her face, cheeks pink for proper weather reasons and not because Silver-Tongued Faize struck again. But she's not shivering and things seem more intimate out here.

Besides, he hasn't stated ransom conditions yet. ]

I'm fine... I interrupted your gazing earlier... I'd be happy to join you and let you continue.

[symbologic]

[Hm...short stargazing session since weather. That or maybe, just maybe they can cuddle a little on the roof.]

[Y'know. For warmth. Good ol' body heat. That's it, nothing else.]

Alright, then I suppose that brings us to this earlier matter... [He holds up their still-joined hands, grinning a little. And maybe ever so slightly nervously.] You will presumably need your hand to reach the rooftop. Bearing that in mind...are you prepared to listen to my terms for its release?