sorry for your loss

[cuteandinnocentpet]

[When people are returned to the main floor, they will find a trail of cupcakes from the elevator to the dining room. There is a table of drinks, pills, and cupcakes and cakes from the automat.

And on the table, in the center, is this asshole, with a party horn in its mouth. Despite that, it talks into everyone's mind.]

As you strangers tend to have a tradition of parties after an execution, I took the liberty. The plates and cups are over there.

[. . .

be merry I guess]

Comments

[otherworldlyking]

Something like that.

[ McBurn didn't know the guy very well, at all. It's true that he was actually curious enough that guessing would be worth his time to try at least once. ]

What about it being 'losing the person that's important to you'?

[ Just throwing it out there. It's one of the most likely answers, or he supposed there was the whole saving the world, but sometimes one fear was more immediate despite a larger scale danger. ]

[mermaidkin]

Hmmmmmm.

[So, the game begins. Half of Hiyori is going for this just to see if he can even make McBurn curious that long. He definitely has to think about how to answer, perhaps because the question could apply to many different scenarios. His conclusion is firm, though.]

Nice guess. But no. I don't have to worry about that at all anymore.

[otherworldlyking]

Not anymore?

[ It really depended on how long Hiyori could make him curious, but it's not often he's managed to guess wrong in a place like this. So, for now it continued for a second round. ]

Being completely helpless, could be another.

[mermaidkin]

I used to, and now I don't. Though it's not like I don't care about, say, the happiness of you Strangers.

[Oh... Oho... This next guess though... Wow!! It gets Hiyori just like those sword move things!!]

That wasn't the phrasing I had in mind at all... But we don't think we can refute it in any way!! That might even be an accurate description of why I came here this evening in particular! Oh, wow.

[It's a lot to take in. Time for more cupcake.]

[otherworldlyking]

[ ... He wouldn't be surprised if that second sentence Hiyori had just said aloud was something he's said before in the duration of their time here.

Though, McBurn felt some satisfaction at nailing it on his second attempt. Not quite the kind from a satisfying battle, but he's gotten two of those from Hiyori by now, so... ]

That's interesting. What's making you feel so helpless all of a sudden?

[mermaidkin]

[Well, now Hiyori is done with his cupcake. That is clearly the only reason he's crumpling the wrapper and throwing it in the trash.]

That it's Valentine's Day. [That's an ice-cold sarcastic tone he hasn't allowed himself recently at all before.] Obviously what we've all been talking about the whole day. But... maybe you can guess what that means for us next time.

[otherworldlyking]

[ Clearly; he'll watch the subtle (?) display of emotion with a hint of amusement. That sure was some sarcasm to go with that too. ]

Maybe.

It's been hard to imagine anything becoming dire for you two for awhile, but I'm guessing things are starting to heat up.

[mermaidkin]

[Dryly, which is more typical.] Well, we've just finished week three. You've probably gathered what weeks four and five tend to be like. I'm not going to pretend the project is going to indefinitely remain in this weekly incentive stage. After all, already this incentive wasn't being directly pursued by anyone.

[otherworldlyking]

You anticipate it won't go well, then. For one reason or another.

Since people have resisted more than expected.

[mermaidkin]

That you're resisting at all certainly isn't surprising. It's still not... the worst case scenario. [He's examining his nails very closely, actually manages to find a minute cupcake crumb.]

But I do want the record to show we've given you multiple chances to do this the easy way. The best I think you're actually going to get is holding out until our leader does this the hard way.

[otherworldlyking]

What's the worst case scenario? Being unable to still change our minds?

[ Or he supposed, a complete defeat could be one. But, with the programming and effects of manipulation still in the back of their minds, agency was always a question. ]

Going to guess your Leader will try to force us and it'll be even more of a pain to deal with.

[mermaidkin]

...I can certainly promise that amount of resistance under so much pressure can't be physically pleasant. But I shouldn't ruin the suspense.

[He smiles harder, beginning to step away.]

And who knows? Maybe your group will be the one exception to the trail before of endless defeat, like on the train.

[otherworldlyking]

That's too bad.

[ McBurn watched him closely at that, and that sure was a comment, but seeing the other begin to step away with those words... ]

Won't be too surprised when we prove to be the exception. See ya.

[ He'll put up a hand lazily as he gave his farewell, and then he'll also make his departure, since he's hardly sticking around for the party for too long. That didn't go badly, though he didn't think it would. ]