Week 2

[strangerpeople]

WEEK 2

[It's been one week on the Gigantic
and it's clear that Zero
is a big dickzzzzzsht



A week has passed. However, there is no denying anymore that the power Zero possesses is very real. One person is already dead because of this, regardless of what, exactly, the Gimme's role in it was.

There is also no denying that the ship is somehow powered by blood, if not made of blood entirely. Why? How? And what do the clues uncovered in the previous week have to do with it?

The watches, meanwhile have not changed in any way. Everyone is still in their color groups. The doors to the next floor are still locked as well. Perhaps those are also murder dependent. Which is...also not good. But at least there's food and laundry down here, so...maybe it'll get boring eventually, but for now, infinite confinement on the bottom decks of the ship may not be so bad. right?

...Right?



There are currently 18 strangers on this ship.]

Comments

[godspiousjasper]

This is true! It does make me feel a little bad I can't do more for the little guy, though.

[ He glances down in Loki's direction, then shakes his head as he sighs softly. ]

I try to keep him hydrated and taken care of since there's no baths here for him to soak in, but at least I've figured out what he likes to eat.

[superstylishsquid]

I'm guessing the answer is 'any kind of meat'.

[He's quiet for a moment, with his tail flicking idly.]

Congrats on the win yesterday, by the way.

[godspiousjasper]

For the most part, yes. Though I find he seems to prefer red meats over any others.

[ That last comment made him blink twice, then offer a laugh as he smiled brightly. ]

Why thank you, Alastor. I certainly wasn't expecting to do so when I had started, so that came as a little bit of a surprise.

[superstylishsquid]

Maybe you just found all the easy dolls. Ever find your own?

[godspiousjasper]

Hm... I think I might have, but it was closer to the end of the game. Why do you ask?

[ Somehow he has a feeling he knows where this is going. ]

[superstylishsquid]

I found it while a few people were talking about what it said. Consensus seemed to be that you killed a kid who was turned into a vampire.

[His eyes dim, but the light also focuses, giving what's left a sharper glow.]

[godspiousjasper]

[ So he was absolutely right. ]

I did. Though it was not without a reason.

[ Roland exhaled a soft sigh, his smile soft but very much wry. If not leaning towards something almost sad. ]

This vampire child was on the verge of taking a human life and I had to act quickly. At that time, the vampire was a threat and had to be taken out.

[superstylishsquid]

Had they lost control? I wouldn't expect a newly turned ex-mortal to have the same...contempt for humanity as most demons.

[godspiousjasper]

No... vampires in my world were created from a singular incident in time, so this child was born as one.

[ Such an incident was clear in his mind, and deep down he knew there was another one but he couldn't remember it. ]

Many young vampires don't view humans as anything other than food, will befriend them... then when they least expect it? Drain them dry. [ He paused to take a bite of his dinner since he was nearly done it by now. ] We got there barely in time to act, and this particular one was ready to rip out a girl's throat.

[ Given what he knew now about the ability to corrupt a vampire's True Name, thanks to Vanitas? He suspected that had a hand in this incident. ]

[superstylishsquid]

Ah...so they're more like demons than the kinds of vampires humans tell stories about where I'm from.

[Don't view humans as anything other than food...yeah, that sounds like most demons born during or after Mundus' reign. Cowardly and short-sighted, the very reason only the most reckless, deranged, or simply desperate of humans would negotiate with devils anymore.]

Some devils were once human, but most of us were born what we are...and a lot of the younger ones do see humans that way. So this one grew up with the idea that a human's entire worth was inside their veins, and there wasn't exactly time to find out how deeply the mindset was engraved?

[godspiousjasper]

The majority of them, yes. But not all.

[ A soft hum followed Alastor's words, then he nodded. There was something truly grim when one looked at it that way but it was the truth and the way of the world. ]

Yes. One second wasted too long and that girl would have died, but... due to the chasseurs' intervention? We were able to return her safely to her family. [ His gaze fell down to one of the absent scars along his ungloved hand. ] I didn't enjoy it. I simply was just doing my duty that day.

[superstylishsquid]

There are hunters who wouldn't even show that much reluctance. A young monster is still a monster, after all.

[godspiousjasper]

You are correct. That's all some can see when it comes down to it.

[ Roland's gaze turned upwards to Alastor once more. ]

I have at least since then, learnt that there are good vampires in the world. Ones worth saving.

[superstylishsquid]

I bet those sorts have it rough. Can't imagine they wouldn't still be feared or hated by humans, and if vampires are anything like demons...well, the last devil who fought in defense of humans was branded a traitor to the point that demons are still trying to kill his son a couple thousand years later.

[godspiousjasper]

The world... truly is impossibly cruel to many, and not all those are forgiven. As you said, many vampires are feared and hated by humans even today.

[ Honestly Roland just hopes that he's cleared some things up about the whole child killing matter. ]

[superstylishsquid]

And I bet other vampires hold the ones who prefer to cooperate with humans in contempt, right? That's how it's gotten to be with demons, ever since Mundus took over and spread the idea that humans deserve to be eaten just for being weak.

[godspiousjasper]

I admit I'm not really familiar with the vampire world, but it wouldn't surprise me if that were the case.

[ He perked up, eyes as bright and energetic as always. Maybe it's a good thing that he always had a tendency to bounce back right away. ]

I sincerely hope that vampires and humans can learn to get along! So they can laugh together and there won't have to be as much bloodshed.

[superstylishsquid]

I know it...used to be sort of possible for demons and humans. Humans always feared us, but it used to be that they also valued our power and preferred to pay us off than try to kill us.

So maybe, if they don't have any influential figures actively stirring up contempt for the idea of negotiating with mortals.

[godspiousjasper]

That does seem like something I should ask about to my friends when I return. The two of them are more involved in the vampire side of matters so they could tell me if there's anyone like that who might pose a problem with doing that.

[ Like he knew about Count Orlok and all, but anything too indepth about the vampire community was lost to him. For all Roland knew? The vampires weren't at all interested in peacefully co-existing with humans and this whole thing would take a lot longer to sort out and so on. ]

[superstylishsquid]

If there is, it'll be a fight...probably literally. Back when Mundus took over the underworld, he didn't hesitate to have anyone who resisted his ideas of how to interact with humanity exterminated.

[godspiousjasper]

Then I will be there to offer my support where I can.

[ A nod of his head and he laughed softly. ]

I may be only one man, but i'll put my best forwards until the very end.

[superstylishsquid]

Just know what you might be getting into, alright? Don't say no one warned you if it ends up getting you killed.

[godspiousjasper]

It's alright. I'll make sure I go in prepared when the time comes.

[ Then he flashes a soft, kind smile at Alastor. Something genuine and inherently honest. ]

Your worry and concern over my well-being is appreciated, you know. I'm glad you came to speak to me tonight about this matter. [ Another short, light laugh and he looked down as he made sure to finish off the last bite of his dinner which he'd almost forgotten about earlier. ] If you ever have any other questions, know that you can come and ask me them at any time.

[superstylishsquid]

[He huffs and crosses his arms over his plate.]

I'm just thinking about the long term. Humans are worthwhile as a species, so people like you, who keep supernatural predators in check, are important.

[godspiousjasper]

So it would be considered worthwhile to have someone like me out there, continuing to keep them in check for as long as possible. I understand what you're getting at, don't worry.

[ There's a knowing smile on his face in that following moment, though he then proceeded to tilt his head to the side ever so slightly. His smile never dissipating any. ]

Just make sure you're not ever one of those I have to keep in check. I enjoy your company and do wish to have you around for much longer.