WEEK 4

[strangerpeople]

WEEK 4


[It is late in the afternoon when the Titled finally wake up from their long, vivid sleep. What day is it? Maybe it doesn't matter.

They weren't awake when it happened, but the final set of doors have opened. The Intercessor hasn't emerged from their room. There is no sign of the grumpy old man. And, the Titled may notice that nothing has been cleaned up - including the remains of those who prompted the Investigation - since they went into the Debate Hall. No new food has been supplied in the Kitchen, either.

The only replenishing food supply is in the Conservatex - who knows when those'll get ripped out from the ground out of spite, though. Their captors certainly showed themselves to not be above petty revenge, unfortunately.

So many questions now swirl. Is the old man hiding? Is the Intercessor ok? What the hell happened with the dragon? What about that other group which the Titled have come to realize exist? What did their captors have planned? And...really, what the hell else is going to happen now?

Whatever it is, it's not going to be good.

So get ready, Titled.

There are nine (but perhaps only eight?...) strangers in this place.]

Comments

MEETING TIME (and checking on Cessy)

[carries_war]

[Study]

[Rubedo is one of the last to wake up, thanks to just how long his dream was, coupled with a week of barely sleeping at all. But when he does leave his room, his first priority is checking on the Intercessor. Even before visiting the kitchen, he darts to the study and knocks loudly on the door.]

Hey, you in there?!

[...That's not how he usually talks, is it? Even the tone has more emotion than usual. But maybe it's just because he's that distraught.]

[Everywhere and then cafeteria]

[No matter where people are, unless it's locked up in their rooms (and even then, they'll get him knocking), everyone will end up with Rubedo walking up to them. Something seems a bit off about the way he carries himself, though...or maybe it's just the way he's been changing over the past week taken to its logical extreme. His expression is still serious, but there's no denying that it's a genuine expression, and his movements seem more natural and less carefully controlled. He looks the same, but somehow he seems both older and younger at the same time.]

Hey, meet up in the cafeteria. We've gotta talk about what he hell we're gonna do from here, and I've got something I wanna tell everyone that I don't wanna explain twice.

[That sure doesn't sound like Rubedo, does it? But he walks off before anyone can ask him about it, and ignores anyone who might call after him.

Once he's talked to everyone, he makes his own way to the cafeteria and hauls himself up to sit on one of the tables, one foot pulled up and arm resting on his knee as he leans forward.]

Alright, listen up. Everyone's probably already noticed, but they've stopped giving us food. Killing their pet got them good and pissed, so they're probably trying to starve us out. I still dunno why they didn't just kill us all while we were in that debate hall, considering they didn't have any problems with running McBurn through, but I can't say I give a damn why they do anything unless we can use it against them.

It looks like there's still food in the Conservatix, but who knows how long it'll be before they wreck that, too. We should harvest as much as we can now and preserve it in whatever ways we have available. It won't last forever, but I don't think any of us are planning on sticking around here any longer than we've gotta. We should also make sure everyone's armed, just in case this turns into another fight. If anyone here doesn't know how to use a weapon, I'll teach you at least enough to be more likely to hurt your enemy than yourself. I don't know if they'll still be trying to give us incentive to kill each other, but I hope at this point we're all on board with the idea of telling them to take their offers or threats and shove 'em up their asses. They caught us off guard the last two times, but like hell we're gonna let them win just 'cause fighting back only got us a Pyrrhic victory down there. For Laslow, Yusuke, Ai, and even Harley and McBurn, it'll be their blood painting the floors next time.

And...one more thing, before everyone jumps in to say their piece. I'm sure you've noticed I'm a lot different from the last time you saw me. That's because of the memories I got back last night. Some of you... [Looking at you, Eric.] might find this a bit hard to believe, but I remembered fourteen years I'd lost. My unique power as a Variant URTV activated after what I remembered last week and froze my body's ageing process. My mind, though...I've changed a lot, in those fourteen years. The kid you knew...I won't say he's completely gone, but I'm not the same person anymore. I've even got a new name...I go by Gaignun Kukai Jr. these days. I'd prefer if you called me Jr. from now on, but I won't get pissed at you if you forget

[His expression softens into a warm smile.]

Most of you are my friends, and you've given me some good memories of the name Rubedo. I wanna thank you for that, all of you.

MEETING

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor looks pale and wan (a light flickers under his skin, in the right light), but he smiles all the same ]

Junior, hm? You have grown very well. I can teach as well, if folk wish it. And I would suggest we consider killing some of the beasts and salting or smoking the meat.

[carries_war]

I've got you guys to thank for some of that. But you alright?

[He hops down from the table and walks closer to Maglor.]

You look like a wreck.

[bythewaves]

Bad memories. [ Maglor sighs softly ]

And hard decisions. They are long and long in the past now but...

[ But to have them returned to him, is... well, he is glad to have them, but he would have been happier not remembering, he supposes ]

I will be well, Junior. I promise. [ He smiles at him fondly ]

[carries_war]

You better.

[He smacks Maglor's arm with an open palm, then pauses and pulls the elf into a hug.]

I'd be pissed if something happened to you.

Meeting

[zephyranthe]

[I mean, let's be real: Fie probably pointed out how different he was acting if he knocked on her door to keep her from sleeping in. Either way, she's not particularly perturbed by the change and if he's willing to take charge here, she's willing to go along with it.]

We should keep an eye on the chickens and the cow, too. If we protect 'em, we'll at least be able to get eggs and milk.

[Assuming they don't literally raze the place to the ground but you know.]

I'll also go collect all the flour Papyrus made.

[ALTHOUGH SHE HAS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT REASONS FOR WANTING THAT STUFF tbh]

[carries_war]

I've gotta agree. Sorry Mags, but with the kitchen empty, renewable food is more important than meat. Right now, those chickens might well be laying our golden eggs.

[zephyranthe]

If he really wants meat, we can always do that to the animals that are left in the kitchen.

[Actually, it'd be more accurate to say that's the best thing they can do with that stuff now.]

We should also set up some kind of rationing schedule to make sure we're ready to do this for at least a few more weeks.

[carries_war]

If it's still good, yeah. We should butcher and smoke whatever we can.

[defriendestration]

OH! I CAN MAKE MORE BREAD!!

[carries_war]

N-no! I mean...flour is easier to store than bread! We shouldn't use it until we need it!

[defriendestration]

HMMM, YOU MAKE A GOOD POINT!

BESIDES, I STILL HAVE PLENTY OF BREAD LEFT OVER! SO FEEL FREE TO TAKE SOME IF YOU WANT!

Study

[intercessing]

[For a few moments, there is no response.

However, there is movement as, slowly, the sliding door to the Loft opens. Two blearily glowing eyes look over to where Rubedo is.]

...I am.

[They sound weak.]

[carries_war]

[Relief, but also renewed worry. That doesn't sound good, and without his Ethers...]

You sound like hell. Your wound...it hasn't been treated yet, has it?

[intercessing]

No...their weapon was tipped with poison as well.

[Grunt.]

Nothing that would kill me, but I can't move. I do have cures in my cabinet, at least.

[carries_war]

I'll get them! What do they look like?

[He's already running over to the cabinet.]

Meeting

[socialhacktivist]

[As soon as she can, she follows to the cafeteria; a slightly baffled look on her face. After all this time, to hear a change like that in the way that he speaks like that. It's a little jarring at first. But then... fourteen years is a long time. It's so much more than she'd forgotten. She... would have been very different if she'd forgotten her memories of the Phantom Thieves so she can relate.]

...Jr. huh... That works for me.

[As for the plans for things here on... it's smart. She's ready to do all she can to help. But there is one thing...]

I can't say I'm really going to be much help on the fighting front. Although the Phantom Thieves fight-- my job is actually to give support. So I've never used any kind of weapon before. But I'll try to learn if you think it can help.

[carries_war]

Hmm...no offense, but I think you'd be best off with a ranged weapon. I'm not used to ones that use physical ammo, but I could teach you how to aim a crossbow.

[socialhacktivist]

Heh. No offense taken. That doesn't sound like a bad idea.

[Yeah, she's... not the strongest. But she sure does think the idea of learning to shoot a crossbow is awesome.]

[poorlovefool]

Yeah? Good for you. [It's obviously ridiculous that a child that still looks like a child could actually have regained enough memories to be older than Eric now, but he seems like a totally different (still annoying) person, so... fine, lah-dee-dah, Eric will just be here with his own horrible memory regain and, somewhat better, a soft fluffy and very old dog that he's got in his lap and is absently petting.

He is probably one of the people who could benefit from weapons training, but hell if he'll admit that.]

[carries_war]

[Have the flattest of looks. Even Rubedo never gave a look this flat.]

If all you've got to say is peanut gallery comments, keep your trap shut and let the adults do the talking.

[poorlovefool]

Hey don't try to act like you're some bigger man, when you're the one making shitty little digs at me first. I have every right to be pissed off at you... but I guess you already forgot, huh? Since so much time has passed for you and all! I got to remember holding my little brother's dead body, so great!

Meeting

[kiddefender]

Oh...You're the opposite of me then.

[But that doesn't really matter right now.]

What are we going to do with the food we get? They could just sneak into our rooms and mess with it there. Unless we guard it...I have a sword from here. It's not the best but it'll do if needed.

[carries_war]

A guard won't do much if they're skulking around invisible. I was thinking we could set stuff up so they wouldn't be able to mess with it without setting off booby traps.

[kiddefender]

What about an obstacle they'd have to pass? Like paint?