WEEK 1

[strangerpeople]

WEEK 1

[You now know why you're here, Titled. The question now is, is there a way to get out of here without invoking the rules? What will those who brought you here do to get you to kill?

Time will tell.

There are fifteen strangers in this place.]

Comments

[scienceofmagic]

I'm going to go get something to eat before I get back to work, of course.

[ Why are you following her, this is awkward, why are you doing this ]

[theirmagic]

[ Because you ran away earlier? Her step falls in line with Croix's, although she seems nervous, folding her thumbs around one another over and over. ]

I... I want to come with you.

[ Please let her come with you. ]

[scienceofmagic]

...All right, Chariot. What do you want for breakfast, then?

[ It's... Uncomfortable, but also familiar. ]

[theirmagic]

Anything is fine. I just wanted to check on you.

[ If she's being honest, she was worried. ]

[scienceofmagic]

How about the café? We can grab some tea from the grocery to make before we go, since you don't like coffee.

[ ...She's getting used to it. And she's definitely softened since the fight before. ]

[theirmagic]

[ She actually very much appreciates that, and it makes her smile a bit. ]

You remembered that?

[ ... A-ah, she's surprised. ]

That sounds wonderful. Don't worry, I'll pay for my own things.

[ The hair dye and peroxide wasn't cheap, but it's... it's fine. ]

[scienceofmagic]

Black tea, no sugar or cream.

[ A smile. ]

And don't worry. Because I don't have any powers, I was given money in compensation. I can afford some tea.

[ ...They have to talk eventually. They can't dodge around it forever. ]

[theirmagic]

[ They'll talk over breakfast. She's... trying to figure out how. She doesn't wanna upset her again. ]

... Isn't that a little strange?

[scienceofmagic]

Eh, I can deal with it.

[ Come on, to the grocery! Let's get you some tea. ]

[theirmagic]

I think I would rather be dealing with what you have and get my magic back. I feel so lost--I keep trying to cast spells to help the others here, and then realizing I don't have my wand...

[ She might be moping, just a bit. ]

[scienceofmagic]

I don't have any magic right now. It's strange. I feel cut off.

[ It's one thing to not be able to access a ley line, but not feel magic at all is... ]

[theirmagic]

... Yes. Whatever this replacement they've given me is--it's no substitute for the actual thing. I feel disconnected. It's so... disconcerting. It makes this place feel so... lifeless.

[ She hates it. ]

Granted, it's a mall. I suppose "life" doesn't exactly grow much in malls, but...

[scienceofmagic]

Yeah. Maybe it would feel better if there were any trees around, but...

[ She shakes her head. Oh here's the tea section. ]

Pick which one you want.

[theirmagic]

[ Choices, choices... she ends up staring down a box with a dragon on it, versus a box with a cute panda, but in the end, the cute panda wins out. It reminds her a bit of her own bear friend, so she gets that brand. ]

I do honestly wish there were at least a little greenery. Perhaps Luna Nova spoiled me for it.

[scienceofmagic]

...Arcas, right? You ever miss him?

[ She'll go pay for it, at least. ]

[theirmagic]

... Sometimes. I did get to see him again when Akko opened the Gate of Polaris, though. It was nice.

[ She smiles, fondly. ]

I miss Alcor, too... it's so odd to not wake up to his crows...

[scienceofmagic]

...It's strange, being without all of that. Even my own familiar is back at the academy...

[ All right, paid for, let's go get food. ]

[theirmagic]

... Croix... why do you think they brought us here? That Life Coach... I told her I would openly oppose anyone who tried to harm anyone else. That I would do my best to stop it. But she does seem to be expecting blood to be spilled... I simply... can't allow it. There are children here.

[ To say nothing of how important each life is, adult or child... ]

[scienceofmagic]

...I don't know. But maybe we can find out if we're careful. ...I won't let anything happen to you, though, Chariot.

[ Not after everything else she did to you. ]

[theirmagic]

C... Chariot, huh.

[ Her hands thread together, the teabox in her pocket and she just... the name hangs in her throat. ]

Croix... I don't need protecting.

[ Does she deserve to be looked after? Hah. ]

I can look after myself. But all the same... if it means anything to you... I want to keep you safe, too. You mean a lot to me. You always have.

[scienceofmagic]

...I'll be fine, Chariot. But you... You'd destroy yourself if it was for another person. I won't let you do that.

[ I owe you. ]

[theirmagic]

... I...

[ Whoops she can't argue with it. ]

W-well, it's true I don't want anyone to come to harm, but... that might be unnecessary if we all go home. ... Croix... I just... want you to be safe. That's all. Everyone else here? They have some kind of advantage over you. So being with me... means I could help keep you safe.

[scienceofmagic]

...It wouldn't be worth it to me if you got hurt protecting me. I've already hurt you so much.

[ She's stopped walking. This... This isn't... ]

[theirmagic]

... I...

[ Ursula's fingers twist into knots, practically. You can see the anxiety on her face, and she almost bumps right into Croix, but stops just short. ]

I'm the one who stole what you wanted... and... I'm the one who took Akko's magic from her. If anything, I have a debt to repay to you... and to her. And to so many other people.

[scienceofmagic]

We don't always get what we want, Chariot.

[ It's as much being said to herself as it is to her. ]

...This probably would have been better for me, anyway, than... It's... It's complicated.