15strangers | (no subject)

WEEK 2

[The unfortunate death, and subsequent execution, has no doubt weighed on everyone's minds since. The dam has burst, and now, the idea that someone may kill another in this place is not just a possibility anymore. It is reality, and a very terrifying reality at that.

Yet, there is a strange side effect to the murder's aftermath. When the Titled go to sleep on Saturday evening, they will dream, even if they don't normally do so. When they wake up, their dream stays with them, and a thought comes to everyone. A realization.

Their dream had been a memory they lost. Now, they have it back, as if they had never lost it.

Nor is that the only change. They also feel just a little more confident in their power. Confident enough that they find that their ability has evolved to become stronger. Whether that's a good or a bad thing, well...

Soon enough, too, the Titled's phones start pinging, and when they open up their LIME app, they receive a simple message:]

Your Mall Map has been updated!

[And indeed, those who go to check the Food Court will find an elevator on the eastern end which leads to a brand new wing that had previously been obscured by the barrier.

Dio and Wake's information is also slightly different from before on the LIME app, but...maybe it's best not to think about it. Last week had been...disheartening.

Hopefully, this week will be better, right? Surely, this week, temptation won't win out again....right?

Well.

There's only one way to find out.

Welcome to Week 2, Titled.

There are thirteen strangers in this place.

This week's crab is Dungeness.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Croix... I'm the one that ruined Atsuko's life.

Not you. I'm the one that used the Dream Fuel Spirit. I didn't even bother to question it, when I should have.

I stole your dream from you.

The naivete is my fault. All of this is my fault. Please... don't beat yourself up.

Whatever you did, or are doing, or... are going to do, I don't know anymore--I know you had to have done it for a reason that mattered. You cared so much about the world-altering magic because you wanted to help people.

I wanted you to smile back then.

I want you to smile now.

I abused your trust in me, Chariot. I knew you'd accept it without question. I didn't care. I saw your show as a testing ground, even though I knew how important it was to you.

I stole YOUR dream, Chariot. And I did it knowingly.

... I deserved it. I was complacent. I didn't deserve the Rod.

I stopped looking for the meaning to the final Word.

... Even so... you regret it. I forgive you. So please--don't... don't run away from me. It hurts bad enough, remembering that I had to fight you in any capacity.

Worrying about Akko's safety.

You were staying true to what gave you the rod in the first place. You did deserve it--you knew what you wanted to do. I was going along with a plan laid out for me without thinking, and then when what I was raised for fell apart I took it out on you.

I'm not a good friend, Chariot. I'm not even a good person.

Croix... I don't care if you did bad things.

You regret them.

We both screwed up.

... I love you.

[ There's no response.

A few minutes later, the door opens and Chariot will find Croix clinging to her. ]

...You're too good for me.

[ ... It's okay. She doesn't mind. She'll just hold her. ]

... Croix... no, I'm not. You deserve someone good.

But you are good.

[ She could try to describe all the ways in which she is, but she's no sure Chariot would believe her. ]

... If you say so.

[ She'll just hold her. ]

I just want you to be happy, Croix...

[ She'll just cling to Ursula for now! ]

...What I was doing at Luna Nova... None of it was good, Chariot. It doesn't matter what my intentions are with what I'm doing...

No matter what you did, I would have stopped it. Or Akko would have. She's strong, Croix.

[ ... There's no way anything bad would happen. She's adamant. ]

...Do you remember the creature that appeared around the Dream Fuel Spirit from your show? That was... An unintended side effect. But it and your last show taught me something. How powerful negative emotions are.

[ ...She's not letting go just yet. ]

...I'm not sure either of you could have stopped me, Chariot. Because I was funneling the negative emotions of both England and Ireland into my device. And I was provoking them.

... She could. She definitely could. You don't have the kind of faith in her that I do, Croix. But Akko definitely can awaken the world-altering magic. She's the person the Shiny Rod should be with.

[ She smiles. ]

She works hard. She's an amazing person. I think she could. You should have seen her during the Samhain festival...

...I did.

[ No one could have noticed the cubes, gathering data. No one. ]

... You did?

[ She's surprised. ]

Well, if you did, even better! You have to have more faith in Akko.

...I don't believe in miracles. Not anymore.

[ It was stamped out of her long ago. ]

... Then I guess I'll just have to make you believe again.

[ That's all. ]