15strangers | WEEK 3

WEEK 3

[Once everyone has gotten out of the elevator, those who go to look for Akira and Kurama will find that they have been put into one of their rooms, together, safely tucked into bed with a glass of milk for each of them. And - aside from the bruises of being suctioned into a death cylinder and tranquilized with some very strong drugs - they are alive and unharmed.

Naturally, this means that Akira and Kurama are the first to experience the dreams, but everyone will experience them, once they finally fall asleep, for good and ill.

Despite everything, too, the survivors will find many other new things facing them as they wake up. A new evolution for their powers, a new wing...and a new rule, updated after the execution. The profiles have also been updated, to reflect the Titled's ever-dwindling numbers.

This is going to be a long week, that's for sure.

There are ten strangers left in this place.

((OOC: Don't forget to do Activity Check along with memory regains, everyone!))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Halfway to turning and responding to Kurama, it was Akira who came from behind both of them that stopped him short.

Not even remotely needing another word before moving to follow Akira into his room, Karma made to sit down on the chair with eyes fixed on that notepad. It had to have been his or otherwise Akira wouldn't be looking like that. He wasn't going to be the one to bring it up now, though, focusing on the matter at hand here and nodding idly until Akira mentioned actually talking to HIM and there was no doubt who he was talking about.

Especially with all those positive confirmations on those details, but it was the last part that stopped him short. ]

So they all died but are still here, stuck inside the mall and with someone else, no less. We can't see them but they can with us, huh?

[ He exhaled a bit of a light-sounding laugh, running his fingers through his hair. ]

If we weren't living it, i'd say it didn't even seem possible for that to happen. [ Shaking his head, the latter part of Akira's words caught his attention once again. ] I agree. There's only so much they can convey with using that 'game' alone so... i'd guess by that response that he's not sure if there's a threat that could still show up, but for now they're all relatively safe.

[Kurama doesn't hesitate, either to enter the room or to settle on the bed next to Akira. He listens, expression carefully controlled and neutral.

But just like Akira, his eyes give him away. They're dark with pain.]

Unfortunately, it's very possible where I come from. I agree as well on that final answer. Goro is not one to be careless under such limitations.

[His hand clenches a little before he deliberately relaxes it.]

I assume you want to coordinate information so that we aren't duplicating questions?

[ He's holding a blink as they speak, listening with a tense air lurking around him. There's a nod, finally, at the question. ]

Not just for that, either... but...

[ He flips the pad open to the center; there's a letter inside. ]

I found this on... [ a frown ] Ursula's cat.

I've never seen Antares wandering around alone, before, but she entered the cafe by herself. I didn't see anyone there waiting, either.

[ He holds the letter to the side so Kurama can read it first, and then does a small gesture indicating for him to pass it when he's done. After rubbing his more freshly bandaged hand against the back of his neck, he continues. ]

There was a white, thin collar around her neck that I'd never seen before, with this letter attached.

[ Both hands rest in his lap now. ]

Combining what Goro said... with what's said in that letter...

[ One corner of his lips lifts in a wry half-smile, and then it falters. ]

There has to be a reason for everything happening around us; all of it's too supernatural for there to be a guarantee death means the end for anyone.

[ He looks from Karma... to Kurama... to the floor. ]

So, let's form some questions based off of what information we have already, including what we've learned from the clues we started finding on day one.

[ The appearance of a strange letter was certainly something else all on it's own and had been enough to have him doing little more than the singular nod he'd given in agreement with Kurama's last question beforehand. Ursula's cat walking around on her own, like some kind of messenger delivering correspondence.

It all is shedding light on things in a way he hadn't been initially suspecting, however. ]

Good idea. It shouldn't be too hard to do if we go about it right, and could get us some beneficial answers to all of this mess.

[ Something briefly tenses up in his expression before he shakes his head. ]

Maybe even before anyone else gets killed around here. I'd like to prevent that from happening, if I can. [ A pause and he looked somewhat thoughtful, gaze turning upward before shifting back to Kurama and then Akira. ] So. Let's not waste any time. There's a possibility being on that side has given them more information than we have so that could be a place to start with our questions.

So say we all, I think, on the subject of further deaths. [Kurama is mulling over the letter along with the other things, expression quietly thoughtful. He picks at the not-so-coincidentally matching bandage on his own hand; he's not used to healing this slowly.

There's a lot to think about.]

We may want to get an idea of how many others are there. If it's simply someone equivalent to the Life Coach, that's one thing. But it's a very different matter if those killed before our arrival still remain, as the note Meridies-san found suggested.

Regarding this letter... I wonder if we could write back?

Yeah.

[ He nods at Karma. ]

You're right.

[ There's a moment of silence as he contemplates a few things. ]

That's something I was wanting to ask about, actually... [ quietly making a note in the pad of paper ] Whether, or not, everyone over there died...

[ He tilts his head at Kurama, eyes resting on him in thought. ]

How do you mean?

[ His finger flicks one corner of the paper. ]

Do you mean attaching something to Antares and seeing where she takes it, or maybe even just comes back with?

Yeah. There could be a lot more people than we thought, stuck here with the others who were killed or executed this time around.

[ Now that's definitely worth considering in itself, but there's also risks with it as well. Something that he waits a moment before voicing, shaking his head as well. ]

If we did do that, we'd have to be extremely careful. If the so-called 'boss' who's running this figured out we were sending messages, it could be more trouble on their end and we wouldn't be able to get any more vital information that could help us out.

[ Leaning back slightly in the chair, a thoughtful look crossed his features as fingers tapped against his leg where his one hand rested. ]

Not that i'm opposed to it, since I think it could work.

I'm a great believer in talking to people. [That's almost a smirk before his expression sobers again.]

If we try it, I imagine there are things we should leave vague to begin with. Make it as difficult as possible for their 'boss' to confirm that the letter came from one of us even if it's found.

[Kurama cups his chin in his hand thoughtfully.] We might want to ask the dead if they can interact with all parts of the mall. Not behind the walls, of course, that's unlikely, but whether it's as fully accessible to them as it is to us.

[ He's leaning forward now, more freshly bandaged hand twisting his bangs firmly. There's an intense look on his face as he listens, his own thoughts now working overtime. ]

...

[ Some of what they said is sticking with them, and one thought comes to mind that is not so pleasant. ]

Either of you think it's possible that's how we're being watched by whoever brought us here?

[ He'll... clarify. ]

Since we can't see that side, someone could be anywhere at any time and we'd never know. [ staring down at his hands ] That could be how they're keeping a close eye on their precious fabricator, assuming they're even on this side to begin with.

[ Well, who knows. Maybe the fabricator has just been hanging around all along and is actually like the LC, if she's able to move between their sides. ]

As for the letter, maybe the safest bet would be to match the handwriting and tone as much as possible...

[ ... Hm. Kurama's latter words give him another thought. ]

We know someone on that side is able to attach a letter to the cat Ursula got out of the machine, but think the same goes for all of those cats? If the dead are able to make physical contact with those creatures...

[ It could bring them a little closer to understanding the border between their side and that side? ]

WEEK 3

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