15strangers | FINAL WEEK

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FINAL WEEK

FINAL WEEK

[This round really has been different.

The beginning of the week brings memories once more, as everyone finally falls asleep, and soon enough it will become apparent that a new wing has opened up, laying bare the entire mall for the survivors. Still, it is no small comfort. Not when the residents have also been updated, bringing home the very sobering fact that over half of those who arrived here are dead.

There are so few left. The Fabricator has been exposed, and somehow that is hardly a victory. It's clear that whoever is running this intends to hold whatever cards they can until the bitter end. Theirs isn't the first time this Game has been played, after all. They can easily outlast their charges on their home turf.

Yet, there is a strange hope. Maybe there is a way out. The question now is finding it and going on the offensive, before those in charge make their next move. Because they will eventually. There is no doubt. Time is not a luxury the remaining Titled can waste anymore and everyone knows it.

So don't waste it - because the clock is ticking. Prepare yourselves.

There are seven strangers left in this place.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

teach me your ways of discreetly wrecking shit

[ He's going to be sending a text to Loewe today: ]

Hey.
Any chance you'd be free in about thirty minutes?

from one honest thief to another...

[ He took his time heading over to the board today... but, this is something he needs to do. One hand rests in his jacket pocket, the other reaching up to twist a part of his bangs. ]

I want to speak with Kurama. [ ... ] If he isn't around right this second, I'd appreciate if someone let him know. I'll wait just in case...

[ This is actually the point he sends Loewe the text, moving to lean against the wall nearest to the board game. He does, in fact, wait ten minutes.

... Not entirely on purpose, either; his mind ends up wandering, expression giving away it's not to the best of places.

He blinks out of thought, glances at the phone, and then straightens up to face the board. With that ~~SWEATDROPPING INTENSIFIES~~ moment passed, he quietly clears his throat. ]

... Is Kurama around?

parkour'n more

[ As for anyone else, they're welcome to catch him around the place for all things Fitnesse.

He'll be swimming! And also... parkouring?? No, seriously. Someone might catch him doing a flip off of a wall or random other solid objects.

There's also him trying to re-wrap his hand, though this is being done one-handed and isn't... going too well. He might look a little frustrated.

Aside from that, he'll be eating in the food court or quietly writing in something that looks suspiciously like a diary. ]

[ A moment passes in which Karma lets off a whistle of appreciation, leaning against a nearby wall. He'd totally been watching Akira pull off some rather impressive feats of parkouring. ]

You're just full of surprises. I didn't even know you could do something like that.

[ There's a spark of interest in his eyes now. Consider him totally interested. ]

[ There are a number of reasons he's doing this...

1) he has way too much nervous energy
2) he's learning his limits
3) ... he can

If only this was half the stuff he could do in the Metaverse. Because at least then? He might feel more secure in any kind of fight that might be coming their way.

The whistle has him blinking, though he immediately recognizes that voice. He's flashing a grin from over his shoulder. ]

I usually save this kind of stuff for the level five sparring sessions.

[ s a s s ]

We're currently only to level three, so I'm afraid I'll have to charge an early access fee.

[ That comment makes him raise an eyebrow, grin edging off into more of an amused smirk more than anything as he pushed off from the wall he was leaning against. ]

Yeah? Here I thought we'd reached that point already. Shame on you for not going all out to start with.

[ Going to just be a bit sassy himself because hey. This is fun so why not? He even moves to do a little flip off the wall himself, landing on his feet rather lightly. ]

Just don't think you're the only one with impressive skills like that, though.

Haven't you heard?

[ And then as though he has the most surprising news to tell him: ]

All the reputable final bosses are saving their ultimate, finishing moves for last.

[ ... And so begins their game of, "Which two things were wrong with that sentence?"

He's going to be giving raised eyebrows to that flip. ]

... Damn. [ "depressed" sigh ] Guess I'll have to find a new signature skill.

[ But now he's flashing a grin. ]

Can't say I'm surprised. You do always leave me covered in bruises for a reason.

Reputable final boss, huh? Afraid i'm going to want you to back that up, unless you're just all talk.

[ This is a big part of why he enjoys Akira's company because he pulls things like that and he feels more like himself than he ever has been since arriving here. Even emphasizing the other's words with a simple shrug. ]

Guess so, yeah.

[ Chuckling softly, he nodded and smiled right back with ease. ]

You're not too bad yourself, even if you end up with more bruises than me. I find it more enjoyable that you can keep up as much as you do.

That's right.

[ He's chuckling as he casually shifts his stance. ]

And that's fine... I can get pretty creative whenever I feel like it~

[ It appears he's really playing up the teasing and playful air, right now. ]

If I'm being perfectly honest... a lot of what I can do involves pure muscle memory from fighting in the Metaverse and the training I did whenever I was alone.

[ He twists a strand of his bangs. ]

Granted, before I got shipped away for my probationary period, I was in a couple of clubs that helped me in that area...

[He'll reply back not long after.]

Sure. Meet me at Yotsukoshi in the gardening section once you're ready.

[Why yes, he may already be working on some stuff since he'll be found looking at all the various herbs to see what he'll be able to do with the stock here.]

Got it.
See you there, then.

[ When he arrives, he's carrying a bottle of water in one hand and a bag on his shoulder. ]

Hey, how are you?

[ He holds said bag out -- water, juice, and soda are inside. ]

Want one?

[Loewe turns away from the herb he was looking at.]

Just trying to see if the ingredients for the sleep agent exist here.

[He'll grab a bottle of water though.]

Thanks. So I probably should start with asking how much you know about plants? I'm no expert myself, but I can pick out what among here is edible and what properties most have.

No problem.

[ He nods, shifting the bag back so it rests comfortably on his shoulder.

After taking a sip of the water, he glances over at the herb. ]

The most experience I have in working hands-on with plants, that I can remember, is what I got while working for a flower shop.

[ He glances around. ]

I can tell you what's edible and what... some of them are useful for, at least.

It's something at least. Let's start with the sleep agent. Have to know how to make that before it can be added to anything.

So can you find any herbs that induce sleep?

[He happens to be standing by one since he was checking how useful this lavender seedling might be. It might not be the best herb selection, but fresh is always going to be better than dried so he's been checking here first.]

[ Ah... Simple enough. He scans the area before blinking and looking back to the one next to Loewe. ]

Looks like you found it first.

[ He'll point to it for clarity's sake, of course. ]

[The movement of the coin is slow but doesn't hesitate.] WHITE

[ He's sliding his phone back into his pocket. ]

... Sorry if you had to wait.

[ Lowering his gaze for a moment, it's likely clear just from his face he really didn't mean to get lost in thought? It's a good thing they're usually not separated for long... ]

Well... I'm not here to lecture you, as tempting as it is.

[ Teasing words, though his expression is serious. ]

... Because you did what I would have done in that position.

[ If other people were going to die for him? He... would have done that to keep them all alive. They're too much alike. ]

In a way, I'm... proud of you. I'll save the reasons why for when we're able to talk face-to-face again, but I want you to at least know that much.

[ A small smile. ]

You kept saying I'm too kind... but the truth is? I disagree. You deserve to have people be that kind to you -- even more so. We all deserve at least one person who cares about us, regardless of mistakes or sins.

[ Yeeeeah even scum like Shido deserves one person, going from his logic. It makes his skin crawl to think about it, but... everyone means everyone. ]

So... I have a few questions.

[ His gaze flicks down at his phone. ]

Your profiles are completely gone... Is--

[ AUGH the damn limited answers... ]

I've asked before... so, is there more of a threat on that side now?

[There's a brief delay, then the coin moves, wobbling back and forth between black and white as if it can't decide, before settling.] RED

[ His least favorite response.

He's releasing a frustrated growl; it's soft, barely audible. But, he'll battle that by releasing a quiet, soft exhale.

Calm down... ]

I'm not annoyed at you... and I think there's at least some chance I get what you're trying to say.

[ And he's sure Kurama knows why he's annoyed. Maybe? He can imagine it's just as frustrating having answers you can only give with three colors.

He releases an exasperated chuckle, one hand briefly rubbing over his face. The words are a whisper. ]

I'm sure it's no secret I hate this...

[ He scrubs that hand through his hair. ]

Right, then... I'm guessing things are at least just as much of a mess over there.

[ His expression dims a bit as he tries to find the right words for asking something like this... ]

Is... everyone from our group still... existent?

[The answer is very immediate this time.] WHITE

{ A breath of relief. ]

Good...

[ At least... there's that for now. He smiles. ]

Okay, then...

[ That's all he has for now, but... hm. There are still plenty of ghosts he can ask other questions of, once they have more information. He twists a strand of bangs...

With his expression dimmed, he appears to stare through the board for just a moment. He blinks, something empty being replaced by the leader's mask slipping right back into place. ]

Are you and Goro supporting each other, as well as the others?

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Here, let me help. I know first-aid.

[ And before he can protest she is mothering her way in here to rewrap his hand for him, all nice and neat. ]

[ His expression flickers with surprise. Clearly, he'd been deep in thought.

There's a dimming of his expression, but he doesn't fight it. He even nods in appreciation. ]

... Thanks. [ a pause ] Kurama usually made a point of taking care of this for me...

[ A quiet exhale. ]

Before him, it was Goro.

[ He shakes his head. ]

I thought it had healed enough for me to do it myself.

... I could guess as much, I'm sorry.

[ Her hand will linger on his for a moment, a gesture of comfort. ]

But you need to take care of yourself as much as you can. If I could, I would use magic to heal it, but I can't... so you need to rest up and keep it properly bandaged. When it does come time to fight, then you'll need that energy. I'll be happy to help you take care of it, if you need it.

[ He smiles gently in spite of the bit of sadness and... quite a variety of feelings... that surface in his eyes. He's briefly patting her hand with his free one, nodding. ]

Thank you, Polaris...

[ Her words earn a warmer smile and he holds a blink as it fades. When he does open his eyes, there's a contemplative look. ]

... Can I be completely honest with you for a second?

[ Yet... he's falling quiet for a moment, his gaze averted. WELL... he doesn't often Deep Feelings Share. But... he trusts her? It's one of those times that feel similar to carrying just one too many groceries in a bag...

If some of the things aren't taken out, the entire bag might tear...

But also he doesn't know who might be hanging around. ]