week 5; sunday ( hikage & steph )

[axilium]

[today has been... eventful. the execution sucked, but hikage is making the day better, at least? amazing.

in any case, off they go to hikage's and steph's room, since that's where belph's taking him.]

Steph, you better be in there—I've got your boyfriend with me!

Comments

[psychedelica]

[ he... shifts on his feet a little bit, looking genuinely awkward. There's not a doubt in his mind that he's overcome with gladness at this whole situation - that doesn't mean he has the first clue how to express it without hurting his pride. ]

I'm... not used to it. Having friends. [ beat. ] Most people don't pass through the interspace when they die. The ones that do never remember anything, and aren't very attached to their own existence, so they disappear after a few weeks. I was always alone.

[ it seems like he's making an excuse for his behavior towards them - probably the closest he'll get to apologizing for it. ]

[axilium]

Yeah, it's pretty obvious you don't socialize much, Hikage.

[just saying. but since that sounds mean, belph will add—]

Though Steph's probably the only one here used to having a bursting social life?

[vigilantics]

[ in all honesty even before learning their tragic backstories, it was slightly obvious that neither of them had a ton of friends. she is nice enough to not say that out loud though. ]

I do, in fact, know how to hang out with others. [ ... ] That just means I'll have to help make up for lost time. You'll get used to it.

[ she's looking at hikage, but she also glances at belph when she says that last bit. ]

You'll probably get embarrassed and somewhat uncomfortable at times, but you will.

[psychedelica]

[ "slightly obvious" huh ]

I know that. Don't patronize me.

[ a little defensive... even if she's totally in her rights to advise him. Hikage sighs, then plants himself on the side of the bed, giving Steph a generously wide berth. ]

... There's one thing I want to ask. What are you two going to do with the information you get? It doesn't seem like there are any roles you're interested in eliminating.

[ to put it nicely ]

[axilium]

[fuck you steph he had THREE WHOLE FRIENDS back home, even if one of them died, he was forced to betray another, and then he deliberately made the last one hate him all in the span of like a week.............]

I've been collaborating with the other roles to gather info about this game. Murder is kind of the opposite of the goal?

[vigilantics]

I'm not allowed to talk to any of them.

[ the other roles, she means. ]

But every time we correctly identity someone with a role, we can get the Crafters to answer a question for us. So it's mostly just... networking and getting answers?

[psychedelica]

You're talking to me right now.

[ just saying!! ]

I don't understand how we're supposed to end this, then. The killings will just continue until there's only one person left standing, at this rate.

[axilium]

... Hikage, I told you about the endings. I know we were drinking at the time, but...

[vigilantics]

Aw, you go drinking together...

[ she sounds jealous? ]

The main problem is that the factions are totally uneven.

[psychedelica]

[ gives Belph a flat look?? ]

I know that, stupid. Are you saying we're just supposed to hope too many people don't die and wait until enough objectives are fulfilled? Do we even know how many that is?

[ ... he does look over at Steph, too, though. He'll bring you booze next time, too!! ]

[axilium]

We're actually doing better than I thought. [please don't make me remember what the numbers are at the time of this pc, i will die.] I mean, there's definitely still the opportunity for things to go horribly wrong, but...

[vigilantics]

I'm a little concerned on the objective front because the Crafters keep talking about keeping things in balance? So even if we do enough objectives, if the numbers are super uneven, is that... bad?

[psychedelica]

[ hmmm... ]

... I could try and ask. Since I haven't been demanding much information from them, they might be more willing to tell me.

[axilium]

[hikage!! bro!!]

If you could, that'd be great.

[vigilantics]

They probably think Belph and I are annoying, so thank you.

[ their meetings are like 30% work, 30% shitposting, and 40% them sighing about not knowing what to do. rip crafters. ]

[psychedelica]

I will. I might as well get something useful out of being the Alchemist.

[ Tiger hasn't liked him as much since he stopped being chaotic evil, but maybe Dragon will tell him. ]

[axilium]

I don't know what you mean, Steph.

[... tiger why.]

But thanks, Hikage.

[vigilantics]

[ TIGER.... ]

Hopefully we can learn something new and usable.

[psychedelica]

Don't expect a miracle. They don't exactly love me, either.

[axilium]

Aw, but what's not to love?

[vigilantics]

I know, right? I was won over as soon as I saw that cute, blushing face.

[ stop admitting that you like to fluster him, steph. ]

[psychedelica]

Wha...

[ oh look, there it is ]

D-don't call me cute. That's annoying.

[axilium]

Would you prefer it if she thought you were unattractive?

[vigilantics]

[ she does not say anything she just

looks between them ]

[psychedelica]

What are you looking at?!

[ STOP... THE SKETCHY GLANCES... ARE YOU SUGGESTING SOMETHING ]

Anyway, I don't want her to think I'm cute. I'd rather be cool or handsome. That's normal for a guy.