You know people will take the risk anyway because we're all a bunch of stubborn people. [Like? He has zero doubts?] But that'll be their choice.
[As Wei Wuxian begins explaining, Junpei's pulling out a few sticky notes to begin writing things down. It's shorthand and jotted notes, but it helps him process and think things over.]
...what in the fuck? [Never mind he understands literally nothing.] Okay, okay let's think about something for a second. If the initial group had 33 people, there were thirteen that were part of...something. But the thirteen were also maybe demons. I don't want to deal with thirteen demons, so I'm setting that aside. Hydras are monsters from Greek mythology so the idea of there being a source that keeps sprouting more isn't too weird, but now I wonder if us exorcising people only brings out more demons.
If H couldn't talk to A, do you think that means they were working for different sides? Or maybe they were in different realms or something...kind of like how our hosts are separated from the rest of us.
[All willing to just DIVE INTO THE ARMS OF DEATH as healthy, well-adjusted people do.
Anyway "what in the fuck (understands nothing)" is a big ol' mood there. He brings his feet up onto the armrest, leaning over to try peering at Junpei's own version of insane babbling notes.]
Haha, I'm hoping it's a different set of thirteen, too. I'm assuming they aren't demons though, considering H implied C wasn't one - but that it was a risk to assume that he wasn't? [A SLOPING SHRUG.] No idea what they might be, though - unless this isn't even the second time some of us have gone through this. Thirteen who've been through it before, maybe? Thirteen survivors of a previous timeline? Or a different entity that we haven't met just yet.
[He's hoping that isn't the case though, please. Please, no more demons?? No more demons.]
It's worrisome if the one we have can multiply, though... But that would also explain why our dearly departed friends had their numbers cut down so swiftly. [And as far as H and A go--] That might be the case, but not much else was mentioned about that.
[It's pretty much what WWX's said but with abbreviations and arrows and some Japanese characters thrown in with his English because he can make his writing smaller. It's fine.]
It's still about how that group didn't trust each other in the end. There was that message that there were twelve left after the four weeks. What if they meant twelve and one additional demon? Thirteen people who're supposed to help this game along...but if that's true, why bring them back? What could they be doing here? I know I'd leave hints around for myself. Maybe others are doing the same?
[NO! MORE! DEMONS!]
...have you gone to talk to any of the hosts yet, or did you just get back?
[He likes looking at other people's shorthand, it's always a wild time...]
Maybe so. Not sure exactly who or what orchestrated it though, if they supposedly don't trust each other... If they can't even get along amongst themselves, how would they be able to put together a plan that involves helping themselves and us in the here and now?
[As long as it's not more demons it's whatever though!! Anyway, he shakes his head.]
Haven't had the chance to yet, but I intend on visiting Chuuya about it soon.
[He also intends on tormenting Chuuya with this Skinamajig, it's fine.]
They could've trusted each other beforehand when this all started and just stopped halfway through. Even people who argue can get along for the sake of their goals.
[There's a nod because that's a good call, but...] I like Chuuya a lot, but the only reason I'm wondering if Nathan can help is that he has experience with ghosts. You might be able to run some stuff by him and see what he thinks.
Mm, let me rephrase - not sure if I'd trust a plan put together by people like that! I've seen plenty thrown together by last-minute allies and even the ones that work don't often have the best track records in the aftermath.
[But like. What choice do they have at this point except to be dragged along on the wild ghost ride.]
—Good point, though. I can talk to both of them? Though I assume they keep each other in the loop, spite aside.
Fair enough. It's something to keep in mind for now and we hope for a better scenario. [But...ugh. Things don't look great.]
Carlos told me they all work together but they might have different experiences or ideas anyway. It can't hurt. I've tried talking to all four of them about stuff.
You know how I feel about luck. [A reminder. But there's a nod right back.]
If you learn anything new, let me know? I also think it's possible they can't tell any of us everything and so it doesn't hurt to have multiple people asking different things. But maybe wait until you're a little less...[A handwave. Damaged? Sure.]
We're dealing with demons and curses, though! A bit of luck can't hurt.
[But he says it with a teasing grin... He's also waving Junpei's statement off!!]
It's fine! This body- [WHAPS HIS OWN CHEST there's a fuckin injury under there but it'd be impossible to tell based on the lack of reaction alone...] -is sturdier than it looks! Besides, we've got a lot of ground to cover and only a limited amount of time, hm? I'll let you know what I find out. Ah-- right, speaking of which - how'd your chat with our new friend go?
[HE JUST LOOKS ALARMED STOP. He almost reaches forward to grab his wrist, flinching as soon as he remembers aphro is real and keeping his hands to himself.]
Alright, alright. If you say so. [But he rubs the back of his head, suddenly frustrated by the question.]
That went about as well as I expected. I think it was trying to piss me off because it refused to use my real name, but it didn't tell me much I didn't already suspect. The confirmation was nice, but ultimately maybe it was worthless.
[HE CAN'T STOP HE'S A GREMLIN!! He's also leaning back just a little at the same time that Junpei makes even the tiniest motion that seems like he's about to move. Someone's paranoid...
But his punkish grin at Junpei's SUFFERING does subside a little at that, and he taps his chin thoughtfully. Sweaty spaghetti...]
Hah, well, you know. Can't imagine any of us didn't see that one coming! ...It was just our friend you spoke with, though?
[Meanwhile he continues to live on the edge, since he's still doing his wide windmilling all-over-the-place hand gestures EVEN NOW. At least they've got an entire like two cushions saving them...]
Well! I did reach Monika. Very briefly, though - she was adamant I get out quickly since our dear friend doesn't seem to like me much, haha. [HAHA...] I wasn't able to have quite as long of a chat with her as I had hoped, but I was able to observe the switch myself.
[Me, wondering where the fuck this PC went and not realizing it was my tag. Anyway, please don't? NO TOUCHING!!]
So it can rotate however it wants. Wonder if it was because she was strong enough to break its hold, or if the demon purposefully let her come out to talk to you. Or you knew what you were doing. Any guesses?
[TY.......me all the time though. Also, he's being good, he's keeping his hands over here IT'S FINE. Anyway, without missing a beat:]
Oh, purposeful - without a doubt! I've never dealt with an entity exactly like this one before- [ie just straight up "I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M DOING"] -and I'd rather think if a host is able to break free with effort, she'd have done so to stop herself from killing rather than to give a little warning about this or that. This is, of course, assuming that the host is ever fully divorced from the entity's sway at all - might not be the case, depends on how deeply rooted its control is. [He taps at his chin again, thoughtful.] Regardless, I do think there was some motivation for what happened there that was influenced by our dear friend. I'll give talking to it another try this weekend to see if I can figure out exactly what that motivation is.
[He's just gonna
keep fuckin bothering this demon until he dies, probably.]
Makes enough sense. But that makes it even more malicious than I thought. [Willingly giving people false hope to talk to the real Monika seems like a dick move on the demon's part, but he was already unimpressed as it was anyway.]
I'm not going to stop you, obviously, but just prepare yourself in case next week's host isn't nearly as...you know, normal.
It's certainly one of the nastier entities I've ever encountered. Where I'm from, most of the time you only need to worry about these things killing you, not batting you around first.
[This demon is like the malicious entity equivalent of a deranged cat?? Thanks he hates it.]
In any case! I'll certainly keep my guard. We don't really know what that thing is fully capable of even in a normal host, anyway.
[Like. How did Monika manage to break all the damn glass and get out of there without any injuries, bad... BUT THEN THE TRIAL HAPPENED AND THAT'S ARGUABLE JUST AS BAD IN AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT DIRECTION, cool.]
How fucked up is it that I think the latter is worse? At least if it was just going to kill us we could prepare for that.
[But yeah, good. That's what he wants to hear.] We'll have to see if there are patterns in our hosts from week to week. Demons must have a reason for checking on us and taking whoever they want.
...speaking of taking things. Can I ask you something that's kind of not related? [Subtle.] I wanted to know if you received any mystery boxes in the last week or something.
Haha, not at all! I'd think most people would enjoy a nice, simple, straight-forward death if they had to choose between that and being tormented and then killed.
[He's way too cavalier about this but IT'S FINE. Necromancers are always the worst to talk to when it comes to Death In General.]
That would be a good thing to keep an eye on, though. I'd imagine simple force of desire in the moment might be a deciding factor, as well as convenience, but it surely can't be the only thing.
[At the question though, he glances over and offers a little quirking smile.]
Shall I assume you're the one sending people out on box-hunting missions then, or do we have more than one person looking for them for this or that reason? Haha, in any case - not in the last week, no. Nothing that recent.
Just another day where we can't get what we want. [Sigh.] Demons have opinions, we know that much, but they must have something to determine what will make a good host for the week outside of that. I might talk to Shiraishi about it. Profiling is his expertise rather than mine, so maybe he'll find a pattern I don't.
[But. There's a grin.] Guilty. I asked Higekiri to leave my name out of it until I knew I could trust whoever he found. But you did get something new after we first arrived, didn't you?
More of the same, hm? [Though he says it with a laugh since HEY ain't that just life. But he'll nod in agreement with the rest.] Profiling demons of all things! Imagine being able to put that on your list of accomplishments, haha. Hopefully we'll get something out of it.
[Anyway Junpei is a punk news at 11. With a little huff of laughter, too:]
I did, yes - not this past Wednesday, but the one before that.
[A very precious something, apparently, since he doesn't even have to get up to show it to Junpei - he just digs around in his endless goblin robes for a second before producing a small silver bell engraved with a nine-petal lotus. He holds it out in case Junpei wants to take a closer look, and explains:]
Clarity bell. Helps ward off evil and keep the mind clear from the influence of resentful energy, though I don't doubt it'd do little good here.
[There's another sound that says "hopefully" before he drops the subject. They're in agreement there and that's good enough.
Of course, the timing of the gift makes sense and Junpei leans forward while Wei Wuxian digs around. The bell will be handled with care as he takes it, but of course because he's a moron he jingles it a little to hear the sound.]
Huh. If only we were so lucky...but it must mean something important to you, doesn't it? Any idea why you might've received a mystery prize?
[It makes a lovely sound! A bright tinkling noise, crystal clear to the ear even though it's honestly not loud at all.]
If only, right? [IF ONLY!! Though he actually looks a little sheepish at that.] --To be honest, at first I thought it had something to do with unlocking that app. [Obviously that is not the case which is clear now, but, you know. That's why he'd never mentioned it to anyone... He just assumed it was a thing that happened until Higekiri was like "nyet".]
Higekiri seems to think I'm lucky enough to be favored by someone, though. Don't suppose you'd happen to have any insight, hm?
[...he's trying not to laugh, that's kind of endearing.]
That isn't such a bad assumption to make, given that was the first week we had to actually sleep with each other to survive. But he's not entirely wrong. I think the same thing because I ended up with a box, too. I initially asked both Higekiri and Hizamaru to start asking around to see if anyone else received a gift box. Mine showed up the same day yours did.
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[As Wei Wuxian begins explaining, Junpei's pulling out a few sticky notes to begin writing things down. It's shorthand and jotted notes, but it helps him process and think things over.]
...what in the fuck? [Never mind he understands literally nothing.] Okay, okay let's think about something for a second. If the initial group had 33 people, there were thirteen that were part of...something. But the thirteen were also maybe demons. I don't want to deal with thirteen demons, so I'm setting that aside. Hydras are monsters from Greek mythology so the idea of there being a source that keeps sprouting more isn't too weird, but now I wonder if us exorcising people only brings out more demons.
If H couldn't talk to A, do you think that means they were working for different sides? Or maybe they were in different realms or something...kind of like how our hosts are separated from the rest of us.
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[All willing to just DIVE INTO THE ARMS OF DEATH as healthy, well-adjusted people do.
Anyway "what in the fuck (understands nothing)" is a big ol' mood there. He brings his feet up onto the armrest, leaning over to try peering at Junpei's own version of insane babbling notes.]
Haha, I'm hoping it's a different set of thirteen, too. I'm assuming they aren't demons though, considering H implied C wasn't one - but that it was a risk to assume that he wasn't? [A SLOPING SHRUG.] No idea what they might be, though - unless this isn't even the second time some of us have gone through this. Thirteen who've been through it before, maybe? Thirteen survivors of a previous timeline? Or a different entity that we haven't met just yet.
[He's hoping that isn't the case though, please. Please, no more demons?? No more demons.]
It's worrisome if the one we have can multiply, though... But that would also explain why our dearly departed friends had their numbers cut down so swiftly. [And as far as H and A go--] That might be the case, but not much else was mentioned about that.
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It's still about how that group didn't trust each other in the end. There was that message that there were twelve left after the four weeks. What if they meant twelve and one additional demon? Thirteen people who're supposed to help this game along...but if that's true, why bring them back? What could they be doing here? I know I'd leave hints around for myself. Maybe others are doing the same?
[NO! MORE! DEMONS!]
...have you gone to talk to any of the hosts yet, or did you just get back?
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Maybe so. Not sure exactly who or what orchestrated it though, if they supposedly don't trust each other... If they can't even get along amongst themselves, how would they be able to put together a plan that involves helping themselves and us in the here and now?
[As long as it's not more demons it's whatever though!! Anyway, he shakes his head.]
Haven't had the chance to yet, but I intend on visiting Chuuya about it soon.
[He also intends on tormenting Chuuya with this Skinamajig, it's fine.]
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[There's a nod because that's a good call, but...] I like Chuuya a lot, but the only reason I'm wondering if Nathan can help is that he has experience with ghosts. You might be able to run some stuff by him and see what he thinks.
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[But like. What choice do they have at this point except to be dragged along on the wild ghost ride.]
—Good point, though. I can talk to both of them? Though I assume they keep each other in the loop, spite aside.
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Carlos told me they all work together but they might have different experiences or ideas anyway. It can't hurt. I've tried talking to all four of them about stuff.
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[MORE LUCK INDEED... But he'll nod along as Junpei talks, humming thoughtfully.]
That's a good idea. Alright, then - I'll speak to more of them as soon as I can. Best to keep them all on the same page, anyway.
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If you learn anything new, let me know? I also think it's possible they can't tell any of us everything and so it doesn't hurt to have multiple people asking different things. But maybe wait until you're a little less...[A handwave. Damaged? Sure.]
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[But he says it with a teasing grin... He's also waving Junpei's statement off!!]
It's fine! This body- [WHAPS HIS OWN CHEST there's a fuckin injury under there but it'd be impossible to tell based on the lack of reaction alone...] -is sturdier than it looks! Besides, we've got a lot of ground to cover and only a limited amount of time, hm? I'll let you know what I find out. Ah-- right, speaking of which - how'd your chat with our new friend go?
[Thot...]
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Alright, alright. If you say so. [But he rubs the back of his head, suddenly frustrated by the question.]
That went about as well as I expected. I think it was trying to piss me off because it refused to use my real name, but it didn't tell me much I didn't already suspect. The confirmation was nice, but ultimately maybe it was worthless.
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But his punkish grin at Junpei's SUFFERING does subside a little at that, and he taps his chin thoughtfully. Sweaty spaghetti...]
Hah, well, you know. Can't imagine any of us didn't see that one coming! ...It was just our friend you spoke with, though?
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Just the demon, yeah. I didn't try to reach Monika herself because I knew it'd be a lost cause. Why, what happened with you?
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Well! I did reach Monika. Very briefly, though - she was adamant I get out quickly since our dear friend doesn't seem to like me much, haha. [HAHA...] I wasn't able to have quite as long of a chat with her as I had hoped, but I was able to observe the switch myself.
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So it can rotate however it wants. Wonder if it was because she was strong enough to break its hold, or if the demon purposefully let her come out to talk to you. Or you knew what you were doing. Any guesses?
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Oh, purposeful - without a doubt! I've never dealt with an entity exactly like this one before- [ie just straight up "I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M DOING"] -and I'd rather think if a host is able to break free with effort, she'd have done so to stop herself from killing rather than to give a little warning about this or that. This is, of course, assuming that the host is ever fully divorced from the entity's sway at all - might not be the case, depends on how deeply rooted its control is. [He taps at his chin again, thoughtful.] Regardless, I do think there was some motivation for what happened there that was influenced by our dear friend. I'll give talking to it another try this weekend to see if I can figure out exactly what that motivation is.
[He's just gonna
keep fuckin bothering this demon until he dies, probably.]
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I'm not going to stop you, obviously, but just prepare yourself in case next week's host isn't nearly as...you know, normal.
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[This demon is like the malicious entity equivalent of a deranged cat?? Thanks he hates it.]
In any case! I'll certainly keep my guard. We don't really know what that thing is fully capable of even in a normal host, anyway.
[Like. How did Monika manage to break all the damn glass and get out of there without any injuries, bad... BUT THEN THE TRIAL HAPPENED AND THAT'S ARGUABLE JUST AS BAD IN AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT DIRECTION, cool.]
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[But yeah, good. That's what he wants to hear.] We'll have to see if there are patterns in our hosts from week to week. Demons must have a reason for checking on us and taking whoever they want.
...speaking of taking things. Can I ask you something that's kind of not related? [Subtle.] I wanted to know if you received any mystery boxes in the last week or something.
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[He's way too cavalier about this but IT'S FINE. Necromancers are always the worst to talk to when it comes to Death In General.]
That would be a good thing to keep an eye on, though. I'd imagine simple force of desire in the moment might be a deciding factor, as well as convenience, but it surely can't be the only thing.
[At the question though, he glances over and offers a little quirking smile.]
Shall I assume you're the one sending people out on box-hunting missions then, or do we have more than one person looking for them for this or that reason? Haha, in any case - not in the last week, no. Nothing that recent.
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[But. There's a grin.] Guilty. I asked Higekiri to leave my name out of it until I knew I could trust whoever he found. But you did get something new after we first arrived, didn't you?
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[Anyway Junpei is a punk news at 11. With a little huff of laughter, too:]
I did, yes - not this past Wednesday, but the one before that.
[A very precious something, apparently, since he doesn't even have to get up to show it to Junpei - he just digs around in his endless goblin robes for a second before producing a small silver bell engraved with a nine-petal lotus. He holds it out in case Junpei wants to take a closer look, and explains:]
Clarity bell. Helps ward off evil and keep the mind clear from the influence of resentful energy, though I don't doubt it'd do little good here.
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Of course, the timing of the gift makes sense and Junpei leans forward while Wei Wuxian digs around. The bell will be handled with care as he takes it, but of course because he's a moron he jingles it a little to hear the sound.]
Huh. If only we were so lucky...but it must mean something important to you, doesn't it? Any idea why you might've received a mystery prize?
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If only, right? [IF ONLY!! Though he actually looks a little sheepish at that.] --To be honest, at first I thought it had something to do with unlocking that app. [Obviously that is not the case which is clear now, but, you know. That's why he'd never mentioned it to anyone... He just assumed it was a thing that happened until Higekiri was like "nyet".]
Higekiri seems to think I'm lucky enough to be favored by someone, though. Don't suppose you'd happen to have any insight, hm?
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That isn't such a bad assumption to make, given that was the first week we had to actually sleep with each other to survive. But he's not entirely wrong. I think the same thing because I ended up with a box, too. I initially asked both Higekiri and Hizamaru to start asking around to see if anyone else received a gift box. Mine showed up the same day yours did.
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