[ It's certainly been an interesting few days. The danger that had only been lurking in the abstract has manifested and bared its fangs at them. The carefree atmosphere of their first few days may never return.
In tune with these developments, Lacus seems a lot more subdued than she was before. Sometime after the group has dispersed from whatever talks happened in the wake of Merlin's death, Lacus will come seek out Lobelia specifically. ]
A moment of your time? We have a much clearer picture of our situation now, and I'd like to hear your thoughts on it.
[Lobelia is no worse for wear now than he was before Merlin's untimely demise, but out of respect for Lacus, he's tamped down on the urge to celebrate. He wasn't a fan of Merlin's, suspecting he might catch his death sooner rather than later, but he is not so inhuman that he can't understand why others would mourn his loss. He's experienced loss countless times in his life, after all.]
Bien sûr! Anything for you, chère. What's on your mind?
[ She hadn't expected to find him in mourning. Despite the permanent furrowing of her brows today, she herself certainly doesn't seem to be about to shed any tears either. She liked Merlin, but death was an eventuality she had prepared herself for. ]
When you spoke of finding the culprit earlier... What was your idea for the justice they should be brought to?
[As Lobelia sees it, it's Lacus' strength of character that keeps her eyes dry while others weep and openly mourn. That much is expected of her, so it seems based on their prior conversations, but it's no less impressive that she's managed to keep a stiff upper lip in the face of despair. He won't risk condescending her by saying as much, but the point remains.
Lobelia is rarely one to wear a frown on his face, and the same holds true now, but his answer is delivered in an almost uncharacteristic monotone.]
Oeil pour oeilβ an eye for an eye. What one metes out ought to be returned to them in full if they are unfortunate enough to fail in their goal of getting away with murder.
[ It's a solution that came to mind even before Ho-Oh made it mandatory. They're in limited space and allowing a killer to continue existing among them is going to cause nothing but further fear and paranoia, but... ]
I can't help thinking that by making it the rule, they have given us an easy way out and doomed us all the same.
[ Lacus has done her best to appear as harmless and airheaded as she reasonably could get away with this week. Playing the fool no longer suits her as much as when she was 15 and genuinely still naive, but downplaying your own skill can still be an important boon when in enemy territory.
Lobelia is one of the few who have seen through this fairly easily, and with that, he's made the approach useless. In some way, Lacus is pleased to be seen. ]
The dilemma has been taken out of our hands - at the same time, bloodshed begets more bloodshed. I fear your assessment was correct.. we will see more bodies, and soon.
Oui! True to their word, they aren't just after divertissement, but they want to ensure we provide as many sacrifices as needed to bring their plot to its conclusion ultime. I'd expected no less from them!
[Those who have the backbone to demand sacrifices have an expectation to rise toβ a proper stage to set. They've wasted no time doing just that, so in that regard, Lobelia doesn't downplay his approval.]
It's say you say, chère: all violence breeds is more of the same. Fear and paranoia will settle over the weak-willed among us, and it is them whom we'd best keep an eye on.
[And while they've set aside pretenses, he'll ask Lacus a questionβ one he trusts she'll answer truthfully.]
Surely you've some inkling as to who committed the murder. Who do you suspect it might be?
[ The 'weak-willed', huh...? Lacus has to wonder just who those might be. Meanwhile the selfish ones, the morally bankrupt ones... One has to hope they're alike to Lobelia, likely to wait it out in the knowledge that someone else will fold first and keep them all alive. It's a vicious cycle either way, and it frustrates Lacus that she can't come up with a solution. ]
If Ho-Oh's words are to be believed, it should be one of our administrators. Among them, I would consider Rapt0r the likely choice. He likes destroying, so I imagine Ho-Oh would be happy to leave the dirty work to him.
[Lobelia would like to think he has a nose for these things. He has his guesses as to who might crumble and cave to animalistic urges and kill in the name of survival, but he doesn't intend to be crass around Lacus. He has a degree of respect for her, after all, which is more than can be said for most of the people Lobelia has encountered on the island.]
Oui, that's a fair assessment. Still, our hosts gave me the impression that they don't intend to dirty their hands. I believe the killer is among our herd. After all, if the administrateurs didn't need us to do their dirty work, we would have all been rendered mincemeat.
[ Okay. She's been wondering since the trial... maybe even since before then... but everything she half-witnessed during their little onsen party has raised Lacus' curiosity to unbearable levels. She hasn't had gossiping sessions with friends since... before the first war, probably. It's been a long time.
But she has a friend here, and that friend has something fascinating going on. So when it just happens that they're the only two people in the cabana, she can't hold back anymore. ]
Would you mind if I ask what might be an intimate question?
[An intimate question...? Oh dear. That sounds vaguely scandalous, but Lobelia is always willing to hear Lacus out. Surely she wouldn't be asking him anything too salacious...
Setting down one of his prized conches on the nightstand, he settles on the edge of the bed, head tipped to one side.]
[All in good fun, surely! He gently pats Lacus' shoulder as if to assure her that he takes no offense to her curiosity, finding that it's a bit exciting discussing this sort of thing anyway. A thin, almost childish smile creeps across his lips.]
If I told you that I've found my Γ’me soeur, would you believe me?
[Lacus might find a strange lump in her pillow the next time she lays her head down to rest. With a little inspection, she'll find a conch meticulously stuffed into its insides β perhaps the owner knew it wouldn't survive if he didn't hide it β and contained within it is a familiar voice.]
Salut, Chère! I hope my message finds you well. By the time you discover this recording, I'll have moved on and left this place... ah, but that's not to say I know where I'm going!
As you know, death will come for us all eventually. I've made up my mind and decided to pursue happiness at any cost, just as Maman and Papa wanted for me, and I've finally found the true shape of that happiness!
No matter what may come to pass, I want you to know that I'm acting in the interest of that happiness. Do not mourn for me, Chère! Save your prayers and your songs for those who don't yet know what their happiness looks like.
After all, it was thanks in part to you that I decided I'd tarried too long. If I don't reach out and grasp happiness when it's so close at hand, I may live to regret my indecision. I can't abide by that, so know that my leaving you was a necessity and that our friendship is one I will always treasure.
My regards to you and your Òme soeur waiting for you back home. Survive and return to them, Chère! You won't find true happiness in a place such as this, but take heart in knowing that your dear friend has. Au revoir, mon chère ami.
Week 4: Tuesday, spoopy ghost text from deadlandia.
[ She'd been beginning to think he wouldn't contact them at all. That he was just done with the living and she'd forever be left wondering what that meant, having nothing but Vergilius' word for it that he's happy.
And Lacus had tried to accept that, because the idea of such an afterlife is disturbing enough as is, but...
The notification comes to her and she nearly drops her U-pinion. ]
Lobelia! It's so good to hear from you!!
[ She's probably the only one on these islands who thinks so, but that's fine. ]
Matters are, in lack of better words, unchanged. We have not made any progress in finding out how to break out of the system, but we are hanging on.
Your continued existence is baffling our administrators.
Are there restrictions on how much you can talk right now?
[He had feeling Lacus and only Lacus would want to talk to him, but that's good news! He's rather fond of her, after all. He's not nearly as fond of texting as he is of talking, but his responses come quickly all the same.]
We have Merlin to thank for the disruptions caused to the administrator's systems. Good for us, I say! I have a bone to pick with those two.
[Yo fuck them birds, he was supposed to die 1,000+ times over and was cut off at only 5 or 6. Where is Lobelia's justice?]
As for restrictions... Well, I am only able to directly communicate to you at this time. It seems the others were allotted a set number of messages to communicate with the island at large this week, but there are no such restrictions in place for our conversation. We can speak freely!
[ Lacus exhales slowly, smiling to herself now. She can't in all honesty say that she's glad Lobelia is still here - she'd have wanted a different sort of afterlife for him, for all of them. But she can say that while he's already here, she vastly prefers speaking to him to being left without knowing. ]
I'm glad. Text can't convey how glad I am. Heureux, right?
Thank you for choosing me. If you wish to send messages to anyone else, I'll gladly act as your go-between.
Anything I convey to you is information you are free to share among your friends as you see fit. As you've no doubt surmised by now, those of us who died are no longer dead.
[No personal messages! Lobelia only has one single friend on this bitch of an island, after all.]
Oui! As it turns out, Merlin lives up... erm, lived up to his lofty claims of being a powerful mage. He is working in direct opposition to les oiseaux, and his control over our situation expands by the day.
It's my deduction that crossing back over to the land of the living may be within our power... so long as we give Merlin our full support. Some of us are more keen to do so than others.
Lacus didn't know how to feel about the idea of a mundane afterlife. In a weird way, the thought of complete resurrection actually simplifies things again.
Even if it is also insane. ]
And where do you fall on that scale?
[ She's got a pretty good idea, of course, but let's hear it from the horse's mouth. ]
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Week 1: Saturday
In tune with these developments, Lacus seems a lot more subdued than she was before. Sometime after the group has dispersed from whatever talks happened in the wake of Merlin's death, Lacus will come seek out Lobelia specifically. ]
A moment of your time? We have a much clearer picture of our situation now, and I'd like to hear your thoughts on it.
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Bien sûr! Anything for you, chère. What's on your mind?
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When you spoke of finding the culprit earlier... What was your idea for the justice they should be brought to?
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Lobelia is rarely one to wear a frown on his face, and the same holds true now, but his answer is delivered in an almost uncharacteristic monotone.]
Oeil pour oeilβ an eye for an eye. What one metes out ought to be returned to them in full if they are unfortunate enough to fail in their goal of getting away with murder.
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[ It's a solution that came to mind even before Ho-Oh made it mandatory. They're in limited space and allowing a killer to continue existing among them is going to cause nothing but further fear and paranoia, but... ]
I can't help thinking that by making it the rule, they have given us an easy way out and doomed us all the same.
[ Lacus has done her best to appear as harmless and airheaded as she reasonably could get away with this week. Playing the fool no longer suits her as much as when she was 15 and genuinely still naive, but downplaying your own skill can still be an important boon when in enemy territory.
Lobelia is one of the few who have seen through this fairly easily, and with that, he's made the approach useless. In some way, Lacus is pleased to be seen. ]
The dilemma has been taken out of our hands - at the same time, bloodshed begets more bloodshed. I fear your assessment was correct.. we will see more bodies, and soon.
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[Those who have the backbone to demand sacrifices have an expectation to rise toβ a proper stage to set. They've wasted no time doing just that, so in that regard, Lobelia doesn't downplay his approval.]
It's say you say, chère: all violence breeds is more of the same. Fear and paranoia will settle over the weak-willed among us, and it is them whom we'd best keep an eye on.
[And while they've set aside pretenses, he'll ask Lacus a questionβ one he trusts she'll answer truthfully.]
Surely you've some inkling as to who committed the murder. Who do you suspect it might be?
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If Ho-Oh's words are to be believed, it should be one of our administrators. Among them, I would consider Rapt0r the likely choice. He likes destroying, so I imagine Ho-Oh would be happy to leave the dirty work to him.
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Oui, that's a fair assessment. Still, our hosts gave me the impression that they don't intend to dirty their hands. I believe the killer is among our herd. After all, if the administrateurs didn't need us to do their dirty work, we would have all been rendered mincemeat.
[Ah... but that brings a question to mind.]
Do you think it's beyond our friends and allies' capacitΓ©s to execute one another in cold blood?
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Week 3: Late Wednesday
But she has a friend here, and that friend has something fascinating going on. So when it just happens that they're the only two people in the cabana, she can't hold back anymore. ]
Would you mind if I ask what might be an intimate question?
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Setting down one of his prized conches on the nightstand, he settles on the edge of the bed, head tipped to one side.]
That may depend on how Γ©troit a question it is! What's on your mind?
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[ Lacus smiles playfully and inches a little closer. It feels like a sleepover thing to do, asking something like this. ]
You seem to have taken quite a liking to Monsieur Temenos, non?
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[Temenos? Ah... She saw that little trick he played on Temenos at the onsen, did she? Lobelia can't help breaking into full-bodied laughter.]
Quelle surprise! Have you been gossiping, Chère? I had no idea that such rumors were floating around!
[Yeah. Sure he didn't.]
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[ She looks mildly scandalized by the accusation of gossiping, though it's unclear whether that's just part of the game here. ]
I've most certainly not spoken to others about your affairs! It's merely my own observations and curiosity leading me here.
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If I told you that I've found my Γ’me soeur, would you believe me?
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Oh? I'd be quite surprised, but I certainly would not consider it impossible!
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Heheh, what a thoughtful answer! Then I ought to also inform you that my personne spΓ©ciale is not Monsieur Temenos... though I am quite attached to him.
[Tempting and teasing a man who holds the wrath of god in his hands is just too fun!]
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Week 3: ???
Salut, Chère! I hope my message finds you well. By the time you discover this recording, I'll have moved on and left this place... ah, but that's not to say I know where I'm going!
As you know, death will come for us all eventually. I've made up my mind and decided to pursue happiness at any cost, just as Maman and Papa wanted for me, and I've finally found the true shape of that happiness!
No matter what may come to pass, I want you to know that I'm acting in the interest of that happiness. Do not mourn for me, Chère! Save your prayers and your songs for those who don't yet know what their happiness looks like.
After all, it was thanks in part to you that I decided I'd tarried too long. If I don't reach out and grasp happiness when it's so close at hand, I may live to regret my indecision. I can't abide by that, so know that my leaving you was a necessity and that our friendship is one I will always treasure.
My regards to you and your Òme soeur waiting for you back home. Survive and return to them, Chère! You won't find true happiness in a place such as this, but take heart in knowing that your dear friend has. Au revoir, mon chère ami.
Week 4: Tuesday, spoopy ghost text from deadlandia.
Salut, Chère! How have you been faring? Is all well on your end of things?
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And Lacus had tried to accept that, because the idea of such an afterlife is disturbing enough as is, but...
The notification comes to her and she nearly drops her U-pinion. ]
Lobelia! It's so good to hear from you!!
[ She's probably the only one on these islands who thinks so, but that's fine. ]
Matters are, in lack of better words, unchanged. We have not made any progress in finding out how to break out of the system, but we are hanging on.
Your continued existence is baffling our administrators.
Are there restrictions on how much you can talk right now?
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We have Merlin to thank for the disruptions caused to the administrator's systems. Good for us, I say! I have a bone to pick with those two.
[Yo fuck them birds, he was supposed to die 1,000+ times over and was cut off at only 5 or 6. Where is Lobelia's justice?]
As for restrictions... Well, I am only able to directly communicate to you at this time. It seems the others were allotted a set number of messages to communicate with the island at large this week, but there are no such restrictions in place for our conversation. We can speak freely!
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I'm glad. Text can't convey how glad I am. Heureux, right?
Thank you for choosing me. If you wish to send messages to anyone else, I'll gladly act as your go-between.
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Anything I convey to you is information you are free to share among your friends as you see fit. As you've no doubt surmised by now, those of us who died are no longer dead.
That is to say... we're being kept in limbo.
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Is that Merlin's doing as well?
Tomura confirmed that it's not part of the island's mechanism - but you surely know that, given none of the island's own dead appear to be with you.
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Oui! As it turns out, Merlin lives up... erm, lived up to his lofty claims of being a powerful mage. He is working in direct opposition to les oiseaux, and his control over our situation expands by the day.
It's my deduction that crossing back over to the land of the living may be within our power... so long as we give Merlin our full support. Some of us are more keen to do so than others.
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Lacus didn't know how to feel about the idea of a mundane afterlife. In a weird way, the thought of complete resurrection actually simplifies things again.
Even if it is also insane. ]
And where do you fall on that scale?
[ She's got a pretty good idea, of course, but let's hear it from the horse's mouth. ]
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