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[ . . . . well. there's a little huff of amusement there, coupled with something wry in her expression.]
... of course I was angry. You were hurt right in front of me, when it was my duty to look after you. Something out of my control made me fail, and I refuse to take that easily.
All of you in Winter Dorm are precious to me - no matter what you've done.
[and after they've uncovered two murderers now - she feels like she can say that with certainty.
but a memory plays almost as if to cement that -
”The children here are also citizens that I protect, so I don’t mind putting myself out there.”
A customary visit to the fief in order to oversee the developments in the economic and trade took a turn for the interesting - or perhaps, a turn for the violent as a rock smashed through the window of a church. The organized religion of the land abandoned this church and left the people inside to the whims and violence of debt collectors - and your blood boils.
You are the Duke’s Daughter, and you are the Acting Fief Lord. A ridiculous responsibility for someone at the tender age of 16, perhaps, but that makes you all the more determined to show that you’re worthy of the station.
And you are about to slap a man upside the head for daring to suggest that you can be used as payment for his disgusting behavior.
Tanya appears at your side near immediately, seething and furious - and you think about how you met her nearly a decade ago, abandoned at the side of the road. Much like the children inside the church, she didn’t have anyone to aid her. She didn’t know where her next meal would come from, or what shelter would come. You think again about how when you were given the responsibility to oversee this fief, you wanted to create an environment in which no one would have to live through those circumstances again.
You hold onto her hands, rough from the hard work of a maid and so familiar with a blade that she could kill someone in no time flat, and you tell her again.
You have things you want to protect too - and so you can’t sit still.
Not when there are some things only you can do. ]
... of course I was angry. You were hurt right in front of me, when it was my duty to look after you. Something out of my control made me fail, and I refuse to take that easily.
All of you in Winter Dorm are precious to me - no matter what you've done.
[and after they've uncovered two murderers now - she feels like she can say that with certainty.
but a memory plays almost as if to cement that -
”The children here are also citizens that I protect, so I don’t mind putting myself out there.”
A customary visit to the fief in order to oversee the developments in the economic and trade took a turn for the interesting - or perhaps, a turn for the violent as a rock smashed through the window of a church. The organized religion of the land abandoned this church and left the people inside to the whims and violence of debt collectors - and your blood boils.
You are the Duke’s Daughter, and you are the Acting Fief Lord. A ridiculous responsibility for someone at the tender age of 16, perhaps, but that makes you all the more determined to show that you’re worthy of the station.
And you are about to slap a man upside the head for daring to suggest that you can be used as payment for his disgusting behavior.
Tanya appears at your side near immediately, seething and furious - and you think about how you met her nearly a decade ago, abandoned at the side of the road. Much like the children inside the church, she didn’t have anyone to aid her. She didn’t know where her next meal would come from, or what shelter would come. You think again about how when you were given the responsibility to oversee this fief, you wanted to create an environment in which no one would have to live through those circumstances again.
You hold onto her hands, rough from the hard work of a maid and so familiar with a blade that she could kill someone in no time flat, and you tell her again.
You have things you want to protect too - and so you can’t sit still.
Not when there are some things only you can do. ]
[ well.
it certainly explains a lot.
luckily, this being tuesday, kon has seen his fair share of other peoples' memories. (the irony isn't lost on him, especially considering part of the reason why he's asked for viola's company.) this is less... unpleasant, compared to the other ones. the debt collectors still rankle him, even though he knows it's a memory, but it's more fondness that he feels than anything else.
this is why people like adora, beau, and ichiro are in winter. the heroes of the story. ]
Well, I think we're lucky to have you, ojou. [ he's not much of a hero type. not someone to stand idly by, certainly, but not the one people would look to for acts of heroism.
and yet, he supposes, he still belongs here in many ways - not when there are some things only you can do. ] And we'll do our best to get to the bottom of what's happening here, and why our people - whether they call Winter home or not - are being forced into the roles that they are.
it certainly explains a lot.
luckily, this being tuesday, kon has seen his fair share of other peoples' memories. (the irony isn't lost on him, especially considering part of the reason why he's asked for viola's company.) this is less... unpleasant, compared to the other ones. the debt collectors still rankle him, even though he knows it's a memory, but it's more fondness that he feels than anything else.
this is why people like adora, beau, and ichiro are in winter. the heroes of the story. ]
Well, I think we're lucky to have you, ojou. [ he's not much of a hero type. not someone to stand idly by, certainly, but not the one people would look to for acts of heroism.
and yet, he supposes, he still belongs here in many ways - not when there are some things only you can do. ] And we'll do our best to get to the bottom of what's happening here, and why our people - whether they call Winter home or not - are being forced into the roles that they are.
[there's a slight pain in her head when she witnesses the memory as if she's also just experiencing it, brow furrowing in some mild confusion as she witnesses something that's.... never really happened to her? she looks back at kon in slight confusion, trying to grasp what he's saying to her]
O... jou? [she shakes her head] No, I... I'm Viola.
[isn't she?
. . . . ]
But that's - yes. I do want to help everyone....
O... jou? [she shakes her head] No, I... I'm Viola.
[isn't she?
. . . . ]
But that's - yes. I do want to help everyone....
[ mm - he can't say he's surprised. and kon doesn't... want to hurt her any further than the memory surely must be. not when iris is in there, probably wildcat mad, and he's not sure what repercussions there might be. because this place has made it abundantly clear that there are punishments for those that step out of line. ]
I know you do. We all do. [ but he can't stop nudging at that boundary, at that limit that must be there, trying to find a crack for him to reach out and take iris' hand again. ] And every person that you've helped has been grateful for it, you know? It's obvious you're not doing it for the recognition or gratitude, but we are pretty damn lucky, and thankful for it.
[ the church must have been. the orphans must have been. whoever else that lady iris lana armelia has helped in her world, he can't imagine that they would be anything but grateful. ]
So do you think I could borrow a little of your help again? Ojou-sama.
I know you do. We all do. [ but he can't stop nudging at that boundary, at that limit that must be there, trying to find a crack for him to reach out and take iris' hand again. ] And every person that you've helped has been grateful for it, you know? It's obvious you're not doing it for the recognition or gratitude, but we are pretty damn lucky, and thankful for it.
[ the church must have been. the orphans must have been. whoever else that lady iris lana armelia has helped in her world, he can't imagine that they would be anything but grateful. ]
So do you think I could borrow a little of your help again? Ojou-sama.
[ . . . . she looks at him, confused and curious in equal measure, smart enough to at least recognize that he's saying something to her that she's meant to try to unpack. but it's... difficult. it's foggy.
so instead she focuses on the question - ]
If you cease calling me that, I'd be happy to.
[because "ojou-sama" feels like something meant for someone else and - that is disquieting in and of itself.
viola has had enough moments in her life where the person she was, wasn't enough.]
so instead she focuses on the question - ]
If you cease calling me that, I'd be happy to.
[because "ojou-sama" feels like something meant for someone else and - that is disquieting in and of itself.
viola has had enough moments in her life where the person she was, wasn't enough.]
[ if only she could know that she was more than enough, without having to claw her way out to prove it to herself.
but kon gives a small, bobbing shrug of his shoulders, head lowering in acknowledgement for a second. he's done enough digging, done enough to set her off kilter - even if it wasn't his fault, at first - so he'll let it lie. the limit has been reached. ]
Sorry, Vi. I think it got stuck in my head? But today and yesterday have been weird for everybody.
but kon gives a small, bobbing shrug of his shoulders, head lowering in acknowledgement for a second. he's done enough digging, done enough to set her off kilter - even if it wasn't his fault, at first - so he'll let it lie. the limit has been reached. ]
Sorry, Vi. I think it got stuck in my head? But today and yesterday have been weird for everybody.
[ planting the seeds of doubt and headaches and frustration. sorry, viola - but he wants iris out sooner rather than later. ]
I do want to exchange some vouchers, but I had some questions about non-voucher things, first.
How viable do you think it would be, to set a trap on Thursday before we're compelled back into the dorms for curfew?
I do want to exchange some vouchers, but I had some questions about non-voucher things, first.
How viable do you think it would be, to set a trap on Thursday before we're compelled back into the dorms for curfew?
Hmm... It should be possible.
[just not this week because murder proposals already closed - but in future weeks as long as you let the mods know before they close, that should be fine! i am answering this here so you have it for reference]
Depending on where exactly you would like to set one, and what it would be.
[just not this week because murder proposals already closed - but in future weeks as long as you let the mods know before they close, that should be fine! i am answering this here so you have it for reference]
Depending on where exactly you would like to set one, and what it would be.
[ me writing this down immediately elsewhere so that i don't forget it - would submitting to the location changes on monday oocly for icly before curfew be good for you guys danarie ]
We're worried about some of the locations on campus, especially since people are being transported out of the dorms and finding themselves elsewhere. Something that would be hard to notice, and not really do any harm to the area. We've had someone cross through the cafeteria every week so far, for example.
Invisible ink can be made with a combination of baking soda, a pinch of tumeric, water, and lemon juice. You can make it visible with heat, in some cases grape juice - the acidity brings it out, especially since tumeric will stain anything if made wet, so it's used to add a little color when it's made visible.
It might only work once in the cafeteria. It might only work once, period. But if we did a thin layer of baking soda and tumeric, made sure there was even just a little bit of diluted lemon juice spritzed on the floor nearby to stick and work its chemical magic... it could show up on someone's feet or shoes. Even if they clean up after, even a trace is something.
We're worried about some of the locations on campus, especially since people are being transported out of the dorms and finding themselves elsewhere. Something that would be hard to notice, and not really do any harm to the area. We've had someone cross through the cafeteria every week so far, for example.
Invisible ink can be made with a combination of baking soda, a pinch of tumeric, water, and lemon juice. You can make it visible with heat, in some cases grape juice - the acidity brings it out, especially since tumeric will stain anything if made wet, so it's used to add a little color when it's made visible.
It might only work once in the cafeteria. It might only work once, period. But if we did a thin layer of baking soda and tumeric, made sure there was even just a little bit of diluted lemon juice spritzed on the floor nearby to stick and work its chemical magic... it could show up on someone's feet or shoes. Even if they clean up after, even a trace is something.
[that would work! and we'll say that this will only work on one location in terms of having the time to do it.
but regardless viola will seem thoughtful at that before nodding]
Yes. But of course you'll have to be careful on who exactly is aware of this plan or it won't matter much at all. I'd keep it as contained as possible. It may also depend on whether or not someone would wash their shoes or themselves before trial but...
It's not a bad idea - I think that should be plausible to having laying in wait.
but regardless viola will seem thoughtful at that before nodding]
Yes. But of course you'll have to be careful on who exactly is aware of this plan or it won't matter much at all. I'd keep it as contained as possible. It may also depend on whether or not someone would wash their shoes or themselves before trial but...
It's not a bad idea - I think that should be plausible to having laying in wait.
[ blows a kiss up to the mods
he taps his chin with his phone, yoru keychain swaying off the end of it while he thinks. but he does tap something out, just noting it down somewhere so that he can have it. ]
Okay. Okay, we can do that. Ichiro and I were definitely talking about it in the dorm, but I - [ mm. they've already had two killers, so he's more worried about them having deaths, especially with winter having the highest population. he looks troubled, but shakes his head and refocuses. ]
I'll talk to just him about how we're going to set it up, and where, for now. And with the STEM lab, now, on top of the kitchen... I think I can figure out ways to set up other traps.
he taps his chin with his phone, yoru keychain swaying off the end of it while he thinks. but he does tap something out, just noting it down somewhere so that he can have it. ]
Okay. Okay, we can do that. Ichiro and I were definitely talking about it in the dorm, but I - [ mm. they've already had two killers, so he's more worried about them having deaths, especially with winter having the highest population. he looks troubled, but shakes his head and refocuses. ]
I'll talk to just him about how we're going to set it up, and where, for now. And with the STEM lab, now, on top of the kitchen... I think I can figure out ways to set up other traps.
[ . . . when he cuts himself off, she watches him. and she smiles even if the reason for it is a little unreadable. it is pleasant, but it is not without a hint of wariness and concern.
winter dorm is so beloved to her that it doesn't matter how she loses them - it matters only still that she doesn't want to. she will never let go willingly, for any reason.]
.... I look forward to the results.
winter dorm is so beloved to her that it doesn't matter how she loses them - it matters only still that she doesn't want to. she will never let go willingly, for any reason.]
.... I look forward to the results.
We'll make sure they're good ones.
[ unfortunately, with three weeks living with winter dorm... with how the protagonists have rubbed off on him, and their more prickly members, he's... protective. and worried. it wasn't an understatement when he told yamato that they got close and defensive of one another fast, and are now prone to closing ranks because of it.
it's not a bad thing. (except for where it is, after what's happened to him.) ]
I know Ichiro's going to come talk to you about things we can exchange for vouchers, things we can use during Saturday. So we've got that going for us. [ ... now for the next question. ] But speaking of vouchers - Vivi, does an exchange have to be in person to be official, or can it be written and followed up on?
[ dana can i write a will to exchange vouchers to someone in the event i mcfuckin die ]
[ unfortunately, with three weeks living with winter dorm... with how the protagonists have rubbed off on him, and their more prickly members, he's... protective. and worried. it wasn't an understatement when he told yamato that they got close and defensive of one another fast, and are now prone to closing ranks because of it.
it's not a bad thing. (except for where it is, after what's happened to him.) ]
I know Ichiro's going to come talk to you about things we can exchange for vouchers, things we can use during Saturday. So we've got that going for us. [ ... now for the next question. ] But speaking of vouchers - Vivi, does an exchange have to be in person to be official, or can it be written and followed up on?
[ dana can i write a will to exchange vouchers to someone in the event i mcfuckin die ]
[hmmm.... she blinks at that.]
... I suppose that you can indicate where you would like your Vouchers to go, as long as it is a set amount that you have in your possession.
[a beat, and her expression gets a bit stormier]
In... worst case scenarios.
[and the rules for this are that it has to be brought up organically by the character and their will needs to exist before the day they die. it also needs to be communicated to the mods. they cannot be backdated or retconned!]
... I suppose that you can indicate where you would like your Vouchers to go, as long as it is a set amount that you have in your possession.
[a beat, and her expression gets a bit stormier]
In... worst case scenarios.
[and the rules for this are that it has to be brought up organically by the character and their will needs to exist before the day they die. it also needs to be communicated to the mods. they cannot be backdated or retconned!]
... yeah. Yeah that's what I was thinking. [ his hand lowers, pocketing his phone and expression turning wry. ] We need to keep vouchers circulating, so it's like you keep saying - hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
[ even if it's only a couple of vouchers, that's still one or two that can be contributed to something that everybody else needs. restocking the first aid kit, tipping someone over enough to get a power or item that can help save someone, find a killer, get them a little further in getting the dorm heads freed.
thank you mods you have indulged my abrupt line of questioning and i appreciate you ]
... I'll make sure everybody keeps it in mind.
[ even if it's only a couple of vouchers, that's still one or two that can be contributed to something that everybody else needs. restocking the first aid kit, tipping someone over enough to get a power or item that can help save someone, find a killer, get them a little further in getting the dorm heads freed.
thank you mods you have indulged my abrupt line of questioning and i appreciate you ]
... I'll make sure everybody keeps it in mind.
[ pff - ]
It's... interesting, to say the least. There's a lot of ways where I'd say we're way too different to work, reasonably, but then it turns out we're all just stubborn and don't like to lose.
[ lose a competition, lose people, lose themselves. ]
It's... interesting, to say the least. There's a lot of ways where I'd say we're way too different to work, reasonably, but then it turns out we're all just stubborn and don't like to lose.
[ lose a competition, lose people, lose themselves. ]
That's...
[ he's not the hero of the story - but he could reasonably say any of the others would easily suit the role. the guile hero. the all-loving hero. the byronic, determinator, reformer...
kon just shrugs at her helplessly. it's something that he doesn't mind. he's always been an outlier. ]
Well, we certainly all share the dorm's spirit, that's for sure.
[ he's not the hero of the story - but he could reasonably say any of the others would easily suit the role. the guile hero. the all-loving hero. the byronic, determinator, reformer...
kon just shrugs at her helplessly. it's something that he doesn't mind. he's always been an outlier. ]
Well, we certainly all share the dorm's spirit, that's for sure.
[ stop making that face at him?
he makes a little bit of a face, back, but doesn't necessarily argue. even if he grouses. ] ... I did mean it when I said that none of us would be transferring out to other dorms. And, at this point, we're a team - they're mine as much as they are yours, as much as I'm still getting used to it.
he makes a little bit of a face, back, but doesn't necessarily argue. even if he grouses. ] ... I did mean it when I said that none of us would be transferring out to other dorms. And, at this point, we're a team - they're mine as much as they are yours, as much as I'm still getting used to it.
[ . . . . well.]
... I would understand if you all did - given the track record that Winter has had. [two convicted murderers]
If only to test the hypothesis, if there is something about Winter itself that compels people to take the lives of others - though I don't know if you'll be safer elsewhere.
[ . . . she looks away, as if to obscure her expression]
... it would be a reasonable course of action.
... I would understand if you all did - given the track record that Winter has had. [two convicted murderers]
If only to test the hypothesis, if there is something about Winter itself that compels people to take the lives of others - though I don't know if you'll be safer elsewhere.
[ . . . she looks away, as if to obscure her expression]
... it would be a reasonable course of action.
[
bonk. ] Stop that.
[
okay, it's more of a tap to the top of her head with the back of his knuckles than it is a bonk, but he's going to drag her back out or so help him. this is his role to play in the dynamics of the dorm - the one that reminds the heroes of what they're supposed to be doing. (kon guesses that those peptalks for and scoldings from toki paid off, somehow.) ]
Rupert clearly didn't want to do it, and Kaoruko told enough people that we should play along, be less confrontational, because of a role she was playing. Simply because there was the commonality of them being from the same dorm doesn't mean that you're cursed, or that there might be some forces at play that mean Winter has a reputation for murder.
Everyone in Winter is so efficient and creative, [ he'll step around her in case she tries to properly look away from him. ] And we're using that to figure out how to catch the people being forced to kill against their will.
Fuck the reputation you're afraid of. [ because crow told him. ] We'll prove it wrong. As your dorm - you're stuck with us.
bonk. ] Stop that.
[
okay, it's more of a tap to the top of her head with the back of his knuckles than it is a bonk, but he's going to drag her back out or so help him. this is his role to play in the dynamics of the dorm - the one that reminds the heroes of what they're supposed to be doing. (kon guesses that those peptalks for and scoldings from toki paid off, somehow.) ]
Rupert clearly didn't want to do it, and Kaoruko told enough people that we should play along, be less confrontational, because of a role she was playing. Simply because there was the commonality of them being from the same dorm doesn't mean that you're cursed, or that there might be some forces at play that mean Winter has a reputation for murder.
Everyone in Winter is so efficient and creative, [ he'll step around her in case she tries to properly look away from him. ] And we're using that to figure out how to catch the people being forced to kill against their will.
Fuck the reputation you're afraid of. [ because crow told him. ] We'll prove it wrong. As your dorm - you're stuck with us.
[ah.
her gaze turns a little sharp at that - not in response to the bonk, but rather in response to an accusation that doesn't land quite right. not when crow suggested it, and not now.]
It is not about reputation. It is about a malevolent force asking people to act, and we don't know the exact motivation - but we know thus far that it has struck Winter twice. Don't you want to be in control of your own actions? Don't you want to avoid being asked to hurt others?
I don't care about my reputation - I have none left to lose. I only have all of you.
But you are all so willing to be commonly regarded as murderers without realizing just how dangerous that could prove to be. You should look after yourselves more than you care for loyalty to me - associations like that matter little if I lose you anyway.
her gaze turns a little sharp at that - not in response to the bonk, but rather in response to an accusation that doesn't land quite right. not when crow suggested it, and not now.]
It is not about reputation. It is about a malevolent force asking people to act, and we don't know the exact motivation - but we know thus far that it has struck Winter twice. Don't you want to be in control of your own actions? Don't you want to avoid being asked to hurt others?
I don't care about my reputation - I have none left to lose. I only have all of you.
But you are all so willing to be commonly regarded as murderers without realizing just how dangerous that could prove to be. You should look after yourselves more than you care for loyalty to me - associations like that matter little if I lose you anyway.
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