[ he gives her a little tug on a strand of hair - nothing much, but just a "you're cheeky, sis" acknowledgment. damn this is why they're all a bunch of winters. ]
Offer remains valid 24/7, you don't need vouchers or coupons in exchange. I think this also would come from, like, 80% of the dorm without being awkward and grumpy about it. The other 20% would be awkward and grumpy about it.
I'll be honest, really. [ ... this probably counts? even if it doesn't, it seems - important, to say. ] I wasn't sure what to think about the dorm heads when we got here - what to think of you. I've met people that have been kind and helpful in the past, only to wind up anything but, just using it as a cover. So I was more wary than I let on, that first week.
But the more we talk to you, the more that you try to help us, the more I know you're sincere in what you do. So I want you to know that we're with you any time you need. [ you're with me this time, iris had said ] Even if that's just to play Mario Party in the game room with everybody else, or something, to give you a breather.
[ . . . . it's a sweet sentiment. it's kind, and it's meaningful. she pauses when she hears it, but manages a soft laugh.]
... if I were in your position, I'd distrust me more.
[if she's being super honest? viola is someone who is kind, but she does have her defenses.]
The fact that none of you have... and that you actively seek to look after me... it's a blessing, and it's one that I don't intend on taking for granted.
With a political upbringing, and I can't say I blame you for inherent caution.
[ and... whatever else is there. kon's not stupid, especially not after talking to the others about their interactions with viola. whether it's part of her scripted story, here at wiwaldi, or if it's rooted in who she is as iris - he's pretty sure that something more than that at play here. ]
But we don't plan on taking you for granted, either. Even if we're trying to hustle each other when it comes to vouchers. [ to bring a little levity to a serious, sentimental conversation. ] I can tell you, though, that wariness abated after Catra and I came back from the field trips. When you were angry. I didn't even have to see your face to know that was real.
[ . . . . 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.
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.
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.
[ 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.
[ . . . . 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.]
[ 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.
[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.
[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.
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.]
[ 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 ]
... 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 ]
Everyone in Winter is so efficient and creative - it's rather amusing to see. I feel as though it's not hard to see why you've all been grouped together.
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. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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There are some things I don't think you all can help me with - that's what comes with being a Dorm Head, I'm afraid.
But I do appreciate the offer.
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Offer remains valid 24/7, you don't need vouchers or coupons in exchange. I think this also would come from, like, 80% of the dorm without being awkward and grumpy about it. The other 20% would be awkward and grumpy about it.
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I know.
You all do your best to try to take care of me - I'm not blind to that. I'll let you know when I can think of something to ask of you.
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I'll be honest, really. [ ... this probably counts? even if it doesn't, it seems - important, to say. ] I wasn't sure what to think about the dorm heads when we got here - what to think of you. I've met people that have been kind and helpful in the past, only to wind up anything but, just using it as a cover. So I was more wary than I let on, that first week.
But the more we talk to you, the more that you try to help us, the more I know you're sincere in what you do. So I want you to know that we're with you any time you need. [ you're with me this time, iris had said ] Even if that's just to play Mario Party in the game room with everybody else, or something, to give you a breather.
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... if I were in your position, I'd distrust me more.
[if she's being super honest? viola is someone who is kind, but she does have her defenses.]
The fact that none of you have... and that you actively seek to look after me... it's a blessing, and it's one that I don't intend on taking for granted.
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[ and... whatever else is there. kon's not stupid, especially not after talking to the others about their interactions with viola. whether it's part of her scripted story, here at wiwaldi, or if it's rooted in who she is as iris - he's pretty sure that something more than that at play here. ]
But we don't plan on taking you for granted, either. Even if we're trying to hustle each other when it comes to vouchers. [ to bring a little levity to a serious, sentimental conversation. ] I can tell you, though, that wariness abated after Catra and I came back from the field trips. When you were angry. I didn't even have to see your face to know that was real.
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... 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. ]
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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.
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O... jou? [she shakes her head] No, I... I'm Viola.
[isn't she?
. . . . ]
But that's - yes. I do want to help everyone....
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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.
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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.]
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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.
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You don't need to apologize - I just...
[ . . . ]
Well, nevermind. How may I help?
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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?
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[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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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[ 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 ]
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... 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!]
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[ 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.
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Everyone in Winter is so efficient and creative - it's rather amusing to see. I feel as though it's not hard to see why you've all been grouped together.
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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. ]
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Do you really find yourselves all that different from each other? If anything, I think that you're all rather similar....
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