(ROLE) CULT 4.0

[dormheads]

cult.

On Monday at 10 PM, Otome, Byleth, Luxanna, and Dimitri receive an encrypted e-mail.

d4rkness@Wiwaldi.edu

Come to classroom 1304; see attached map.

No one is in the halls as they creep to the abandoned classroom circled on the map. The normally locked door opens, revealing the room inside.

There are no windows and the lights are off, leaving the room cast in near darkness. Only a handful of candles, in what's probably a fire hazard, keep it illuminated; the fog being emitted from a personal fog machine doesn't help with visibility. What was once the teacher's desk has been pushed to the center of the room, with chairs seated around it. For some reason, there are cat decorations everywhere, mixed in with various (garish) occult items and patterns.

As of Week 3, a lamp has been added to the room to give it some light.

There is a cat-shaped bulletin board hanging on the wall, which reads:

» This world is trying to assimilate all of you, who started this year, into its setting. If it succeeds, you'll remain trapped in this school, your souls drained until you cease to exist.

» Each week, this place will make active efforts on a few select students. Once the weekend hits, they'll all be beyond saving. However, if any one of them is killed before then, they'll all be freed from the link, at least for the remainder of the week.

» Death isn't necessarily permanent. Those who died can potentially be saved. However, no such option exists for the fully assimilated.

» At the start of the week you'll be informed if you may recruit one person to join the cult. Provide a list of 4-8 people you want to recruit and you'll be told which one of them is approved. If you extend an invitation and they accept, they will join the cult the following week.

» Preventing the assimilation aside, even the original cult was meant to be a secret, so it's important that word doesn't spread. If anyone else learns about your involvement in the cult or your task, whether from your mouth or another's, this world may enact consequences. No guarantee on who they might affect, so it's up to you to decide if risking harm upon another is worth it.

As of Week 3, more notes have been added.

A summary of what the others were told previously:

» This world is forced to act according to an internal logic. It isn't always aware of everything going on, and it can't break whatever rules it wishes. This would presumably be why you all arrived here with your minds intact, rather than already assimilated; it's possible that this defence mechanism has manifested in other ways as well, to try and correct things to how they should be.

Comments

[illuminance]

... It makes sense, to me, for it to be Ichinose.

I would rather it not be. But I will hold no grudge if I'm outweighed. I agree that more authority on this should go to Dimitri and Doctor Yanagiya.

[repress]

[ he runs a hand through his hair, emotions stuck in something somber and frustrated at this entire situation. ]

...Doctor, do you know the two from your dorm well? I'd just like to hear about everyone's circumstances being making a decision.

[divineimpulse]

[byleth's own feelings are... as muted as they appear on her face, rotating between concern for the other three, and a quiet determination.]

We have chosen adult men who are able to defend themselves. I'm not sure that Ichinose is capable of that.

Even though I belong to Summer dormitory, I think we should still be considering both of them.

[momming]

I'm more familiar with Alphinaud, who has been struggling to understand the truth behind this from the very beginning. He just has difficulty distinguishing the grey from the black and the white.

... I haven't spoken much to Wang Lu, but I told Sally I'd do my best to keep the remainder of our dorm safe. Be that as it may, I do also agree with Byleth that I'm not sure Ichinose-san is able to defend herself.

[ That sadness is deepening, but also slowly turning more resigned. ]

[illuminance]

... I did try to touch base with Alphinaud's feelings on all of what's been going on.

Diplomatic though he may be... [ you know what, she can't figure out a way of saying that he's kind of inconvenient that isn't cruel. she's not as cold and calculating as she sometimes would like to be. ] ... If not Ichinose, he would be my choice. Though I also know very little about Wang Lu.

[repress]

[ there's a spike of guilt when sally is brought up, but he tries to stay on task. ]

I do not know him either, though I think Wang Lu may be the most capable fighter. Ichinose is injured, and I do not think she knows combat, but I would not underestimate her.

[ he feels another twist of guilt at the idea of going after someone wounded, but even so, he sees why she is a logical choice.

... ]

So we have the eldest one, the one who struggles most with this place, and the one who could fight hardest.

[divineimpulse]

[...]

Wang Lu.

Alphinaud is most comfortable with magic, and is still injured. Ichinose is injured, and a non-combatant.

We've always made it a policy to choose the most able-bodied, and I don't think we should stray now.

[her emotions stay surprisingly even as she speaks, focus clear.]

[momming]

[ Otome just. Closes her eyes.

She looks (and feels) pained, but she speaks evenly enough. ]

I understand. I'll accept that choice.

[illuminance]

... It's also worth noting that Alphinaud has healing magic. So it does benefit everyone not to eliminate him...

[ ugh. just waves of frustration. but also some guilty relief that it isn't ichinose after all. ]

Wang Lu, then?

[repress]

[ he tries to steel himself, because it isn't fair to make this a half-hearted decision, but the agitation and grief build up right under it, the absolute force of which just makes his voice sound very tired. ]

...Wang Lu it is.

[divineimpulse]

[byleth looks at all of them, and nods once, sealing it. her emotions waver—but it seems more of a concern for the others than a grief at the decision. This is what she agreed to do. This is what they must do.]

I want to remind you both that I have a healing magic I reserve for Friday morning. If either of you are injured, come to me, and we can prioritize injuries.

[momming]

[ Otome nods and opens her mouth, presumably to thank her.

... But some thin noise emerges instead, and she closes her mouth to swallow thickly, taking a step back from the group. ]

I-- excuse me.

[ She needs a minute. ]

[illuminance]

I don't have much to offer, but I will help you both how I can...

[ except, ah. concern??? concern!!! it overwhelms lux's own misery. ]

[repress]

[ oh n ]

Doctor...

[ his emotions flash to alarm, regret, and then most persistently, worry. ]

You don't have to be the one to do this. [ they can figure something out, if it's too much. ]

[divineimpulse]

[her even emotions lap little waves of worry and concern, all for otome.

she puts out a hand to steady her shoulder, brow crinkling.]

Otome. I can do it.

I'm already a suspect. Let me step in for you.

[momming]

... No.

[ She shakes her head, and even if her voice is a little shaky and there are tears in her eyes and she feels miserable about this whole stupid thing, there's conviction underneath it. ]

This-- isn't easy for any of us. We're already doing things none of us would ever choose to do if we had any other option.

... He's my dormmate and you've taken too many risks as it stands, Byleth. I was there for Lan Wangji and I'll take responsibility for Wang Lu as well. It's the least I can do.

You're... all very kind, but let me do this.

[illuminance]

I wouldn't allow Byleth to go, regardless.

[ lux is firm in this, her determination palpable. ]

She's already a suspect and any chance she has at not being killed this week by hand or by vote would be completely destroyed if she is suspected of killing again. Besides that, she has people here who care from her - not just through new bonds, but from those forged at home. We've just seen how hard such losses can hit people.

... Though I do understand the impulse to volunteer to go in your steed, Doctor Yanagiya. I offer the same, and at much lower risk than Byleth's offer.

[ she doesn't think otome will allow it, but. she has to at least let the offer be known. ]

[repress]

...Luxanna, you are beloved as well. Losing any of you would be a blow.

[ it makes things difficult. but he supposes it should be hard. ]

But I agree that Byleth should avoid going again. She already takes a certain risk as a likely target, as well as an 'easy' vote come Saturday.

[ ... ]

If pairs are not required, I could take this on alone as well, Doctor. But we will respect your decision no matter what you choose.

[ he admires her conviction, but at least they've put all the cards on the table now. ]

[momming]

Thank you all, but I'll be going with Dimitri to handle this.

[ As firmly as she can manage. ]

We can see how... well we hold up for the next week.

[illuminance]

[ lux is just sitting here silently in her confusion over being called beloved because no she super isn't? but

it's definitely outweighed by the worry for dimitri and otome. wow she doesn't want to think about how they're almost definitely going to lose someone this week, one way or another. ]

[divineimpulse]

[she looks up at dimitri, and there's an additional twist of concern at his offer, even as she squeezes otome's shoulder.]

...I think that if you're both set on it, then the pairing system works best.

Take care of each other, and we'll be waiting when you return.

[repress]

[ lux please let people love you. everyone please stop being so sad.

dimitri only adds to the room's overall atmosphere of depression as he nods, though. whether they get caught and die, or escape and someone else dies... everyone on campus is in a situation where fairness was never attainable to begin with. ]

...We will do all that we can.