[. . . Akira hadn't been able to seek Isaac out the night before, if only because he spent like his entire evening in the shower washing off the grossness of rats. even so, he hadn't forgotten Isaac's reaction to Nikki's guilt. and that's why he seeks out the younger captive after the difficult-to-watch execution]
[wherever Isaac is, he'll hear Akira's voice calling out to him! and this time he doesn't sneak up on him, either. MERCY]
[ Isaac is actually ... in the billiards room! Returning to its home the pool cue he's been using as a cane all dang week, since he can walk again now.
But he'll hear Akira's voice, and poke his head out into the hallway.
The question gets an unusually long silence, but then he'll shrug. ]
Sure.
[ He's obviously pretty subdued, but at least he isn't saying no! ]
[the unusually long silence gets a pause and a curiously tilted head from Akira, but he chalks it up to everyone being super stressed out. especially Isaac]
[so he's just gonna slip into the billiards room and close the door behind him, nodding towards the table as he does so]
Oh my god. What is it with people and battering rams??
[ HE'S TIRED
but he'll lift his eyebrows when asked, and then ... look away, his brow settling low. ]
... yeah. I mean, I guess so. It was pretty brutal watching Michiru take out Nikki, but ...
[ she did go basically full wererat by the end.
he'll rest his chin in his hands. ]
I know they tried to say the rules didn't force us to kill, but they still say we "must" attend a trial every Saturday. For there to be a trial, there has to be a death. No, a killing. A murder. [ a frown tugs at his mouth. ] Those girls can pretend all they want, but they're forcing us to do this.
[lightly amused. . . but despite having the cue stick, all Akira does is rest his hip against the table and the butt of the stick against the ground]
[. . .]
[he's quiet as Isaac talks, mulling things over in his mind. trying to consolidate the events of the weekend with the generally positive impressions he's had of Plum and Pumpkin and Peach so far]
[. . .]
I feel like. . . it's a little more complicated than that. You're not wrong-- we are being forced to do this-- but. . .
[he trails off]
Did I ever tell you that I could never get a straight answer from any of them about whether they liked working for Master Blue or not?
[ He'll at least nod to answer the question--god, so much happened in the library.
Akira will get a glance at that, but honestly, Isaac is still mulish. ]
I mean, I didn't either, even though I only really talked to Plum. But come on--during the trial they all defended him! And got really mad if you even implied you might be talking bad about him! Peach and Pumpkin even threatened me! They're clearly on his side, and--I don't believe a word they say about caring about us.
[that small bit of hurt in Isaac's voice. . . Akira gets it. he had felt something similar immediately preceding Haruka's death. a small sense of betrayal, of wondering why the girls hadn't warned them that this would happen]
[but he's come to terms with things. he fully believes that there's more to what's happening in this mansion than meets the eye. and he still. . . would like to think that Peach, Plum and Pumpkin are good people]
I wonder how much of that was because they're afraid of Master Blue?
[it's a rhetorical question, but Akira explains himself anyway]
When I asked Plum-san about the blue bell, she stared at it like she wanted to throw herself out of the window while telling me it was for Master Blue.
Despite what they're saying, despite what they're doing, I just feel like there's more to them and their situation that we don't know yet.
[ Isaac is quiet for a long, long moment. He clearly hadn't even considered that before now, his rage blinding him to any alternate possibility. But hearing that description of Plum especially--stoic Plum, who so rarely smiles--really gets to him. Isaac basically deflates, tapping his heel against the pool table, agitated in a different way now ]
But ... but what's the deal with all the pomp and circumstance? The stories, the way they carted off Haruka's body on Friday... even today, with the cage, the way they insisted Michiru couldn't kill Nikki till today because of the rules! It's all so clearly rehearsed, they've done this before! Lots of times...
[ ........
Isaac looks up, around the room ]
What's going on in this house? Even after everything... I feel like we don't know a thing.
[Akira confirms quietly, his own expression turning quietly pensive. he doesn't know if he's right about that supposition, but it's the only explanation for Plum's reaction, and for why Peach and Pumpkin avoiding answering his question of whether they enjoyed working for Master Blue]
But even thinking that, I don't have answers for those other questions. You're right; they seem like they were almost expecting what happened to Haruka-san. They do act like they've done this before.
Like they weren't surprised by what happened.
[and that confuses him!!! either way, Akira rakes a hand through his hair]
It's only been a week, but I feel like we're more lost now than we were when we first arrived.
It was like a performance, dude. [ on this point he's insistent. ] There's no way they didn't know! ... I guess ... the real question is how much they knew, and ... I guess ... how much choice they have in it.
[ it's clear akira's gotten through to him, at least. he's no longer spitting mad, and a lot more introspective.
he'll nod, slowly. ]
Like, it was weird enough to begin with when it seemed like they kidnapped us for some kind of party or whatever. Now there's a ... "purpose" for us being here [ that part is pretty mocking ], but there's more questions than ever.
The truth's gotta be out there. We just have to find it.
... not since early in the week, no. The only one I've really spoken to at length is Plum. [ ... he can trust akira with this much, right? ] I, uh, early on, I asked her if we could be friends, and she was okay with it! I saw her last week, but it was just to talk about our hobbies and stuff.
[ ... and now ... well, things have gotten a lot more complicated. ]
Haha, I'm kinda worried she's not gonna want to be friends anymore. I'd only have myself to blame, too. As usual.
[heh. . . despite Plum's no-nonsense exterior, her agreeing to be friends with Isaac sounds like the Plum he's come to know. a nod]
No; I don't think you have to worry about her not wanting to be your friend anymore. Plum-san's pretty tough, and I think she would probably understand why you're so upset.
[ Isaac lifts his chin and just kind of stares at the other boy. It's clear he's genuinely surprised at the thought of someone continuing to be friends with him after he's made a mistake. After a moment he'll glance away, but he's thoughtful now, not quite as self-critical.
Eventually he'll nod. ]
... I wonder what they really think about this stuff. Like, for real, not the answer they give because we're guests and they have to. You think we'll ever find out?
Isaac's brow knits, a look of real concern. He'll glance away, then down, starting to frown. ]
The weirdest part about that is they clearly have special abilities. Powers to move freely around the mansion, learn how the murders happen, perform their tasks... If they can do all that, but they can't stop what's going on?
Just who the hell is Master Blue, anyway? And how powerful is he that he can keep the girls on such a tight leash?
Edited (yikes sorry for edits) 2020-03-04 22:13 (UTC)
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week 0, sunday post-execution
[. . . Akira hadn't been able to seek Isaac out the night before, if only because he spent like his entire evening in the shower washing off the grossness of rats. even so, he hadn't forgotten Isaac's reaction to Nikki's guilt. and that's why he seeks out the younger captive after the difficult-to-watch execution]
[wherever Isaac is, he'll hear Akira's voice calling out to him! and this time he doesn't sneak up on him, either. MERCY]
Isaac? Do you have a moment?
no subject
But he'll hear Akira's voice, and poke his head out into the hallway.
The question gets an unusually long silence, but then he'll shrug. ]
Sure.
[ He's obviously pretty subdued, but at least he isn't saying no! ]
no subject
[so he's just gonna slip into the billiards room and close the door behind him, nodding towards the table as he does so]
Those things are way heavier than they look.
no subject
[ At least his sense of sarcasm is intact.
Not giving a hoot about pretty much anything, he'll hop up to sit on one of said tables, letting his legs swing and clasping his hands. ]
no subject
[LOOK AKIRA IS STUPID. anyway he goes for one of the pool cues, testing the weight of same in his hand before he approaches the table]
[studying Isaac carefully, before he speaks]
. . . are you okay?
no subject
[ HE'S TIRED
but he'll lift his eyebrows when asked, and then ... look away, his brow settling low. ]
... yeah. I mean, I guess so. It was pretty brutal watching Michiru take out Nikki, but ...
[ she did go basically full wererat by the end.
he'll rest his chin in his hands. ]
I know they tried to say the rules didn't force us to kill, but they still say we "must" attend a trial every Saturday. For there to be a trial, there has to be a death. No, a killing. A murder. [ a frown tugs at his mouth. ] Those girls can pretend all they want, but they're forcing us to do this.
no subject
[lightly amused. . . but despite having the cue stick, all Akira does is rest his hip against the table and the butt of the stick against the ground]
[. . .]
[he's quiet as Isaac talks, mulling things over in his mind. trying to consolidate the events of the weekend with the generally positive impressions he's had of Plum and Pumpkin and Peach so far]
[. . .]
I feel like. . . it's a little more complicated than that. You're not wrong-- we are being forced to do this-- but. . .
[he trails off]
Did I ever tell you that I could never get a straight answer from any of them about whether they liked working for Master Blue or not?
no subject
Akira will get a glance at that, but honestly, Isaac is still mulish. ]
I mean, I didn't either, even though I only really talked to Plum. But come on--during the trial they all defended him! And got really mad if you even implied you might be talking bad about him! Peach and Pumpkin even threatened me! They're clearly on his side, and--I don't believe a word they say about caring about us.
[ this part is--well, he almost sounds... hurt. ]
no subject
. . . ah. . .
[that small bit of hurt in Isaac's voice. . . Akira gets it. he had felt something similar immediately preceding Haruka's death. a small sense of betrayal, of wondering why the girls hadn't warned them that this would happen]
[but he's come to terms with things. he fully believes that there's more to what's happening in this mansion than meets the eye. and he still. . . would like to think that Peach, Plum and Pumpkin are good people]
I wonder how much of that was because they're afraid of Master Blue?
[it's a rhetorical question, but Akira explains himself anyway]
When I asked Plum-san about the blue bell, she stared at it like she wanted to throw herself out of the window while telling me it was for Master Blue.
Despite what they're saying, despite what they're doing, I just feel like there's more to them and their situation that we don't know yet.
[. . .]
But I don't blame you for being hurt. I was, too.
no subject
[ Isaac is quiet for a long, long moment. He clearly hadn't even considered that before now, his rage blinding him to any alternate possibility. But hearing that description of Plum especially--stoic Plum, who so rarely smiles--really gets to him. Isaac basically deflates, tapping his heel against the pool table, agitated in a different way now ]
But ... but what's the deal with all the pomp and circumstance? The stories, the way they carted off Haruka's body on Friday... even today, with the cage, the way they insisted Michiru couldn't kill Nikki till today because of the rules! It's all so clearly rehearsed, they've done this before! Lots of times...
[ ........
Isaac looks up, around the room ]
What's going on in this house? Even after everything... I feel like we don't know a thing.
no subject
[Akira confirms quietly, his own expression turning quietly pensive. he doesn't know if he's right about that supposition, but it's the only explanation for Plum's reaction, and for why Peach and Pumpkin avoiding answering his question of whether they enjoyed working for Master Blue]
But even thinking that, I don't have answers for those other questions. You're right; they seem like they were almost expecting what happened to Haruka-san. They do act like they've done this before.
Like they weren't surprised by what happened.
[and that confuses him!!! either way, Akira rakes a hand through his hair]
It's only been a week, but I feel like we're more lost now than we were when we first arrived.
no subject
[ it's clear akira's gotten through to him, at least. he's no longer spitting mad, and a lot more introspective.
he'll nod, slowly. ]
Like, it was weird enough to begin with when it seemed like they kidnapped us for some kind of party or whatever. Now there's a ... "purpose" for us being here [ that part is pretty mocking ], but there's more questions than ever.
The truth's gotta be out there. We just have to find it.
no subject
I finally managed to speak to Peach-san after-- after Nikki-san's death.
[he lifts his gaze to meet Isaac's again, expression curious]
Have you managed to flag any of them down?
no subject
[ ... and now ... well, things have gotten a lot more complicated. ]
Haha, I'm kinda worried she's not gonna want to be friends anymore. I'd only have myself to blame, too. As usual.
no subject
No; I don't think you have to worry about her not wanting to be your friend anymore. Plum-san's pretty tough, and I think she would probably understand why you're so upset.
Why we're all so upset.
no subject
Eventually he'll nod. ]
... I wonder what they really think about this stuff. Like, for real, not the answer they give because we're guests and they have to. You think we'll ever find out?
no subject
I think they hate it.
[Akira answers that pretty easily, without a shred of doubt in his words]
I think they wish things were different.
no subject
Isaac's brow knits, a look of real concern. He'll glance away, then down, starting to frown. ]
The weirdest part about that is they clearly have special abilities. Powers to move freely around the mansion, learn how the murders happen, perform their tasks... If they can do all that, but they can't stop what's going on?
Just who the hell is Master Blue, anyway? And how powerful is he that he can keep the girls on such a tight leash?
no subject
I don't know. Every time I try to get information on them, the sisters avoid answering my questions.
[. . .]
You've seen the bell though, right? The blue one?