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onceuponacomm2021-06-28 10:01 am
faentasy) wrote in onceuponacomm2021-06-28 10:01 am
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 5
Almost half of the non-fairy population of Aira Niluc is gone.
Some may be feeling the absence of their fellow participants in this story. Others will stay focused on the wish they want to get. What never changes is that the story goes on, bringing you closer to the end -- and to another chapter. What will it bring this time?
Snow!
Snow as far as the eye can see, a cold blanket covering the new area. Some winter amenities are now available, ready for perusal! But that's not all there's to find: everyone also will find reminders of their homes, of people they know, of happier times.
Of their wishes.
Who will try to reach their wish this time?
[[Welcome to Week 5! Feel free to make top levels at your discretion, and remember to note it in your header if you plan on investigating any locations. However, please try to keep investigations to Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday! You can also privately contact Hamelin at your leisure.
In addition, a reminder that any Murder Proposals for this week are due by Tuesday 3:00 PM EST/12:00 PM PST! However, please note that you have the option of submitting murder proposals for a later week as well.]]
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[Of course he knows flower language, though in the absence of the other piece, it wouldn't have had its full meaning. Now that they're all together...]
Apology or regret... I see. Regardless of the nature of the letterbearer -- they have expressed such feelings before. I wonder if they are one of the hidden inhabitants of this land, or another spirit...
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He's been kind of agitated this week. More than he'd usually be. But for his credit, he listens closely until the end. Then his eyes fall upon the others.
It's calm, not disruptive. But the talk of traitors...it makes him want to say something. ]
"It has to keep going, Jack."
What did you think when he said that to you?
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That series of moments in time... He exhales.]
You are speaking of Hamelin, some time ago.
There was despair in that execution, perhaps beyond any other. It has been speculated at various times that he is not the one in charge, and that... seemed to support the idea.
[Looking up, he meets Huaisangβs eyes.]
If you are asking me whether I believe in those words β that all this must go on β I believe now that there are forces that want to make it so. But I also believe that there is a way to end things, regardless of what the letters or our captor may say.
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A good answer.
[ He'll speak the words softly, meeting Jack in the eyes. ]
Of course it's hard to trust it. So I wouldn't be surprised if you were working with Hamelin. [ ... ] But I don't really see any reason to dog you for it for now.
So, I don't mind that we will continue working together...but you should be aware that eyes are on you.
[ Don't try anything funny. ]
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That is the creed where I come from, you see.
[There's a small nod -- quietly accepting the exchange of their positions. There's no hesitation to his following words; as though saying this to Huaisang is simply a given.]
It can be hard to trust anything here, but without a place to put our feet, we cannot walk forward. I assure you that our goals are shared -- and that I will continue to do my utmost to work alongside all of you.
We will be relying on your eyes, Nie Huaisang.
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Huaisang steps closer, his gaze slowly dropping to the other man's feet, before picking up all the way to Jack's person, to his eyes once more. ]
It's always difficult to trust anything here.
[ Or anyone, for that matter. His gaze doesn't break when he stares more intently, as if searching for something in Jack's eyes and his person. The blond reminds him of someone he once knew, though he's not the only one, and it makes him consider things, as displeasing as it is.
He'll bring out a fan, opening it, holding it close to obscure part of his face, the result being his soft eyes looking over it. ]
Jack, I...look forward to your efforts that you more or less have stated align with my own and the rest of us, even if my own suspicions of you remain, and will.
[ He'll then lower his fan, closing it tight. ]
With that in mind, I don't think there is much else to say for now. Unless there is something more you would like to add.
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And he allows it, including the long stare -- his eyes are brilliant and clear and perfectly green, reflecting Huaisang at himself like the emeralds they've been compared to. They can just look at each other for a little while.
He smiles a little at the ending prompt, the smile itself a little embarrassed.]
I think -- I hope -- we've reached an understanding. I do appreciate it...
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But this is a meeting so he'll try to keep his slightly gremlin urges in tact. Also because he's actually still really bothered by all this traitor nonsense. However he does say: ]
Yep, we have.
[ Anyway! ]
Well, maybe we can go back to discussing the flowers in the church. If we're talking about people who are here...what do you think of Hamelin? None of us have had access to these areas before they opened up except him, and maybe he lost a loved one?
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He does seem to relax a little once the topic goes on, though -- this has been quite the fraught meeting, but there are some interesting elements not related to the elephant in the room that they've just been prodding too.]
Hamelin... Somehow, none of the letters sound quite like him, do they? He seems such a boisterous individual, I can't imagine that such letters full of regret and warning should be left everywhere.. alongside all these symbols. Or at least, they seem related to me.
And in addition... at least one of these letters makes it sound like someone who has gone through all of this before, as a participant.
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What do you mean? While I agree it probably isn't Hamelin now that I think about it, he did say this is his first time setting this all up, so he couldn't have done all of this before...
[ Pause. Wait, a lightblub moment?! ]
Unless you mean that someone participated before Hamelin initiated a game like this?
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[She looks at him, more baffled than suspicious or angry.]
"There are forces that want to make it so" and "there is a way to end this." Neither says anything about you. Do you believe in the words that were addressed to you?
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There is a force that wishes for everything here to continue. It forced the continuation of that execution. I do not know if it is the exact same creature you saw, but the more we learn, the more it seems as though Hamelin may be beholden to it. Therefore, Hamelin must believe what he is saying, himself.
That does not necessarily mean that what he says is the truth.
But that also opens up the possibility that there is a truth beyond the one seemingly in charge of us. Therefore: there is a force we do not yet understand, and perhaps a way to confront that force that we also do not understand. It may be difficult in the midst of everything we are being forced to do here -- but I think we can find the real root of why this realm is so warped.