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[ memory is a finicky thing.
as you awake in arpéchéle, the country beloved by death, a second life becomes your own. memories that feel as real as anything that you've ever experienced before. thoughts of space, distant planets, and the people that you met there come and go only in brief flashes. the primary life that you recall, that guide your choices and your beliefs, are these:
in this country, no one lives past the age of 23. the curse takes root in people's lungs, rotting away at their systems until they become bedridden and die from organ failure and gurgling on their own blood. miraculous technology has given the people a way to escape this fate. to become a reliver means to have a chance at a longer life, even if it comes with certain... drawbacks.
luke, you know it all so well. before your parents died in a car crash in chedis, they were researchers at the institute. they wed, had you, and you've been roaming the halls since you were even able to walk—a bright intellect earning you a spot as a researcher to follow your parents' footsteps in no time at all. you support the deputy director's team: pursuing research to let relivers keep all of their emotions. you hope some progress will be made, as you are already 22 years old. your coughing fits grow bloodier by the day. but if you become a reliver like this, with this technology so incomplete, you won't be hold onto the love you feel—for anyone.
dahut, you've known love all your life. how could you ever begin to let go of it now? you were abandoned far too young to ever know your parents, but that's fine since sister salome took you in—she's the only mother you've ever known, and will ever need. the others in the orphanage are sweet, even that maiden of death that so many of the other townspeople abhor. you volunteered to take the room next to hers just because everyone else was sheepish, but it's alright. surely this odd murmur in your heart and tickle in the back of your throat lately is just a cold. a coincidence. with sister salome's recommendation, you were invited to work at the institute despite your young, youthful age of 15 years old. true 15. it's fine, you've got plenty of time to show them what you can do.
sheba, your path is a bit different. while you were similarly an orphan, you were given right to the institute. it's not a fond place for you to think of. how narrowly you escaped the grasp of some of those researchers, one of them too vibrantly admiring your eyes and your hair. instead you found yourself taken in by a group known as the corps, local townspeople who've taken it upon themselves to ensure the defense of the country since the royal guard is so useless. the group of gruff souls are rough around the edges, but sweet. they're like family. all you know about defense and chivalry come from them. at a darling 15 years old, you don't worry about the curse coming for yourself—but there are so, so many ways to die without worrying about the supernatural.
the sun is setting.
dahut and luke, you are still working at the institute, because of course you are. what are your current projects? who do you think of? maybe you're in the lab together like a silly little sitcom.
sheba, you're out on your last patrol of the evening. the town is bustling, the people are laughing, and a newly dead corpse is being wheeled out of a home. no one blinks an eye. what's on your mind? ]
as you awake in arpéchéle, the country beloved by death, a second life becomes your own. memories that feel as real as anything that you've ever experienced before. thoughts of space, distant planets, and the people that you met there come and go only in brief flashes. the primary life that you recall, that guide your choices and your beliefs, are these:
in this country, no one lives past the age of 23. the curse takes root in people's lungs, rotting away at their systems until they become bedridden and die from organ failure and gurgling on their own blood. miraculous technology has given the people a way to escape this fate. to become a reliver means to have a chance at a longer life, even if it comes with certain... drawbacks.
luke, you know it all so well. before your parents died in a car crash in chedis, they were researchers at the institute. they wed, had you, and you've been roaming the halls since you were even able to walk—a bright intellect earning you a spot as a researcher to follow your parents' footsteps in no time at all. you support the deputy director's team: pursuing research to let relivers keep all of their emotions. you hope some progress will be made, as you are already 22 years old. your coughing fits grow bloodier by the day. but if you become a reliver like this, with this technology so incomplete, you won't be hold onto the love you feel—for anyone.
dahut, you've known love all your life. how could you ever begin to let go of it now? you were abandoned far too young to ever know your parents, but that's fine since sister salome took you in—she's the only mother you've ever known, and will ever need. the others in the orphanage are sweet, even that maiden of death that so many of the other townspeople abhor. you volunteered to take the room next to hers just because everyone else was sheepish, but it's alright. surely this odd murmur in your heart and tickle in the back of your throat lately is just a cold. a coincidence. with sister salome's recommendation, you were invited to work at the institute despite your young, youthful age of 15 years old. true 15. it's fine, you've got plenty of time to show them what you can do.
sheba, your path is a bit different. while you were similarly an orphan, you were given right to the institute. it's not a fond place for you to think of. how narrowly you escaped the grasp of some of those researchers, one of them too vibrantly admiring your eyes and your hair. instead you found yourself taken in by a group known as the corps, local townspeople who've taken it upon themselves to ensure the defense of the country since the royal guard is so useless. the group of gruff souls are rough around the edges, but sweet. they're like family. all you know about defense and chivalry come from them. at a darling 15 years old, you don't worry about the curse coming for yourself—but there are so, so many ways to die without worrying about the supernatural.
the sun is setting.
dahut and luke, you are still working at the institute, because of course you are. what are your current projects? who do you think of? maybe you're in the lab together like a silly little sitcom.
sheba, you're out on your last patrol of the evening. the town is bustling, the people are laughing, and a newly dead corpse is being wheeled out of a home. no one blinks an eye. what's on your mind? ]
Edited 2024-04-08 03:24 (UTC)
[I thought this icon was an ink blot test
Anyway HERE HE IS, FULLY ABSORBED INTO THE RELIVERS, AS WAS ALWAYS HIS FATE APPARENTLY. I'm godmoding Dahut as having just recently headbutted him but this time instead of being rusty and gross Luke just has a bunch of VIALS!!! That are fortunately empty... this time...]
I'm going to be carrying something dangerous next time, and then you'll really regret it, you know that?
Anyway HERE HE IS, FULLY ABSORBED INTO THE RELIVERS, AS WAS ALWAYS HIS FATE APPARENTLY. I'm godmoding Dahut as having just recently headbutted him but this time instead of being rusty and gross Luke just has a bunch of VIALS!!! That are fortunately empty... this time...]
I'm going to be carrying something dangerous next time, and then you'll really regret it, you know that?
[it is
ANYWAY FUCKING HELP. HE DID THAT, YES. NO LAB SAFETY AND NO REGRETS. Dahut just laughs, though it ends in him clearing his throat a bit, and reaches out to slappypaws Luke's arm. The one that is still carrying the vials.]
Oh, come on, have a little more faith in me! I would have noticed if you were carrying something dangerous, silly. And aren't your reflexes supposed to be really good, anyway?
ANYWAY FUCKING HELP. HE DID THAT, YES. NO LAB SAFETY AND NO REGRETS. Dahut just laughs, though it ends in him clearing his throat a bit, and reaches out to slappypaws Luke's arm. The one that is still carrying the vials.]
Oh, come on, have a little more faith in me! I would have noticed if you were carrying something dangerous, silly. And aren't your reflexes supposed to be really good, anyway?
[meanwhile, out in town, sheba is walking along the street on her patrol.
it seems like a fairly normal night. the people, the laughter - even the corpse being wheeled out isn't terribly unusual, given the curse. time marches on, and there are plenty of people who simply run out of time.
(sometimes she wonders if that's what happened to her parents - if why she was given up. because they ran out of time and knew they wouldn't be able to look after her. but that's all she can do: wonder. she's old enough now that whoever her parents were, their original forms will have long since passed away. what's worse - for them to have given her up because they couldn't become relivers and wouldn't be able to care for her, or for them to have given her up so they could start a new life without a child they didn't want?)
but she tries not to dwell on that, and instead glances at the corpse being wheeled away. is this normal, actually? does this dead person look about the right age to have succumbed to the curse, or have the died from means that aren't exactly supernatural?]
it seems like a fairly normal night. the people, the laughter - even the corpse being wheeled out isn't terribly unusual, given the curse. time marches on, and there are plenty of people who simply run out of time.
(sometimes she wonders if that's what happened to her parents - if why she was given up. because they ran out of time and knew they wouldn't be able to look after her. but that's all she can do: wonder. she's old enough now that whoever her parents were, their original forms will have long since passed away. what's worse - for them to have given her up because they couldn't become relivers and wouldn't be able to care for her, or for them to have given her up so they could start a new life without a child they didn't want?)
but she tries not to dwell on that, and instead glances at the corpse being wheeled away. is this normal, actually? does this dead person look about the right age to have succumbed to the curse, or have the died from means that aren't exactly supernatural?]
[ memory is a finicky thing.
as you awake in arpéchéle, the country beloved by death, a second life becomes your own. memories that feel as real as anything that you've ever experienced before. thoughts of space, distant planets, and the people that you met there come and go only in brief flashes. the primary life that you recall, that guide your choices and your beliefs, are these:
in this country, no one lives past the age of 23. the curse takes root in people's lungs, rotting away at their systems until they become bedridden and die from organ failure and gurgling on their own blood. miraculous technology has given the people a way to escape this fate. to become a reliver means to have a chance at a longer life, even if it comes with certain... drawbacks.
Dion, you're a gallant man who values life far too much to be happy with it ending at an early 23. Your mother died young of a disease unrelated to the curse, and your wealthy, doting father took you to Cerneveaul to be closer to the life-saving technology of the Institute. You became a Reliver at the end of your 22nd year when the curse had nearly eaten you through. Now, you're on your 52nd year and your second Reliver body, whiling away your days in a mediocre sort of peace that's only occasionally interrupted by the presence of your father's new suitor. Having experienced death before, does it feel a little rote now?
Diluc, you're a member of the Royal Family by marriage rather than birth. You were born to two Reliver parents in Cerneveaul whose loveless union ended in bloodshed after a violent spat - a fatal flaw of a society doomed to a future of broken emotion. Still, at 21 years of age, you have hopes and dreams of your own, things that only you can do, and the easiest way to unlock doors is by having as many keys as you can, right? Unfortunately, despite the care of your spouse, the Royal Family at large hasn't taken kindly to you and you often feel unsafe in the castle walls. There are a handful of people that you can trust even in this den of snakes, though.
Scien, you're a member of the Royal Family by birth, with a distaste for most of your relatives, including the mother who looks at you with scorn and the father who was assassinated in your youth. You've always preferred doing things with your own two hands. You've meddled in countless affairs and irritated the King dozens of times, and you get better results than anybody, though that's getting harder for you to do. Now at the end of your 21st year, your body is beginning to break down at a faster clip than expected. It's only a matter of time before you have to make your decision: do you die before finishing all that needs to be finished?
The sun is setting.
Scien and Diluc, you are both within the Castle walls. A banquet has just ended and everyone is clearing from the room, or had done so hours before. Where do your thoughts drift as you walk through the halls? Where do your feet take you?
Dion, you are out in Chedis. Another day's work, another day lived, and endless days ahead of you yet. As you walk through the well-manicured streets that speak to the wealth of its residents, what do you think of? What do you do?]
as you awake in arpéchéle, the country beloved by death, a second life becomes your own. memories that feel as real as anything that you've ever experienced before. thoughts of space, distant planets, and the people that you met there come and go only in brief flashes. the primary life that you recall, that guide your choices and your beliefs, are these:
in this country, no one lives past the age of 23. the curse takes root in people's lungs, rotting away at their systems until they become bedridden and die from organ failure and gurgling on their own blood. miraculous technology has given the people a way to escape this fate. to become a reliver means to have a chance at a longer life, even if it comes with certain... drawbacks.
Dion, you're a gallant man who values life far too much to be happy with it ending at an early 23. Your mother died young of a disease unrelated to the curse, and your wealthy, doting father took you to Cerneveaul to be closer to the life-saving technology of the Institute. You became a Reliver at the end of your 22nd year when the curse had nearly eaten you through. Now, you're on your 52nd year and your second Reliver body, whiling away your days in a mediocre sort of peace that's only occasionally interrupted by the presence of your father's new suitor. Having experienced death before, does it feel a little rote now?
Diluc, you're a member of the Royal Family by marriage rather than birth. You were born to two Reliver parents in Cerneveaul whose loveless union ended in bloodshed after a violent spat - a fatal flaw of a society doomed to a future of broken emotion. Still, at 21 years of age, you have hopes and dreams of your own, things that only you can do, and the easiest way to unlock doors is by having as many keys as you can, right? Unfortunately, despite the care of your spouse, the Royal Family at large hasn't taken kindly to you and you often feel unsafe in the castle walls. There are a handful of people that you can trust even in this den of snakes, though.
Scien, you're a member of the Royal Family by birth, with a distaste for most of your relatives, including the mother who looks at you with scorn and the father who was assassinated in your youth. You've always preferred doing things with your own two hands. You've meddled in countless affairs and irritated the King dozens of times, and you get better results than anybody, though that's getting harder for you to do. Now at the end of your 21st year, your body is beginning to break down at a faster clip than expected. It's only a matter of time before you have to make your decision: do you die before finishing all that needs to be finished?
The sun is setting.
Scien and Diluc, you are both within the Castle walls. A banquet has just ended and everyone is clearing from the room, or had done so hours before. Where do your thoughts drift as you walk through the halls? Where do your feet take you?
Dion, you are out in Chedis. Another day's work, another day lived, and endless days ahead of you yet. As you walk through the well-manicured streets that speak to the wealth of its residents, what do you think of? What do you do?]
Edited 2024-04-08 04:13 (UTC)
[can your reflexes still be all that good at 22.... can they....
alright you two stooges in the lab, enjoy your little fun and games. another scientist walks in at that point, a bright reliver mark obvious from their rolled up sleeves. they smile a little at the antics, though it doesn't reach their eyes. a facsimile of an emotion long gone.
"It's nice to see people still have fun," he says. "But you know what tonight is, right?"
meanwhile, with sheba, the person does look the right age to have succumbed to the curse. the body of a young woman, not even covered in a shroud, gets brought in the direction of the institute. a young man walks to her, laughing happily, "Yes, I'm just glad she's not in pain anymore! It'll be great to see her well again. We can finally get married!"
though there's not too much time to dwell on that. a familiar face, one of sheba's seniors in the corps will come rushing over to her, expression a little haggard. "Sheba. I implore you to take pause—there is an exchange I seek to make with you." ]
alright you two stooges in the lab, enjoy your little fun and games. another scientist walks in at that point, a bright reliver mark obvious from their rolled up sleeves. they smile a little at the antics, though it doesn't reach their eyes. a facsimile of an emotion long gone.
"It's nice to see people still have fun," he says. "But you know what tonight is, right?"
meanwhile, with sheba, the person does look the right age to have succumbed to the curse. the body of a young woman, not even covered in a shroud, gets brought in the direction of the institute. a young man walks to her, laughing happily, "Yes, I'm just glad she's not in pain anymore! It'll be great to see her well again. We can finally get married!"
though there's not too much time to dwell on that. a familiar face, one of sheba's seniors in the corps will come rushing over to her, expression a little haggard. "Sheba. I implore you to take pause—there is an exchange I seek to make with you." ]
[ Well, I guess Dion is having a great time. He's famously a character that loves living, and here he is: having lived fifty-two years, with probably another fifty-two to go. What a dream.
Tired from a long day of chatting with wealthy people on how to become wealthier—and then billing those conversations as consulting services—he'll take a moment to stop by the patisserie on his way home, and pick up something for him and his father to enjoy. It's about a 50/50 chance as to whether or not the evening will be interrupted by a suitor, but he opts to be prepared in case things swing in his favour.
So here he is! Greeting the shop keep and looking at the wares. ]
Tired from a long day of chatting with wealthy people on how to become wealthier—and then billing those conversations as consulting services—he'll take a moment to stop by the patisserie on his way home, and pick up something for him and his father to enjoy. It's about a 50/50 chance as to whether or not the evening will be interrupted by a suitor, but he opts to be prepared in case things swing in his favour.
So here he is! Greeting the shop keep and looking at the wares. ]
[Luke really went from 3 years to less than 1 and now he's got grandpa problems too? Incredible.
Fortunately, his ageism TB didn't stop him from growing tall, so he just HOLDS THE VIALS UP HIGH ABOVE HIS HEAD!!! WHAT NOW YOU LITTLE SHIT!!!]
You would've noticed as soon as they fell on your head, and-- [Oh. Hello fellow scientist!!
...What is this guy talking about. Hm. Well, he doesn't want to look incompetent (he has big shoes to fill, after all), so he just nods as if he knows what's going on.]
Yeah. We've still got a little time, right? [Everyone knows researchers only keep track of time when it's relevant to their experiments]
Fortunately, his ageism TB didn't stop him from growing tall, so he just HOLDS THE VIALS UP HIGH ABOVE HIS HEAD!!! WHAT NOW YOU LITTLE SHIT!!!]
You would've noticed as soon as they fell on your head, and-- [Oh. Hello fellow scientist!!
...What is this guy talking about. Hm. Well, he doesn't want to look incompetent (he has big shoes to fill, after all), so he just nods as if he knows what's going on.]
Yeah. We've still got a little time, right? [Everyone knows researchers only keep track of time when it's relevant to their experiments]
[AND THEN THERE'S DAHUT who pauses in the middle of trying to reach up for the vials - why - to wave at the scientist who's meandered into the room. Something about the smile on their face gives him pause. Even surrounded by so many Relivers, he's still not entirely used to the little tells and manifestations of a set of emotions no longer whole.
But also, he just cants his head to the side, looking between Luke and this dude like ???????]
Time for what? I have no idea what's happening tonight.
[Or maybe he does! Who knows!! CHAOS!!!!]
But also, he just cants his head to the side, looking between Luke and this dude like ???????]
Time for what? I have no idea what's happening tonight.
[Or maybe he does! Who knows!! CHAOS!!!!]
[oh - well, sheba smiles a little at that young man following along the body of the woman being carried to the institute... but deep down she wonders -
married? once the woman is a reliver, will she feel the same way for him...? ...but she doesn't want to rain on his parade; he's clearly delighted by the idea. he continues on his way, and she turns to continue her patrol -
but then there's a familiar face.]
Oh, Piers! [that expression, though... her brows furrow.] Of course. What is it?
married? once the woman is a reliver, will she feel the same way for him...? ...but she doesn't want to rain on his parade; he's clearly delighted by the idea. he continues on his way, and she turns to continue her patrol -
but then there's a familiar face.]
Oh, Piers! [that expression, though... her brows furrow.] Of course. What is it?
[ Diluc is not particularly fond of banquets, and yet his life since marrying into the Lawrence family has been one social spectacle after another. He can still hear the drone of noble gossip heavy in his ears as he takes his leave, and feel the press of malicious eyes fixed on his person. At each turn, it has been made known he is not welcome in the castle.
Eula has been more than reasonable to him since their marriage (thanks aki), but neither of them are particularly happy with their station, and neither of them speak after the banquet, eager to find reprieve from familial obligations.
Diluc will go anywhere he can be safely alone to decompress—an unfrequented location he's probably established since his first day here, and a place he's careful to visit by himself. Maybe a partially-obscured corner of the courtyard, or a quiet alcove in the library. ]
Eula has been more than reasonable to him since their marriage (thanks aki), but neither of them are particularly happy with their station, and neither of them speak after the banquet, eager to find reprieve from familial obligations.
Diluc will go anywhere he can be safely alone to decompress—an unfrequented location he's probably established since his first day here, and a place he's careful to visit by himself. Maybe a partially-obscured corner of the courtyard, or a quiet alcove in the library. ]
[scien left the party hours ago. as soon as someone else inched toward the door, he went ahead and dipped. it's a miracle he even stopped by, but he heard the dinner rolls were gonna be good today.
he's retreated to the library, having settled haphazardly with a few books, until he eventually fell off the couch entirely while reaching for his pencil—and instead now he's at home on the floor, annotating directly into the book he's reading
his thoughts drift to how to incapacitate the king without killing him and if that would be a worthwhile use of his time. is diluc interested in being king. maybe scien will make him king.]
he's retreated to the library, having settled haphazardly with a few books, until he eventually fell off the couch entirely while reaching for his pencil—and instead now he's at home on the floor, annotating directly into the book he's reading
his thoughts drift to how to incapacitate the king without killing him and if that would be a worthwhile use of his time. is diluc interested in being king. maybe scien will make him king.]
[the scientist opens his mouth, ready to answer dahut, when a beep emits from his ear. his communication device goes off and he tilts his head, listening to the transmission. he nods a few times, giving a gentle 'uh-huh, got it, be there soon' before he looks to the other two.
"Yeah, I'd give it another thirty minutes! Luke, fill in, Dahut, okay? I have to run." luke is such a good liar. he's such a good liar that he's now going to have to gaslight both of them into figuring this out. the scientist gives a quick wave of his hand before departing, heading out of the lab!
piers looks serious as he reaches sheba, frowning.
"I received communication regarding a request from the Royal Guard—I do not know what they could seek from us, but we ought to answer so relations don't sour further. However, I also received direction from our Commander that will take me to Coene, not Cerneveaul. Could I ask you to take the former task from me?"
coene is on the outer rim of the island, far from the district that sheba is currently walking. both tasks certainly can't be done at once! and for however useless the royal guard has been in the past, they're the only true military might the country has... what's a girl to do?]
"Yeah, I'd give it another thirty minutes! Luke, fill in, Dahut, okay? I have to run." luke is such a good liar. he's such a good liar that he's now going to have to gaslight both of them into figuring this out. the scientist gives a quick wave of his hand before departing, heading out of the lab!
piers looks serious as he reaches sheba, frowning.
"I received communication regarding a request from the Royal Guard—I do not know what they could seek from us, but we ought to answer so relations don't sour further. However, I also received direction from our Commander that will take me to Coene, not Cerneveaul. Could I ask you to take the former task from me?"
coene is on the outer rim of the island, far from the district that sheba is currently walking. both tasks certainly can't be done at once! and for however useless the royal guard has been in the past, they're the only true military might the country has... what's a girl to do?]
[Dion, the character who famously loves life, enters the patisserie! At this late hour, it's been fairly picked over. The woman behind the counter smiles and offers a wave, before gesturing at the few pastries left on display.
The rest are on discount for the night, monsieur. Help yourself, help yourself! We have to get rid of the wares before the bake crew comes in.
As he's perusing the tasty-looking tarts and baguettes, a few things may catch his attention. At one of the tables in the corner of the room, two men are discussing something. He'll catch the phrase killed like the last ones. A woman stands by the counter waiting for her order to be bagged, and he can overhear her say But the Royal Family, really...? There's also a flurry of activity from outside the door as a small group of four people run by in quite a frantic rush. What does a lil post-party snack man do?
Meanwhile, we've got two nerds in the library over here, both of them desperate to escape the strain of being an unwanted guest and the drain of being an antisocial recluse having to larp someone who eats more than bread.
The library, at least, is quiet at this hour despite how vast it is. The rows and rows of books tower so high that you'd need a two-story ladder to reach the top of some of them, and it doesn't seem like many people visit the place if the thick dust is any indicator. That said, a row of books does seem recently rummaged-through, and there's an area of carpet that appears to have been disturbed.
Do our two nerds meet, or do they just spend their time in different sections of the library like dweebs?]
The rest are on discount for the night, monsieur. Help yourself, help yourself! We have to get rid of the wares before the bake crew comes in.
As he's perusing the tasty-looking tarts and baguettes, a few things may catch his attention. At one of the tables in the corner of the room, two men are discussing something. He'll catch the phrase killed like the last ones. A woman stands by the counter waiting for her order to be bagged, and he can overhear her say But the Royal Family, really...? There's also a flurry of activity from outside the door as a small group of four people run by in quite a frantic rush. What does a lil post-party snack man do?
Meanwhile, we've got two nerds in the library over here, both of them desperate to escape the strain of being an unwanted guest and the drain of being an antisocial recluse having to larp someone who eats more than bread.
The library, at least, is quiet at this hour despite how vast it is. The rows and rows of books tower so high that you'd need a two-story ladder to reach the top of some of them, and it doesn't seem like many people visit the place if the thick dust is any indicator. That said, a row of books does seem recently rummaged-through, and there's an area of carpet that appears to have been disturbed.
Do our two nerds meet, or do they just spend their time in different sections of the library like dweebs?]
[Ah.
Okay now that that guy is gone (and a tiny bit of tension drains from Luke once he is, because he's an excellent actor, but the idea of losing his emotions is, like, bad and a lot and also bad,,) Luke turns back to Dahut.]
What's going on tonight? [DON'T JUST ASK HIM WHEN HE SAID HE DIDN'T KNOW]
Okay now that that guy is gone (and a tiny bit of tension drains from Luke once he is, because he's an excellent actor, but the idea of losing his emotions is, like, bad and a lot and also bad,,) Luke turns back to Dahut.]
What's going on tonight? [DON'T JUST ASK HIM WHEN HE SAID HE DIDN'T KNOW]
[HELLO????? After a second in which he's staring at Luke like man_standing, DAHUT IMMEDIATELY WHIPS A LEG OUT TO KICK LUKE because life is truly lawless and he's going to bully this geriatric 22 year old who's on his death bed basically.]
Why are you asking me?! If you wanted to know, you should have asked the person that clearly knows!!
Why are you asking me?! If you wanted to know, you should have asked the person that clearly knows!!
[ Huh. That's unusual. Dion is well aware of his station (a consultant, and not a detective), and he's not exactly the type to get involved in gossip, but how can a topic of such import—murder? and the royal family?—not demand his attention?
He drops a card on the counter with his name and address. ]
If you could arrange a delivery of your cream horns and lemon tarts—
[ Without specifying the quantity, or even confirming if they have a delivery service, he steps outside, looking after the harried group and following after them if they're still within eyesight. ]
He drops a card on the counter with his name and address. ]
If you could arrange a delivery of your cream horns and lemon tarts—
[ Without specifying the quantity, or even confirming if they have a delivery service, he steps outside, looking after the harried group and following after them if they're still within eyesight. ]
Edited (did i make up eyeshot is that a real word) 2024-04-08 05:07 (UTC)
[it's definitely not possible for one person to be in two places at once. so she understands why piers is asking, even if she's wrinkling her nose a little at the idea of getting involved with the royal guard.
but.
if they've come asking the corps for help - that does, on some level, mean that the royal guard is acknowledging their expertise. after all, why make requests if they don't believe the corps will fulfill them? and, honestly, it'll be kind of satisfying to hear those useless guards have to thank them for doing whatever their request is better than they could have.
so she nods.]
Sure... I can do that. But you owe me one!
[he should buy her dessert or something later.]
but.
if they've come asking the corps for help - that does, on some level, mean that the royal guard is acknowledging their expertise. after all, why make requests if they don't believe the corps will fulfill them? and, honestly, it'll be kind of satisfying to hear those useless guards have to thank them for doing whatever their request is better than they could have.
so she nods.]
Sure... I can do that. But you owe me one!
[he should buy her dessert or something later.]
[the boys now have twenty-five minutes or so to try to figure out what's happening before it happens. or maybe it's nothing. maybe it's a pizza party. good luck, guys.
but piers looks grateful, nodding his agreement.
"As long as your price is not too steep. Our meeting location by the castle, where it and the Institute align with one another. I've been told that you needn't worry about clearance this time... I'm not sure why, but it's a formality that's good to be without."
considering the fact that the institute is one of the most secure places in the country, needing badges and passes and authorization to even step inside... what a win, sheba! any other questions?]
but piers looks grateful, nodding his agreement.
"As long as your price is not too steep. Our meeting location by the castle, where it and the Institute align with one another. I've been told that you needn't worry about clearance this time... I'm not sure why, but it's a formality that's good to be without."
considering the fact that the institute is one of the most secure places in the country, needing badges and passes and authorization to even step inside... what a win, sheba! any other questions?]
[ goes back to lowercase.
honestly diluc is not in the mood to socialize with anyone right now, but the fact that scien is just? reclining on the floor lost in his book and machinations is enough to warrant wary curiosity. (how long has he even been here? diluc tries to mind palace when he'd last seen him at the party.)
he just observes him silently, and if scien doesn't happen to notice him that's totally fine too. sorry he is like this. ]
honestly diluc is not in the mood to socialize with anyone right now, but the fact that scien is just? reclining on the floor lost in his book and machinations is enough to warrant wary curiosity. (how long has he even been here? diluc tries to mind palace when he'd last seen him at the party.)
he just observes him silently, and if scien doesn't happen to notice him that's totally fine too. sorry he is like this. ]
[SURELY THE INSTITUTE HAS SOME KIND OF MESSAGING SYSTEM?? SURELY THESE NERDS DON'T ALL GET UP AND TALK FACE TO FACE ALL THE TIME. I REFUSE TO BELIEVE IT]
Ow--! [NOT HIS ACHING BONES just kidding Dahut's strength stat is still 2.] You know how that guy is... if I'd said anything, he would've been insufferable about it.
[JUST ASSIGNS LUKE BEEF WITH THIS NPC FOR SOME REASON as he heads over to the desk to see if there is any correspondence to give them clues... he can feel a tingling in his throat as he does, which is never a good sign, but he ignores it for now.]
Ow--! [NOT HIS ACHING BONES just kidding Dahut's strength stat is still 2.] You know how that guy is... if I'd said anything, he would've been insufferable about it.
[JUST ASSIGNS LUKE BEEF WITH THIS NPC FOR SOME REASON as he heads over to the desk to see if there is any correspondence to give them clues... he can feel a tingling in his throat as he does, which is never a good sign, but he ignores it for now.]
[scien probably left the party three hours ago, which diluc can know from his mind palace. he's truly just hanging out, turning the page of his book and speaking through the pencil that's caught between his lips, muffling his words]
Lawrence-in-law. [terrible nickname] Do you care to be king.
[he's really thinking about it. but also when he shifts to lower his book and look at diluc, he'll probably notice the weird carpet? he'll reach out to pull at it... if he can reach... from his floor spot]
Lawrence-in-law. [terrible nickname] Do you care to be king.
[he's really thinking about it. but also when he shifts to lower his book and look at diluc, he'll probably notice the weird carpet? he'll reach out to pull at it... if he can reach... from his floor spot]
He wouldn't have been! He always answers my questions just fine, so you must have been the one to do something that made him treat you differently...
[Like being a BUTTHEAD who PICKS FIGHTS JOCKLY FOR NO REASON. Stop your alpha posturing at randomass scientists they aren't even doing anything. The most they lift in a week is their 12 oz water bottles to rehydrate during experiments like hamsters.
Anyway Dahut will also go open up their communications panel to see if there's anything in like the fuckin group slack or something.]
[Like being a BUTTHEAD who PICKS FIGHTS JOCKLY FOR NO REASON. Stop your alpha posturing at randomass scientists they aren't even doing anything. The most they lift in a week is their 12 oz water bottles to rehydrate during experiments like hamsters.
Anyway Dahut will also go open up their communications panel to see if there's anything in like the fuckin group slack or something.]
Don't worry! A slice of cake from the patisserie will do nicely. With berries on top, okay?
[piers is one of her four favorite people in the world, so it's a relatively cheap price, all things considered. if it was someone else asking, the price would be much steeper.]
...no clearance, though? That's sort of weird... was there anything else odd about the request? Or should I just head right on over?
[whatever the answer - whether it's something else he's noted or just a "nope, nothing" - she'll eventually bid him farewell and start making her way to the meeting location! though she definitely gets a little more tense as she gets closer to the institute. there better not be any of those creepy researchers she narrowly escaped from around...]
[piers is one of her four favorite people in the world, so it's a relatively cheap price, all things considered. if it was someone else asking, the price would be much steeper.]
...no clearance, though? That's sort of weird... was there anything else odd about the request? Or should I just head right on over?
[whatever the answer - whether it's something else he's noted or just a "nope, nothing" - she'll eventually bid him farewell and start making her way to the meeting location! though she definitely gets a little more tense as she gets closer to the institute. there better not be any of those creepy researchers she narrowly escaped from around...]
[Luckily for Dion, the group is still in (spoon voice) eyeshot, yes. They're perhaps a bit hard to keep up with because they are truly booking it like their lives depend on it - but maybe they do? Or maybe someone's life does.
As they're zooming through the tidy and fairly wide alleys of Chedis, Dion will see where the group is heading soon enough. There's a large crowd of noisy people up ahead at the end of one alley, and as he draws nearer, he'll be able to hear some of the things they're shouting. In Chedis?! and Who could do this?! and No, no, no—, all in voices of rising panic. He'll also catch what appears to be a figure cloaked in black darting down a narrower alley as he moves past. What next?
Back with the library nerds, Scien and Diluc are just hanging out, potentially one-sidedly planning a casual coup. Scien also can't reach the weird carpet from his current floor spot. Make even the smallest amount of effort, you piece of shit stoner.]
As they're zooming through the tidy and fairly wide alleys of Chedis, Dion will see where the group is heading soon enough. There's a large crowd of noisy people up ahead at the end of one alley, and as he draws nearer, he'll be able to hear some of the things they're shouting. In Chedis?! and Who could do this?! and No, no, no—, all in voices of rising panic. He'll also catch what appears to be a figure cloaked in black darting down a narrower alley as he moves past. What next?
Back with the library nerds, Scien and Diluc are just hanging out, potentially one-sidedly planning a casual coup. Scien also can't reach the weird carpet from his current floor spot. Make even the smallest amount of effort, you piece of shit stoner.]
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