AUDIENCE: CHIRON

[retellers]

Comments

[retellers]

[ they just look embarrassed now. ]

It was pretty shocking... but! I won't do that again. Today is a new day!

[antaressnipe]

... Are you certain?

[his expression is somewhat grave]

I came to ask what you think about the chances of this happening again.

[retellers]

[ their shoulders droop. ]

I can't say that it definitely will, but... it might. What happened on Thursday night made something change here. The problem is that since we don't know his exact reasons for why he did it, it'll be difficult to track down what exactly caused the changes. Just the k-kill itself shouldn't have made this much damage.

[antaressnipe]

Were none able to ask him the truth?

[A pause, and then his eyebrows dip]

Or perhaps he was unwilling to speak it.

[retellers]

From what it sounds like, he refused to give specific details.

[antaressnipe]

[Frowning]

He had nothing to lose, from the expression of his words... Were you able to talk with him in private?

[retellers]

[ they shake their head. ]

The three of us kept an eye on him, but... it didn't really seem appropriate to try to talk to him on my own.

[antaressnipe]

I understand.

[Giving the other a considering look, thoughtful]

However, this concerns me. If there is a secret he took to the grave, it is important to discover it.

[retellers]

I'm going to try to figure things out from my end, but...

You all are a lot more free to do things than I am. So I hope you'll be able to find clues.

[antaressnipe]

Mmm, this is true. Hopefully before another death occurs.

[Another hum]

Though in regards to that... I was told that we might have influenced the Realm to turn "removal" into a public execution. Do you agree with that assessment?

[retellers]

It's... not really an assessment, it's what happened.

[ they fidget slightly, playing with their hands. ]

It's also our fault--the Leaders, I mean. When you asked us if the removal for the culprit would be bad, we guessed that it most likely would be. And then a lot of people started to assume it would be something like a public execution, both in the trial itself and then afterwards... so it became one.

[antaressnipe]

... I suspect there's no real way to walk back that expectation anymore, is there?

[retellers]

[ they shake their head. ]

It doesn't really work if we're actively trying to change it, since then we would be able to just redo this entire place as we saw fit.

[antaressnipe]

[An understanding nod at that]

Though if that is the case, the morale of the group will have powerful effects over the Realm. If we expect the worst...

[Well, sounds like they might get the worst by accident]

[retellers]

[ sometimes, being a pessimist is bad, actually. ]

... w-well, the opposite can be true, too! A lot of the people here are also really positive, right?

[antaressnipe]

... They are.

[Spoken... very delicately]

But they also share the greatest burden of maintaining it. Should more people die, I fear their optimism might crumble.

[retellers]

[ their shoulders droop slightly. ]

... mm.

At least, there are many kind people here. So I think that... even if that happens, they won't be left alone.

[antaressnipe]

That I can eagerly agree with.

[A small smile]

Forgive me. I'm prone to realism, even at the best of times.

[retellers]

No, that's okay. Everyone reacts to things differently.

[ for example, some people faint. ]

[antaressnipe]

[Yes maybe DON'T DO THAT ANYMORE]

True... though that does bring me to my next question for you, if you still have time.

[With a thoughtful glance]

Do you believe it would be in our best interest for me to find my fellow... Rabbits?

[retellers]

[ they nod their head. ]

I think so. I believe that actually working together as a team will make things go much more smoothly in the long run.

[antaressnipe]

The same with the other teams, then? That the collection of Nova might go more smoothly if they also combine? Or can you only speak for the people you are in charge of?

[retellers]

... I can only speak for the people on my team.

There's nothing wrong with working with the others. I just... can only really help protect my team members with the power I have. So be careful.

[antaressnipe]

Understood.

[Though he blinks, and tilts his head]

Do you mean a specific power?

[retellers]

It's actually the original reason you were all split up in the first place. We can slow down the process of you losing your memories, but there's a limit to how many people we can protect without it wearing too thin--so you were assigned to one of us to make it easier.

We're basically... connected, in a sense.