AUDIENCE: DOROTHY

[retellers]

Comments

[misstrust]

Am I allowed to ask why the team symbol was flashing all of yesterday?

[retellers]

[ they're quiet for a bit, and then, with perfect composure-- ]

Depends. Am I allowed to ask what you were up to on Thursday night?

[misstrust]

[ Dorothy is also quiet for a bit. ]

And what would you do if I told you?

[retellers]

Well, what you say may affect what I choose to say in turn.

[misstrust]

... I wanted to learn more of the truth instead of just guessing. And I wanted to help my friend.

[ She runs a hand through her hair. ]

So I did something I hate doing.

[retellers]

And that would be?

[misstrust]

[ Dorothy stares at him, folding her arms over her chest. And then, flatly-- ]

I assisted in a murder.

[retellers]

[ ... ]

So I figured. I just wanted you to say it yourself.

[ they tap their finger. ]

... I recall something, regarding the Realm.

[misstrust]

[ Thanks for that, Fox. Dorothy eyes him, then slowly shakes her head. ]

Checking to see if I'd be honest with you? That's fair.

... What do you recall?

[retellers]

[ tap, tap. ]

The dead can be revived.

[misstrust]

-- Sorry?

[ Um. ]

Wait, you just now recalled something that important??

[retellers]

Well, it's more that I recalled something that happened to contain that particular bit of info... but that's the gist of it, yes.

[misstrust]

Is that in any way related to why the symbol was blinking?

[retellers]

I would wager that it's precisely why.

[misstrust]

... Can you tell me the rest of what you recall, if that much was a part of it?

-- Also, how did you know? About Thursday?

[retellers]

[ they wave a hand. ]

The details aren't important. Just... people talking.

[ ... ]

We do get a sense, on Friday, if any of our team members were up on Thursday night. There's really only a few conclusions to draw from that.

[misstrust]

... So why aren't you condemning me for it?

[ It's rather quiet. ]

You've all been trying to stop this, haven't you? And I told you I was responsible.

[retellers]

[ serenely, ]

I mean, I do find it almost laughable that you didn't like me acting too calm about death and then you do this!

[ a tap of their finger. ]

But--and make no mistake, I'm not happy about it--I don't think condemning you would have any point. You're not a child who needs to be told she did something wrong.

[misstrust]

I don't think you and I have the same experiences with death.

[ A bit dryly. Rather, she hopes he doesn't? ]

But I'm not planning on doing it again. I got one answer.

... But I would like to ask you about this whole... splintering nova thing.

[retellers]

So having experience with death is the only thing that makes it okay to be calm?

[ also said so, so serenely. ]

I really don't know much more than what everyone has been saying, so you'll be sorely disappointed if you hope to walk out of here enlightened.

[misstrust]

[ Dorothy wrinkles her nose. ]

... I hope you won't be disappointed that I've never felt particularly enlightened leaving these meetings of ours.

I was just wondering if you had any solid idea of what that looked like-- if there was a noticeable change. Or if the person themselves would be able to tell.

[retellers]

Then I applaud your determination in continuing to see me, since it certainly isn't for my charming company.

Not so far as anyone's said.

[misstrust]

And you don't know how Shima was able to tell with his victim?

... Believe it or not, I do want to try and help here. And now you're telling me the dead can be revived, but can you even remember how?

[retellers]

... I do, but the method isn't exactly one I want to announce to the world. So, it's a matter of trust.

[misstrust]

... Yes, well, I can't imagine you'd be able to trust someone who aided with murder.

[ She... knows. That's not good. She can't even be mad. ]