[ Hua Cheng makes a wish, and at first it almost seems like nothing is happening... but not long after, there's a flash of sparkling light for behind him and Swan is standing primly there, hands at their side ]
Hi. And here I thought you didn't want to talk to me.
You've all heard every accusation of distrust and unfairness under the sun already, none of us need to rehash it. We've got more important things to be dealing with, when a place has a veritable mind of its own and the power to execute it, and people willing to kill running around in the meantime.
[ it takes a bit, but wherever hua cheng ends up going to after his request is unanswered is where swan shows up, teleporting in with a sparkle of light and a groan ]
That's... not particularly comforting, given everything that's going on.
[ And here he was, trying to follow the rules? Guys come on if he's still cooperating. ]
Should we be concerned with a collapse, or a greater loss of nova? Someone came forward with the information that there's an outside entity stealing nova, and apparently one person - if not multiple - has been killed because their nova was splintered. So if the Realm is unstable, that runs the risk of it being even more vulnerable.
[ Considering that Hua Cheng is doing a bit of running around, it takes a little time for him to truly be alone. But he makes sure of it, for Swan - and stands with his arms crossed, waiting.
Alyssa's nova is splintering. [ they pause and frown ] Or something--someone-- is making me feel like it is. If it was just that, I might have let it go. I can't just trust a feeling when I know I didn't feel the same for Yoshizawa. But... even if it's not true... and what I'm feeling is just someone trying to pit us against each other...
[ they curl their hands into a fist ]
Some of the Leaders have been saying it, and people have received the same message from the participants who have been removed. To get the ones from our team back, our team needs to kill twice. That's why, I'm asking you to remove Alyssa.
[ So here it is. There have been enough guesses at how this works, and whether or not it was true, but to have the confirmation... ]
Alright. [ He hears them out, all the way to the end, and that's that - simple. ] It may be that someone might be trying to pit teams against one another, which lends more credence to the possibility of someone working outside of the rules of the Realm, but if there's a chance?
We can take it, and I'm willing to be the one to do it. [ calmly ] Better me than any of the others. They're not incapable, but Taako is still hurt and the others don't need to take that responsibility.
[ this will probably take him by surprise but whether he's in the planetarium or uh elsewhere, what he is getting is a very sudden teleport next to him that immediately turns into a hug. hi. hello. ]
[ HELLO? Hua Cheng at least has enough time to be aware that it's Swan that has appeared next to him, before he is being hugged. You are so small. I am dying. What is happening.
... he. Puts his hand between her shoulders, the other going on top of her hooded head. Pat pat. ]
[ Sorry, his legs account for most of her height, don't they? But once the hug has ended, he inclines his head at the thanks. ]
You're welcome. It had to be taken care of, even if I'm sure she'll be gearing up to haunt me, on the other side. [ just a wild guess ] How're you feeling, now?
[ What did you remember what did you learn, give him the lore. ]
Hmmm. Okay, let me take a crack at it. [ she'll peer at the lock, looking all over at it... then uh, draws her fist up with sparkles and punches the lock.
[ she is so bad at remembering and it's funny. anyway she pouts and considers teleporting like. visibly. ]
Look for yourself! I'm totally fine. [ and it's true that while her outfit covers a lot of skin what's visible is... not? injured? and she does not seem to be bleeding?
week 2, tuesday
Hi. And here I thought you didn't want to talk to me.
[ it's said like a very weak joke ]
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It was a near thing. [ Dryly. J...joke. ] No, with quite a bit going on, I just had to decide what my opinion of you was.
[ So, like, yay? ]
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[ in a confused sort of tone ]
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[ tiger for bottom tier atm tho ]
You've all heard every accusation of distrust and unfairness under the sun already, none of us need to rehash it. We've got more important things to be dealing with, when a place has a veritable mind of its own and the power to execute it, and people willing to kill running around in the meantime.
So, yes. I want to talk to you now.
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[ there's a kind of wan smile before they draw themselves to stand up straight, looking almost commanding for a moment ]
So what did you want to talk about?
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week 2, sunday
Okay! Okay, I'm here. What did you need?
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Oh, good. You're alive. [ like, a joke but also not??? ] With the way they went running off after the execution, I was wondering what happened.
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Let's... just say people have maybe been breaking the rules a little too much and the Realm isn't totally stable right now.
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[ And here he was, trying to follow the rules? Guys come on if he's still cooperating. ]
Should we be concerned with a collapse, or a greater loss of nova? Someone came forward with the information that there's an outside entity stealing nova, and apparently one person - if not multiple - has been killed because their nova was splintered. So if the Realm is unstable, that runs the risk of it being even more vulnerable.
Whatever the, ah, rules allow you to share.
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week 4, wednesday
"I'll come see you when you're alone."
and true to their word, swan will teleport to where HC is, looking solemn... but with a set to their jaw, like they've made up their minds. ]
I'm sorry that it's so out of the blue, but there's something I need to ask of you.
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That's certainly a serious face. ]
And what's that?
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[ they curl their hands into a fist ]
Some of the Leaders have been saying it, and people have received the same message from the participants who have been removed. To get the ones from our team back, our team needs to kill twice. That's why, I'm asking you to remove Alyssa.
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Alright. [ He hears them out, all the way to the end, and that's that - simple. ] It may be that someone might be trying to pit teams against one another, which lends more credence to the possibility of someone working outside of the rules of the Realm, but if there's a chance?
We can take it, and I'm willing to be the one to do it. [ calmly ] Better me than any of the others. They're not incapable, but Taako is still hurt and the others don't need to take that responsibility.
[ Fiora wouldn't do it, anyways. tch ]
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week 4, sunday
You did it...!
[ someone sounds Relieved ]
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... he. Puts his hand between her shoulders, the other going on top of her hooded head. Pat pat. ]
When I make a promise, I don't tend to break it.
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And you didn't. Thank you. [ she'll let him go after, though, mostly because oh god her neck. both their necks. ]
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You're welcome. It had to be taken care of, even if I'm sure she'll be gearing up to haunt me, on the other side. [ just a wild guess ] How're you feeling, now?
[ What did you remember what did you learn, give him the lore. ]
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week 5, wednesday
i have grown so lazy with opening texts ]
Hi, Hua Cheng! Is this about the chest?
[ she's heard. from sowa. ]
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I figured he probably would've told you about it.
[ taDA, he has it. ]
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nothing happens. ]
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He stares down at the chest. Narrows his eye. ]
Of course. [ A tap tap on the top of it, not expecting anything. ] Can you materialize a lockpick or is that too easy.
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week 6, thursday
Hi, Hua Cheng. [ she
is immediately on her tippy toes trying to see the gift ]
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Hello, Swan.
[ He holds it out of her reach, having rolled it up. ]
First thing's first - are you hurt anywhere? [ Like, you know, all the rest of us. ]
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Look for yourself! I'm totally fine. [ and it's true that while her outfit covers a lot of skin what's visible is... not? injured? and she does not seem to be bleeding?
hmm ]
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Hm. [ prods her with the scroll ] You know, gege was pretending he wasn't, as well.
[ Hua Cheng does not trust her. But he'll relent - for now - and give the scroll to her. ]
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