[ He reaches up, twisting the end of his braid between his fingers, thinking. ]
The splintered nova is a concern, if it's a means of targeting someone. Especially since we're, as a whole, unable to gauge nova on our own. Someone told the killer that the victim's nova was splintered. [ sigh ]
Which others? [ just, you know, curious who's babysitting ] I don't suppose there's something we can do on our end to deal with the Realm's instability, aside from actually following the rules and not pressing our luck? The monster is an overarching problem, but if the Realm buckles under itself we're fucked on that front.
They told the killer, or the killer is saying that so the message goes around and people go paranoid or use it as an excuse to off others? [ there's a frown on their face ] I wish I could tell you.
[ oh, they wave a hand ]
Our team's been alright about it, so I'm mostly fine. I've got a headache and I'm tired too, but... some of the other Leaders looked pretty bad. [ they shake their head ] But you're right. There's nothing to do on your end but make sure the rules are followed.
[ He stops fiddling, for a moment, sorting through what was overheard to put it in proper order. ]
The killer that we managed to catch said that killing was a choice he made, himself. That he had no way of telling how the nova was splintered, but he was told - by someone that we had already met. He told us practically everything about what he did, save for a chunk of time that may have been lost, but never who it was that told him about the nova.
[ But - he does nod, and resumes twisting his braid. Apparently appeased that Swan is fine? fafa you do care ] I'll see what we can do on our end to ensure that stays the case. We might have moved up in the rankings, finally, but it's no reason to relax.
Virid implied someone asked him, too, but never said who. [ they make a face, because. this is annoying. but moving up the ranks reminds them yes. that did happen. and they bounce on their heels a little ]
You guys did great this week! We might have only gone up two ranks, but I think we made some real progress. And you even got a memory back!
Unfortunate that you can't confirm teams. Many are certain about Shima's, and we have a few guesses for the killers unaccounted for, but Virid as far as I know was never given a solid theory. Unless the Realm is speaking to one of us, to spread this kind of information, I should like to know if their leaders might know something.
[ There's a little... amused snort? As Swan bounces, and is excited. They did do that, didn't they? And ideally with no murders! ]
I did. And it was one that I treasured, so for that I'm glad. There are - bigger ones missing, and it's disconcerting, to know that. But if continuing to accumulate nova at this rate will resolve that, then that's what we'll do.
The only team I know is my own, which is getting to be kind of annoying with everything else that's happening. But the Realm shouldn't be speaking to anyone directly like that.
[ and yes, ideally! with no murders!!! they grin up at hua cheng ]
I'm glad, too. It might not make up for everything you've lost here, but even getting a little bit back is important.
No, I thought not. Your connection with the Realm is too... linear. To divert from that and reach out to us, it seems at odds with what we're learning about it as an entity, even with that monster out there. [ hum ] I suppose telling you my guesses and not demanding an answer is probably safe?
[ fine we guess you're alright, swan, stop being cute about it ]
It's a step in the right direction, and actually shows that progress is possible. I'll take it and run with it.
[ a beat and they immediately raise their hands, flailing a bit ]
Wait, wait, no, that counts as sharing a team even if they're dead and even if it's not your own team, the consequences will just go straight to Fox if it's true. I was so excited I forgot.
[ they want to learn and theorize so badly... ]
That... might be why the Realm is so bothered? Even when participants are "removed", they were last on a team, so they still count.
[ Hua Cheng nods his understanding, tabling the information he has for now, and making a mental note regarding this particular rule. ]
Better to know that now, and find a way to bend the rules. But it would explain why the Realm is experiencing this sort of disturbance, yes - more than one person has spoken to me about teams that the dead have been on, and if our guesses are correct... the consequences will stack, and could very well stack quickly, as word of mouth carries the information.
[ a beat ] Fox seemed out of it, at the end, when the three of them left the execution site. How were they when you all reconvened?
Um... Not great. Most of the Leaders weren't doing so well. I'd be surprised if they answered requests from anyone outside of their team or even inside of them today. I wasn't as affected and even I'm exhausted.
[ they shake their head ]
They'll be fine for now, but I think it's possible the Realm itself might start to show signs of the strain. There's only so much we can do. Make sure everyone knows to try and stay safe if that happens, alright?
I'll keep the team under control in that regard, then. If you're better off and still exhausted, I'm not having us making it worse - and if you six are the structural integrity of the Realm, in the end, that's not going to come crashing down on my head if I have a say in it.
[ They might be gathering the nova, but the leaders are the connection to the Realm. Ha ha, no. Absolutely not. Not today. ]
What's your guess of what happens, in this hypothetical situation? I don't imagine anything good - that nova-eater is out there, and if this place isn't intended to host people...
I'm not sure what would happen first. Either our nova and memories would vanish, turning us into husks of ourselves... or this place could end up unable to sustain people at all, and we'd die before we could lose ourselves entirely.
It won't happen. Death isn't unfamiliar to me, or many of those here, but I'm fairly certain many of them would prefer not to die here. Even if there may be something waiting for us while we're in the Realm - who's to say something like that would remain stable, if the rest of it comes apart.
[ He considers them a moment, serious, thinking. ]
While I still don't have a particularly high opinion for many of the leaders, I think whatever twisted fate that's involved in the Realm's existence chose well. [ you, I like you ] I don't like losing, and I don't like not having answers.
Alright, that's enough of that, you'll ruin what little of my reputation I've managed to bring with me to this place. [ He is? Also pleased. Wasn't sure how this was going to go but it wound up good! ] The deal is set, so we're done for today - go. If you wind up useless, there's no helping anyone.
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The splintered nova is a concern, if it's a means of targeting someone. Especially since we're, as a whole, unable to gauge nova on our own. Someone told the killer that the victim's nova was splintered. [ sigh ]
Which others? [ just, you know, curious who's babysitting ] I don't suppose there's something we can do on our end to deal with the Realm's instability, aside from actually following the rules and not pressing our luck? The monster is an overarching problem, but if the Realm buckles under itself we're fucked on that front.
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[ oh, they wave a hand ]
Our team's been alright about it, so I'm mostly fine. I've got a headache and I'm tired too, but... some of the other Leaders looked pretty bad. [ they shake their head ] But you're right. There's nothing to do on your end but make sure the rules are followed.
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The killer that we managed to catch said that killing was a choice he made, himself. That he had no way of telling how the nova was splintered, but he was told - by someone that we had already met. He told us practically everything about what he did, save for a chunk of time that may have been lost, but never who it was that told him about the nova.
[ But - he does nod, and resumes twisting his braid. Apparently appeased that Swan is fine? fafa you do care ] I'll see what we can do on our end to ensure that stays the case. We might have moved up in the rankings, finally, but it's no reason to relax.
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You guys did great this week! We might have only gone up two ranks, but I think we made some real progress. And you even got a memory back!
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[ There's a little... amused snort? As Swan bounces, and is excited. They did do that, didn't they? And ideally with no murders! ]
I did. And it was one that I treasured, so for that I'm glad. There are - bigger ones missing, and it's disconcerting, to know that. But if continuing to accumulate nova at this rate will resolve that, then that's what we'll do.
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[ and yes, ideally! with no murders!!! they grin up at hua cheng ]
I'm glad, too. It might not make up for everything you've lost here, but even getting a little bit back is important.
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[ fine we guess you're alright, swan, stop being cute about it ]
It's a step in the right direction, and actually shows that progress is possible. I'll take it and run with it.
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If I don't answer anything, it should be fine. [ they're very curious about it? thank you ] Let's try it!
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Why not. We'll start with one and see what happens. [ They just have a headache, so. ] The most recent killer, Shima, was on Fox's team.
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Wait, wait, no, that counts as sharing a team even if they're dead and even if it's not your own team, the consequences will just go straight to Fox if it's true. I was so excited I forgot.
[ they want to learn and theorize so badly... ]
That... might be why the Realm is so bothered? Even when participants are "removed", they were last on a team, so they still count.
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Better to know that now, and find a way to bend the rules. But it would explain why the Realm is experiencing this sort of disturbance, yes - more than one person has spoken to me about teams that the dead have been on, and if our guesses are correct... the consequences will stack, and could very well stack quickly, as word of mouth carries the information.
[ a beat ] Fox seemed out of it, at the end, when the three of them left the execution site. How were they when you all reconvened?
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[ they shake their head ]
They'll be fine for now, but I think it's possible the Realm itself might start to show signs of the strain. There's only so much we can do. Make sure everyone knows to try and stay safe if that happens, alright?
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[ They might be gathering the nova, but the leaders are the connection to the Realm. Ha ha, no. Absolutely not. Not today. ]
What's your guess of what happens, in this hypothetical situation? I don't imagine anything good - that nova-eater is out there, and if this place isn't intended to host people...
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[ A soft tsk. ]
It won't happen. Death isn't unfamiliar to me, or many of those here, but I'm fairly certain many of them would prefer not to die here. Even if there may be something waiting for us while we're in the Realm - who's to say something like that would remain stable, if the rest of it comes apart.
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Right. I want everyone here to get home safely, and more than that, I promised to keep my team safe. So neither of those are an acceptable option.
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While I still don't have a particularly high opinion for many of the leaders, I think whatever twisted fate that's involved in the Realm's existence chose well. [ you, I like you ] I don't like losing, and I don't like not having answers.
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I'm not very likeable! [ owning it ] So let's see that we get our team to the top of the rankings, and get out of this mess.
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Got it. Keep in touch with Sora, okay? Any big information I get, I'm sure to tell him too.
[ poof teleport ]