[ she doesn't think that it isn't unimportant but there is a literal list of things she wants to ask so she'll start with more obvious (easy?) ones first. ]
If we brought someone back, what would be the cost of it?
[ a terrible price, she imagines since...that's why they're not thrilled about it, right? ]
[ honorifics!!! :eyes: but izumo will nod once and give them all of the time in world. if she could deal with "three comments of silence" drunk rufus, she's fine with this. ]
You won't have to worry about it from me there's really no one I'd talk to; Claude on the other hand is a wildcard.
[ sorry about the roast. ]
...but I'm sure you have your reasons for everything, and I do want to know what those are.
[ though with that said, any wryness fades from fox's expression, as they think for a moment. ]
... It's as Shima-kun said. On Wednesday, I discovered that something had disrupted Laine Brick's nova, likely due to the lingering instabilities caused by what Viridian did, that first week. If not dealt with quickly, it would permanently break his memories, leaving him as good as dead regardless, and begin spreading to others.
[ they look to the side, mouth pressing into a line. ]
I don't know if you've heard, but we Leaders aren't capable of harming a participant with serious intent. You could try to kill me right now and while I could try to flee, I wouldn't be able to actually fight back. So, asking a participant was the main option left to me.
[ ...
they look at izumo again, and though it might not be the best idea, given their unsteadiness, they give her a deep bow. ]
... What I've done is inexcusable, so I won't ask for your forgiveness. But whatever I can do to help, I will.
[ it's...hm. she doesn't respond for a while because it's honestly nice to hear fox come clean about it so readily. to confirm the story and expand on it, but there's just something that has been bugging her: ]
Is...there a reason why have to kill the person who is carrying out the orders? Does killing those with the splintering novas mean that their novas are also affected?
I understand the rules say so but—there's got to be a different reason for that, right?
[ another beat as she considers her next words. ]
The job that you're made do and the job that's been given to us certainly isn't an easy one—I can't blame you. Though, it looks like we might be wanting the same thing.
If I had to guess... it's because that system was set up for Viridian, whose motives are still unknown, and the Realm doesn't think to adjust it now that the reasons may have changed. We have trials because it recognizes that as "something done when people are killed", but it doesn't take into account nuance.
[ ... ]
However things have turned out, for me, I accept this as the consequences of agreeing to this duty. [ and the participants apparently didn't, so. ] But it's my wish that everyone returns home safely.
[ hmmm... honestly, she's feeling bad for them even as easy it is to vilify them. ]
Virid really did a number on us, didn't he? [ THERE IS ALWAYS THAT ONE FOOL TO RUIN IT ALL. ] Is there a way for us to change the way the Realm deals with theses things? Or at least a way for us resolve the matter without killing anyone?
[ figured it has been asked before, but, you know. ]
... I don't know. If there is a way, we haven't achieved it yet.
[ they're quiet for a moment. ]
There is something... odd, though. And again, I would prefer if you didn't spread this too much. [ a pause. ] Have you heard about a report going around, found last week?
... That makes this a bit more difficult. [ why did no one share with izumo, smh. ] Supposedly, one of the groups from last week that had their... adventure found a report. It seemed as if it was written by a Leader, and spoke mostly about mundane things, like gathering nova and everyone getting along well. Almost offensively light-hearted, if you presume that it refers to our current situation.
[ considering all the. murder. ]
When someone showed it to me, I wasn't lying when I said that I'd never seen it before, because I hadn't. [ ... ] However, what I didn't say then was that it sounded like it was written by me.
And yet, as said, I have no recollection of it, and I don't see where it would fit in our present timeline.
[ CRIES IT'S BECAUSE SHE HAS NO FRIENDS....... fox please understand her (my) struggles.
but when they describe the note to her she can't but frown and cross her arms. now isn't that something interesting, given how fox is telling this to her in this fashion—it might not be a lie? but hmm. ]
Do you think, then, it was written by a you that you forgot? [ a beat. ] Or that something like this has happened before?
It doesn't seem like it. Strictly speaking, most of what I know is from hearsay, and I can't say for sure that this won't change, so take it all with a grain of salt, but...
[ they pause, as if thinking over how to word this. ]
It seems that about half of the murders were done independently, of the participants' own volition.
[ because that takes her right back to square one with things but hmm. ]
I was wondering is there some sort of...outside entity other than what's been known? [ cough the monster cough. ] So far it seems like the ones who have been "attacked" with anything are people from our team.
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they look conflicted for a moment, as if they're wondering if they should say anything at all. ]
... I regained a memory today, of the Realm. The details of it aren't important, but from it, I could gleam certain pieces of information.
[ ... ]
It may be possible to bring back those who have been removed.
[ though they don't sound thrilled about it. hm. ]
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If we brought someone back, what would be the cost of it?
[ a terrible price, she imagines since...that's why they're not thrilled about it, right? ]
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[ congrats on being the first person i use honorifics around because i couldn't get around with not using names this time
they press a hand against their temple again, as if willing themselves to concentrate through the headache. ]
It might be hypocritical of me, after what I've done, but I would rather this... not get out of hand.
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You won't have to worry about it from me there's really no one I'd talk to; Claude on the other hand is a wildcard.
[ sorry about the roast. ]
...but I'm sure you have your reasons for everything, and I do want to know what those are.
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[ though with that said, any wryness fades from fox's expression, as they think for a moment. ]
... It's as Shima-kun said. On Wednesday, I discovered that something had disrupted Laine Brick's nova, likely due to the lingering instabilities caused by what Viridian did, that first week. If not dealt with quickly, it would permanently break his memories, leaving him as good as dead regardless, and begin spreading to others.
[ they look to the side, mouth pressing into a line. ]
I don't know if you've heard, but we Leaders aren't capable of harming a participant with serious intent. You could try to kill me right now and while I could try to flee, I wouldn't be able to actually fight back. So, asking a participant was the main option left to me.
[ ...
they look at izumo again, and though it might not be the best idea, given their unsteadiness, they give her a deep bow. ]
... What I've done is inexcusable, so I won't ask for your forgiveness. But whatever I can do to help, I will.
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Is...there a reason why have to kill the person who is carrying out the orders? Does killing those with the splintering novas mean that their novas are also affected?
I understand the rules say so but—there's got to be a different reason for that, right?
[ another beat as she considers her next words. ]
The job that you're made do and the job that's been given to us certainly isn't an easy one—I can't blame you. Though, it looks like we might be wanting the same thing.
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[ ... ]
However things have turned out, for me, I accept this as the consequences of agreeing to this duty. [ and the participants apparently didn't, so. ] But it's my wish that everyone returns home safely.
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Virid really did a number on us, didn't he? [ THERE IS ALWAYS THAT ONE FOOL TO RUIN IT ALL. ] Is there a way for us to change the way the Realm deals with theses things? Or at least a way for us resolve the matter without killing anyone?
[ figured it has been asked before, but, you know. ]
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... I don't know. If there is a way, we haven't achieved it yet.
[ they're quiet for a moment. ]
There is something... odd, though. And again, I would prefer if you didn't spread this too much. [ a pause. ] Have you heard about a report going around, found last week?
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A report? [ ??? this is a first??? ] No, I haven't heard anything if it's different than what Elsa has managed to do.
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[ considering all the. murder. ]
When someone showed it to me, I wasn't lying when I said that I'd never seen it before, because I hadn't. [ ... ] However, what I didn't say then was that it sounded like it was written by me.
And yet, as said, I have no recollection of it, and I don't see where it would fit in our present timeline.
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but when they describe the note to her she can't but frown and cross her arms. now isn't that something interesting, given how fox is telling this to her in this fashion—it might not be
a lie? but hmm. ]
Do you think, then, it was written by a you that you forgot? [ a beat. ] Or that something like this has happened before?
[ and also forgot? ]
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That seems to be the implication. To be honest, I'm still baffled by it.
However, I can't deny that what with the amnesia, I don't actually have any idea how long I've been here.
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Then, what should we do about it? You all are getting your memories back from the nova we're collection, but the time frame doesn't look good for us.
[ you know, with how two people are dying everything week and actually— ]
Shima couldn't answer this, but are multiple Leaders asking us to kill every week?
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[ they pause, as if thinking over how to word this. ]
It seems that about half of the murders were done independently, of the participants' own volition.
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[ because that takes her right back to square one with things but hmm. ]
I was wondering is there some sort of...outside entity other than what's been known? [ cough the monster cough. ] So far it seems like the ones who have been "attacked" with anything are people from our team.
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[ if it was rng this is so funny BUT SO UNFORTUNATE. ]
That dream I had on Thursday was concerning to people, too.
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... Based on some things that were said, Hua Cheng and Riegan-san may have been thanks to... the dearly departed.
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[ freshly dead or weeks dead...? ]
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I may or may not mean Shima-kun, specifically. [ a pause. ] It has nothing to do with what I asked of him, for the record.
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[ it's so on the nose for shima that she hates it, thanks. ]
So there's no explanation for what's happened to me?
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I'm afraid not. I still don't know what occurred there.
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Should I just expect more in the future?
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