don't wait for a knight in shinin' armor, your savior's reflected in the mirror

[perpend]

[That sure was a fucking thing. That execution was a fucking thing. Those secrets are a fucking thing.

Cabanela retreats to his room, but not for all that long. Everyone will get a note eventually, written in very neat handwriting

I do not plan on bowing down to threats and intimidation. If you did not act, it means you were, like me, aware of the risk, but decided against it. Your reasons are entirely your own.

Join me in the dining room if you agree enough is enough, and that you won't acquiesce to threats. I don't plan to let this stop me, and neither should you.

-C

In the dining room itself, Cabanela has set up coffee and tea for those who want it-- there's no food, because to be honest, he doesn't know how to cook. Two more candles have been lit-- he wasn't really sure what to do about the whole... parasite thing... so Fern's candle will have to make due.]

Comments

[brandnewday]

Well, if I ever get stabbed, I hope you're not far behind.

[Wait a second. This is murder school.]

I-I mean, I hope I never get stabbed at all! That would be the worst!

[ninehundredlives]

Yeah, it's not great. [well now why did she say that] Rideaux and I were just talking about how we never...really use our medicine to save anyone, in here. We never get the chance.

[brandnewday]

Rideaux's the pretty guy, right? I'm not really good at talking to older men. They kinda remind me of my brother, and then I just get mad.

[There's a whole lot to unpack there, Susan.]

It's...um, it's pretty complicated, isn't it. If we saved someone, then...then...[The murder clock wouldn't reset. Hibiki looks down at her feet.] It's like there's no way to win.

[ninehundredlives]

[Yeah uh that sounds like a...lot....?]

I guess. I'm not sure that's the word I'd have used... [Rideaux is not Susan's type, pass it on] But...yeah. They don't mean to leave us a way to win. I guess...at least if there wasn't a murder, we'd have more time to try to figure something out? It feels like we never have room to think.

[brandnewday]

["Hey, Hibiki, you could never be an idol." "Oh, yeah?!?!" And then she ended up in Tokyo. It's that kind of thing.]

Maybe girly? His hair is kinda long. [Hibiki thinks Rideaux is girly, pass it on.] There has to be a way. I don't...I don't know what it is because I'm not great at thinkin' to begin with, but even Coordinators have to make mistakes, right? They can't foresee everythin'. We should keep workin' on figuring things out, right?

[ninehundredlives]

I guess that's why we're investigating. But they probably mean us to, or they wouldn't have a rule about it. And it's not like we've really found anything, either...

[Locked doors and keys that don't fit anywhere. Great.]

[brandnewday]

I haven't rally been doin' much of that. After...after that first week, I was worried I was just gonna get in everyone's way, so I took some books and kept to myself.

[Mystery books, actually, because she wants to know how to be a detective.]

But I'm gonna ask Rin for advice! We're the same age, but she's so smart and mature! Isn't that a good idea?

[ninehundredlives]

Yeah, I think so! I haven't talked to her all that much yet, but she seems like she's got a good head on her shoulders.

[It's probably because she's responsible for a whole city back home, or something? Which feels like a ridiculous amount to place on a teenager. Susan decides, however, that it's not really appropriate to discuss someone else's secret with Hibiki.]

I found a little hidden compartment under one of the pool tables. But I couldn't open it.

[brandnewday]

Mm! She does. I could probably learn a lot from someone like her.

[She still doesn't fully understand Rin's secret, so it's for the best. Her main takeaway was that Rin didn't start a war?]

You did?! I would've never thought to look for. Hmm...if I were somethin' important, where would I hide...probably not in the laundry room.

[ninehundredlives]

I don't know. It's probably as good as anywhere else, in this place. Why would there be a secret hallway with a locked door in the game room?

[brandnewday]

Maybe you're right! Maybe there's a tunnel behind one of them, or...or a secret handbook!

[ninehundredlives]

Yeah! There could be anything in there. And if there isn't, at least we'd know.

[brandnewday]

Mm! I'll be right on it. You can count on me! ...Tomorrow.

[She stirs her grain a little more.]

Hey, Susan, what are you gonna do tonight?