trustfell | Didn't we just do this last week?

Didn't we just do this last week?

[It's starting to look like this is going to be a weekly occurrence.

Just like last week, Cabanela waits a while before he makes his rounds, writing everyone quick notes and sliding them under each occupied door.]

Stay strong.
If you don't want to be alone tonight, meet in the dining hall.
-Cabanela

[Like last week, Cabanela hasn't bothered to provide anyone with food-- that would just be... rude right now, he thinks. Upon first entering, you'll notice that there are now four lit candles in the center of one of the tables.

Feel free to leave mementos for the dead; it's probably appreciated.]

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Yeah. You know I don't do the whole social thing. Big gatherings, groups of people...

They were never for me. I like to be alone with my thoughts.

That sounds like it could be dangerous. ...For me, at least. Nothing to do but think to yourself, it can lead to some bad places.

It could be. ...I just like it because it's what I'm used to. Growing up, I really only had myself to talk to, after all.

So I guess it depends. You can be your own best friend or your worst enemy.

Hm. [She mumbles:] Guess I know which one I am.

Well, whatever works for you...but if you need someone, don't hesitate. My door's always open. ...Figuratively. Of course. I lock it like, every single night.

I appreciate it, Ashley. It's probably better that you do.

...I'd suggest wearing something silver, by the way. In case the vampire wants to start trouble.

[Ashley lets out a dry, somewhat broken laugh and just raises her right hand. There's a silver ring around her middle finger.]

Already covered. Katsuki gave it to me a week and a half ago. ...Oh, I have another. Maybe I should just collect them until I've got one on each finger. That'll work, right?

[So she's taking this wonderfully.]

[ Asuka's laugh...is actually genuine. Call it a dark sense of humor, but knowing Ashley was actually prepared is enough to make her let out a real chuckle. ]

Just the one should be enough, I'm sure, though maybe you should carry around some garlic, too, just for good measure.

...Though, in all honesty, if he so much as lays a finger on you, I'll beat him to a pulp myself.

[Of course she's prepared. Ashley's probably that little girl who had a plan of escape if a vampire ever popped into her room in the middle of the night.

And she seriously looks like she's contemplating asking the Conductor for some garlic, too, if she can't find some in the kitchen, but-

She turns ever-so-slightly red.] I think...he's really strong though. I don't want to get anyone hurt, and still nearly everyone just...jumped on him back there. I think I'll just avoid him at every turn. ...but, thanks. I appreciate all of this...so, so much.

If we're being perfectly honest, he seems like the type who likes the attention. Did you see the way he was so eager to get that last little speech at the end in, there?

He's a fucking nerd. I bet I could take him with one of my eyes closed.

[Small grumble:] Nerds are tough too.

[Ahem.] If something happens, then- I'm more than happy to have you and the others sticking up for me. But I'm just going to try and avoid any way something bad could happen. Good deal?

Well, whatever keeps you out of trouble.

I...probably didn't help tensions much, after all. As much as I hate to admit I made a mistake, I probably should've kept my theory to myself.

...You mean about a mole?

[Ashley takes a moment and just leans against the counter-top.]

It wasn't happening this time, but...I think it's a good theory. Someone...it's true. Someone could be on his side.

It might be true. In fact, it's something to keep in mind, if things don't add up next time this happens, assuming this happens again.

But the mistake wasn't in the idea behind my theory. My fuck-up was saying it so early on, when people still don't quite have an idea of who's trustworthy and who isn't. And that...might make for some problems, down the line.

I mean, it's not much skin off my nose. I don't trust very easily. But some people...well, if they have that suspicion in their head, who's to say they won't try and take matters into their own hands? Maybe next time we'll have a body on our hands and our culprit will go down saying "I thought he was a mole," or some stupid shit like that...

...Oh. Oh, I...guess that could be possible. Th...that could be really possible.

[But she lets out a breath and thinks for a moment.]

I don't think... We all know what happens when someone kills someone else. Reaver and Undyne made that very clear. If someone uses that as an excuse, that's all it is: an excuse. Especially if they start saying it was...for the good of the group, or something.

We'll...probably have another body whether...it's because of that or not. I don't think someone dying is going to be your fault. Not because of what you said.

I suppose that's true, too. Mole or no mole, if someone wants to kill, they're going to kill. I suppose we have enough evidence of that here from the past two weeks, don't we? It's way too easy to just...give into the temptation and do it.

It's fucking sick.

...Yeah. Whether it was...self-serving or for someone else, it...

If he...pushes the right buttons, people snap. It puts us in danger.

Right. And there's no helping him pushing buttons, either. There must be a way to stop people from, well, fucking doing the thing.

If we could just find a way out of here. Find out how to. There's nothing to do except write letters and hope. I don't know to keep everything safe when we're still in here.

There must be something. Maybe we'll get another floor in the morning, just like last time. Maybe this one will actually have something...

Another one? Ohh, right. Start of last week... [Hm. Well.] Whatever happens, I'll try looking through the library more. See if I can't find something useful. I know it's probably been combed through, but...

I'll take a look around, too, after my inventory and my morning run...

It's far too early to give up, though.

No way can we give up. ...I really don't want to die here.

...

I don't want to die, either. I won't.

[Ah. Asuka's memory...]

H- hey. You said it yourself, you...you're so strong, you can beat a vampire up. You'll get out of this.

...Yeah. Yeah, I will.

[ She adjust the visor of her red hat, pulling it just a bit lower over her eyes... ]

One way or another, we're going to end this.

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Didn't we just do this last week?

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