Fighting is all I have.

Golden Deer student at the Officers Academy.

[machiot]

Cursed Mansion, Emblem of Fire

Witch's Heart AU

[pirrhyc]

      Easily, the blue-haired man begins to visibly deflate at how the others treat him. The courage necessary to suggest it feels as if it were merely a waste of time. Even though Marisa and Berkut agree with him to some extent, they are content to go without.

He gets the impression he's not being understood, but it's his fault if he can't make it clear, isn't it?

That is until Hortensia speaks.

Pelleas's eyes widen, taking the words he had in mind and putting them out. She does it so easily, right when he had been about ready to resign himself to acquiescing, but then again, there's something.

Despite agreeing with him and seeing his point, she would still choose a different person besides him to accompany. It feels like a slap in the face, a reminder again of what he has already known for ages.

He's poor company. That must be why things went the way they did. The rejections was because they didn't trust him in particular, and Hortensia was the only one who was willing to go out of her way to prove it for certain, wasn't she?

“ ...That's right, ”  he says, not sure if he's saying it more in response to her or as a way to respond to his own inner thoughts— the suspicion he feels in four pairs of eyes crawling in. He's a skittish looking thing, looking away back towards the door that Karel left through.  “ If one of us were to die while split in pairs, I just thought... we'd... know then... ”

It's only fair, if such distrust was to be made so plain, that he'd say it plainly too.

He's interrupted however, hearing a cry out from farther out. Pelleas startles, reminded of the time and how easily it slips through the hands like grains of sand in an hourglass, and he speaks more loudly now.

“ That hardly sounds good. I'll go...! ”

And he rushes out of the room, chasing after where he had Karel's pained noise, a sound to encourage one's feet to be swift when the memory of a snippet of audio was easy to so quickly lose.

NEXT: @crookedorel , @cielenruine , @lilchxrmer , or @crimson-flash !

[crimson-flash]

The scream. Someone must’ve been attacked. Pelleas just ran into danger. Marisa stands up, she heads to leave the room in a bit of a hurry. She thought to herself, is it worth it to go see what was happening? She chewed on the side of her cheek. She had to remain cautious, but vigilant, anything could happen in this accursed house. She looked at Hortensia and Berkut while leaving, speaking in a tense voice, “I’m going to follow Pelleas. Don’t kill each other.”

She takes off running after saying that, hoping to catch up to him. The paranoia of the scenario is already settling into Marisa’s mind. She takes her time to look behind every possible second she can. She wasn’t planning to sleep either. She can never trust that her room can be safe, key or not. She’d figure out where that scream came from, and start investigating until she found any evidence towards what she was looking for. This wasn’t something someone could take at their own leisure, not when anyone else could "find" it at any time, and if a fight broke out it might've been found already.

Next: @crookedorel , @cielenruine , @lilchxrmer

[machiot]

Cursed Mansion, Emblem of Fire

Witch's Heart AU

[otgolokh]

Deep in the bowels of his thoroughly locked room, Karel stews away at the circumstances he's been forced into.

He ate very little (he had always possessed a small stomach), and left the table without saying a word to the others: He can't trust anyone present not to stab him in the back, now that their heart's greatest wishes are being factored into their imprisonment here. It is he who must obtain the Witch's Heart, no one else can be permitted to have it. His blood demands it.

(soon. soon, i'll be—)

No matter. There's no point to staying here now. If someone were to find the treasure while he sulks alone like this... Tch. What an embarrassment it would be! His hand twitches and finds itself clutching onto the hilt of his sword by instinct: The other clutches onto his room key as he slowly opens the door, eyes already slinking down the first floor's stairs...

The feast awaits.

[pirrhyc]

    “ Karel? ”  In no time at all, the moment their first shared meal is over, the man bolts out— evidently one with purpose. Then again, they all have a purpose for being here, didn't they? It would be foolish to forget.

Pelleas finds himself poor at stopping, wondering if he even ought to. A stronger man would have risen from his seat and shouted it, but he had remained startled in his seat at the table, voice barely above an astonished whisper.

No wonder there was nothing he could have done to grab the man's attention.

It's a bit of irony that he finds the strength to pull out his seat and stand now, visibly uncomfortable as the false sense of peace, if it ever existed, begins to fracture. Still, he does not immediately give chase, looking back to those who remain at the table.

“ ...I'm sure it's likely not something I need to say for us all to know what he's probably doing right about now, is it? ”  Pelleas laughs uncertainly, hardly becoming of a man of his status. He could sigh for it.  “ I would like not to be left behind then... but I would wager we all are of the same mind to search, are we not? Might I suggest we split into groups then? Two or three... it doesn't matter. It serves the same purpose either way. ”

Time was of the essence with one of them being given a head start. He knows.

“ As long as one of us can catch up to Karel, then the whole of us can be sure everybody here has an eye on them. ”

NEXT: @crookedorel , @cielenruine , @lilchxrmer , or @crimson-flash !

[cielenruine]

"An admirable plan but it easily spells disaster." Matthias spoke up, words stern but tone gentle. "We have little idea of one another's character. Leaving only two alone could easily cause trouble and three is too big of a group to make worthwhile progress." He too stood and clutched his key close in his pocket. "We came here all as our own, no? There is no reconciling it, your only friend is yourself and anyone who tells you anything contrary is likely to stab you in the back. His eyes fall to Pelleas and he offers a short stare before he too follows in the lead of Karel though his destination is hopefully different than the first's.

NEXT: @crookedorel @lilchxrmer @crimson-flash

[crimson-flash]

Marisa lets the man leave before standing up and speaking, “I disagree. Splitting into groups is a fine idea.”

Even though only one person's wish could be granted (It had to be hers) and teaming with someone would lead to eventual betrayal, pairing up would be nice in the short-term. She looks around the room to see who she would even want to partner with. Pelleas seemed nice, but she had her reservations with someone who came up with the plan in the first place. Was it just a ploy to get someone in a room alone? There was the other man, Karel, who just left, he seemed…a bit off. And Matthias already walked off, he seemed to share her thoughts, and picked caution over company.

“But unless someone else wants to volunteer, I think I will be fine by myself.” She sits back down and waits for everyone else to state their intentions.

Next: @crookedorel @lilchxrmer

[crimson-flash]

November Activity Check

it isn't December it isn't December it isn'-

Status: Passed! Total Points: 7 -> 8 (+1 [Monthly]) Authority: D+ -> C (yippee)

Rank Up Award: Evasion Ring

[pirrhyc]

death's couriers

         ⤷   mini-event:  judge juicy executioner  ( round two — trick or treat! )

[pirrhyc]

    “ Well, you can't be intimidated by someone you don't respect at least a little, ”  Pelleas remarks. To be intimidating wasn't something that normally had positive connotations, but for someone from his country with its somewhat recent change in philosophy for how the way of life ought to be...

...it was a complimentary view of oneself to have, really!

But as he listens to the pink-haired woman talk, he supposes he's led to believe her choice was more defensive than his own. Though his was a maneuver of self-defense too, caution hadn't been in his mindset.

“ Ah... ”

So that's how she saw the devils. Guilt wells up in himself now. If she put his name in at the end of this round, he would be seen as yet another backstabber then— someone who thwarted her desire for caution.

They'd all signed up for this possibility when they entered this game, but it was in being in the thick of it that the weight of their roles, their wings, felt all the heavier.

“ Do you fear it coming suddenly then? ”  he asks.  “ I believed I wouldn't mind since I wouldn't be afraid of it. I thought nobody would miss me when I one day die. But I suppose... now I might wish to do a few things before I die, if I am to know. Is that your thought of mind too...? ”

[crimson-flash]

Marisa closes her eyes and thinks about the question the reaper posed for a bit before slowly opening her eyes and responding, “Scared of death? I don’t want to die without it being my fault. When I’m asleep. Or being hit by surprise. I’m afraid of that, if someone kills me in a fair battle, so be it.” Being surprised by a devil I can’t see coming. This game, if it was real, would be my worst fear.

She takes a deep breath before continuing, “However, I can’t die. I have one thing I need to do before I can die. I won’t let anyone stop me, including Death.” A small pause before she starts again, “You have things to do too. People who care about you. Good. Those things will keep you alive.”

She speeds up a little to match his pace being at his side instead of plodding behind, “No one would care if I died. I used to think that too. But once I found people that cared for me, that thought vanished. Life is easier with those people supporting you.” Those people she would hold dear, she would make sure that they would be able to meet their own goals. And they’ll see her reach hers.

She slightly turns her head towards him, “Did that happen to you too?”

[crimson-flash]

book, sender helps receiver get a book from a higher part of the shelf.

Mark quite likes the ladder! Being so high up lets her see the whole library, rather like a whole battlefield. She reaches up, to the very highest shelf, and tightens her grip around a book with a blue spine. “Um, this one…?” She pulls it out to show the cover. “Please remember you can keep it for two weeks, before you have to bring it back!”

Marisa is not good at reading, but she noticed certain techniques were used by people here that she had not seen in Magvel at all, she has spent some time trying to replicate them, to mixed results, oh well, she guesses that maybe the . The library was massive, bookshelves were high, and there wasn’t any good way of ascertaining what book to grab without looking over through them all. Well, it all ended up fine, with some help from the librarian. 

“Thank you.” She takes the book from the hooded tactician. A hood... indoors? Marisa decides not to ask about it, She must be very modest. “Two weeks?” Two weeks? Was that enough time to master every technique in this book? No, it wasn’t, it would take years to do so. Still, she would abide by the rules, “I will be back in two weeks. I will show you the book. I will keep it for another two weeks. OK?”

[crimson-flash]

drive, sender drives receiver somewhere in their car wyvern.

Every so often, Heath pauses his aerial survey to look at the solemn-faced student who accompanies him. He's heard of her swordswomanship, but has yet to see her in battle. Are the rumors true? The "Crimson Flash," she is called, taken in by the church after an attempt on a corrupt noble's life.

Yet here she is, wearing the garb of a student, under Heath's protection. He cannot help but be curious.

"I've not caught sight of anything suspicious." Heath isn't quite sure of how to start a conversation, nor what with. It's easy enough to address what they need to practically. "Have you?"

Though she had never been on a wyvern before, she had spent most of the survey admiring it and stroking the wyvern’s scales. Wyverns are much stronger than pegasi, they’re less graceful but more rough and durable. Both species are truly stunning, but I prefer the grace of a Pegasus, she thinks to herself. She has always been fascinated by animals, mounts used in battle in particular, and getting to ride one was a treat.

The wyvern rider’s question takes her out of her silent amazement. The man she had barely any mind to, finally paying attention to the man brought her back to reality. He is a wyvern rider after all, most of them where she is from come from Grado. With few expectations, they were her enemies. It’s strange to be working with one.

 She was here to scout, so she had to focus on the scout. “I haven’t either.” she replied curtly, turning to looking down from the high height she was up, at first it was a bit nerve-wracking, but after a while she got over it, it truly was beautiful looking at the world from such a height. After a stretch of silence, she looks back at him and asks, “Your wyvern. It’s amazing. Do they have a name?” she asked Heath.

[b1gtimerush]

actions speak louder than words non - verbal / action prompts from yours truly. (add a "swap" to swap the sender/receiver in the prompt (or just do it manually).)

back, sender gives receiver a back hug.

beckon, sender beckons receiver closer with a finger.

blood, sender cleans blood off of receiver.

book, sender helps receiver get a book from a higher part of the shelf.

care, sender takes care of receiver when they're sick.

catch, sender catches receiver by the waist after they bump into each other.

choke, sender saves receiver from choking by giving them the heimlich.

cold, sender places their jacket over receiver's shoulders.

cry, sender wipes tears off receiver's face with their thumbs.

dance, sender sticks a hand out to receiver and invites them to dance.

dip, sender skinny dips in front of receiver and invites them to join.

dog, sender's dog pulls them in receiver's direction.

drive, sender drives receiver somewhere in their car.

drag, sender drags receiver into a room and closes the door behind them.

draw, sender draws receiver like one of their french girls.

face, sender turns receiver's face towards them.

flower, sender gives receiver a flower.

footsie, sender initiates footsie with receiver under the table.

forehead, sender presses their forehead against receiver's.

grab, sender grabs receiver's wrist to stop them from leaving.

jump, sender jumps onto receiver's back.

kiss, sender kisses receiver.

link, sender links arms with receiver while walking.

massage, sender offers receiver a massage.

patch, sender patches up receiver's wounds.

piano, sender teaches receiver how to play the piano.

pin, sender pins receiver's hands behind their back.

pluck, sender plucks something out of receiver's hair.

press, sender presses receiver against a wall.

propose, sender proposes to receiver.

quiet, sender gestures for receiver to be quiet.

rest, sender rests their head on receiver's shoulder.

serenade, sender serenades receiver with a song.

sign, sender walks into a sign and receiver sees.

size, sender measures the size of their hand against receiver's.

shoes, sender removes receiver's shoes for them.

sun, sender rubs sunblock onto receiver's back.

tattoo, sender gives receiver a tattoo.

tie, sender helps tie receiver's tie.

tuck, sender tucks receiver's hair behind their ear.

umbrella, sender lets receiver under their umbrella.

warning, sender presses a knife against receiver's neck as a warning.

zip, sender needs receiver's help to zip up the back of their dress.

[stepsahead]

blossom under the stage light, it's all I have

[stepsahead]

The Mittelfrank Opera has taken its recruitment on the road! At the very least, the B-list director by the name of D'Silva has come to Garreg Mach to scout talent for a new production under his name. While his rather unconventional and experimental methods haven’t made him too popular among the opera-loving elite, he lives and dies by the unique recording device he’s gotten his hands on. As for what this show will be about? Well, that’s what he’s come here for. “The content will be determined by its actors!” he declares at the end of his rousing, albeit kind of crazy speech in Garreg Mach’s town square. He’s looking to fill all sorts of positions, from costume designers, to scriptwriters, to set artists, to the leads themselves. Will you take on a role and the potential to bask in the warm glow of fame? Or are you just here to get paid? Speaking of payment, or lack thereof, well… extra credit doesn’t hurt, you suppose. [Grants +1 Authority]

The stage would always feel comfortable. Like home, nostalgic, but with an expectation waiting in her belly to seize the hearts of her audience. People enjoyed being dazzled and awed for coin anywhere you went. Tethys knew this by now and it was no surprise that this opera was searching for capable performers. While she was no singer, she could certainly light up the stage with her footwork.

But this time was a little different. This time, Tethys had to teach another. Waiting leisurely in the dressing room, she wondered what type of person would meander in. The typical show-off was expected, or perhaps new talent. Her mind continued to drift until the curtain opened to address a familiar-faced myrmidon. 

"Marisa!" Tethys' voice lit up before her body could react. Never did she expect the solemn and shy swordwoman to be here! Instantly, she rose up and gathered Marisa into a nostalgic embrace. "It's been so long....How are you doing?"

Letting her friend go, Tethys smiled wide. She'd find out her reasons for doing such a bold thing later. "Well, we'd better get started, shall we?" This was going to be so much fun. "First, let's get you changed into something more suited for dancing." 

for @crimson-flash

[crimson-flash]

He wanted her to dance. Dance? She knew she had been watched while training, she was on edge the whole entire time, but D'Silva had surprised Marisa by saying her swordplay looked like dancing, and that she should perform for his show as an actor. She needed the extra credit. To say she wasn’t the best student would be putting it lightly. So she agreed, but not only because of the extra credit, there was something else, despite her never wanting to admit it out loud, she wants to be more open and amicable, maybe something that this will give her.

The strange man told her she’ll find someone to teach her. She didn’t expect that person to be Tethys. Ewan’s older sister, and a close friend of hers. The beautiful scarlet dancer was everything she wasn’t, despite that they get along well. Marisa thought, We are alike in a way, both dedicated to an art that suits us.

Being pulled into a hug before she can even process anything was surprising, at first she was embarrassed and stiff, muttering out a weak, nervous, “...T-Tethys. It’s been too long.” But after a brief moment she relaxes, and returns the embrace while responding to her question, “I’ve been fine. It’s strange here.” She left it at that, there were so many things she had experienced at the monastery so far that she had never experienced before, this included.

She hadn’t considered that she’d have to dress up, sometimes she doesn’t really think about the jobs she takes sometimes, hadn’t she ended up on the wrong side once or twice? Marisa preferred to dress lightly, but not in anything explicitly revealing. The thought of it made her nervous. “L-Like what you wear?” A small blush appears on her face, she’d have to roll with the punches, it was for a job after all, real payment or not. “...What did you have in mind?”

[crimson-flash]

October Activity Check

Status: Passed!

Total Points: 6 -> 7 (+1 [Monthly]) Authority: D -> D+

[crimson-flash]

“Marisa! Hey, Marisa!”

Ewan wasn’t surprised to see that, now that the event has ended, she was standing by herself. Still, he approached her with waving arms, the biggest smile on his face.

“We won! Can you believe it?” Ah, so that’s why. He was still in post-victory bliss mode. That wasn’t the only reason he wanted to say hi though. “Also, I just wanted to check on ya! How’re you holding up?” He leaned against the wall next to her, the two making an odd pair. Their familiarity though made this interaction anything but awkward. If anything, it was more comfortable than standing in the thick of it with a bunch of strangers.

He enjoyed the quiet moment for a bit, watching the other partygoers mingle. After a beat of silence he spoke up again, albeit much softer than usual. “I know large parties and stuff aren’t always your thing, so.. just wanted to make sure you were alright.” He leaned his head lightly on her shoulder as he sighed. Tonight was fun, but definitely exhausting too…

The two of them together like this, watching a large group mingle and talk amongst themselves.. it almost took Ewan back to the time he spent with Princess Eirika’s army and the mercenaries. “Y’know, I was really surprised to see you here. Happy too, of course! It was just. Never expected you to sign up for something like this.” He let out a soft laugh. Then, a moment of realization. His smile turned knowing as he looked at Marisa directly.

“Maybe the time we spent with Princess Eirika’s group affected you more than I realized, hmm?” His voice was affectionate, yet lightly teasing as well.

“Ewan. Hello.” She was glad to see Ewan, she perked up a little bit, and gave him a tiny wave. “Yeah. We won. Everything just seemed to come together..” She gave him a smile, while exhausted from the trial and the events earlier in the night, she couldn’t deny it wasn’t satisfying to win. “I’m tired. Aren’t you? It’s been a long night.” 

The crowd used to be unfamiliar when she had entered this party but now the crowd had some familiar faces she had met during it. It was nice to put names to faces.

He was right. Being around a lot of people put her on-edge. But if she wanted to keep away from everything, staying in her own world, she would’ve rejected the invitation to be here, at the Monastery, in the first place. She “I’m fine, Ewan. Don’t worry, OK?” Her eyes lit up when Ewan asked that last question. 

“I guess it did, Ewan.” It was a lot to think about this late at night, so she decided question over to Ewan, “That weird man, Sennō. He said you were horrible.” She had forgotten what exactly made him so mad, the trial was a lot. “…I don’t care what happened. If someone hurts you, tell me.” A beat. She realizes how that sounded. And then adds, “I just don’t want anyone being mean to you.”

[magisolsmiles]

There it was, Ewan thought affectionately. Marisa’s unique brand of “I’d stab someone for you” kindness. He couldn’t help but wonder how Mister mushroom reacted to her.. Something he might have to ask her about some other time.

“Hey..” He softly elbowed her in the side, though he never lost his smile. “I’m not a little kid anymore, y’know. I can look after myself.” Nodding firmly, he continued to speak. “As for Mister Mushroom, well.. I did pull a prank on him earlier tonight, hehe. With how much of an angry little man he is, I’m sure he had some choice words. I appreciate the protection, though.”

He doubted he’d need it all that much, but considering the way she was he didn’t need to voice that out loud. If she wanted to protect him, he’d just have to accept that and find a way to repay that kindness.

“Let me know if there’s ever something I can help you back with in return though, okay? We’re..” He hesitated for a moment, before firmly saying what he had on his mind. “Well.. we’re pretty much family. And family looks after each other, mutually.”

[crimson-flash]

“...OK.” So she'd been mad over nothing, she’d now remember him saying something to that effect now, trying to trip him while he was blind, and on top of that Ewan called him… mushroom man? She wondered where he got that name from, he wasn’t wearing any mushrooms after all. It seemed that he was justified in his anger. “You should be careful with who you trick.” She thinks back to the corpse man, if people like that can be here, wanting blood from a simple game. “Not everyone will just get angry.”

He’d said they were family. Family? She’d thought she would be all alone after she’d left her father to begin mercenary work. Other mercenaries didn’t typically pay her any mind outside of the battlefield after all, why would they? This is a job. And then she met Gerik and his mercenaries, including Tethys and Ewan and they practically took her in as one of their own, and despite all this time after the war, they haven't lost contact… they were a family, she summarized. In a strange way, they were. “Yeah… family. You’ve helped enough. I feel less alone here with you.” She hesitates for a moment, but ends up gently stroking his hair. She did this for a bit, before speaking again, "Don't waste your time looking out for me. I'll be fine."

I don't deserve the attention. The smile from earlier hadn't faded yet, but it was more of a tired one.

[crimson-flash]

Sir, this is a Donald's.

Anniversary 2024 - Authority + 1

[crimson-flash]

…This sucked, Marisa thought while talking to another dissatisfied customer. Working at Sir Donald’s was hell on earth. The job said the customer is always right, therefore, the customer is always right. She had to follow the contract. As the contract is law. No customer will leave unhappy, she declares to herself inside of her head at the start of her shift, but now only two hours in, not only did she already fail, but now it seems like every customer had their own complaint, something to be mad about. It hurts to disappoint people, but when it’s over something as volatile as how a dish tastes. The place was severely understaffed too, leaving her ready for a break early on. Right when she was going to take said break, she hears someone huffing and puffing and tapping their foot near the register

“You! I’ve been waiting!” The customer yells, his nasally voice booming throughout the establishment. “This burger is burnt! See?” He says, while basically shoving it in her face. She noticed two things: it was pretty undercooked, she wasn’t a good cook. and two, it was mostly eaten, just the patty remained, not eaten for some reason.

She arches an eyebrow. “Do you want it raw?” There was no way she could make something like that less burnt.

“No! I want a refund! I also want a new meal!” Well, the customer is always right, so she heads back into the kitchen without a word, but she notices someone who wasn’t in there before.

Prince Ephraim of Renias. Here. At this place. Working. Why was he here? She stares at him intensely.

“...Prince?”

@heliacalrisings! (sorry for the wait!)

[crimson-flash]

“Marisa! Hey, Marisa!”

Ewan wasn’t surprised to see that, now that the event has ended, she was standing by herself. Still, he approached her with waving arms, the biggest smile on his face.

“We won! Can you believe it?” Ah, so that’s why. He was still in post-victory bliss mode. That wasn’t the only reason he wanted to say hi though. “Also, I just wanted to check on ya! How’re you holding up?” He leaned against the wall next to her, the two making an odd pair. Their familiarity though made this interaction anything but awkward. If anything, it was more comfortable than standing in the thick of it with a bunch of strangers.

He enjoyed the quiet moment for a bit, watching the other partygoers mingle. After a beat of silence he spoke up again, albeit much softer than usual. “I know large parties and stuff aren’t always your thing, so.. just wanted to make sure you were alright.” He leaned his head lightly on her shoulder as he sighed. Tonight was fun, but definitely exhausting too…

The two of them together like this, watching a large group mingle and talk amongst themselves.. it almost took Ewan back to the time he spent with Princess Eirika’s army and the mercenaries. “Y’know, I was really surprised to see you here. Happy too, of course! It was just. Never expected you to sign up for something like this.” He let out a soft laugh. Then, a moment of realization. His smile turned knowing as he looked at Marisa directly.

“Maybe the time we spent with Princess Eirika’s group affected you more than I realized, hmm?” His voice was affectionate, yet lightly teasing as well.

“Ewan. Hello.” She was glad to see Ewan, she perked up a little bit, and gave him a tiny wave. “Yeah. We won. Everything just seemed to come together..” She gave him a smile, while exhausted from the trial and the events earlier in the night, she couldn’t deny it wasn’t satisfying to win. “I’m tired. Aren’t you? It’s been a long night.” 

The crowd used to be unfamiliar when she had entered this party but now the crowd had some familiar faces she had met during it. It was nice to put names to faces.

He was right. Being around a lot of people put her on-edge. But if she wanted to keep away from everything, staying in her own world, she would’ve rejected the invitation to be here, at the Monastery, in the first place. She “I’m fine, Ewan. Don’t worry, OK?” Her eyes lit up when Ewan asked that last question. 

“I guess it did, Ewan.” It was a lot to think about this late at night, so she decided question over to Ewan, “That weird man, Sennō. He said you were horrible.” She had forgotten what exactly made him so mad, the trial was a lot. “…I don’t care what happened. If someone hurts you, tell me.” A beat. She realizes how that sounded. And then adds, “I just don’t want anyone being mean to you.”

[pirrhyc]

death's couriers

         ⤷   mini-event:  judge juicy executioner  ( round two — trick or treat! )

[pirrhyc]

    “ Oh, you know Ewan as well? I spoke with him earlier, though he's invited me on outings even before this game, ”  Pelleas explains with some level of intrigue.  “ I appreciate chocolate, but given that Ewan has given me my favorite type of candy earlier, I think he probably deserves the treats more than me. ”

The woman's way of shifting makes Pelleas feel awkward enough to do the same, readjusting his hold on his scythe so as to have something to do with the extra energy. 

“ As for my costume, I'm dressed as the Grim Reaper or Death itself you might know it more as. He's usually a skeleton with a dark hooded robe and a scythe. I understand though that I'm not exactly the most convincing imitator... ”

He starts to take steps towards the houses, peeking behind him to ensure the pink-haired woman follows along.

“ I chose him because I wished to gain some of his authority and respect. There's no question that we all respect Death as a force that will come for us all eventually after all. He's indiscriminate in a way most people aren't. ”

A beat. He glances back to her again.

“ Your costume is much the same, isn't it? An agent that brings death. Many of the costumes here speak to it in some way. A ghost, a stitched together corpse, the two of ours too... ” 

cont. from here.  //  @crimson-flash !

[crimson-flash]

He knew Ewan too, she had kinda just said his name offhandedly, but it seems like Ewan had plenty of friends. She was glad. “He will appreciate it.”

Ah. “To gain authority… and respect?” She thought it was silly at first, but soon she understood what he meant, “My costume made some people intimidated. They do have that effect…”

She slowly follows behind Pelleas, always a short distance behind, “I choose my costume because you have to be careful.” She looks around while saying, “If you aren’t careful… you won’t survive.” 

The costumes speak to death, and the game they played speaked to betrayal. Her father always told her to watch out for everyone, anyone could always kill you at any moment, even in your sleep. She has to be prepared for that to happen. “The devils in this game, there are people like them in real life. Assassins. Backstabbers. They cause death to come quickly.”

She looks down at the floor, lost in her thoughts. “Death will come for us eventually… it will not get me suddenly.”

[encantresse]

Marisa taps Dorothea's shoulder from behind. She whispers a quiet, “Hey.” as she slides to the side of her. “I was stolen from. Again.” She shifts, clearly on edge and uncomfortable, but she goes on, “Ewan… he trusts you, but I don’t. I think you are a devil but...” She let out a small sigh.

To be honest, she was ready to figure out who the devil is, but now that she had a high suspicion of one it sucked, especially since it was Dorothea, who she was with both rounds. Still uncertain, she dropped her hood for the first time of the night, looking right at her. “Dorothea, I’m going to lay out my hand. If you are innocent, Chad is guilty. And either..” She trailed off, she had forgotten to ask these people for names… this makes it harder, so she decides to describe them instead, “Either the red-blue haired mage, or the young girl in the blue dress too.”

A pause. “I do want to go trick-or-treating. Again. Again.” At this point it was not for the candy, or the game, but simply the company. “But. You are going to have to convince me.”

he trusts you, but i don't. i think you are a devil.

well.

that sentiment certainly takes on a different meaning entirely after her venom-laced encounter with one redhead. the abruptness of it, too, lends a sharper tone, and dorothea finds that she almost flinches at the accusation.

perhaps it wouldn’t sting so sharply if this were merely a game, though the night has reminded the songstress of something she has always known: she'd always have to convince others of her worth, for acceptance was never so freely given.

she stands there, frowning uncertainly at the words and the way marisa stares her down. "...i'm not sure how to convince you," she confesses. "i'll tell you plainly that i'm not, but then again, isn’t that exactly what a devil would claim? it’s my word against your belief. but—"

dorothea shifts uneasily, her brow knitting together at the weight of the information.

"—i know you’re not. i thought you were after the first round. one person stole from me then, but having received three candies this time, i know now that it must have been either professor selena or sophia."

another pause hangs in the air.

"besides you, i went with elffin and professor diamant last—all angels. i haven't trick-or-treated with any of the others you mentioned, so i can’t say much about them."

a long sigh escapes. hands fold across her front, the frown still etched on her face.

"it’s your choice now, whether you want to believe me or not. that’s all the information i can offer. but if you still deem me untrustworthy, i won’t hold it against you. it’s the spirit of the game, after all."

yet it doesn’t feel that way—not after everything.

most unfortunately.

[crimson-flash]

…I know you’re not. I thought you were after the first round.

Yet… she still trusted Marisa to trick-or-treat with her again, did they think in the same way? Why does she seem so upset? The events Dorothea told her were too detailed for her to pass off as a lie. These contradictions form a very different conclusion than the one that she had jumped to since the end of Round 1. “You convinced me. I believe you are an angel too now.” Her stiff posture had loosened and her serious expression softened. “I'm glad. I’m willing to go trick-or-treating.” 

A beat, she doesn’t know what to say instead thinking about what Dorothea said, “The spirit of the game wants us to distrust…” she ponders it for a second, “We don’t need that. Let’s celebrate instead,” A slight smile forms on her face, “OK?”

[crimson-flash]

Blue-and-red head tilts curiously when Alear lays eyes on a person cloaked in black with their face half-hidden, drawn to the vibrant pink of their hair when most else is dark or awash in orange-yellow lighting. This, you see, is someone who has next to no knowledge of what an assassin would look like were he to come face-to-face with one (and be consciously aware of it)—not that he ever should, fortune willing. Perhaps that fact is what spurs him to draw closer, even with a hopefully-not-real knife in their possession. It wasn’t like there could be anyone more dangerous than Griss running around tonight. Right?

“Hello there,” Alear waves using the arm holding his candy bag, friendly smile in place and eyes bright beneath the brim of his hat. “Is it all right if I ask what you’re dressed as? And if you’d like to go trick-or-treating with me?”

“Oh.” Dazzling blue and red eyes stare at her, and she stares back like a deer caught in headlights, after a slightly long, uncomfortable pause she responds, “Your eyes… and hair… they’re magnificent.” A pause, she bashfully averts her eyes, “Is it a part of your magic costume?” It’s been a while since she saw something so beautiful. 

“I’m dressed as an assassin. You know what they are.” Considering others' reactions to her costume she didn’t want to talk more about her costume, rather just assuming they knew. “Trick-or-treating is fine.” She turns her eyes back to him before looking away quickly, "Let's go."

[crimson-flash]

“ Ah...! ”  Pelleas yelps softly when he turns and notices the pink-haired woman, raising his own weapon defensively. After a moment, however, he starts to attempt to calm down, lowering it.  “ M-My apologies. I'm not too used to others taking to the same empty spaces as I do. But it feels a bit silly to be too startled. After all, we're all very well aware of what everyone here is meant to do. None of us are any threat to each other in truth. ”

It is in speaking that he really does seem to loosen his once stiff body, sneaking in an exhale of relief.

“ If you're not too offended, might you consider trick-or-treating with me? Bold of me to ask, I know, but... your attire reminds me of someone who actually puts me at ease. ”  With some degree of boyish sheepishness, he confesses,  “ And... well... as you've seen, I'm more on edge tonight than I know I should be, so having a source of comfort even if only for a little while and under the shared goal of obtaining some candy... I'd appreciate it. ”

Comforted… by an assassin? What a weird thought. The man’s genuine honesty made Marisa feel less on edge, she decides to repay him by making him feel less on edge, in the weird way he says will make him feel better. “It’s okay. I’m on edge too. Being deceived by someone doesn’t make me feel good.” She's almost sure she knows who stole her candy, but that uncertainty gnaws at her. “We can go and get treats. I don’t like chocolate. You can have it, or I could give it to Ewan.” She shifts a little, still feeling slightly awkward, and looks at the scythe the man is holding. Is he supposed to be a farmer? No. He’s dressed too strange. “I like your costume, but I don’t know what it is supposed to be.”

[crimson-flash]

Kind of cool, isn't she...?

Alice won't be intimidated, of course! Even if...

"Is that a real knife?" she finds herself blurting out, and then covers her mouth with her hands as if shocked by the very words she's spoken. "Ah, that is -- this isn't supposed to be dangerous, right? Oh, but I should hope that someone who's armed is on my side..."

Finger pressed to her lip, she thinks for a moment, and then nods.

"Yes, it's settled! You'll trick or treat with me tonight, won't you?"

“No. It is too dull to hurt. Hm.” She puts her knife away, trying to make the girl feel less scared, even though. The girl was dressed up in… honestly she didn’t know what her costume was supposed to be, but it looked nice anyways. Relaxing her tense posture a bit, she answered the young girl’s request to go trick-or-treating, “No. This is supposed to be fun. Let’s get candy.”

The thought nagged at her, who was she dressed as? She gave her best guess, “You are… a barmaid?”