[lackadaisical-pest]

this blog contains the following: graphic death, blood, gore, violence, etc. follow at your own discretion.

ongoing threads: 3

flirting and suggestive behavior is allowed. no shipping.

non-selective also includes ocs, duplicates, aus, and crossovers. interact any time.

don't feel pressured to match my length or my formatting. just give me something i can respond to and it's good.

yes, i intentionally use all lowercase on purpose to fit the lackadaisical theme.

my activity fluctuates. i'll get to everyone eventually.

mod uses they/them pronouns.

psd coloring by rwbylove. / promo banner template by kingofwesteros. / icon border by rpclefairy.

follows from @after--math. i also have @trivial-tycoon.

tag dump in this post.

[lackadaisical-pest]

TW:

Obsessive thoughts and fixation on others, including possessive language. Implied stalking or being followed without full awareness of boundaries. References to cannibalism and consuming others (non-graphic). Mentions of biting, framed as gentle but potentially disturbing. Unsettling or eerie behaviour and atmosphere. Emotional dependency, loneliness, and intrusive repetitive thoughts. If these trigger anything for you, feel free to ignore this ask. Please tell me though so that if I ever interact with you again, I don't cross anything. @lady-cannibal (҂°ロ°)୧ ‧₊˚ 🥩🦴

(please note that onpu will not harm any of the characters in anyway related to her role or obsessive behaviour. this is actually onpu being gentle and trying to be nice to the people of the game. this is in no way shipping onpu with poppy as onpu is an adult in this au. she does, however, love her friends. these are other ocs of mine. anyways-)

Onpu loved her friends. She loved them dearly. Why wouldn't she? They were the only ones who didn't mind her staring. The ones who didn't find her teeth scary and didn't find her interests disgusting. The most soothing voices in her moments of distress and injury. The ones who let her bite them, gently that is. The ones who gave her food when she needed it most. The ones she wanted to consume, to keep in her forever. The ones she wanted all to herself. The ones who loved her. The ones she loved. The ones she loved. The ones she loved. The ones she

…

She loved her friends. She loved her friends dearly.

She also missed her friends. Alot.

Nowadays, they took up more space in her head than usual. Not that she minded too much. They were nice to think about, but it made her feel lonely. And what did Onpu do when she was lonely? 

Think about the people they'd like if they were there with her :D

⋆˚꩜｡

Recently the Lady Cannibal had been quiet lately. Well, even more quiet than she was in general. As if something was occupying her mind. Or someone. Someone very dear to her.

Jacinthe, dearest Jacinthe. Truly there is no woman more fair than you. 

She'd taken to following Poppy around. Not in a stalker way as she would with others but like a cat just following someone it found interesting.

Poppy would just be doing her own thing and when she turned around, the woman was right there. It seemed she didn’t understand how creepy she was being. She did leave when Poppy asked her to though.

Right now, Onpu remained behind her, not close enough to feel like she was breathing down her neck but definitely close enough to know she was drilling holes into the back of her head.

"Hmn…you seem like someone Jacinthe would be interested in"

She mumbled, mostly to herself as she admired Poppy's outfit. Or, more specifically, how much she looked like a ladybug.

poppy has caught this repeated behavior every single time. there's just a feeling she gets, that she's being watched. followed. it's very uncomfortable, knowing that onpu has taken a strange interest in her. in fact, she's picked up a habit of checking her back every once in a while—something she's never really cared to do before. poppy fidgets with the straps of her backpack more often. it's almost obvious she's gotten a little restless. she has no clue what that lady cannibals up to.

she whips around the moment she hears onpu's voice, alarmed.

then she relaxes, sort of. the rush of adrenaline she just got is no joke. but there's no weapons at the very least. nothing's gonna happen for now. "... who?" hey. can't blame someone for being curious.

[lackadaisical-pest]

AAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAA

— the screamer anon

she covers her ears, though it doesn't help much.

once its over, shes immediately back to being completely unserious. "woah. you mightve killed your throat."

[lackadaisical-pest]

what do you want for Christmas?

she hums, taking a while to consider as if her wants will actually be fulfilled. "a place with no noise. with a nice bed too."

[lackadaisical-pest]

hiii Poppy I drew you 🥹 do you like it?

poppy takes some time to inspect the drawing, letting her eyes roam across every detail before she says: "yeah. i really like the way you draw faces. thanks for finally lifting the weight off my shoulders." she means the backpack.

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

@lackadaisical-pest

"what's the new conspiracy?" is the first thing poppy asks them. because why wouldn't she. it's a little funny encouraging the paranoid part of vega's role (she wonders if their role really is an exaggeration, but acting can be deceiving). but the real reason why she came up to them in the first place: vega has helped their group find a vent, which led to a morgue and--the more interesting part (which nearly gave her a heart attack almost getting discovered)--led them to discover about a break-in. so poppy has deemed vega to be useful person to stick around. also whos going to be their friend if nobody else wants to be?

”well I’ve been doing some pondering on the person who might’ve broke in.. like Eddie and I already discussed, the person can’t be here just to take a medkit from the shop. So if that’s really the case then one of the participants must’ve taken it.” Vega started off staring at the white board with images and red threads of connections in their ‘dormitory’. It doesn’t seem like they just did a bit like they had stated. But rather, a lot.

“And I don’t really believe that someone was breaking in just to see someone on the inside.. Unless they were actually deciding to rig the game or help one of the participants. It’s just—more so finding out which participant it is or how the two are communicating..” they murmured and began to adjust some things. But then she turned to Poppy and pointed to a sewing pin on the side table next to her.

“Mind handing me that?”

[lackadaisical-pest]

"ooor maybe they're here for the host." she throws the idea out there. anything can be possible really. none of them have any clue about the true intentions of the intruder. just a conversation about lazy security to go off of.

poppy swipes the sewing pin. "here." she extends her hand, waiting for vega to take it.

once vega does, she gets back to thinking. cant let one person do all the work. besides, shes interested too. for a moment she wonders if it'd be that easy to break out... before she realizes that's a stupid idea. "seems to me that they put themselves in a shitty position though." she fiddles with her straps. "if theyre here to help a someone win or get out early, itd be tough going up to them without causing something. not to mention having to dodge employees to get to them in the first place. and how its basically impossible to mess with equipment." yeah. that sounds like a nightmare.

"they wouldve been caught at this point if they've been here for a bit." unless theyre really good. thats a possibility too. but it'd be smarter to, well, play it smart. "they could be in disguise." not that hard to pull off. "all the employees wear masks. easier to do everything that way."

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

Vega placed the pin into the board before pausing to look back at Poppy. They did consider that, but it was interesting to hear someone else say it in an indirect agreement. She was slightly zoning out in her thoughts while looking at Poppy, which could get a bit unsettling. But they quickly turned to the board once more.

“…well it wouldn’t be terrible to let Poppy see it.. after all I did recruit her to help me figuring things out so maybe she could even add things.. but that is a bit of a stretch.. this is all of my hard work, I don’t want her to shift things around and ruin it..” Vega debated to themselves under their breath.

Reluctantly turning back, he let out a sigh.

“..do you want to add that to the board?”

[lackadaisical-pest]

her eyes light up as she grins. "absolutely." she always wanted to contribute to a conspiracy board.

she looks around the room until her eyes land on sticky notes and a pen. she takes one with her left hand and grabs the pen with her right. she writes: in disguise (it's legible enough but it's very lazily written. the letters connect to each other—not in a cursive way—and it's in all lowercase.) then goes over to the board. poppys eyes glaze over the details, just looking for a suitable place to tack on her idea. "here." she sticks her note onto the board. vega can fix its position if they want to.

"what next? we basically exhausted everything we know." at least to her knowledge. "might need to explore or talk to others more." doesn't sound like a bad idea regardless.

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

Vega watched as Poppy added the sticky note to the board. Seeming to be placed in the right spot, next to the sticky note that connected with ‘break in’ and several that gave ideas to why they could be there. So she didn’t bother to move it.

However, without looking back down to see Poppy, Vega just nodded in response.

“We could ask some of the workers here about it.” They said before correcting themselves quickly.

“..no. Nevermind. It would raise suspicions about how we found out. And we can’t let them know that you and Edwyn were in the morgue. But we can go question some other people..”

[lackadaisical-pest]

she hums. "sailor or that maiden could have friends who'd want to get them out." it's just an assumption though. they seem like the type to have good connections. "or vick." she adds on after suddenly recalling his name. "but whoever we find first would be worth talking to anyway." shouldn't pass up the chance to investigate people. maybe they'll surprise her. she hopes so, otherwise this season won't turn out to be that great.

"lets go." she moves to the door, opening it for vega. gentlewoman that she is. poppy gestures to the hallway, wanting the co-leader to lead the way.

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

Vega sighed before being the first one to walk out of the door that Poppy was holding open.

“Thanks..” she mumbled once she was into the hall and waiting for poppy to join her.

“Most people would be in their room by now. We can check those first. Perhaps we could get Cobyn to join us..?”

[lackadaisical-pest]

poppy steps out into the hallway and quietly shuts the door behind her. "if my smooth talking fails, we'll need that irresistible charm of his." basically, she's a big fan of that idea. she starts heading to his room immediately.

she does a series of knocks on @creative-gardener 's door to the tune of a song probably she only knows. it's not a secret knock code they came up together, she's just more excited than she would be. though it doesnt show on her face.

[creative-gardener]

[Cobyn replies with a few knocks on his own side loosely following the rhythm to a degree, but getting the song entirely wrong. This was deeply unnecessary, but he always wanted some secret knock code, so he's having fun!]

[He opens the door, not exactly surprised that it was Poppy and Vega.]

"Oh I missed you two! How are you both doing, friends?"

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

”we were wondering if you wanted to come investigate with us. I let poppy add to the conspiracy board and now she wants to find out more stuff.”

Vega said casually to Cobyn and let out a small gesture with her hand to refer to poppy.

“…so we thought you’d want to come along with us. You are apart of this group, after all.” She added crossing her arms and slightly rubbing her bicep brachii. She looked down to @lackadaisical-pest, seeing if she wanted to add anything

[lackadaisical-pest]

"we can interrogate people. or look around again. it'll be great." she turns, as if to start walking but she doesn't move. shes waiting for @creative-gardener to actually confirm he's coming with.

"maybe we'll find something different this time." she adds, just to entice him further. its another way of saying i think you should come. it would be cool if you did. super cool.

[creative-gardener]

"Oh I'd love to!"

[He's hyped. Lightly claps his hands together a few times, before stepping out and carefully closing the door behind him.]

"Is there any specific conspiracy at the moment, or just possible theories?"

[He pats Poppy's head, but the question was more directed to @paran0idcosmol0gist than her, as he's the one who went as far as to make a board for it.]

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

Vega looked back. He was always quite enthusiastic about these kind of things. Especially enjoying to explain them outloud, even if it seemed like he hated it.

“Well we discussed that the person who broke in is probably in disguise as a staff member, and that the person who stole the medkit was probably a participant.”

Even though she technically wasn’t answering the question, it was interesting to see how she was visibly enthusiastic about it.

quickly coughing to cover up the moment before, Vega quickly turned and began to start walking down the hall. Believing that the creative gardener and @lackadaisical-pest would follow along

[lackadaisical-pest]

poppy walks with @creative-gardener and vega to wherever their co-leader is leading them to. although shes lagging behind a bit, as always. "we need to look out for the most suspicious employee. i say the bartender." this time she's pulling this one completely out of nowhere.

she has a great idea. "we should place bets on which employee is the intruder. 5 chips on the bartender."

[creative-gardener]

[Cobyn walks as an odd inbetween, following Vega while being far back enough to easily chat with Poppy.]

[He sighs.]

"That's unfair, that's the only one I know. Are you certain? Maybe it's one of the two who were talking about the break in! Could easily divert expectations by acting surprised."

[He clearly just wanted to bet on the bartender, but kept thinking.]

"Maybe it was that security man, he was rather closed off!"

[He looked forward again, back to @paran0idcosmol0gist.]

"Are you betting on anyone, Vega?"

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

“I won’t waste my chips on such a foolish game!”

Vega replied while crossing their arms in hesitation. But there was an awkward pause—a silence. Quickly broken by Vega once again.

“I think it’s the bartender but I’ll bet for the one in the shop.” Vega finally gave into @lackadaisical-pest’s idea on placing a bet. However it seemed interesting that everyone agreed it was the bartender.

“Everyone said the bartender.. should we start there?”

[lackadaisical-pest]

"hell yeah." poppy celebrates when vega places their bet. she's very glad she's the one making everyone succumb to her peer pressure.

the bar's a great place to start. "let's go." besides the security outside the vip rooms and the shopkeeper, the bartender is the only employee they know. so yeah, this is a shot fired at one of the only candidates they have access to. but the bartender has also been the only one to give them a proper response.

they arrive at the bar. and look at that. it's the same bartender as before. very noticeable by her blonde hair. "alright. how are we gonna do this, @creative-gardener ? should i go in or all of us at once? you were the one to make her speak first though."

[creative-gardener]

"I could try talking to her!"

[He takes about one step in the direction of said bartender, before stopping and leaning back over to the group. He whispers to Poppy, but it's definitely loud enough for @paran0idcosmol0gist to hear. Maybe even loud enough for the bartender to as well, it's more of a stage whisper than anything else.]

"Actually I don't think Vega would be too happy with me just asking her opinion on break-ins..."

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

Vega shook her head in response and put her palm over her face in slight annoyance. Also letting out a loud stage whisper to Cobyn in response.

“Just—act causal. We can’t directly let staff know that we know about the break in.. so.. I don’t know order something and try to hint at it..”

Vega made a small gesture to @lackadaisical-pest, a sign for her to go with Cobyn and make sure he doesn’t give it away before heading towards the curtain covered nook besides the counter.

[lackadaisical-pest]

"lets move in." she grabs @creative-gardener by the wrist and drags (more like he willingly goes with her) him to the bar stools.

"bartender," she smoothly sits on one of the stools and props her arms up on the counter as she calls the employee over. "get me—" her eyes search the list of drinks. unfortunately she still does not recognize all these strange names. "a dash of audacity." what the hell does that even mean? sounds interesting anyway. she hopes its a margarita.

the bartender stares at poppy for a moment before turning her head to cobyn, silently asking what he'll get.

[creative-gardener]

[Cobyn follows happily, though tense about the whole prying information scheme. He stumbles into a stool a little, nodding an apology to the bartender as it clatters a little and he sits down.]

"Oh! Um-... Fireball!"

[It was the first thing he read. He doesn't know what it is. It doesn't even have a fun name or anything because what the fuck do you mix with that?]

[The bartender just shrugs before starting to get their drinks.]

"...Miss Bartender!.... How long have you worked here?"

[lackadaisical-pest]

The bartender doesn't respond to Cobyn, seemingly more interested in mixing their drinks than making small talk. As a matter of fact, she's rather pissed off by the noise.

poppy spares a glance at cobyn. "long day, huh? hey." she extends her arm across the counter, as if comforting the employee. "i get it. i'd hate this job too."

[creative-gardener]

[Despite the bartender wearing a mask, the two can almost feel the bartender roll their eyes before side-eyeing the extended arm.]

[Cobyn deflates a little, tapping the counter.]

"May I ask how you got this job? It's such a unique one, and I doubt they hire just anyone for it!"

[He's occasionally glancing back at @paran0idcosmol0gist, trying to gauge if they're doing well so far via her current expression.]

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

Vega, sitting behind the curtain and starting to listen to and watch the conversation. Writing down every question asked and every answer the bartender gave. He gave Cobyn and @lackadaisical-pest a small gesture to show that they’re doing it perfectly.

[lackadaisical-pest]

The bartender continues to mix their drinks in silence, sliding them over when they're finished. "Here." Now shut up, she wants to say.

poppy lights up at the response. they got something. now to keep it going. "do you drink yourself?" maybe small talk will make her respond.

"No." The bartender responds, passive-aggressiveness clear in the tone of her voice. She's not interested.

alright. but they aren't going to let up. poppy gestures to @creative-gardener, silently asking him to try again. maybe his charm will work better.

[creative-gardener]

[He thinks for a moment, holding his drink and fidgeting with its rim.]

[He sighs.]

"I'm sorry if I'm being obnoxious, Mx bartender, I just-... Talking only to people who'll likely try to kill me these next coming days has been pretty stressful, so Poppy here suggested I try small talk with you, as you're not some random criminal who might kill me! I hope that's not too much to ask, I'm not sure if I can exactly tip you with chips but-..."

[He's changing strategy to pity.]

[lackadaisical-pest]

The bartender wants to slam her fist on the counter. She almost does, but she curbs the need for an outlet and instead rests her hand on her hip. Her expression is—how helpful in moments like these—obscured by the mask, which is the only upside to this outfit, as she cannot hide the disdain she has for the criminal in front of her. Don't kid yourself, you want to win as much as anyone else. "Hypocrite." She mutters.

poppy can riff off of that. "y'know, we were put against each other in the preliminary round. he was the one who figured out the gimmick." saved me, she means.

she glances at cobyn. she wants to play him up more, but she's not sure if her words are working. the bartender is looking at poppy though. so something's happening. they just need to get the bartender to talk more.

[creative-gardener]

[He thought about it for a moment, then smiled.]

"I did! But still we wouldn't have made it without Poppy's strategy!"

[...He's not the best at talking to people who clearly don't want to speak with him. It's taking a lot of effort to not just leave outright.]

[lackadaisical-pest]

The bartender drums vir fingers against vir hips. It's clear to vir that these two either know something or they have insane intuition—those are the only possible reasons why they're so adamant on making vir talk. Vi knows what this is—a long game so they can get their way with questioning vir.

poppy takes a sip out of her glass, finally. she makes a sour face. yeah, that's the taste of audacity. "so if there's anyone i can help live for—"

The muffled voice that comes out of vir mouth is one dripping with venom. "Leave." The order is curt, a very simple demand that vi expects them to follow. The bartender has lost vir patience.

[creative-gardener]

[Yeah, Cobyn isn't exactly going to try again after that. Quick nod, small apology, and walking back over to @paran0idcosmol0gist immediately. He already felt bad being around them at all, it doesn't take much.]

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

Vega pulled Cobyn and @lackadaisical-pest into the closed curtain and made them sit on the opposite side of her. Quietly whispering about the notes and observations she made while they were both talking to the bartender. “Although it’s obvious that the bartender was annoyed, they weren’t mixing your drinks the considerably wrong way. And not only that, they were answering your questions way too short for someone whose job revolves around being social. Maybe bartenders here are different than normal bars, but they don’t seem like they really know what they’re doing.”

She rambled

[lackadaisical-pest]

poppy takes her drink with her as she leaves with @creative-gardener. she yelps in surprise as she's pulled into the alcove. playing it off cool, she leans back in the seat. "or they just hate criminals." poppy matches vega's volume. don't want the bartender to hear. she swirls her drink around, watching the liquid spin for a bit before tentatively taking a sip. "they got pretty pissed when we started talking good about ourselves."

[lackadaisical-pest]

sniff sniff

you smell like you eat babies for breakfast

"i use their tears as a beverage too."

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

@lackadaisical-pest

"what's the new conspiracy?" is the first thing poppy asks them. because why wouldn't she. it's a little funny encouraging the paranoid part of vega's role (she wonders if their role really is an exaggeration, but acting can be deceiving). but the real reason why she came up to them in the first place: vega has helped their group find a vent, which led to a morgue and--the more interesting part (which nearly gave her a heart attack almost getting discovered)--led them to discover about a break-in. so poppy has deemed vega to be useful person to stick around. also whos going to be their friend if nobody else wants to be?

”well I’ve been doing some pondering on the person who might’ve broke in.. like Eddie and I already discussed, the person can’t be here just to take a medkit from the shop. So if that’s really the case then one of the participants must’ve taken it.” Vega started off staring at the white board with images and red threads of connections in their ‘dormitory’. It doesn’t seem like they just did a bit like they had stated. But rather, a lot.

“And I don’t really believe that someone was breaking in just to see someone on the inside.. Unless they were actually deciding to rig the game or help one of the participants. It’s just—more so finding out which participant it is or how the two are communicating..” they murmured and began to adjust some things. But then she turned to Poppy and pointed to a sewing pin on the side table next to her.

“Mind handing me that?”

[lackadaisical-pest]

"ooor maybe they're here for the host." she throws the idea out there. anything can be possible really. none of them have any clue about the true intentions of the intruder. just a conversation about lazy security to go off of.

poppy swipes the sewing pin. "here." she extends her hand, waiting for vega to take it.

once vega does, she gets back to thinking. cant let one person do all the work. besides, shes interested too. for a moment she wonders if it'd be that easy to break out... before she realizes that's a stupid idea. "seems to me that they put themselves in a shitty position though." she fiddles with her straps. "if theyre here to help a someone win or get out early, itd be tough going up to them without causing something. not to mention having to dodge employees to get to them in the first place. and how its basically impossible to mess with equipment." yeah. that sounds like a nightmare.

"they wouldve been caught at this point if they've been here for a bit." unless theyre really good. thats a possibility too. but it'd be smarter to, well, play it smart. "they could be in disguise." not that hard to pull off. "all the employees wear masks. easier to do everything that way."

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

Vega placed the pin into the board before pausing to look back at Poppy. They did consider that, but it was interesting to hear someone else say it in an indirect agreement. She was slightly zoning out in her thoughts while looking at Poppy, which could get a bit unsettling. But they quickly turned to the board once more.

“…well it wouldn’t be terrible to let Poppy see it.. after all I did recruit her to help me figuring things out so maybe she could even add things.. but that is a bit of a stretch.. this is all of my hard work, I don’t want her to shift things around and ruin it..” Vega debated to themselves under their breath.

Reluctantly turning back, he let out a sigh.

“..do you want to add that to the board?”

[lackadaisical-pest]

her eyes light up as she grins. "absolutely." she always wanted to contribute to a conspiracy board.

she looks around the room until her eyes land on sticky notes and a pen. she takes one with her left hand and grabs the pen with her right. she writes: in disguise (it's legible enough but it's very lazily written. the letters connect to each other—not in a cursive way—and it's in all lowercase.) then goes over to the board. poppys eyes glaze over the details, just looking for a suitable place to tack on her idea. "here." she sticks her note onto the board. vega can fix its position if they want to.

"what next? we basically exhausted everything we know." at least to her knowledge. "might need to explore or talk to others more." doesn't sound like a bad idea regardless.

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

Vega watched as Poppy added the sticky note to the board. Seeming to be placed in the right spot, next to the sticky note that connected with ‘break in’ and several that gave ideas to why they could be there. So she didn’t bother to move it.

However, without looking back down to see Poppy, Vega just nodded in response.

“We could ask some of the workers here about it.” They said before correcting themselves quickly.

“..no. Nevermind. It would raise suspicions about how we found out. And we can’t let them know that you and Edwyn were in the morgue. But we can go question some other people..”

[lackadaisical-pest]

she hums. "sailor or that maiden could have friends who'd want to get them out." it's just an assumption though. they seem like the type to have good connections. "or vick." she adds on after suddenly recalling his name. "but whoever we find first would be worth talking to anyway." shouldn't pass up the chance to investigate people. maybe they'll surprise her. she hopes so, otherwise this season won't turn out to be that great.

"lets go." she moves to the door, opening it for vega. gentlewoman that she is. poppy gestures to the hallway, wanting the co-leader to lead the way.

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

Vega sighed before being the first one to walk out of the door that Poppy was holding open.

“Thanks..” she mumbled once she was into the hall and waiting for poppy to join her.

“Most people would be in their room by now. We can check those first. Perhaps we could get Cobyn to join us..?”

[lackadaisical-pest]

poppy steps out into the hallway and quietly shuts the door behind her. "if my smooth talking fails, we'll need that irresistible charm of his." basically, she's a big fan of that idea. she starts heading to his room immediately.

she does a series of knocks on @creative-gardener 's door to the tune of a song probably she only knows. it's not a secret knock code they came up together, she's just more excited than she would be. though it doesnt show on her face.

[creative-gardener]

[Cobyn replies with a few knocks on his own side loosely following the rhythm to a degree, but getting the song entirely wrong. This was deeply unnecessary, but he always wanted some secret knock code, so he's having fun!]

[He opens the door, not exactly surprised that it was Poppy and Vega.]

"Oh I missed you two! How are you both doing, friends?"

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

”we were wondering if you wanted to come investigate with us. I let poppy add to the conspiracy board and now she wants to find out more stuff.”

Vega said casually to Cobyn and let out a small gesture with her hand to refer to poppy.

“…so we thought you’d want to come along with us. You are apart of this group, after all.” She added crossing her arms and slightly rubbing her bicep brachii. She looked down to @lackadaisical-pest, seeing if she wanted to add anything

[lackadaisical-pest]

"we can interrogate people. or look around again. it'll be great." she turns, as if to start walking but she doesn't move. shes waiting for @creative-gardener to actually confirm he's coming with.

"maybe we'll find something different this time." she adds, just to entice him further. its another way of saying i think you should come. it would be cool if you did. super cool.

[creative-gardener]

"Oh I'd love to!"

[He's hyped. Lightly claps his hands together a few times, before stepping out and carefully closing the door behind him.]

"Is there any specific conspiracy at the moment, or just possible theories?"

[He pats Poppy's head, but the question was more directed to @paran0idcosmol0gist than her, as he's the one who went as far as to make a board for it.]

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

Vega looked back. He was always quite enthusiastic about these kind of things. Especially enjoying to explain them outloud, even if it seemed like he hated it.

“Well we discussed that the person who broke in is probably in disguise as a staff member, and that the person who stole the medkit was probably a participant.”

Even though she technically wasn’t answering the question, it was interesting to see how she was visibly enthusiastic about it.

quickly coughing to cover up the moment before, Vega quickly turned and began to start walking down the hall. Believing that the creative gardener and @lackadaisical-pest would follow along

[lackadaisical-pest]

poppy walks with @creative-gardener and vega to wherever their co-leader is leading them to. although shes lagging behind a bit, as always. "we need to look out for the most suspicious employee. i say the bartender." this time she's pulling this one completely out of nowhere.

she has a great idea. "we should place bets on which employee is the intruder. 5 chips on the bartender."

[creative-gardener]

[Cobyn walks as an odd inbetween, following Vega while being far back enough to easily chat with Poppy.]

[He sighs.]

"That's unfair, that's the only one I know. Are you certain? Maybe it's one of the two who were talking about the break in! Could easily divert expectations by acting surprised."

[He clearly just wanted to bet on the bartender, but kept thinking.]

"Maybe it was that security man, he was rather closed off!"

[He looked forward again, back to @paran0idcosmol0gist.]

"Are you betting on anyone, Vega?"

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

“I won’t waste my chips on such a foolish game!”

Vega replied while crossing their arms in hesitation. But there was an awkward pause—a silence. Quickly broken by Vega once again.

“I think it’s the bartender but I’ll bet for the one in the shop.” Vega finally gave into @lackadaisical-pest’s idea on placing a bet. However it seemed interesting that everyone agreed it was the bartender.

“Everyone said the bartender.. should we start there?”

[lackadaisical-pest]

"hell yeah." poppy celebrates when vega places their bet. she's very glad she's the one making everyone succumb to her peer pressure.

the bar's a great place to start. "let's go." besides the security outside the vip rooms and the shopkeeper, the bartender is the only employee they know. so yeah, this is a shot fired at one of the only candidates they have access to. but the bartender has also been the only one to give them a proper response.

they arrive at the bar. and look at that. it's the same bartender as before. very noticeable by her blonde hair. "alright. how are we gonna do this, @creative-gardener ? should i go in or all of us at once? you were the one to make her speak first though."

[creative-gardener]

"I could try talking to her!"

[He takes about one step in the direction of said bartender, before stopping and leaning back over to the group. He whispers to Poppy, but it's definitely loud enough for @paran0idcosmol0gist to hear. Maybe even loud enough for the bartender to as well, it's more of a stage whisper than anything else.]

"Actually I don't think Vega would be too happy with me just asking her opinion on break-ins..."

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

Vega shook her head in response and put her palm over her face in slight annoyance. Also letting out a loud stage whisper to Cobyn in response.

“Just—act causal. We can’t directly let staff know that we know about the break in.. so.. I don’t know order something and try to hint at it..”

Vega made a small gesture to @lackadaisical-pest, a sign for her to go with Cobyn and make sure he doesn’t give it away before heading towards the curtain covered nook besides the counter.

[lackadaisical-pest]

"lets move in." she grabs @creative-gardener by the wrist and drags (more like he willingly goes with her) him to the bar stools.

"bartender," she smoothly sits on one of the stools and props her arms up on the counter as she calls the employee over. "get me—" her eyes search the list of drinks. unfortunately she still does not recognize all these strange names. "a dash of audacity." what the hell does that even mean? sounds interesting anyway. she hopes its a margarita.

the bartender stares at poppy for a moment before turning her head to cobyn, silently asking what he'll get.

[creative-gardener]

[Cobyn follows happily, though tense about the whole prying information scheme. He stumbles into a stool a little, nodding an apology to the bartender as it clatters a little and he sits down.]

"Oh! Um-... Fireball!"

[It was the first thing he read. He doesn't know what it is. It doesn't even have a fun name or anything because what the fuck do you mix with that?]

[The bartender just shrugs before starting to get their drinks.]

"...Miss Bartender!.... How long have you worked here?"

[lackadaisical-pest]

The bartender doesn't respond to Cobyn, seemingly more interested in mixing their drinks than making small talk. As a matter of fact, she's rather pissed off by the noise.

poppy spares a glance at cobyn. "long day, huh? hey." she extends her arm across the counter, as if comforting the employee. "i get it. i'd hate this job too."

[creative-gardener]

[Despite the bartender wearing a mask, the two can almost feel the bartender roll their eyes before side-eyeing the extended arm.]

[Cobyn deflates a little, tapping the counter.]

"May I ask how you got this job? It's such a unique one, and I doubt they hire just anyone for it!"

[He's occasionally glancing back at @paran0idcosmol0gist, trying to gauge if they're doing well so far via her current expression.]

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

Vega, sitting behind the curtain and starting to listen to and watch the conversation. Writing down every question asked and every answer the bartender gave. He gave Cobyn and @lackadaisical-pest a small gesture to show that they’re doing it perfectly.

[lackadaisical-pest]

The bartender continues to mix their drinks in silence, sliding them over when they're finished. "Here." Now shut up, she wants to say.

poppy lights up at the response. they got something. now to keep it going. "do you drink yourself?" maybe small talk will make her respond.

"No." The bartender responds, passive-aggressiveness clear in the tone of her voice. She's not interested.

alright. but they aren't going to let up. poppy gestures to @creative-gardener, silently asking him to try again. maybe his charm will work better.

[creative-gardener]

[He thinks for a moment, holding his drink and fidgeting with its rim.]

[He sighs.]

"I'm sorry if I'm being obnoxious, Mx bartender, I just-... Talking only to people who'll likely try to kill me these next coming days has been pretty stressful, so Poppy here suggested I try small talk with you, as you're not some random criminal who might kill me! I hope that's not too much to ask, I'm not sure if I can exactly tip you with chips but-..."

[He's changing strategy to pity.]

[lackadaisical-pest]

The bartender wants to slam her fist on the counter. She almost does, but she curbs the need for an outlet and instead rests her hand on her hip. Her expression is—how helpful in moments like these—obscured by the mask, which is the only upside to this outfit, as she cannot hide the disdain she has for the criminal in front of her. Don't kid yourself, you want to win as much as anyone else. "Hypocrite." She mutters.

poppy can riff off of that. "y'know, we were put against each other in the preliminary round. he was the one who figured out the gimmick." saved me, she means.

she glances at cobyn. she wants to play him up more, but she's not sure if her words are working. the bartender is looking at poppy though. so something's happening. they just need to get the bartender to talk more.

[creative-gardener]

[He thought about it for a moment, then smiled.]

"I did! But still we wouldn't have made it without Poppy's strategy!"

[...He's not the best at talking to people who clearly don't want to speak with him. It's taking a lot of effort to not just leave outright.]

[lackadaisical-pest]

The bartender drums vir fingers against vir hips. It's clear to vir that these two either know something or they have insane intuition—those are the only possible reasons why they're so adamant on making vir talk. Vi knows what this is—a long game so they can get their way with questioning vir.

poppy takes a sip out of her glass, finally. she makes a sour face. yeah, that's the taste of audacity. "so if there's anyone i can help live for—"

The muffled voice that comes out of vir mouth is one dripping with venom. "Leave." The order is curt, a very simple demand that vi expects them to follow. The bartender has lost vir patience.

[creative-gardener]

@lackadaisical-pest

poppy waits around backstage, back pressed to the carpet and legs straight against the wall. it's a simultaneously very comfortable and uncomfortable position to be in. great way to see the world from a different perspective, though. really leaves her pondering about life. when cobyn finishes with his interview and leaves the limelight, she waves him over the moment she spots him.

"so. what do you plan on doing now?"

[He stares at her for a moment, looking at the odd position she's in before smiling and sitting next to her, back to the wall and knees to his chest.]

"Well I was planning on finding you- thought it would take a bit longer. With a color scheme like yours you nearly blend in!"

[He laughed, clearly still anxious from the interview, but trying to settle his nerves.]

"...Height can't exactly be helping either."

[lackadaisical-pest]

she looks proud of herself, even though she didnt even pick the outfit. "heh. that just means i can sneak around easier—" did he just insult her height? "what was that."

she lightly kicks the wall, folding her arms and turning her head away like she's throwing a tantrum. "wow." though from her deadpan tone it's obvious her act is lighthearted. someone could even say for entertainment. "looww blow." now it just sounds like she's making fun herself. obviously not intentional.

[creative-gardener]

[He chuckles, and he thinks a moment before speaking. He's calming down, and this is definitely helping, but he's still... A bit off.]

"Don't worry Poppy, I'm sure you'll grow one day!"

[He is fully aware she is an adult. He isn't too used to this whole bullying thing but he's trying!]

[lackadaisical-pest]

poppy lets out a breathy laugh. "suuree." she does not believe him.

there's a brief moment of silence as she searches for another topic. keep the momentum going. she scans her surroundings just idly—until her eyes land on the water cooler. "hey." she has a smile that practically says they're about to get into some sort of mischief. "so that water definitely tastes like shit right."

she continues. "maybe nobodys stupid enough to try, but i think we should spike it anyway. make it worse when they do get stupid." well. "or would that make it better? think everyone in here is an alcoholic?"

[creative-gardener]

[Cobyn seems to think about it way more seriously than she expected him to.]

"There is a child around, and I haven't seen a single other water source. That can't be the one they use for watering the plants, so there has to be another... It would be interesting if you do have any way of doing so, I'd just give that little guy a heads up first maybe..."

"Though you do never know about allergies... Would be a bit of foul play."

[...As if spiking it wasn't already?]

[lackadaisical-pest]

"i think," she begins, just to make sure if anyone was listening it'd seem like poppy's just assuming. "nobody has allergies." the papers in the morgue say so.

"i also think accidentally drinking alcohol would be the least of his worries." in short, she does not care. "lets go check out the water cooler." she kicks her legs over her head, momentum—with the assistance of her hands—letting her roll backwards into a standing position. it's so casual she doesn't think twice about it.

she walks over to the water cooler, inspecting it from multiple sides.

[creative-gardener]

[He tries to stand in an equally smooth way, just swiftly pushing himself up and sliding up the wall he had leant against, but he hits his head on a decoration on the way up and fumbles with it a little.]

"...If I give it a few hours and then tell him as if I wasn't in on it and just overhead, would that be allowed? I just don't want to harm the littler one..."

[lackadaisical-pest]

"suure. he might not believe you though. were associated now, everything i do you're complicit in." is a fancy way of saying you're stuck with me.

"also i think we can flip the tank over and unscrew the cap. i don't have alcohol on me though." she sighs. "we need to go to the bar." she complains. god forbid they have to take extra steps. so much work all for a funny moment. oh well. she starts walking. very slowly. head hung low. and with an even more slouched back than normal.

[creative-gardener]

[He pats her head.]

"I'm sure it would be fine of me to say if we don't get seen, he wouldn't know you'd be involved either! But I'm happy to be associated with you, ladybug!"

[His cheery demeanor is not matched by her very slow movements (as it typically isn't, but now moreso than ever). He chuckled, looking down at her.]

"...Do you want me to carry you? I bet I could put you on my shoulders if I really tried! If not I think I could carry you any other way, really!"

[lackadaisical-pest]

poppy completely expects cobyn to tip over and die, but she still says: "that'd be great." she stands still.

she's surprised when she actually stays on his shoulders. makes her feel like a kid again. not bad. she rests her hands on cobyn's hat. "alright. to the bar." she says as if she's commanding her loyal stead. "let's get something strong." she's not a drinker, so she wouldn't know what's strong and what isn't. poppy hopes cobyn will know, but if he doesn't they'll just get a lot. maybe even make a crazy mix.

[creative-gardener]

[He laughs, doing a small spin before going. It's a miracle how he kept his balance, but he seems pretty sturdy.]

"Oh this is fun! I haven't done this in a while! I'd carry younger relatives around like this though!"

[He bends his knees a little to make sure Poppy doesn't hit her head as they go through the doorframe into the back area. Others definitely notice this, the two overhear Elise "joking" about pushing them and knocking them over, but Rook was near Elise enough to give him a firm bap on the head about it.]

[lackadaisical-pest]

"this is much better than walking." really gives her feet the well deserved rest.

she laughs as elise gets scolded for his antics. poppy sticks her tongue out at him for good measure.

when the two arrive at the bar, poppy asks to be let down. "so." she turns to cobyn. "what do you think is the strongest drink on the menu." because she literally does not know what any of this is.

[creative-gardener]

[He kindly plops her down onto a stool, before staring at the menu a while.]

"...Spirytus Rektyfikowany? Or Everclear from what I've heard. Surprised they have both! I do think the first one has a higher percentage though! As well as less obvious taste."

[For someone who doesn't know a lot about alcohol, he knows quite a bit.]

"...Few relatives are drinkers, but those would always just be what we had in the house due to the percentages."

//I do just think it's a little silly to give him very specific fun facts on topics he doesn't know much about.

[lackadaisical-pest]

"we should put both in there. bartender," she raises her hand. "get us a spirytus rektyfikowany and an everclear."

she watches the bartender immediately get to work. after a few seconds of staring, she turns to cobyn. "i think we should make eddie drink the water. or that bones guy."

the bartender slides the two drinks over rather quickly. "or both of them." she grabs both glasses and stands up. there might be some unintentional implications in her words. she doesnt make an effort to fix it. "i bet 3 chips eddies a sad drunk."

[creative-gardener]

[He giggles about the situation, then gasps at Poppy's bet.]

"You can't keep betting exactly what I would've, it's unfair!... He could be an angry drunk, it would make sense!"

[It seems he didn't pick up on the implications. Partially due to Cobyn's mod being bad with implications. Poppy's safe.]

"Or he could just be tired and boring. I definitely believe miss equestrian lady would be a sad drunk though!"

[lackadaisical-pest]

she starts walking back to the water cooler. "ohh. you're right." got to admit he's onto something here. "tycoon should be a sad drunk too. it'd be funny." the juxtaposition of it would be really really funny. she's imagining it right now, probably the most emotionally closed off person bursting into tears.

"the maiden would definitely be an angry drunk. she looks like the type." maybe they should just get everyone drunk to see if their theories are right.

[creative-gardener]

[He thinks for a moment.]

"...Not sure if I'd want to know what that jokester fellow might be like when drunk. It'd likely be interesting, at least?"

[As they go back near the water cooler, he looks around, making sure the coast is clear. There's chatter from the dressing room, but besides that it seems there's nobody around.]

[lackadaisical-pest]

"i want to know." the trouble that could be caused... that'd be good. make her day, even. contestants need their own entertainment backstage too. "can you get the tank open?" she sits on the bench close to the cooler. the metal is cold, but it's not the worst. she'll basically resort to anything to rest her feet.

[creative-gardener]

[He chuckles and moves to crack his knuckles all cool-like. None crack but one, and he winces a little as it does.]

"Farmer's strength, I should be able to!"

[He pops off the tank, sitting cross-legged in front of the bench. He starts working on opening it, but it's going to take a bit more than he expected.]

"...Any reason you don't like walking for long?"

[He tilts his head back, looking up at her.]

[lackadaisical-pest]

she leans back. "hurts my feet," she says honestly. "and it fits lackadaisical pretty well."

she swings her feet. shes short enough to just be able to do that. "you've lived quite the life." shes talking about all the facts he knows.

[creative-gardener]

"Hm?"

[He tilts his head to the side a bit, processing.]

"Oh!"

[He chuckles, going back to trying to unscrew it.]

"Yeah I-... I suppose I have. Nothing crazy, just enough to-... Y'know, learn from. I'd say I've lived as much of a life as anyone else here probably has..? Well, a bit more than you."

[...Is that a joke about her age or seeming dislike of moving around a lot?]

[He finally pops the lid open with a bit more force than expected, almost accidentally knocking it over as he did. Luckily, he caught it before anything spilt.]

[lackadaisical-pest]

"well," she starts, beginning a rebuttal. cobyn is older than her though. "with the way i've lived i might as well have the wisdom of a grandma." very smooth save.

she starts pouring both drinks in the tank at the same time. "we should interrogate people with this."

[creative-gardener]

@lackadaisical-pest

poppy waits around backstage, back pressed to the carpet and legs straight against the wall. it's a simultaneously very comfortable and uncomfortable position to be in. great way to see the world from a different perspective, though. really leaves her pondering about life. when cobyn finishes with his interview and leaves the limelight, she waves him over the moment she spots him.

"so. what do you plan on doing now?"

[He stares at her for a moment, looking at the odd position she's in before smiling and sitting next to her, back to the wall and knees to his chest.]

"Well I was planning on finding you- thought it would take a bit longer. With a color scheme like yours you nearly blend in!"

[He laughed, clearly still anxious from the interview, but trying to settle his nerves.]

"...Height can't exactly be helping either."

[lackadaisical-pest]

she looks proud of herself, even though she didnt even pick the outfit. "heh. that just means i can sneak around easier—" did he just insult her height? "what was that."

she lightly kicks the wall, folding her arms and turning her head away like she's throwing a tantrum. "wow." though from her deadpan tone it's obvious her act is lighthearted. someone could even say for entertainment. "looww blow." now it just sounds like she's making fun herself. obviously not intentional.

[creative-gardener]

[He chuckles, and he thinks a moment before speaking. He's calming down, and this is definitely helping, but he's still... A bit off.]

"Don't worry Poppy, I'm sure you'll grow one day!"

[He is fully aware she is an adult. He isn't too used to this whole bullying thing but he's trying!]

[lackadaisical-pest]

poppy lets out a breathy laugh. "suuree." she does not believe him.

there's a brief moment of silence as she searches for another topic. keep the momentum going. she scans her surroundings just idly—until her eyes land on the water cooler. "hey." she has a smile that practically says they're about to get into some sort of mischief. "so that water definitely tastes like shit right."

she continues. "maybe nobodys stupid enough to try, but i think we should spike it anyway. make it worse when they do get stupid." well. "or would that make it better? think everyone in here is an alcoholic?"

[creative-gardener]

[Cobyn seems to think about it way more seriously than she expected him to.]

"There is a child around, and I haven't seen a single other water source. That can't be the one they use for watering the plants, so there has to be another... It would be interesting if you do have any way of doing so, I'd just give that little guy a heads up first maybe..."

"Though you do never know about allergies... Would be a bit of foul play."

[...As if spiking it wasn't already?]

[lackadaisical-pest]

"i think," she begins, just to make sure if anyone was listening it'd seem like poppy's just assuming. "nobody has allergies." the papers in the morgue say so.

"i also think accidentally drinking alcohol would be the least of his worries." in short, she does not care. "lets go check out the water cooler." she kicks her legs over her head, momentum—with the assistance of her hands—letting her roll backwards into a standing position. it's so casual she doesn't think twice about it.

she walks over to the water cooler, inspecting it from multiple sides.

[creative-gardener]

[He tries to stand in an equally smooth way, just swiftly pushing himself up and sliding up the wall he had leant against, but he hits his head on a decoration on the way up and fumbles with it a little.]

"...If I give it a few hours and then tell him as if I wasn't in on it and just overhead, would that be allowed? I just don't want to harm the littler one..."

[lackadaisical-pest]

"suure. he might not believe you though. were associated now, everything i do you're complicit in." is a fancy way of saying you're stuck with me.

"also i think we can flip the tank over and unscrew the cap. i don't have alcohol on me though." she sighs. "we need to go to the bar." she complains. god forbid they have to take extra steps. so much work all for a funny moment. oh well. she starts walking. very slowly. head hung low. and with an even more slouched back than normal.

[creative-gardener]

[He pats her head.]

"I'm sure it would be fine of me to say if we don't get seen, he wouldn't know you'd be involved either! But I'm happy to be associated with you, ladybug!"

[His cheery demeanor is not matched by her very slow movements (as it typically isn't, but now moreso than ever). He chuckled, looking down at her.]

"...Do you want me to carry you? I bet I could put you on my shoulders if I really tried! If not I think I could carry you any other way, really!"

[lackadaisical-pest]

poppy completely expects cobyn to tip over and die, but she still says: "that'd be great." she stands still.

she's surprised when she actually stays on his shoulders. makes her feel like a kid again. not bad. she rests her hands on cobyn's hat. "alright. to the bar." she says as if she's commanding her loyal stead. "let's get something strong." she's not a drinker, so she wouldn't know what's strong and what isn't. poppy hopes cobyn will know, but if he doesn't they'll just get a lot. maybe even make a crazy mix.

[creative-gardener]

[He laughs, doing a small spin before going. It's a miracle how he kept his balance, but he seems pretty sturdy.]

"Oh this is fun! I haven't done this in a while! I'd carry younger relatives around like this though!"

[He bends his knees a little to make sure Poppy doesn't hit her head as they go through the doorframe into the back area. Others definitely notice this, the two overhear Elise "joking" about pushing them and knocking them over, but Rook was near Elise enough to give him a firm bap on the head about it.]

[lackadaisical-pest]

"this is much better than walking." really gives her feet the well deserved rest.

she laughs as elise gets scolded for his antics. poppy sticks her tongue out at him for good measure.

when the two arrive at the bar, poppy asks to be let down. "so." she turns to cobyn. "what do you think is the strongest drink on the menu." because she literally does not know what any of this is.

[creative-gardener]

[He kindly plops her down onto a stool, before staring at the menu a while.]

"...Spirytus Rektyfikowany? Or Everclear from what I've heard. Surprised they have both! I do think the first one has a higher percentage though! As well as less obvious taste."

[For someone who doesn't know a lot about alcohol, he knows quite a bit.]

"...Few relatives are drinkers, but those would always just be what we had in the house due to the percentages."

//I do just think it's a little silly to give him very specific fun facts on topics he doesn't know much about.

[lackadaisical-pest]

"we should put both in there. bartender," she raises her hand. "get us a spirytus rektyfikowany and an everclear."

she watches the bartender immediately get to work. after a few seconds of staring, she turns to cobyn. "i think we should make eddie drink the water. or that bones guy."

the bartender slides the two drinks over rather quickly. "or both of them." she grabs both glasses and stands up. there might be some unintentional implications in her words. she doesnt make an effort to fix it. "i bet 3 chips eddies a sad drunk."

[creative-gardener]

[He giggles about the situation, then gasps at Poppy's bet.]

"You can't keep betting exactly what I would've, it's unfair!... He could be an angry drunk, it would make sense!"

[It seems he didn't pick up on the implications. Partially due to Cobyn's mod being bad with implications. Poppy's safe.]

"Or he could just be tired and boring. I definitely believe miss equestrian lady would be a sad drunk though!"

[lackadaisical-pest]

she starts walking back to the water cooler. "ohh. you're right." got to admit he's onto something here. "tycoon should be a sad drunk too. it'd be funny." the juxtaposition of it would be really really funny. she's imagining it right now, probably the most emotionally closed off person bursting into tears.

"the maiden would definitely be an angry drunk. she looks like the type." maybe they should just get everyone drunk to see if their theories are right.

[creative-gardener]

[He thinks for a moment.]

"...Not sure if I'd want to know what that jokester fellow might be like when drunk. It'd likely be interesting, at least?"

[As they go back near the water cooler, he looks around, making sure the coast is clear. There's chatter from the dressing room, but besides that it seems there's nobody around.]

[lackadaisical-pest]

"i want to know." the trouble that could be caused... that'd be good. make her day, even. contestants need their own entertainment backstage too. "can you get the tank open?" she sits on the bench close to the cooler. the metal is cold, but it's not the worst. she'll basically resort to anything to rest her feet.

[creative-gardener]

[He chuckles and moves to crack his knuckles all cool-like. None crack but one, and he winces a little as it does.]

"Farmer's strength, I should be able to!"

[He pops off the tank, sitting cross-legged in front of the bench. He starts working on opening it, but it's going to take a bit more than he expected.]

"...Any reason you don't like walking for long?"

[He tilts his head back, looking up at her.]

[lackadaisical-pest]

she leans back. "hurts my feet," she says honestly. "and it fits lackadaisical pretty well."

she swings her feet. shes short enough to just be able to do that. "you've lived quite the life." shes talking about all the facts he knows.

[creative-gardener]

@lackadaisical-pest

poppy waits around backstage, back pressed to the carpet and legs straight against the wall. it's a simultaneously very comfortable and uncomfortable position to be in. great way to see the world from a different perspective, though. really leaves her pondering about life. when cobyn finishes with his interview and leaves the limelight, she waves him over the moment she spots him.

"so. what do you plan on doing now?"

[He stares at her for a moment, looking at the odd position she's in before smiling and sitting next to her, back to the wall and knees to his chest.]

"Well I was planning on finding you- thought it would take a bit longer. With a color scheme like yours you nearly blend in!"

[He laughed, clearly still anxious from the interview, but trying to settle his nerves.]

"...Height can't exactly be helping either."

[lackadaisical-pest]

she looks proud of herself, even though she didnt even pick the outfit. "heh. that just means i can sneak around easier—" did he just insult her height? "what was that."

she lightly kicks the wall, folding her arms and turning her head away like she's throwing a tantrum. "wow." though from her deadpan tone it's obvious her act is lighthearted. someone could even say for entertainment. "looww blow." now it just sounds like she's making fun herself. obviously not intentional.

[creative-gardener]

[He chuckles, and he thinks a moment before speaking. He's calming down, and this is definitely helping, but he's still... A bit off.]

"Don't worry Poppy, I'm sure you'll grow one day!"

[He is fully aware she is an adult. He isn't too used to this whole bullying thing but he's trying!]

[lackadaisical-pest]

poppy lets out a breathy laugh. "suuree." she does not believe him.

there's a brief moment of silence as she searches for another topic. keep the momentum going. she scans her surroundings just idly—until her eyes land on the water cooler. "hey." she has a smile that practically says they're about to get into some sort of mischief. "so that water definitely tastes like shit right."

she continues. "maybe nobodys stupid enough to try, but i think we should spike it anyway. make it worse when they do get stupid." well. "or would that make it better? think everyone in here is an alcoholic?"

[creative-gardener]

[Cobyn seems to think about it way more seriously than she expected him to.]

"There is a child around, and I haven't seen a single other water source. That can't be the one they use for watering the plants, so there has to be another... It would be interesting if you do have any way of doing so, I'd just give that little guy a heads up first maybe..."

"Though you do never know about allergies... Would be a bit of foul play."

[...As if spiking it wasn't already?]

[lackadaisical-pest]

"i think," she begins, just to make sure if anyone was listening it'd seem like poppy's just assuming. "nobody has allergies." the papers in the morgue say so.

"i also think accidentally drinking alcohol would be the least of his worries." in short, she does not care. "lets go check out the water cooler." she kicks her legs over her head, momentum—with the assistance of her hands—letting her roll backwards into a standing position. it's so casual she doesn't think twice about it.

she walks over to the water cooler, inspecting it from multiple sides.

[creative-gardener]

[He tries to stand in an equally smooth way, just swiftly pushing himself up and sliding up the wall he had leant against, but he hits his head on a decoration on the way up and fumbles with it a little.]

"...If I give it a few hours and then tell him as if I wasn't in on it and just overhead, would that be allowed? I just don't want to harm the littler one..."

[lackadaisical-pest]

"suure. he might not believe you though. were associated now, everything i do you're complicit in." is a fancy way of saying you're stuck with me.

"also i think we can flip the tank over and unscrew the cap. i don't have alcohol on me though." she sighs. "we need to go to the bar." she complains. god forbid they have to take extra steps. so much work all for a funny moment. oh well. she starts walking. very slowly. head hung low. and with an even more slouched back than normal.

[creative-gardener]

[He pats her head.]

"I'm sure it would be fine of me to say if we don't get seen, he wouldn't know you'd be involved either! But I'm happy to be associated with you, ladybug!"

[His cheery demeanor is not matched by her very slow movements (as it typically isn't, but now moreso than ever). He chuckled, looking down at her.]

"...Do you want me to carry you? I bet I could put you on my shoulders if I really tried! If not I think I could carry you any other way, really!"

[lackadaisical-pest]

poppy completely expects cobyn to tip over and die, but she still says: "that'd be great." she stands still.

she's surprised when she actually stays on his shoulders. makes her feel like a kid again. not bad. she rests her hands on cobyn's hat. "alright. to the bar." she says as if she's commanding her loyal stead. "let's get something strong." she's not a drinker, so she wouldn't know what's strong and what isn't. poppy hopes cobyn will know, but if he doesn't they'll just get a lot. maybe even make a crazy mix.

[creative-gardener]

[He laughs, doing a small spin before going. It's a miracle how he kept his balance, but he seems pretty sturdy.]

"Oh this is fun! I haven't done this in a while! I'd carry younger relatives around like this though!"

[He bends his knees a little to make sure Poppy doesn't hit her head as they go through the doorframe into the back area. Others definitely notice this, the two overhear Elise "joking" about pushing them and knocking them over, but Rook was near Elise enough to give him a firm bap on the head about it.]

[lackadaisical-pest]

"this is much better than walking." really gives her feet the well deserved rest.

she laughs as elise gets scolded for his antics. poppy sticks her tongue out at him for good measure.

when the two arrive at the bar, poppy asks to be let down. "so." she turns to cobyn. "what do you think is the strongest drink on the menu." because she literally does not know what any of this is.

[creative-gardener]

[He kindly plops her down onto a stool, before staring at the menu a while.]

"...Spirytus Rektyfikowany? Or Everclear from what I've heard. Surprised they have both! I do think the first one has a higher percentage though! As well as less obvious taste."

[For someone who doesn't know a lot about alcohol, he knows quite a bit.]

"...Few relatives are drinkers, but those would always just be what we had in the house due to the percentages."

//I do just think it's a little silly to give him very specific fun facts on topics he doesn't know much about.

[lackadaisical-pest]

"we should put both in there. bartender," she raises her hand. "get us a spirytus rektyfikowany and an everclear."

she watches the bartender immediately get to work. after a few seconds of staring, she turns to cobyn. "i think we should make eddie drink the water. or that bones guy."

the bartender slides the two drinks over rather quickly. "or both of them." she grabs both glasses and stands up. there might be some unintentional implications in her words. she doesnt make an effort to fix it. "i bet 3 chips eddies a sad drunk."

[creative-gardener]

[He giggles about the situation, then gasps at Poppy's bet.]

"You can't keep betting exactly what I would've, it's unfair!... He could be an angry drunk, it would make sense!"

[It seems he didn't pick up on the implications. Partially due to Cobyn's mod being bad with implications. Poppy's safe.]

"Or he could just be tired and boring. I definitely believe miss equestrian lady would be a sad drunk though!"

[lackadaisical-pest]

she starts walking back to the water cooler. "ohh. you're right." got to admit he's onto something here. "tycoon should be a sad drunk too. it'd be funny." the juxtaposition of it would be really really funny. she's imagining it right now, probably the most emotionally closed off person bursting into tears.

"the maiden would definitely be an angry drunk. she looks like the type." maybe they should just get everyone drunk to see if their theories are right.

[creative-gardener]

[He thinks for a moment.]

"...Not sure if I'd want to know what that jokester fellow might be like when drunk. It'd likely be interesting, at least?"

[As they go back near the water cooler, he looks around, making sure the coast is clear. There's chatter from the dressing room, but besides that it seems there's nobody around.]

[lackadaisical-pest]

"i want to know." the trouble that could be caused... that'd be good. make her day, even. contestants need their own entertainment backstage too. "can you get the tank open?" she sits on the bench close to the cooler. the metal is cold, but it's not the worst. she'll basically resort to anything to rest her feet.

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

@lackadaisical-pest

"what's the new conspiracy?" is the first thing poppy asks them. because why wouldn't she. it's a little funny encouraging the paranoid part of vega's role (she wonders if their role really is an exaggeration, but acting can be deceiving). but the real reason why she came up to them in the first place: vega has helped their group find a vent, which led to a morgue and--the more interesting part (which nearly gave her a heart attack almost getting discovered)--led them to discover about a break-in. so poppy has deemed vega to be useful person to stick around. also whos going to be their friend if nobody else wants to be?

”well I’ve been doing some pondering on the person who might’ve broke in.. like Eddie and I already discussed, the person can’t be here just to take a medkit from the shop. So if that’s really the case then one of the participants must’ve taken it.” Vega started off staring at the white board with images and red threads of connections in their ‘dormitory’. It doesn’t seem like they just did a bit like they had stated. But rather, a lot.

“And I don’t really believe that someone was breaking in just to see someone on the inside.. Unless they were actually deciding to rig the game or help one of the participants. It’s just—more so finding out which participant it is or how the two are communicating..” they murmured and began to adjust some things. But then she turned to Poppy and pointed to a sewing pin on the side table next to her.

“Mind handing me that?”

[lackadaisical-pest]

"ooor maybe they're here for the host." she throws the idea out there. anything can be possible really. none of them have any clue about the true intentions of the intruder. just a conversation about lazy security to go off of.

poppy swipes the sewing pin. "here." she extends her hand, waiting for vega to take it.

once vega does, she gets back to thinking. cant let one person do all the work. besides, shes interested too. for a moment she wonders if it'd be that easy to break out... before she realizes that's a stupid idea. "seems to me that they put themselves in a shitty position though." she fiddles with her straps. "if theyre here to help a someone win or get out early, itd be tough going up to them without causing something. not to mention having to dodge employees to get to them in the first place. and how its basically impossible to mess with equipment." yeah. that sounds like a nightmare.

"they wouldve been caught at this point if they've been here for a bit." unless theyre really good. thats a possibility too. but it'd be smarter to, well, play it smart. "they could be in disguise." not that hard to pull off. "all the employees wear masks. easier to do everything that way."

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

Vega placed the pin into the board before pausing to look back at Poppy. They did consider that, but it was interesting to hear someone else say it in an indirect agreement. She was slightly zoning out in her thoughts while looking at Poppy, which could get a bit unsettling. But they quickly turned to the board once more.

“…well it wouldn’t be terrible to let Poppy see it.. after all I did recruit her to help me figuring things out so maybe she could even add things.. but that is a bit of a stretch.. this is all of my hard work, I don’t want her to shift things around and ruin it..” Vega debated to themselves under their breath.

Reluctantly turning back, he let out a sigh.

“..do you want to add that to the board?”

[lackadaisical-pest]

her eyes light up as she grins. "absolutely." she always wanted to contribute to a conspiracy board.

she looks around the room until her eyes land on sticky notes and a pen. she takes one with her left hand and grabs the pen with her right. she writes: in disguise (it's legible enough but it's very lazily written. the letters connect to each other—not in a cursive way—and it's in all lowercase.) then goes over to the board. poppys eyes glaze over the details, just looking for a suitable place to tack on her idea. "here." she sticks her note onto the board. vega can fix its position if they want to.

"what next? we basically exhausted everything we know." at least to her knowledge. "might need to explore or talk to others more." doesn't sound like a bad idea regardless.

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

Vega watched as Poppy added the sticky note to the board. Seeming to be placed in the right spot, next to the sticky note that connected with ‘break in’ and several that gave ideas to why they could be there. So she didn’t bother to move it.

However, without looking back down to see Poppy, Vega just nodded in response.

“We could ask some of the workers here about it.” They said before correcting themselves quickly.

“..no. Nevermind. It would raise suspicions about how we found out. And we can’t let them know that you and Edwyn were in the morgue. But we can go question some other people..”

[lackadaisical-pest]

she hums. "sailor or that maiden could have friends who'd want to get them out." it's just an assumption though. they seem like the type to have good connections. "or vick." she adds on after suddenly recalling his name. "but whoever we find first would be worth talking to anyway." shouldn't pass up the chance to investigate people. maybe they'll surprise her. she hopes so, otherwise this season won't turn out to be that great.

"lets go." she moves to the door, opening it for vega. gentlewoman that she is. poppy gestures to the hallway, wanting the co-leader to lead the way.

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

Vega sighed before being the first one to walk out of the door that Poppy was holding open.

“Thanks..” she mumbled once she was into the hall and waiting for poppy to join her.

“Most people would be in their room by now. We can check those first. Perhaps we could get Cobyn to join us..?”

[lackadaisical-pest]

poppy steps out into the hallway and quietly shuts the door behind her. "if my smooth talking fails, we'll need that irresistible charm of his." basically, she's a big fan of that idea. she starts heading to his room immediately.

she does a series of knocks on @creative-gardener 's door to the tune of a song probably she only knows. it's not a secret knock code they came up together, she's just more excited than she would be. though it doesnt show on her face.

[creative-gardener]

[Cobyn replies with a few knocks on his own side loosely following the rhythm to a degree, but getting the song entirely wrong. This was deeply unnecessary, but he always wanted some secret knock code, so he's having fun!]

[He opens the door, not exactly surprised that it was Poppy and Vega.]

"Oh I missed you two! How are you both doing, friends?"

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

”we were wondering if you wanted to come investigate with us. I let poppy add to the conspiracy board and now she wants to find out more stuff.”

Vega said casually to Cobyn and let out a small gesture with her hand to refer to poppy.

“…so we thought you’d want to come along with us. You are apart of this group, after all.” She added crossing her arms and slightly rubbing her bicep brachii. She looked down to @lackadaisical-pest, seeing if she wanted to add anything

[lackadaisical-pest]

"we can interrogate people. or look around again. it'll be great." she turns, as if to start walking but she doesn't move. shes waiting for @creative-gardener to actually confirm he's coming with.

"maybe we'll find something different this time." she adds, just to entice him further. its another way of saying i think you should come. it would be cool if you did. super cool.

[creative-gardener]

"Oh I'd love to!"

[He's hyped. Lightly claps his hands together a few times, before stepping out and carefully closing the door behind him.]

"Is there any specific conspiracy at the moment, or just possible theories?"

[He pats Poppy's head, but the question was more directed to @paran0idcosmol0gist than her, as he's the one who went as far as to make a board for it.]

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

Vega looked back. He was always quite enthusiastic about these kind of things. Especially enjoying to explain them outloud, even if it seemed like he hated it.

“Well we discussed that the person who broke in is probably in disguise as a staff member, and that the person who stole the medkit was probably a participant.”

Even though she technically wasn’t answering the question, it was interesting to see how she was visibly enthusiastic about it.

quickly coughing to cover up the moment before, Vega quickly turned and began to start walking down the hall. Believing that the creative gardener and @lackadaisical-pest would follow along

[lackadaisical-pest]

poppy walks with @creative-gardener and vega to wherever their co-leader is leading them to. although shes lagging behind a bit, as always. "we need to look out for the most suspicious employee. i say the bartender." this time she's pulling this one completely out of nowhere.

she has a great idea. "we should place bets on which employee is the intruder. 5 chips on the bartender."

[creative-gardener]

[Cobyn walks as an odd inbetween, following Vega while being far back enough to easily chat with Poppy.]

[He sighs.]

"That's unfair, that's the only one I know. Are you certain? Maybe it's one of the two who were talking about the break in! Could easily divert expectations by acting surprised."

[He clearly just wanted to bet on the bartender, but kept thinking.]

"Maybe it was that security man, he was rather closed off!"

[He looked forward again, back to @paran0idcosmol0gist.]

"Are you betting on anyone, Vega?"

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

“I won’t waste my chips on such a foolish game!”

Vega replied while crossing their arms in hesitation. But there was an awkward pause—a silence. Quickly broken by Vega once again.

“I think it’s the bartender but I’ll bet for the one in the shop.” Vega finally gave into @lackadaisical-pest’s idea on placing a bet. However it seemed interesting that everyone agreed it was the bartender.

“Everyone said the bartender.. should we start there?”

[lackadaisical-pest]

"hell yeah." poppy celebrates when vega places their bet. she's very glad she's the one making everyone succumb to her peer pressure.

the bar's a great place to start. "let's go." besides the security outside the vip rooms and the shopkeeper, the bartender is the only employee they know. so yeah, this is a shot fired at one of the only candidates they have access to. but the bartender has also been the only one to give them a proper response.

they arrive at the bar. and look at that. it's the same bartender as before. very noticeable by her blonde hair. "alright. how are we gonna do this, @creative-gardener ? should i go in or all of us at once? you were the one to make her speak first though."

[creative-gardener]

"I could try talking to her!"

[He takes about one step in the direction of said bartender, before stopping and leaning back over to the group. He whispers to Poppy, but it's definitely loud enough for @paran0idcosmol0gist to hear. Maybe even loud enough for the bartender to as well, it's more of a stage whisper than anything else.]

"Actually I don't think Vega would be too happy with me just asking her opinion on break-ins..."

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

Vega shook her head in response and put her palm over her face in slight annoyance. Also letting out a loud stage whisper to Cobyn in response.

“Just—act causal. We can’t directly let staff know that we know about the break in.. so.. I don’t know order something and try to hint at it..”

Vega made a small gesture to @lackadaisical-pest, a sign for her to go with Cobyn and make sure he doesn’t give it away before heading towards the curtain covered nook besides the counter.

[lackadaisical-pest]

"lets move in." she grabs @creative-gardener by the wrist and drags (more like he willingly goes with her) him to the bar stools.

"bartender," she smoothly sits on one of the stools and props her arms up on the counter as she calls the employee over. "get me—" her eyes search the list of drinks. unfortunately she still does not recognize all these strange names. "a dash of audacity." what the hell does that even mean? sounds interesting anyway. she hopes its a margarita.

the bartender stares at poppy for a moment before turning her head to cobyn, silently asking what he'll get.

[creative-gardener]

[Cobyn follows happily, though tense about the whole prying information scheme. He stumbles into a stool a little, nodding an apology to the bartender as it clatters a little and he sits down.]

"Oh! Um-... Fireball!"

[It was the first thing he read. He doesn't know what it is. It doesn't even have a fun name or anything because what the fuck do you mix with that?]

[The bartender just shrugs before starting to get their drinks.]

"...Miss Bartender!.... How long have you worked here?"

[lackadaisical-pest]

The bartender doesn't respond to Cobyn, seemingly more interested in mixing their drinks than making small talk. As a matter of fact, she's rather pissed off by the noise.

poppy spares a glance at cobyn. "long day, huh? hey." she extends her arm across the counter, as if comforting the employee. "i get it. i'd hate this job too."

[creative-gardener]

[Despite the bartender wearing a mask, the two can almost feel the bartender roll their eyes before side-eyeing the extended arm.]

[Cobyn deflates a little, tapping the counter.]

"May I ask how you got this job? It's such a unique one, and I doubt they hire just anyone for it!"

[He's occasionally glancing back at @paran0idcosmol0gist, trying to gauge if they're doing well so far via her current expression.]

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

Vega, sitting behind the curtain and starting to listen to and watch the conversation. Writing down every question asked and every answer the bartender gave. He gave Cobyn and @lackadaisical-pest a small gesture to show that they’re doing it perfectly.

[lackadaisical-pest]

The bartender continues to mix their drinks in silence, sliding them over when they're finished. "Here." Now shut up, she wants to say.

poppy lights up at the response. they got something. now to keep it going. "do you drink yourself?" maybe small talk will make her respond.

"No." The bartender responds, passive-aggressiveness clear in the tone of her voice. She's not interested.

alright. but they aren't going to let up. poppy gestures to @creative-gardener, silently asking him to try again. maybe his charm will work better.

[creative-gardener]

[He thinks for a moment, holding his drink and fidgeting with its rim.]

[He sighs.]

"I'm sorry if I'm being obnoxious, Mx bartender, I just-... Talking only to people who'll likely try to kill me these next coming days has been pretty stressful, so Poppy here suggested I try small talk with you, as you're not some random criminal who might kill me! I hope that's not too much to ask, I'm not sure if I can exactly tip you with chips but-..."

[He's changing strategy to pity.]

[lackadaisical-pest]

The bartender wants to slam her fist on the counter. She almost does, but she curbs the need for an outlet and instead rests her hand on her hip. Her expression is—how helpful in moments like these—obscured by the mask, which is the only upside to this outfit, as she cannot hide the disdain she has for the criminal in front of her. Don't kid yourself, you want to win as much as anyone else. "Hypocrite." She mutters.

poppy can riff off of that. "y'know, we were put against each other in the preliminary round. he was the one who figured out the gimmick." saved me, she means.

she glances at cobyn. she wants to play him up more, but she's not sure if her words are working. the bartender is looking at poppy though. so something's happening. they just need to get the bartender to talk more.

[creative-gardener]

@lackadaisical-pest

poppy waits around backstage, back pressed to the carpet and legs straight against the wall. it's a simultaneously very comfortable and uncomfortable position to be in. great way to see the world from a different perspective, though. really leaves her pondering about life. when cobyn finishes with his interview and leaves the limelight, she waves him over the moment she spots him.

"so. what do you plan on doing now?"

[He stares at her for a moment, looking at the odd position she's in before smiling and sitting next to her, back to the wall and knees to his chest.]

"Well I was planning on finding you- thought it would take a bit longer. With a color scheme like yours you nearly blend in!"

[He laughed, clearly still anxious from the interview, but trying to settle his nerves.]

"...Height can't exactly be helping either."

[lackadaisical-pest]

she looks proud of herself, even though she didnt even pick the outfit. "heh. that just means i can sneak around easier—" did he just insult her height? "what was that."

she lightly kicks the wall, folding her arms and turning her head away like she's throwing a tantrum. "wow." though from her deadpan tone it's obvious her act is lighthearted. someone could even say for entertainment. "looww blow." now it just sounds like she's making fun herself. obviously not intentional.

[creative-gardener]

[He chuckles, and he thinks a moment before speaking. He's calming down, and this is definitely helping, but he's still... A bit off.]

"Don't worry Poppy, I'm sure you'll grow one day!"

[He is fully aware she is an adult. He isn't too used to this whole bullying thing but he's trying!]

[lackadaisical-pest]

poppy lets out a breathy laugh. "suuree." she does not believe him.

there's a brief moment of silence as she searches for another topic. keep the momentum going. she scans her surroundings just idly—until her eyes land on the water cooler. "hey." she has a smile that practically says they're about to get into some sort of mischief. "so that water definitely tastes like shit right."

she continues. "maybe nobodys stupid enough to try, but i think we should spike it anyway. make it worse when they do get stupid." well. "or would that make it better? think everyone in here is an alcoholic?"

[creative-gardener]

[Cobyn seems to think about it way more seriously than she expected him to.]

"There is a child around, and I haven't seen a single other water source. That can't be the one they use for watering the plants, so there has to be another... It would be interesting if you do have any way of doing so, I'd just give that little guy a heads up first maybe..."

"Though you do never know about allergies... Would be a bit of foul play."

[...As if spiking it wasn't already?]

[lackadaisical-pest]

"i think," she begins, just to make sure if anyone was listening it'd seem like poppy's just assuming. "nobody has allergies." the papers in the morgue say so.

"i also think accidentally drinking alcohol would be the least of his worries." in short, she does not care. "lets go check out the water cooler." she kicks her legs over her head, momentum—with the assistance of her hands—letting her roll backwards into a standing position. it's so casual she doesn't think twice about it.

she walks over to the water cooler, inspecting it from multiple sides.

[creative-gardener]

[He tries to stand in an equally smooth way, just swiftly pushing himself up and sliding up the wall he had leant against, but he hits his head on a decoration on the way up and fumbles with it a little.]

"...If I give it a few hours and then tell him as if I wasn't in on it and just overhead, would that be allowed? I just don't want to harm the littler one..."

[lackadaisical-pest]

"suure. he might not believe you though. were associated now, everything i do you're complicit in." is a fancy way of saying you're stuck with me.

"also i think we can flip the tank over and unscrew the cap. i don't have alcohol on me though." she sighs. "we need to go to the bar." she complains. god forbid they have to take extra steps. so much work all for a funny moment. oh well. she starts walking. very slowly. head hung low. and with an even more slouched back than normal.

[creative-gardener]

[He pats her head.]

"I'm sure it would be fine of me to say if we don't get seen, he wouldn't know you'd be involved either! But I'm happy to be associated with you, ladybug!"

[His cheery demeanor is not matched by her very slow movements (as it typically isn't, but now moreso than ever). He chuckled, looking down at her.]

"...Do you want me to carry you? I bet I could put you on my shoulders if I really tried! If not I think I could carry you any other way, really!"

[lackadaisical-pest]

poppy completely expects cobyn to tip over and die, but she still says: "that'd be great." she stands still.

she's surprised when she actually stays on his shoulders. makes her feel like a kid again. not bad. she rests her hands on cobyn's hat. "alright. to the bar." she says as if she's commanding her loyal stead. "let's get something strong." she's not a drinker, so she wouldn't know what's strong and what isn't. poppy hopes cobyn will know, but if he doesn't they'll just get a lot. maybe even make a crazy mix.

[creative-gardener]

[He laughs, doing a small spin before going. It's a miracle how he kept his balance, but he seems pretty sturdy.]

"Oh this is fun! I haven't done this in a while! I'd carry younger relatives around like this though!"

[He bends his knees a little to make sure Poppy doesn't hit her head as they go through the doorframe into the back area. Others definitely notice this, the two overhear Elise "joking" about pushing them and knocking them over, but Rook was near Elise enough to give him a firm bap on the head about it.]

[lackadaisical-pest]

"this is much better than walking." really gives her feet the well deserved rest.

she laughs as elise gets scolded for his antics. poppy sticks her tongue out at him for good measure.

when the two arrive at the bar, poppy asks to be let down. "so." she turns to cobyn. "what do you think is the strongest drink on the menu." because she literally does not know what any of this is.

[creative-gardener]

[He kindly plops her down onto a stool, before staring at the menu a while.]

"...Spirytus Rektyfikowany? Or Everclear from what I've heard. Surprised they have both! I do think the first one has a higher percentage though! As well as less obvious taste."

[For someone who doesn't know a lot about alcohol, he knows quite a bit.]

"...Few relatives are drinkers, but those would always just be what we had in the house due to the percentages."

//I do just think it's a little silly to give him very specific fun facts on topics he doesn't know much about.

[lackadaisical-pest]

"we should put both in there. bartender," she raises her hand. "get us a spirytus rektyfikowany and an everclear."

she watches the bartender immediately get to work. after a few seconds of staring, she turns to cobyn. "i think we should make eddie drink the water. or that bones guy."

the bartender slides the two drinks over rather quickly. "or both of them." she grabs both glasses and stands up. there might be some unintentional implications in her words. she doesnt make an effort to fix it. "i bet 3 chips eddies a sad drunk."

[creative-gardener]

[He giggles about the situation, then gasps at Poppy's bet.]

"You can't keep betting exactly what I would've, it's unfair!... He could be an angry drunk, it would make sense!"

[It seems he didn't pick up on the implications. Partially due to Cobyn's mod being bad with implications. Poppy's safe.]

"Or he could just be tired and boring. I definitely believe miss equestrian lady would be a sad drunk though!"

[lackadaisical-pest]

she starts walking back to the water cooler. "ohh. you're right." got to admit he's onto something here. "tycoon should be a sad drunk too. it'd be funny." the juxtaposition of it would be really really funny. she's imagining it right now, probably the most emotionally closed off person bursting into tears.

"the maiden would definitely be an angry drunk. she looks like the type." maybe they should just get everyone drunk to see if their theories are right.

[creative-gardener]

@lackadaisical-pest

poppy waits around backstage, back pressed to the carpet and legs straight against the wall. it's a simultaneously very comfortable and uncomfortable position to be in. great way to see the world from a different perspective, though. really leaves her pondering about life. when cobyn finishes with his interview and leaves the limelight, she waves him over the moment she spots him.

"so. what do you plan on doing now?"

[He stares at her for a moment, looking at the odd position she's in before smiling and sitting next to her, back to the wall and knees to his chest.]

"Well I was planning on finding you- thought it would take a bit longer. With a color scheme like yours you nearly blend in!"

[He laughed, clearly still anxious from the interview, but trying to settle his nerves.]

"...Height can't exactly be helping either."

[lackadaisical-pest]

she looks proud of herself, even though she didnt even pick the outfit. "heh. that just means i can sneak around easier—" did he just insult her height? "what was that."

she lightly kicks the wall, folding her arms and turning her head away like she's throwing a tantrum. "wow." though from her deadpan tone it's obvious her act is lighthearted. someone could even say for entertainment. "looww blow." now it just sounds like she's making fun herself. obviously not intentional.

[creative-gardener]

[He chuckles, and he thinks a moment before speaking. He's calming down, and this is definitely helping, but he's still... A bit off.]

"Don't worry Poppy, I'm sure you'll grow one day!"

[He is fully aware she is an adult. He isn't too used to this whole bullying thing but he's trying!]

[lackadaisical-pest]

poppy lets out a breathy laugh. "suuree." she does not believe him.

there's a brief moment of silence as she searches for another topic. keep the momentum going. she scans her surroundings just idly—until her eyes land on the water cooler. "hey." she has a smile that practically says they're about to get into some sort of mischief. "so that water definitely tastes like shit right."

she continues. "maybe nobodys stupid enough to try, but i think we should spike it anyway. make it worse when they do get stupid." well. "or would that make it better? think everyone in here is an alcoholic?"

[creative-gardener]

[Cobyn seems to think about it way more seriously than she expected him to.]

"There is a child around, and I haven't seen a single other water source. That can't be the one they use for watering the plants, so there has to be another... It would be interesting if you do have any way of doing so, I'd just give that little guy a heads up first maybe..."

"Though you do never know about allergies... Would be a bit of foul play."

[...As if spiking it wasn't already?]

[lackadaisical-pest]

"i think," she begins, just to make sure if anyone was listening it'd seem like poppy's just assuming. "nobody has allergies." the papers in the morgue say so.

"i also think accidentally drinking alcohol would be the least of his worries." in short, she does not care. "lets go check out the water cooler." she kicks her legs over her head, momentum—with the assistance of her hands—letting her roll backwards into a standing position. it's so casual she doesn't think twice about it.

she walks over to the water cooler, inspecting it from multiple sides.

[creative-gardener]

[He tries to stand in an equally smooth way, just swiftly pushing himself up and sliding up the wall he had leant against, but he hits his head on a decoration on the way up and fumbles with it a little.]

"...If I give it a few hours and then tell him as if I wasn't in on it and just overhead, would that be allowed? I just don't want to harm the littler one..."

[lackadaisical-pest]

"suure. he might not believe you though. were associated now, everything i do you're complicit in." is a fancy way of saying you're stuck with me.

"also i think we can flip the tank over and unscrew the cap. i don't have alcohol on me though." she sighs. "we need to go to the bar." she complains. god forbid they have to take extra steps. so much work all for a funny moment. oh well. she starts walking. very slowly. head hung low. and with an even more slouched back than normal.

[creative-gardener]

[He pats her head.]

"I'm sure it would be fine of me to say if we don't get seen, he wouldn't know you'd be involved either! But I'm happy to be associated with you, ladybug!"

[His cheery demeanor is not matched by her very slow movements (as it typically isn't, but now moreso than ever). He chuckled, looking down at her.]

"...Do you want me to carry you? I bet I could put you on my shoulders if I really tried! If not I think I could carry you any other way, really!"

[lackadaisical-pest]

poppy completely expects cobyn to tip over and die, but she still says: "that'd be great." she stands still.

she's surprised when she actually stays on his shoulders. makes her feel like a kid again. not bad. she rests her hands on cobyn's hat. "alright. to the bar." she says as if she's commanding her loyal stead. "let's get something strong." she's not a drinker, so she wouldn't know what's strong and what isn't. poppy hopes cobyn will know, but if he doesn't they'll just get a lot. maybe even make a crazy mix.

[creative-gardener]

[He laughs, doing a small spin before going. It's a miracle how he kept his balance, but he seems pretty sturdy.]

"Oh this is fun! I haven't done this in a while! I'd carry younger relatives around like this though!"

[He bends his knees a little to make sure Poppy doesn't hit her head as they go through the doorframe into the back area. Others definitely notice this, the two overhear Elise "joking" about pushing them and knocking them over, but Rook was near Elise enough to give him a firm bap on the head about it.]

[lackadaisical-pest]

"this is much better than walking." really gives her feet the well deserved rest.

she laughs as elise gets scolded for his antics. poppy sticks her tongue out at him for good measure.

when the two arrive at the bar, poppy asks to be let down. "so." she turns to cobyn. "what do you think is the strongest drink on the menu." because she literally does not know what any of this is.

[creative-gardener]

[He kindly plops her down onto a stool, before staring at the menu a while.]

"...Spirytus Rektyfikowany? Or Everclear from what I've heard. Surprised they have both! I do think the first one has a higher percentage though! As well as less obvious taste."

[For someone who doesn't know a lot about alcohol, he knows quite a bit.]

"...Few relatives are drinkers, but those would always just be what we had in the house due to the percentages."

//I do just think it's a little silly to give him very specific fun facts on topics he doesn't know much about.

[lackadaisical-pest]

"we should put both in there. bartender," she raises her hand. "get us a spirytus rektyfikowany and an everclear."

she watches the bartender immediately get to work. after a few seconds of staring, she turns to cobyn. "i think we should make eddie drink the water. or that bones guy."

the bartender slides the two drinks over rather quickly. "or both of them." she grabs both glasses and stands up. there might be some unintentional implications in her words. she doesnt make an effort to fix it. "i bet 3 chips eddies a sad drunk."

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

@lackadaisical-pest

"what's the new conspiracy?" is the first thing poppy asks them. because why wouldn't she. it's a little funny encouraging the paranoid part of vega's role (she wonders if their role really is an exaggeration, but acting can be deceiving). but the real reason why she came up to them in the first place: vega has helped their group find a vent, which led to a morgue and--the more interesting part (which nearly gave her a heart attack almost getting discovered)--led them to discover about a break-in. so poppy has deemed vega to be useful person to stick around. also whos going to be their friend if nobody else wants to be?

”well I’ve been doing some pondering on the person who might’ve broke in.. like Eddie and I already discussed, the person can’t be here just to take a medkit from the shop. So if that’s really the case then one of the participants must’ve taken it.” Vega started off staring at the white board with images and red threads of connections in their ‘dormitory’. It doesn’t seem like they just did a bit like they had stated. But rather, a lot.

“And I don’t really believe that someone was breaking in just to see someone on the inside.. Unless they were actually deciding to rig the game or help one of the participants. It’s just—more so finding out which participant it is or how the two are communicating..” they murmured and began to adjust some things. But then she turned to Poppy and pointed to a sewing pin on the side table next to her.

“Mind handing me that?”

[lackadaisical-pest]

"ooor maybe they're here for the host." she throws the idea out there. anything can be possible really. none of them have any clue about the true intentions of the intruder. just a conversation about lazy security to go off of.

poppy swipes the sewing pin. "here." she extends her hand, waiting for vega to take it.

once vega does, she gets back to thinking. cant let one person do all the work. besides, shes interested too. for a moment she wonders if it'd be that easy to break out... before she realizes that's a stupid idea. "seems to me that they put themselves in a shitty position though." she fiddles with her straps. "if theyre here to help a someone win or get out early, itd be tough going up to them without causing something. not to mention having to dodge employees to get to them in the first place. and how its basically impossible to mess with equipment." yeah. that sounds like a nightmare.

"they wouldve been caught at this point if they've been here for a bit." unless theyre really good. thats a possibility too. but it'd be smarter to, well, play it smart. "they could be in disguise." not that hard to pull off. "all the employees wear masks. easier to do everything that way."

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

Vega placed the pin into the board before pausing to look back at Poppy. They did consider that, but it was interesting to hear someone else say it in an indirect agreement. She was slightly zoning out in her thoughts while looking at Poppy, which could get a bit unsettling. But they quickly turned to the board once more.

“…well it wouldn’t be terrible to let Poppy see it.. after all I did recruit her to help me figuring things out so maybe she could even add things.. but that is a bit of a stretch.. this is all of my hard work, I don’t want her to shift things around and ruin it..” Vega debated to themselves under their breath.

Reluctantly turning back, he let out a sigh.

“..do you want to add that to the board?”

[lackadaisical-pest]

her eyes light up as she grins. "absolutely." she always wanted to contribute to a conspiracy board.

she looks around the room until her eyes land on sticky notes and a pen. she takes one with her left hand and grabs the pen with her right. she writes: in disguise (it's legible enough but it's very lazily written. the letters connect to each other—not in a cursive way—and it's in all lowercase.) then goes over to the board. poppys eyes glaze over the details, just looking for a suitable place to tack on her idea. "here." she sticks her note onto the board. vega can fix its position if they want to.

"what next? we basically exhausted everything we know." at least to her knowledge. "might need to explore or talk to others more." doesn't sound like a bad idea regardless.

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

Vega watched as Poppy added the sticky note to the board. Seeming to be placed in the right spot, next to the sticky note that connected with ‘break in’ and several that gave ideas to why they could be there. So she didn’t bother to move it.

However, without looking back down to see Poppy, Vega just nodded in response.

“We could ask some of the workers here about it.” They said before correcting themselves quickly.

“..no. Nevermind. It would raise suspicions about how we found out. And we can’t let them know that you and Edwyn were in the morgue. But we can go question some other people..”

[lackadaisical-pest]

she hums. "sailor or that maiden could have friends who'd want to get them out." it's just an assumption though. they seem like the type to have good connections. "or vick." she adds on after suddenly recalling his name. "but whoever we find first would be worth talking to anyway." shouldn't pass up the chance to investigate people. maybe they'll surprise her. she hopes so, otherwise this season won't turn out to be that great.

"lets go." she moves to the door, opening it for vega. gentlewoman that she is. poppy gestures to the hallway, wanting the co-leader to lead the way.

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

Vega sighed before being the first one to walk out of the door that Poppy was holding open.

“Thanks..” she mumbled once she was into the hall and waiting for poppy to join her.

“Most people would be in their room by now. We can check those first. Perhaps we could get Cobyn to join us..?”

[lackadaisical-pest]

poppy steps out into the hallway and quietly shuts the door behind her. "if my smooth talking fails, we'll need that irresistible charm of his." basically, she's a big fan of that idea. she starts heading to his room immediately.

she does a series of knocks on @creative-gardener 's door to the tune of a song probably she only knows. it's not a secret knock code they came up together, she's just more excited than she would be. though it doesnt show on her face.

[creative-gardener]

[Cobyn replies with a few knocks on his own side loosely following the rhythm to a degree, but getting the song entirely wrong. This was deeply unnecessary, but he always wanted some secret knock code, so he's having fun!]

[He opens the door, not exactly surprised that it was Poppy and Vega.]

"Oh I missed you two! How are you both doing, friends?"

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

”we were wondering if you wanted to come investigate with us. I let poppy add to the conspiracy board and now she wants to find out more stuff.”

Vega said casually to Cobyn and let out a small gesture with her hand to refer to poppy.

“…so we thought you’d want to come along with us. You are apart of this group, after all.” She added crossing her arms and slightly rubbing her bicep brachii. She looked down to @lackadaisical-pest, seeing if she wanted to add anything

[lackadaisical-pest]

"we can interrogate people. or look around again. it'll be great." she turns, as if to start walking but she doesn't move. shes waiting for @creative-gardener to actually confirm he's coming with.

"maybe we'll find something different this time." she adds, just to entice him further. its another way of saying i think you should come. it would be cool if you did. super cool.

[creative-gardener]

"Oh I'd love to!"

[He's hyped. Lightly claps his hands together a few times, before stepping out and carefully closing the door behind him.]

"Is there any specific conspiracy at the moment, or just possible theories?"

[He pats Poppy's head, but the question was more directed to @paran0idcosmol0gist than her, as he's the one who went as far as to make a board for it.]

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

Vega looked back. He was always quite enthusiastic about these kind of things. Especially enjoying to explain them outloud, even if it seemed like he hated it.

“Well we discussed that the person who broke in is probably in disguise as a staff member, and that the person who stole the medkit was probably a participant.”

Even though she technically wasn’t answering the question, it was interesting to see how she was visibly enthusiastic about it.

quickly coughing to cover up the moment before, Vega quickly turned and began to start walking down the hall. Believing that the creative gardener and @lackadaisical-pest would follow along

[lackadaisical-pest]

poppy walks with @creative-gardener and vega to wherever their co-leader is leading them to. although shes lagging behind a bit, as always. "we need to look out for the most suspicious employee. i say the bartender." this time she's pulling this one completely out of nowhere.

she has a great idea. "we should place bets on which employee is the intruder. 5 chips on the bartender."

[creative-gardener]

[Cobyn walks as an odd inbetween, following Vega while being far back enough to easily chat with Poppy.]

[He sighs.]

"That's unfair, that's the only one I know. Are you certain? Maybe it's one of the two who were talking about the break in! Could easily divert expectations by acting surprised."

[He clearly just wanted to bet on the bartender, but kept thinking.]

"Maybe it was that security man, he was rather closed off!"

[He looked forward again, back to @paran0idcosmol0gist.]

"Are you betting on anyone, Vega?"

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

“I won’t waste my chips on such a foolish game!”

Vega replied while crossing their arms in hesitation. But there was an awkward pause—a silence. Quickly broken by Vega once again.

“I think it’s the bartender but I’ll bet for the one in the shop.” Vega finally gave into @lackadaisical-pest’s idea on placing a bet. However it seemed interesting that everyone agreed it was the bartender.

“Everyone said the bartender.. should we start there?”

[lackadaisical-pest]

"hell yeah." poppy celebrates when vega places their bet. she's very glad she's the one making everyone succumb to her peer pressure.

the bar's a great place to start. "let's go." besides the security outside the vip rooms and the shopkeeper, the bartender is the only employee they know. so yeah, this is a shot fired at one of the only candidates they have access to. but the bartender has also been the only one to give them a proper response.

they arrive at the bar. and look at that. it's the same bartender as before. very noticeable by her blonde hair. "alright. how are we gonna do this, @creative-gardener ? should i go in or all of us at once? you were the one to make her speak first though."

[creative-gardener]

"I could try talking to her!"

[He takes about one step in the direction of said bartender, before stopping and leaning back over to the group. He whispers to Poppy, but it's definitely loud enough for @paran0idcosmol0gist to hear. Maybe even loud enough for the bartender to as well, it's more of a stage whisper than anything else.]

"Actually I don't think Vega would be too happy with me just asking her opinion on break-ins..."

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

Vega shook her head in response and put her palm over her face in slight annoyance. Also letting out a loud stage whisper to Cobyn in response.

“Just—act causal. We can’t directly let staff know that we know about the break in.. so.. I don’t know order something and try to hint at it..”

Vega made a small gesture to @lackadaisical-pest, a sign for her to go with Cobyn and make sure he doesn’t give it away before heading towards the curtain covered nook besides the counter.

[lackadaisical-pest]

"lets move in." she grabs @creative-gardener by the wrist and drags (more like he willingly goes with her) him to the bar stools.

"bartender," she smoothly sits on one of the stools and props her arms up on the counter as she calls the employee over. "get me—" her eyes search the list of drinks. unfortunately she still does not recognize all these strange names. "a dash of audacity." what the hell does that even mean? sounds interesting anyway. she hopes its a margarita.

the bartender stares at poppy for a moment before turning her head to cobyn, silently asking what he'll get.

[creative-gardener]

[Cobyn follows happily, though tense about the whole prying information scheme. He stumbles into a stool a little, nodding an apology to the bartender as it clatters a little and he sits down.]

"Oh! Um-... Fireball!"

[It was the first thing he read. He doesn't know what it is. It doesn't even have a fun name or anything because what the fuck do you mix with that?]

[The bartender just shrugs before starting to get their drinks.]

"...Miss Bartender!.... How long have you worked here?"

[lackadaisical-pest]

The bartender doesn't respond to Cobyn, seemingly more interested in mixing their drinks than making small talk. As a matter of fact, she's rather pissed off by the noise.

poppy spares a glance at cobyn. "long day, huh? hey." she extends her arm across the counter, as if comforting the employee. "i get it. i'd hate this job too."

[creative-gardener]

[Despite the bartender wearing a mask, the two can almost feel the bartender roll their eyes before side-eyeing the extended arm.]

[Cobyn deflates a little, tapping the counter.]

"May I ask how you got this job? It's such a unique one, and I doubt they hire just anyone for it!"

[He's occasionally glancing back at @paran0idcosmol0gist, trying to gauge if they're doing well so far via her current expression.]

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

Vega, sitting behind the curtain and starting to listen to and watch the conversation. Writing down every question asked and every answer the bartender gave. He gave Cobyn and @lackadaisical-pest a small gesture to show that they’re doing it perfectly.

[lackadaisical-pest]

The bartender continues to mix their drinks in silence, sliding them over when they're finished. "Here." Now shut up, she wants to say.

poppy lights up at the response. they got something. now to keep it going. "do you drink yourself?" maybe small talk will make her respond.

"No." The bartender responds, passive-aggressiveness clear in the tone of her voice. She's not interested.

alright. but they aren't going to let up. poppy gestures to @creative-gardener, silently asking him to try again. maybe his charm will work better.

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

@lackadaisical-pest

"what's the new conspiracy?" is the first thing poppy asks them. because why wouldn't she. it's a little funny encouraging the paranoid part of vega's role (she wonders if their role really is an exaggeration, but acting can be deceiving). but the real reason why she came up to them in the first place: vega has helped their group find a vent, which led to a morgue and--the more interesting part (which nearly gave her a heart attack almost getting discovered)--led them to discover about a break-in. so poppy has deemed vega to be useful person to stick around. also whos going to be their friend if nobody else wants to be?

”well I’ve been doing some pondering on the person who might’ve broke in.. like Eddie and I already discussed, the person can’t be here just to take a medkit from the shop. So if that’s really the case then one of the participants must’ve taken it.” Vega started off staring at the white board with images and red threads of connections in their ‘dormitory’. It doesn’t seem like they just did a bit like they had stated. But rather, a lot.

“And I don’t really believe that someone was breaking in just to see someone on the inside.. Unless they were actually deciding to rig the game or help one of the participants. It’s just—more so finding out which participant it is or how the two are communicating..” they murmured and began to adjust some things. But then she turned to Poppy and pointed to a sewing pin on the side table next to her.

“Mind handing me that?”

[lackadaisical-pest]

"ooor maybe they're here for the host." she throws the idea out there. anything can be possible really. none of them have any clue about the true intentions of the intruder. just a conversation about lazy security to go off of.

poppy swipes the sewing pin. "here." she extends her hand, waiting for vega to take it.

once vega does, she gets back to thinking. cant let one person do all the work. besides, shes interested too. for a moment she wonders if it'd be that easy to break out... before she realizes that's a stupid idea. "seems to me that they put themselves in a shitty position though." she fiddles with her straps. "if theyre here to help a someone win or get out early, itd be tough going up to them without causing something. not to mention having to dodge employees to get to them in the first place. and how its basically impossible to mess with equipment." yeah. that sounds like a nightmare.

"they wouldve been caught at this point if they've been here for a bit." unless theyre really good. thats a possibility too. but it'd be smarter to, well, play it smart. "they could be in disguise." not that hard to pull off. "all the employees wear masks. easier to do everything that way."

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

Vega placed the pin into the board before pausing to look back at Poppy. They did consider that, but it was interesting to hear someone else say it in an indirect agreement. She was slightly zoning out in her thoughts while looking at Poppy, which could get a bit unsettling. But they quickly turned to the board once more.

“…well it wouldn’t be terrible to let Poppy see it.. after all I did recruit her to help me figuring things out so maybe she could even add things.. but that is a bit of a stretch.. this is all of my hard work, I don’t want her to shift things around and ruin it..” Vega debated to themselves under their breath.

Reluctantly turning back, he let out a sigh.

“..do you want to add that to the board?”

[lackadaisical-pest]

her eyes light up as she grins. "absolutely." she always wanted to contribute to a conspiracy board.

she looks around the room until her eyes land on sticky notes and a pen. she takes one with her left hand and grabs the pen with her right. she writes: in disguise (it's legible enough but it's very lazily written. the letters connect to each other—not in a cursive way—and it's in all lowercase.) then goes over to the board. poppys eyes glaze over the details, just looking for a suitable place to tack on her idea. "here." she sticks her note onto the board. vega can fix its position if they want to.

"what next? we basically exhausted everything we know." at least to her knowledge. "might need to explore or talk to others more." doesn't sound like a bad idea regardless.

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

Vega watched as Poppy added the sticky note to the board. Seeming to be placed in the right spot, next to the sticky note that connected with ‘break in’ and several that gave ideas to why they could be there. So she didn’t bother to move it.

However, without looking back down to see Poppy, Vega just nodded in response.

“We could ask some of the workers here about it.” They said before correcting themselves quickly.

“..no. Nevermind. It would raise suspicions about how we found out. And we can’t let them know that you and Edwyn were in the morgue. But we can go question some other people..”

[lackadaisical-pest]

she hums. "sailor or that maiden could have friends who'd want to get them out." it's just an assumption though. they seem like the type to have good connections. "or vick." she adds on after suddenly recalling his name. "but whoever we find first would be worth talking to anyway." shouldn't pass up the chance to investigate people. maybe they'll surprise her. she hopes so, otherwise this season won't turn out to be that great.

"lets go." she moves to the door, opening it for vega. gentlewoman that she is. poppy gestures to the hallway, wanting the co-leader to lead the way.

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

Vega sighed before being the first one to walk out of the door that Poppy was holding open.

“Thanks..” she mumbled once she was into the hall and waiting for poppy to join her.

“Most people would be in their room by now. We can check those first. Perhaps we could get Cobyn to join us..?”

[lackadaisical-pest]

poppy steps out into the hallway and quietly shuts the door behind her. "if my smooth talking fails, we'll need that irresistible charm of his." basically, she's a big fan of that idea. she starts heading to his room immediately.

she does a series of knocks on @creative-gardener 's door to the tune of a song probably she only knows. it's not a secret knock code they came up together, she's just more excited than she would be. though it doesnt show on her face.

[creative-gardener]

[Cobyn replies with a few knocks on his own side loosely following the rhythm to a degree, but getting the song entirely wrong. This was deeply unnecessary, but he always wanted some secret knock code, so he's having fun!]

[He opens the door, not exactly surprised that it was Poppy and Vega.]

"Oh I missed you two! How are you both doing, friends?"

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

”we were wondering if you wanted to come investigate with us. I let poppy add to the conspiracy board and now she wants to find out more stuff.”

Vega said casually to Cobyn and let out a small gesture with her hand to refer to poppy.

“…so we thought you’d want to come along with us. You are apart of this group, after all.” She added crossing her arms and slightly rubbing her bicep brachii. She looked down to @lackadaisical-pest, seeing if she wanted to add anything

[lackadaisical-pest]

"we can interrogate people. or look around again. it'll be great." she turns, as if to start walking but she doesn't move. shes waiting for @creative-gardener to actually confirm he's coming with.

"maybe we'll find something different this time." she adds, just to entice him further. its another way of saying i think you should come. it would be cool if you did. super cool.

[creative-gardener]

"Oh I'd love to!"

[He's hyped. Lightly claps his hands together a few times, before stepping out and carefully closing the door behind him.]

"Is there any specific conspiracy at the moment, or just possible theories?"

[He pats Poppy's head, but the question was more directed to @paran0idcosmol0gist than her, as he's the one who went as far as to make a board for it.]

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

Vega looked back. He was always quite enthusiastic about these kind of things. Especially enjoying to explain them outloud, even if it seemed like he hated it.

“Well we discussed that the person who broke in is probably in disguise as a staff member, and that the person who stole the medkit was probably a participant.”

Even though she technically wasn’t answering the question, it was interesting to see how she was visibly enthusiastic about it.

quickly coughing to cover up the moment before, Vega quickly turned and began to start walking down the hall. Believing that the creative gardener and @lackadaisical-pest would follow along

[lackadaisical-pest]

poppy walks with @creative-gardener and vega to wherever their co-leader is leading them to. although shes lagging behind a bit, as always. "we need to look out for the most suspicious employee. i say the bartender." this time she's pulling this one completely out of nowhere.

she has a great idea. "we should place bets on which employee is the intruder. 5 chips on the bartender."

[creative-gardener]

[Cobyn walks as an odd inbetween, following Vega while being far back enough to easily chat with Poppy.]

[He sighs.]

"That's unfair, that's the only one I know. Are you certain? Maybe it's one of the two who were talking about the break in! Could easily divert expectations by acting surprised."

[He clearly just wanted to bet on the bartender, but kept thinking.]

"Maybe it was that security man, he was rather closed off!"

[He looked forward again, back to @paran0idcosmol0gist.]

"Are you betting on anyone, Vega?"

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

“I won’t waste my chips on such a foolish game!”

Vega replied while crossing their arms in hesitation. But there was an awkward pause—a silence. Quickly broken by Vega once again.

“I think it’s the bartender but I’ll bet for the one in the shop.” Vega finally gave into @lackadaisical-pest’s idea on placing a bet. However it seemed interesting that everyone agreed it was the bartender.

“Everyone said the bartender.. should we start there?”

[lackadaisical-pest]

"hell yeah." poppy celebrates when vega places their bet. she's very glad she's the one making everyone succumb to her peer pressure.

the bar's a great place to start. "let's go." besides the security outside the vip rooms and the shopkeeper, the bartender is the only employee they know. so yeah, this is a shot fired at one of the only candidates they have access to. but the bartender has also been the only one to give them a proper response.

they arrive at the bar. and look at that. it's the same bartender as before. very noticeable by her blonde hair. "alright. how are we gonna do this, @creative-gardener ? should i go in or all of us at once? you were the one to make her speak first though."

[creative-gardener]

"I could try talking to her!"

[He takes about one step in the direction of said bartender, before stopping and leaning back over to the group. He whispers to Poppy, but it's definitely loud enough for @paran0idcosmol0gist to hear. Maybe even loud enough for the bartender to as well, it's more of a stage whisper than anything else.]

"Actually I don't think Vega would be too happy with me just asking her opinion on break-ins..."

[paran0idcosmol0gist]

Vega shook her head in response and put her palm over her face in slight annoyance. Also letting out a loud stage whisper to Cobyn in response.

“Just—act causal. We can’t directly let staff know that we know about the break in.. so.. I don’t know order something and try to hint at it..”

Vega made a small gesture to @lackadaisical-pest, a sign for her to go with Cobyn and make sure he doesn’t give it away before heading towards the curtain covered nook besides the counter.

[lackadaisical-pest]

"lets move in." she grabs @creative-gardener by the wrist and drags (more like he willingly goes with her) him to the bar stools.

"bartender," she smoothly sits on one of the stools and props her arms up on the counter as she calls the employee over. "get me—" her eyes search the list of drinks. unfortunately she still does not recognize all these strange names. "a dash of audacity." what the hell does that even mean? sounds interesting anyway. she hopes its a margarita.

the bartender stares at poppy for a moment before turning her head to cobyn, silently asking what he'll get.

[creative-gardener]

[Cobyn follows happily, though tense about the whole prying information scheme. He stumbles into a stool a little, nodding an apology to the bartender as it clatters a little and he sits down.]

"Oh! Um-... Fireball!"

[It was the first thing he read. He doesn't know what it is. It doesn't even have a fun name or anything because what the fuck do you mix with that?]

[The bartender just shrugs before starting to get their drinks.]

"...Miss Bartender!.... How long have you worked here?"

[lackadaisical-pest]

The bartender doesn't respond to Cobyn, seemingly more interested in mixing their drinks than making small talk. As a matter of fact, she's rather pissed off by the noise.

poppy spares a glance at cobyn. "long day, huh? hey." she extends her arm across the counter, as if comforting the employee. "i get it. i'd hate this job too."

[creative-gardener]

@lackadaisical-pest

poppy waits around backstage, back pressed to the carpet and legs straight against the wall. it's a simultaneously very comfortable and uncomfortable position to be in. great way to see the world from a different perspective, though. really leaves her pondering about life. when cobyn finishes with his interview and leaves the limelight, she waves him over the moment she spots him.

"so. what do you plan on doing now?"

[He stares at her for a moment, looking at the odd position she's in before smiling and sitting next to her, back to the wall and knees to his chest.]

"Well I was planning on finding you- thought it would take a bit longer. With a color scheme like yours you nearly blend in!"

[He laughed, clearly still anxious from the interview, but trying to settle his nerves.]

"...Height can't exactly be helping either."

[lackadaisical-pest]

she looks proud of herself, even though she didnt even pick the outfit. "heh. that just means i can sneak around easier—" did he just insult her height? "what was that."

she lightly kicks the wall, folding her arms and turning her head away like she's throwing a tantrum. "wow." though from her deadpan tone it's obvious her act is lighthearted. someone could even say for entertainment. "looww blow." now it just sounds like she's making fun herself. obviously not intentional.

[creative-gardener]

[He chuckles, and he thinks a moment before speaking. He's calming down, and this is definitely helping, but he's still... A bit off.]

"Don't worry Poppy, I'm sure you'll grow one day!"

[He is fully aware she is an adult. He isn't too used to this whole bullying thing but he's trying!]

[lackadaisical-pest]

poppy lets out a breathy laugh. "suuree." she does not believe him.

there's a brief moment of silence as she searches for another topic. keep the momentum going. she scans her surroundings just idly—until her eyes land on the water cooler. "hey." she has a smile that practically says they're about to get into some sort of mischief. "so that water definitely tastes like shit right."

she continues. "maybe nobodys stupid enough to try, but i think we should spike it anyway. make it worse when they do get stupid." well. "or would that make it better? think everyone in here is an alcoholic?"

[creative-gardener]

[Cobyn seems to think about it way more seriously than she expected him to.]

"There is a child around, and I haven't seen a single other water source. That can't be the one they use for watering the plants, so there has to be another... It would be interesting if you do have any way of doing so, I'd just give that little guy a heads up first maybe..."

"Though you do never know about allergies... Would be a bit of foul play."

[...As if spiking it wasn't already?]

[lackadaisical-pest]

"i think," she begins, just to make sure if anyone was listening it'd seem like poppy's just assuming. "nobody has allergies." the papers in the morgue say so.

"i also think accidentally drinking alcohol would be the least of his worries." in short, she does not care. "lets go check out the water cooler." she kicks her legs over her head, momentum—with the assistance of her hands—letting her roll backwards into a standing position. it's so casual she doesn't think twice about it.

she walks over to the water cooler, inspecting it from multiple sides.

[creative-gardener]

[He tries to stand in an equally smooth way, just swiftly pushing himself up and sliding up the wall he had leant against, but he hits his head on a decoration on the way up and fumbles with it a little.]

"...If I give it a few hours and then tell him as if I wasn't in on it and just overhead, would that be allowed? I just don't want to harm the littler one..."

[lackadaisical-pest]

"suure. he might not believe you though. were associated now, everything i do you're complicit in." is a fancy way of saying you're stuck with me.

"also i think we can flip the tank over and unscrew the cap. i don't have alcohol on me though." she sighs. "we need to go to the bar." she complains. god forbid they have to take extra steps. so much work all for a funny moment. oh well. she starts walking. very slowly. head hung low. and with an even more slouched back than normal.

[creative-gardener]

[He pats her head.]

"I'm sure it would be fine of me to say if we don't get seen, he wouldn't know you'd be involved either! But I'm happy to be associated with you, ladybug!"

[His cheery demeanor is not matched by her very slow movements (as it typically isn't, but now moreso than ever). He chuckled, looking down at her.]

"...Do you want me to carry you? I bet I could put you on my shoulders if I really tried! If not I think I could carry you any other way, really!"

[lackadaisical-pest]

poppy completely expects cobyn to tip over and die, but she still says: "that'd be great." she stands still.

she's surprised when she actually stays on his shoulders. makes her feel like a kid again. not bad. she rests her hands on cobyn's hat. "alright. to the bar." she says as if she's commanding her loyal stead. "let's get something strong." she's not a drinker, so she wouldn't know what's strong and what isn't. poppy hopes cobyn will know, but if he doesn't they'll just get a lot. maybe even make a crazy mix.

[creative-gardener]

[He laughs, doing a small spin before going. It's a miracle how he kept his balance, but he seems pretty sturdy.]

"Oh this is fun! I haven't done this in a while! I'd carry younger relatives around like this though!"

[He bends his knees a little to make sure Poppy doesn't hit her head as they go through the doorframe into the back area. Others definitely notice this, the two overhear Elise "joking" about pushing them and knocking them over, but Rook was near Elise enough to give him a firm bap on the head about it.]

[lackadaisical-pest]

"this is much better than walking." really gives her feet the well deserved rest.

she laughs as elise gets scolded for his antics. poppy sticks her tongue out at him for good measure.

when the two arrive at the bar, poppy asks to be let down. "so." she turns to cobyn. "what do you think is the strongest drink on the menu." because she literally does not know what any of this is.