becoming.

cigyun, housewife & lover of two sons. aff. with conundrum estate

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Chapter One | Lincolnshire Posy | Arsène & Cigyun

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stxgmatization: 

He most certainly is a bit of a romantic, for sure, but that wasn’t the entirety of his character, hopefully she’d figure that out. There are multiple faces to a person and several different sides of their personality, after all. One of the first things one is taught while training to become a detective is that not everything tends to be as it seems. There’s always something, no matter how little it is, and that something can lead to something greater.

“Speaking of names, I guess now we know what that damn letter meant when it said our actions in this ‘game’ would reflect poorly on our life once we make it out of here… If we make it out of here, that is. If Theo is as cruel as he has demonstrated he can be then I fear there’s worse decisions we’ll have to take that are going to jeopardize our relationships here and on the outside world…”

Unfortunately it doesn’t seem like she’s having much luck finding whatever object it is she’s actually searching for, which is quite a shame, really. He was hoping at least someone would figure something else out even if he himself couldn’t.

At her last, teasing comment, he only snickers, a genuine and gentle laugh before he finally answers her.

“That sounds somewhat useful, but a bit disorganized if I’m being honest… Hehe, you say that, but it wouldn’t be a bad deal. I’d be one lucky man to get the full attention of a comely, charming woman such as yourself. I do not think I’d regret it even once if that were to be the case.~”

You started this again Cigyun, it’s entirely your fault.

The matters of the outside world and reputation: the forefront of concern in their present circumstances. Well, besides the whole poisoning business.

"So am I to take this to mean that you've become cozy with the other guests here?"

It's a bit too easy to tease instead of be prim and proper, and though Cigyun reminds herself mentally to perhaps go easy on it, she doesn't fear many reprecussions coming from it. She rather take this conversational route anyhow than the others presented to her.

"Perhaps. If you like to think of it that way, I take it we just have had very different jobs that required very different way of looking at things."

Though she had been for the most part very fluid in responding, there's a bit of a pause, almost like a dip in a song, before she can manage to jump from her previous statement to the more lighthearted banter.

"A lucky man? Oh, surely you're joking. It is your company that is the better treat out of the two of us."

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Chapter One | Lincolnshire Posy | Arsène & Cigyun

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stxgmatization: 

“You’re right, taking notes is important, but this is the first time we’ve ever been in this room, isn’t it? Even if there was a clue or something missing… Would we even notice it? It’s a bit of a dilemma I’d say. But back to your alias; a corruption of a goddess’ name huh? Well you still certainly fit the beauty standard for a Nordic goddess I’d say.~”

Oh the compliments they never actually end, do they? Yet his smile never fades from his expression. It’s pretty much clear he’s enjoying the conversation with her. He does notice she keeps searching around though. Maybe she’s just more committed to this specific investigation than he is? Well, the more active people there is constantly searching for a way out then the easier it’s going to be for all of them to properly escape.

When she makes a comment about him morphing her alias into something flattering, he only laughs. It’s a genuine, sweet laugh! There’s something about how she phrased it that was just very amusing to him! Not a lot of people tend to speak to him in this elegant and friendly way. It’s certainly new!

“You flatter me, Cigyun! Or would you prefer Sigyn? Either ways, I wouldn’t say so. I just speak whatever comes to mind first, so I guess you could say my compliments come from the heart. But thank you anyways heh… I appreciate a compliment coming from a gorgeous, elegant woman such as yourself.”

It seems she even knows about the origin of his alias! ‘Arsène,’ after the great gentleman thief himself, Arsène Lupin. While he did derive inspiration from the character in his daily life, the main reason he chose the name was because of his admiration for the character. Arsène Lupin along some great other characters in fiction such as Hercule Poirot were what interested him in a criminal based career in the first place.

“Oh, well yes! I am glad you recognized it! It is a charming name, that’s part of why I chose it as well! Of course it can’t beat yours in elegance or charm though. Your code name truly is befitting of the way you are, I would say, Cigyun! Just one more question though if that’s alright. Why are you still here? I mean, I’m sure if you were going to find something or someone, you’d have found it by now.”

His compliments were straight from his heart, huh? Somehow she doubted that, though she couldn't deny that he was at least very good at coming up with them on the spot. She pins him for a romantic in that moment, and considering that he confirmed that his alias came from a literary character, it all served as sufficient ammo for her theory in her mind.

"Cigyun is just fine with me, dear. No sense in going back on my word-- even if it's just a name I had signed up with."

She still wondered the full consequences of revealing her name anyhow; not that she wanted her identity out there in the case this really was being broadcast somewhere, but she still couldn't help but be curious.

"Oh yes, it does well to be well-read and cultured on these kinds of things. You never quite know when you'll run into someone who takes a fancy to these. It helps the conversation along beyond just small talk and business."

His question isn't out of the ordinary though it does startle her a bit.

"Heheh, and here I thought you wouldn't ask what with how you were talking me up like that. Still, to answer your question, I'm looking for anything as opposed to a specific something or someone. A search without particular aim, you could say. Did you want for my full attention, Arsène?"

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Chapter One | Lincolnshire Posy | Arsène & Cigyun

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stxgmatization: 

Knowing she’s a housewife really wouldn’t stop Arsène anyways, but he only flirts because it’s fun most of the time, usually people react nicely and in some occasions, even feel happy that someone’s interested in them! Overall, he didn’t think much of this flirtatious lip service, but it didn’t hurt anyone so he sees no reason for really stopping!

Of course though, he would if she asked! She should be pleased to know that her laughing, if anything, seems to have the opposite effect, himself even joining in on the laughter! Still, the curtsy was completely unexpected! Not like he minded anyways. It probably just means she comes from a place of higher education perhaps? But even then that’s making a huge assumption without evidence, something he’s familiar but not comfortable with.

“You certainly know your stuff! I actually am quite impressed, you are keeping a cool head. It’s actually refreshing. Nonetheless, you’re right. Maybe you can find some pens and papers around the manor though? So far we’ve been given a very luxurious place to stay, it’d be quite unprofessional for them to have made such a newbie’s mistake, don’t you think?”

He smiles, clearly not taking this too seriously. Why should he? After all, he’s busy conversing with someone right now! Investigating can wait. He doesn’t think Theo’s somehow hiding stuff around while they’re still in the room anyways. Maybe he’s putting the investigation on the back of his mind to distract himself from the stressful situation they all just got themselves out of.

“I have never heard the term Cigyun before though! It’s a mysterious name I’d say. It sounds kind of royal. It suits you considering you possess an alluring, royal kind of beauty, hehe.~”

Back to the playful flirting it seems.

Cigyun takes his compliment to mean that the man before her has a tendency to keep a cool head as well-- either that or he's a hypocrite. He seemed rather capable right now at least.

"Surely. I recall there being some in the library actually-- I'll make certain to take a trip there and back here some time later. Still, it's good to try and commit everything before us to memory just in case there's a change later on."

The lack of something is just as important as an item being there at all.

In contrast to Arsène, Cigyun leaves the electronic tablets once she is certain she remembers enough about them and paces around the room, her eyes roaming the concrete. It is more polite to look at one's conversational partner in the eye, but she also finds her objective of investigation more pressing.

"It's actually mythological. A corruption of Loki's wife's name, Sigyn."

Her correction is gentle, and another harmonic chuckle escapes her as she does actually turn his way.

"I suppose a goddess's name was perhaps not a very humble choice on my part... though royalty wouldn't be either. Good heavens though, you certainly do have a way with words to be working my alias into something like that!"

Speaking of names...

"Your own... is your pseudonym after the gentleman thief himself? A charming name if I do say so myself!"

[maidenknived-blog]

Chapter One | Lincolnshire Posy | Arsène & Cigyun

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stxgmatization: 

The Aggregate Gambit was something made of nightmares, a situation he honestly never expected he would find himself in. It was an overwhelming scenario riddled with false paths and even then, the ‘true’ solution ended with two of them not only being injected with some kind of weird intravenous drug or toxin or… Whatever! But it also left great fear and anxiousness within everyone else. For better or for worse, it was Arsène who kept himself calm and collected through this whole ordeal.

While everyone left, he decided to remain behind and perform a more thorough investigation, standard protocol really. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem like there was much to look at in here. It was a dead end all along huh. So this is just the room where they are all herded in to be mentally tortured while Theo watches with a smug shit eating grin on his face. Revolting.

The gentle yelling of a woman however captures his attention from the podium he was examining and he turns to face her with a charming smile. Seems like she’s one of the residents in this estate he’s yet to meet! Time to go ahead and do just that then.

“Why, yes. I was looking for a way to your heart. of course. Just because you might look a little older than you it doesn’t mean I wouldn’t be interested in taking your heart and making it mine. I know you sure took mine with just a quick glance.~”

He winks, then chuckles before giving her a more honest and genuine answer that’s not a crappy pick up line.

“On a more serious note though, yeah. I was just investigating this weird room. Figured there might just be something else hidden here considering that asshole took the time to bring us all down here just for this dumb game. I think there’s something else going on in this room. What about you, why are you still here if I may ask?– Ah! Where are my manners though! My name is Arsène! It’s my absolute pleasure to meet you.”

He then gives her a quick, formal bow. What a way to introduce himself!

The assertive flirting only served to get a series of amused giggles to escape from the housewife's lips. She moved to cover her mouth with her hand, stifling the noise ever so slightly but her visage otherwise communicated the laugh regardless.

She supposes that most anyone might have felt flattered or flustered by the honeyed words but it only brought a joy similar to being told a funny joke for the first time.

She doesn't think she did him a great offense with her reaction either -- thank goodness, unhappy flirts were the least enjoyable to deal with -- considering how he barely skipped a beat in jumping to a more sincere reply to her question. She guesses that the pick-up line is still very much a reflection of his character though considering the flourish he brings to an introduction; with his bow, she returns it with a curtsy as if it were just second nature to be passing alongside such formal courtesies.

"And I am Cigyun. I assure you it is all my pleasure to be meeting you."

It's technically just lip service born out of the way they're tossing niceties at one another, but she couldn't say she was particularly annoyed or otherwise holding a negative opinion of the other at this point in time.

"The best thing to do when you're getting to a new project or conflict is to research and gather as much information as possible. It's never a bad thing to hold more knowledge than you need, and well... I certainly agree that this room is probably going to yield something important. I only wish I had a camera and notepad with me for this impromptu investigation..."

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Chapter One | Lincolnshire Posy | Arsène & Cigyun

@stxgmatization

The utter mention of poison had put Cigyun into a daze when they had all been collected here for the Aggregate Gambit and she had been so lost in thought-- a terrible move on her part even if it had been involuntary. She needed to keep her senses focused.

The housewife lingered around the room even when they were all dismissed. It didn't seem as if she was the only one who held the idea to stay behind. She had waited a few minutes earnestly, looking around the all cement room. The man with the white hat wasn't necessarily a distraction, though his continued presence there was definitely a fact that did not leave her mind.

It is when she had nearly finished checking all the electronic tablets that she finally voiced out an inquiry, her gaze still fixated on the gadgets that simply would not light up again as she projected her voice out to be heard clearly by the other man in the room.

"I suppose you'll be staying here a long time then? Is there something you're looking for, Sir?"

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Prologue | Stomach and Heart Interchangably | Cigyun | Open

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shroomtopperhat: 

Agaricus rolls her head around on the table a few times before managing to find the strength to raise her head up just enough to actually respond to Cigyun’s question. 

 “Something sweet would be nice.  Brownies, cookies, something like that.  That was my sister’s remedy for something like this.”

Typical sweets aside what was the deal with spicy chocolate?  She didn’t have the tongue for something like that now but she’d have to be sure to ask Cigyun for a recipe like that for later.  If only to see if spicy chocolate actually tasted good.

“Where did you learn to make something like spicy chocolate?  I can’t imagine that tasting good.  I always thought that chocolate was meant to be either bitter or sweet, or somewhere in between.”  

A brownie, huh? There was a very quick recipe for that, and fortunately enough for her, she could make a small serving. Cigyun already set to taking out any additional ingredients she needed, soundlessly mouthing the names ( butter, milk, vanilla extract, salt, sugar-- don't forget the sugar-- flour... ) as she plucked them around in her little kitchen scavenger hunt.

She set to work immediately with a bowl and placing small amounts of ingredients, clearly working with practiced ease that made it so she would not be slowed down by measuring spoons. If anything, watching her was a small vision in itself of grace and efficiency even with how humble a delicacy she was making, and she didn't seem to even have any need for concentration as she continued the conversation.

"Oho-! Spicy and sweet is a better marriage than you would think, my dear. My old coworkers all had a love for spicy foods so I learned from making things for them, though my husband prefers extremely sweet foods. He's a bit of a baby when it comes to spice."

Was that a wink?

"Cayenne truffles are a treat, but I assure you I'm not spicing your brownie behind your back, heehee. Perhaps you hardworking types shy away from this though?”

[maidenknived-blog]

Prologue | Stomach and Heart Interchangably | Cigyun | Open

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etoilexdoll: 

“Although I never personally indulged in such things, I’ve heard that reality shows such as this can turn their contestants into quite the… spectacle, so to speak. I pray that this one proves to be a little classier, as I cannot imagine the manner of shame that would follow one who made a fool of themselves on television.” There was a sort of genuine worry in Cygne’s voice as she ranted, though she maintained her composure all the same. 

“Though, that does bring up an interesting query of mine,” she segued, “How big do you suppose the audience for this show is? I was expecting at the least a briefing on who would be watching us… perhaps instructions on how to conduct ourselves. But perhaps that will come later?” 

“In any case, please call me Cygne. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Cigyun.” She smiled softly, signaling the end of her rather lengthy conversation piece. 

Ah! What a mature person! Perhaps she had accidentally struck a sensitive topic that drew forth such serious thoughts? Still, there wasn't anything Cigyun particularly minded about this dynamic: if the other wished to speak, she would not be in any rush to shush her-- in fact, she would be quite the opposite! She lent a willing pair of ears, attentively listening to every syllable the younger woman had to give.

"Oh dear, I underestimated you it would seem. From your dainty little look, I had suspected you to be a perfect match, but you have quite the good head on your shoulders, don't you? Regardless, it is nice to meet you too, Miss Cygne."

Though her voice started out sweet and light, her tone became a bit more stern as well to match her conversational partner.

"All your worries there are fine, justifiable concerns. You see, I would suspect we are already on air considering how we woke up. Doesn't that seem like the kind of theatrics for the camera? I suspect they want us to act... natural."

Though if they were being recorded now, she supposes this conversation would be completely cut in post-production.

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Prologue | Stomach and Heart Interchangably | Cigyun | Open

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thatladpercy: 

He stopped looking through the alcoholic stock when she said she wasn’t much more knowledgeable than the average person. With an eyebrow raised, he turns to her and crosses his arms over his chest and listens to what else she has to say.

“As cool as fledgling mixologist sounds, I’ve never been on that side of the bar or even made drinks. Heh, I guess I’m just a consumerrrr.”

As such, Percy sighs and takes a seat at the bar, the side he supposedly belongs. The not fledgline mixologist drums his fingers on the edge and moves slightly with the beat.

“I was going to ask if you could show me how to make a moscow mule. I really like those.” A chuckle. “I should prooooooobably have told you my name by now, huh? It’s Percy.”

A light of recognition flickers across the woman’s eyes.

“Ah, you don’t mean the drink in those copper cups? Vodka, ginger beer, and a bit of lime? An old coworker of mine liked those enough.”

Though she didn’t make it before, she reckoned it was at least worth a shot to try. If it ended up good, it would please the young man before her; if it turned out awful, it could maybe be laughed over. This line of thinking guides her hands as she looks for a cocktail shaker.

“It’s nice to meet you, Percy. I’m Cigyun. If you spot a copper cup while I try and make this for you, please be a dear and tell me, won’t you? If not, you wouldn’t mind too terribly if it were in just a normal glass, would you?”

She supposed if she were an actual bartender, she would be carding the other just in case, but she chose to trust him. 

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Prologue | Stomach and Heart Interchangably | Cigyun | Open

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shroomtopperhat: 

Agaricus raised an eyebrow at the mention of smelling the drink.  Did she think that it was poisoned or that it might’ve been way past its expiration date?  Maybe she was thinking about just savoring the aroma before enjoying it later.

“Yeah, though with the number of people here it’s probably not going to be hard to find someone who’s willing to have a drink with you.  Even if some of the people here aren’t mature enough for that stuff yet.”

Hell, some might be curious enough to try anyway.  Not like it stopped her from taking a swig when she was still in her teenage years.

She seems relieved that Cigyun remembered her name and relaxes slightly before sitting straight up in her seat only to painfully grasp at her head.

 “That’d be awfully sweet of you If you could that, I’ve done enough cooking for one day.  I just need a little pick-me-up that isn’t going to give me a hangover…”

She rubs her fingers against her forehead as if trying to suppress an already active throbbing headache.  It hadn’t even been a day and she felt as though her brain was going to pop out of her skull. 

 “Well… I’ll leave it to you, the cooking chocolate should be over… there.”

She idly points her finger to one of the cabinets before closing both of her eyes in a mix of pain and frustration.

"Hehe, is that so? I'll keep it in mind."

She hadn't met too much of the others beyond their initial awakening, but she wouldn't be surprised if there were a number of drinkers in here amongst them. Still, she had little idea if that meant she should be expecting to be roped into a big drunken affair any time soon. She might as well steel herself for the worst, she supposes.

When Agaricus accepted her proposal, Cigyun promptly started moving towards the kitchen. She took the bourbon bottle with her, uncertain whether or not she'd use it in whatever she made. Quite a few of her better recipes she knew off the top of her head utilized alcohol, but perhaps it would be safer to omit those entirely considering what the other woman had been complaining about? Not that it would be much at all, but still.

"Is there anything in particular you like? Sweet tooth or are you more fond of the bitter? Perhaps you might even like spicy?"

It's best to make food with the person consuming it in mind, of course. Cigyun followed Agaricus's instruction and took out the cooking chocolate before rifling through the rest of the kitchen for any other ingredients she could use.

[maidenknived-blog]

Prologue | Stomach and Heart Interchangably | Cigyun | Open

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etoilexdoll: 

“Don’t mind me, just exploring.” Cygne dipped into a curtsy in greeting, and smiled sweetly. She was pretty positive there wasn’t anything at the bar for her, but it piqued her curiosity all the same. It wasn’t until after she had began conversation that she realized how it might have looked to someone else. 

“Oh, don’t worry- I wasn’t intending to make use of this particular area, promise. I just couldn’t help but wonder…” She waved her hands, slightly flustered and worried she wasn’t being convincing enough. 

“Really, I’ve heard the stuff tastes terrible, so even if I could, I don’t think I’d be interested… though I have to admit it’s worrying that all this is just out in the open for the taking. I pray that our companions exercise restraint and it doesn’t lead to anything… indecent, so to speak.” 

They say ‘speak of the devil,’ but she wondered if it applied to thoughts too. Considering her whole investigation was partly spurred on by the existence of the fair-skinned youth, she found it quite serendipitous ( or perhaps more accurately uncanny? ) that the very woman would be right nearby her now.

And with such a curtsy too! It’s quite tempting to do the same really though Cigyun passes it up.

“Don’t worry-- a young woman curtsying like that without someone forcing her to makes it hard for me to believe she would also be the type to abuse alcohol.”

Not that well-to-do children didn’t end up being the worst of rascals, but she wouldn’t bring that up now. She mentally notes the fact though that the other implies she cannot drink legally. So this woman could very well be about... at least nine years younger than her?

“Perhaps they will, but they’ll come to regret it soon, I think. Liquor forges friendships and work relations quite well, but considering what we all signed up for... I don’t think any of us would like to drink so much we embarrass ourselves.”

“If they do start drinking, there are nonalcoholic drinks for you to have so you don’t feel left out though. Do you have a sweet tooth by chance-- um... pray tell, what should I call you, dear? I’m Cigyun.”

[maidenknived-blog]

Prologue | The Smell of Paper | Cigyun & Retriever

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pellucidepistle: 

Retriever hadn’t exactly expected to be talked to right after he had entered the library, almost seeming taken aback at the polite inquiry. Though as quickly as his surprise came, it left his face as soon as he spotted where the young woman was standing.

“…Not at all. I’m not exactly the librarian– as much as my appearance would tell you otherwise.”

His eyes trail down to the book that was in Cigyun’s possession, curious as to what it was.

“And what might you be reading, madam?”

“Hehe, I suppose you do look quite bookish. It might be the round glasses and ribbon ensemble you have there. Perhaps if you added a coat though, you might look more like a professor? Rectangular specs can also give you more of a businessman kind of vibe.”

Ah, where were her manners to be yapping off on how to change the aura that this stranger gave off? Still, an apology in this state seemed too hasty; it’s not as if she did anything offensive, and it could be more troubling and awkward to do so. She just takes care not to bring it up again.

When he asks about the book in her possession, she turns it out and holds it up for him to see. It’s not a thick tome by any means, but the cover certainly makes it look prestigious.

“I’m interested in looking at some scholarly inputs on sales trends, you could say. Nonfiction books are this way while fiction books are stowed over there.”

She raises a hand to gesture to each side of the room respectively. She hadn’t been in this room for too long, but she had at least managed to pick up on how it categorized its inventory.

[maidenknived-blog]

Prologue | Stomach and Heart Interchangably | Cigyun | Open

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thatladpercy: 

Finding himself in the kitchen again, it seems there’s someone here he has yet to meet. From where she’s standing and the bourbon in her hand, maybe she’s a bar tender? Or is willing to be one right now.

Percy walks over to the bar area and places a hand on the bar, leaning on it while studying the other woman.

“I wasn’t.” He smiles. “Buuuuut I might be now!”

The young man goes over and takes a look at what’s in stock. He whistles to himself as he reads one label to the next. Eventually, he glances back towards her.

“How much do you know about bartending?”

If she had to describe the man before her based solely upon first impressions, she might’ve used ‘free spirit.’ She welcomed the lively seeming company yet contradicted that notion. He was free to inspect the provisions but she was ready to give him space, taking care to move herself so that neither would be entirely in arms reach of one another.

She had just opened the bottle and bringing it to her nose when she hears the man speak to her again.

“Oh, me? Well, not much more than your average Joe I suppose.”

She lets out a mirthful little laugh and sets the bottle on the counter top as she looked around for a glass.

“I was more on the other side, going to bars for work functions and such. I do admit I am pretty chummy with a bartender or two, but surely that’s not the same as being able to take their job.”

“Should I assume you’re a fledgling mixologist yourself?”

[maidenknived-blog]

Prologue | Stomach and Heart Interchangably | Cigyun | Open

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shroomtopperhat: 

She needed something sweet, something that would cake the inside of her mouth and melt with sugar ecstasy.  Agaricus licked her lips as she opened the door to the kitchen.  She was a woman on a mission and just barely realized that a question was posed to her as she made her way to the cabinets.

“Chocolate…” 

She said softly plainly as she passed Cigyun and began to sift and search through the cabinets for food for the sweet nectar that passed before her.  “I found cooking chocolate before but I was hoping they’d have just something plain that I could snack on for a bit.”  

After a few more seconds of shifting, she grunted with disappointment as she closed the cabinets and wanders back over to the bar.

“Despite everything being so nice and organized for us it seems that I still can’t find any god damn chocolate for the life of me!”  Cravings were certainly taking a toll on Agaricus’ attitude, though to most it probably seemed that it wouldn’t have made much of a difference.

She sits on the barstool and slumps forward, burying her head into her arms giving another discontented sigh before raising her head just enough for her eyes to peek from the brim of her hat.

“You need help with that?  I’ve already had enough drinks for one day… though I might consider inviting my partner over later tonight if he’s willing.  Probably too soon for something like that…”  She gazed curiously at the woman as she tried to recall her name.

“…Cigyun right?”

How remarkably honest though quite a bit jarring. She was so used to women she didn’t know too well being indirect about this kind of thing that it threw her for a loop and her facial expression matched that sense of surprise for but a moment-- wider eyes, agape mouth; she soon recovered as if that expression were never there to begin with, sweet smile pressed on easily.

She found it refreshing and adorable at least.

Cigyun hadn’t even realized she had completely let time stop for her once Agaricus had entered the room until the other had asked if she required assistance. Liquor bottle still in hand without being opened, she shook her head and regained her senses-- her independence from the events that just transpired.

“Ah, no, but thank you very much for offering. I won’t ask you to drink with me... I was only really thinking of smelling it to be honest. Drinking without company is not as good a treat.”

She puts the untouched bourbon on the bar between them, allowing her to focus her attention even more upon her impromptu conversational partner.

“I’m Cigyun, yes. And you were Agaricus,” she says confidently from her recollections. “You know, if you really crave chocolate, I could perhaps try and use that cooking chocolate to make something for you. If you do not mind waiting just a little bit, that is.”

[maidenknived-blog]

Prologue | Stomach and Heart Interchangably | Cigyun | Open

Well, it was good they all had somewhere to eat. She wonders idly to herself if they're all expected to cook. Her guess based upon reality TV shows her friends enjoyed was that a staff would be present to make them all meals and with as fine a kitchen, bar, and china as they had set up here, it would only make sense if they did.

Then again, if it was just a bungled expenses job, then she wouldn't be too surprised either. The age old idiom of "don't put all your eggs in one basket" rings a bell in her mind as she steps around the combined kitchen and dining area with curiosity.

Her face ends up twisting a bit, uncertain whether to be amused or not by the fact that they had this alcohol setup just free to use. Even if she didn't know everyone's ages here, there definitely seemed to be someone in that initial meeting that looked under legal drinking age-- at least in the United States anyhow.

She took out a bottle of bourbon, eyeing it suspiciously. Was this all actual alcohol or was it just for looks? She supposed technically so long as they weren't selling the liquor, they were allowed to just give it out without breaching the law. Still, another part of her wondered if this was all extremely diluted or heck, even just cheap stuff in general.

She was just about to try to open the bottle when she sees someone also sidle up to the bar area.

"Looking for something?"

[maidenknived-blog]

Prologue | The Smell of Paper | Cigyun & Retriever

@pellucidepistle

Bedroom suites with a motif of the moon, a library with a ceiling of the sun... it was charming really to see such diametric opposites in the same building. Cigyun finds herself quite taken with looking around the library. Even if the mural itself was quite eye-catching, she finds herself fascinated with just about everything else about the room too.

To see such a classy wood table in the same room as a chandelier that gave off the vibe of a disco ball? Whoever decorated this place seemed like a person she would love to have a cup of coffee with. She's at least led to believe that this room was likely to be owned and furnished both by the exact same person.

Her digits curl around a book on sales in the nonfiction section when she hears someone else enter the room. She quickly takes the book into her possession, intent upon giving the other space should they desire.

( Oh! This is one of the tallest people, isn't it? )

She does not hold the tome to her chest-- instead of positioning it in a meek manner, the way she slightly tilts it against her waist but cradles it against her forearm instead speaks more of poise as she stands up straight and tall and meets the gaze of the ghostwriter.

"Do you mind me doing some reading in this room or would you rather be alone?"

[conundrumestate]

Prologue | Morning Light Blinds Only for a Minute | Cigyun | [RE: Game Start]

Strange things abound– she supposes this is pretty par for the course considering what she had signed up for. Sketchy setup creates sketchy awakening? It’s really her own fault for not quite expecting this.

Even so, inertia was never so bad in any scenario that one could not adapt and feel as if they were in control of the two feet they stood upon.

The blonde woman, once freed, took note of the bracelet now adorning her wrist as well as the freshly made memories of Theo within her mind. Knowledge is power, and it was never good to go into any fight completely and utterly weaponless. Soft features upon her countenance remained that way, only giving off the hint of being startled at the very beginning but she soon slipped back to something more pleasant.

Ah– it seemed as if someone was prompting for introductions. Not everyone was replying really, but the housewife thought it at least polite to try and make up for where others slacked. It takes a great deal of courage to speak up at times in such a weird circumstance, and giving a dog a bone really wasn’t too much a deal…

And, well, the woman named after the moon was being a bit of a darling about it too.

“Nice to meet you, Luna. For you and everyone… I’m Cigyun.”

[conundrumestate]

What’s this–?! A special two-for-one deal! Congratulations again on everyone who made it onto the roster! Conundrum Estate is glad to welcome everyone on board.