That Lad Declan

– Declan Mercer Freelance Photographer STATUS || Alive || Currently affiliated with Game of Alice (Sidebar Art by Shan) (RP Icons by N)

[game-of-alice]

Game of Alice Official Roster

Welcome to EDEN … We hope that your time here is a pleasant one..! Synchronization rate is 9…8 %… Nearing… completion. . ! 

Yukai Shinzo - The Knight - Played by Blaze

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Jinghei Jia - The Red Queen - Played by Dia

Rikichi Machida - The Fool - Played by Finn

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Congratulations to those who are on the roster! Please stand by for discord invites to the official ooc chat for the game as I will be contacting you all shortly! Thank you so much for your time!

[conundrumestate]

Floating Deadwood

tw: bodies of water

If the last round was anything to go by, they should all be fine for at least one more day. After all, Theo had said that the poison itself would claim the life of one participant six days after the second round of the Aggregate Gambit concluded. As of right now, it’s the night of the fourth day and the very early morning of the fifth. There’s no need to panic… right?

Wrong.

Somewhat wet, Orion is banging on doors, calling out names, doing whatever he can to get everyone’s attention. The expression on his face is grim, which is explained when he informs anyone he found that, “Something terrible’s happened.”

More on more people wake up–it’s only 1:30AM– and go to help gather everyone. Once everyone has come together, Orion quickly leads the to pool & spa area. Everyone’s focus is solely on preparing themselves for what they will see. It’s not hard to imagine since there is one person clearly missing from the group that Orion didn’t bother calling out for.

They slowly close in on one of the spas. From a distance, they can clearly see someone occupying a spa. It was their missing person. It was…

Keep reading

[thatladpercy]

The Hourglass | Chapter 2 (Miss Carmine)

[thatladpercy]

About the only thing Miss Carmine is actually doing is giving Percy the stink eye. Yeah she’s not exactly happy with this whole ordeal he’s putting her through.

“Haa? A femme fatale? …I’m not sure if I should be flattered or insulted at that one. Fine. Have it your way then- but just know I’m not gonna be the one cleaning up the mess you made.”

He thought of her as a dangerous and seductive woman, huh? Normally she would have been amused by the notion but considering the man’s current state she can only presume it was meant as an insult. No matter. With an irritated sigh she snatches the box set back.  She’s gotta make a cup all over again thanks to him!

Thanks Percy.

“Oh don’t be so over dramatic. You can’t say ‘you’re all alone in this estate’ if you’re the one pushing others away.”

With a roll of her eyes she puts the kettle back on the stove, the water having cooled down now, and goes to fetch another cup. Though this time she seems to be on her guard. Seemingly on the lookout for any apples that may be flung her way.

Percy only shrugs when she mentions him cleaning the mess again. He then cautiously takes a step closer to better observe this process. As far as he’s concerned, he won’t let her try to harm anyone in this estate.

Snapping, “I’m not pushing others away! And I am alone!” He glances away, not entirely confident in tone. “Man, I’m just doing this right now because everyone’s on edge. You’ve all shown signs of being selfish and I can’t let anyone take a strike at anyone else.”

He sighs and then crosses his arms.

[thatladpercy]

The Blade | Chapter 2 (Nines)

[thatladpercy]

There’s really nothing Nines can do here. If he gets close to Percy or tries to comfort him, he’ll see it as a threat. If he tries to say anything nice, Percy will just dismiss it, apparently. And obviously getting angry will just make things worse too. And, like, Nines knows it’s not Percy’s fault, that Percy’s on a hell of a lot of drugs right now, but Nines can’t help being frustrated by all of this.

Nines pushes away from the door and steps around Percy and goes over to his desk. There’s a book there, the one he’d come in here for in the first place, before getting sidelined by the Percy paranoia.

“I’m going to take this book and I’m going to go to the library,” he says, “And I’m going to read there for a bit. You can stay here, come with me, whatever. I’ve tried helping you but either you’re not listening or those drugs are too damn strong, so I’m going to stop trying.”

He’s about to start walking out when he pauses and turns to look at Percy. “…How do I know your paranoid ass isn’t going to try to stab me while I’m asleep, huh?”

When Nines enters the room to retrieve the book, Percy flinches as if Nines were going to attack him. He stays on the ground and just looks up to him, pitifully. He just watches him carefully, not offering a response to his suite mate as he informs him of his plans.

When he walks away, Percy slowly gets back to his feet. At the question of Percy being the one to attack, he glances away to think about it.

“I wouldn’t hurt you, man. I swear. If you’re actually not only here to help yourself, I think you can help everyone get out.”

Despite saying all that, Percy didn’t sound all that confident in his answer. At least there was some sentiment there.

[thatladpercy]

The Poisoned | Chapter 2 (TWELVE)

[thatladpercy]

Percy’s theory might have intrigued him under any other circumstances, but for now, all TWELVE can do is attempt to refute the accusations. Still, he files that line of thinking away for later (though he doesn’t know who he’d discuss such a thing with, apart from maybe his suitemate).

“…Percy, I’m a host. Like, my entire job is about treatin’ people right. Haven’t told a single lie since I got here, so I dunno what you’re basin’ this on. Hurtin’ you is preeeetty much the last thing I wanna do. I mean, hello, why else would I have offered to take the poison myself? Not my fault the thing’s got no effect on me.”

He stands there, dumbfounded, as he attempts to figure out a way to prove that he isn’t here to hurt Percy. Really, he’s got nothing - actions speak louder than words, after all, and he’s been all talk since they woke up here - but somehow, he doesn’t think that carrying on as he has been will do anything to convince the photographer.

“Okay, okay. What do I gotta do to prove I’m on your side?”

“Theo’s a host too,” he snaps back, “and I’m sure he’d say the exact same thing about not telling a single lie! Hiding the truth is lying! Man, that is what they say isn’t it?”

As for TWELVE volunteering to be poisoned, Percy clearly didn’t have anything to say about that since he completely ignores giving it any thought. In regard to proving his innocence--

“I don’t know, man. I can’t tell you how to not be suspicious!”

If anything, the intensity of Percy’s suspicion of TWELVE seems to be cooling off a tad.

[thatladpercy]

The Blade | Chapter 2 (Nines)

[thatladpercy]

What’s he doing this time? Nines stays exactly where he is, leaning in the door frame with his arms crossed, frowning at whatever new display Percy’s doing now. Wait, want to do it-?

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean-?” he starts sharply. Kneejerk reaction. He exhales sharply, tries to rein himself in, and quickly.

“Just… think for a second, Percy,” he says, trying to be firm with him. Apparently, dealing with a poisoned roommate is kind of like trying to babysit a really stoned friend. Or maybe a small child. Except that now Nines is in a bad mood. “I know it’s hard and you’re really high, but just give it a try, okay? You went from paranoid to suicidal, just like that. You’re fucked up. It’s all in your head.”

Percy continues to slowly approach Nines, waiting for him to make move on him but all he does is talk. Percy stops in his tracks when he tells him it’s all in his head.

He lets his arms fall down and he tilts forward a little bit and places one hand on his stomach as if he had just bit hit in the gut. He was shaking his head slowly, but the expression he had was pensive.

“It’s all in my head,” he says a bit breathy. “I’m poisoned and I’m dying. That’s right, there’s a side effect with the poison. How do you know what it is though? Maybe you’re working with Theo. I can’t trust you. You don’t want to kill me because then you’re life would be on the line. That’s all there is to it, man... right? You’re thinking about yourself. Everyone is only ever thinking about themselves!”

Percy struggles with his thoughts and his breathing becomes irregular. He crouches down on the ground and holds his head in his hands.

“I’ve been trying to help people all along that only want to hurt me and see me fail.”

[thatladpercy]

The Hourglass | Chapter 2 (Miss Carmine)

[thatladpercy]

The second he makes a jabbing motion at her with the spook she swats her hand at him with a huff. Begone you paranoid thot!!! Begone!!!

“Compartments? Wow- you really don’t know anything about woman’s clothing do you? And no- I’m not gonna give myself a ‘pat down’ because I’m not hiding anything.”

She rolled her eyes with a scoff, still in disbelief of the words she was hearing. Like she was gonna humor him and actually encourage this type of behavior. Perhaps she was being a little too harsh on him. Part of Carmine knew it was just that sweet sweet poison juice talking but man Percy was starting to wear her patience thin.

“Are you serious right now? Oh my god- Fine. Fine, here! Since you’re so curious.”

Grabbing the entire tea box set from the cupboard she shoves it at him a bit too roughly. Since he wanted to know so badly he could have the entire box to read if he wants.

“Well if you forgot already you threw an apple at only one tea cup so I was just making it for myself. I was thinking about extending the offer to make you a cup earlier but considering the attitude you’re giving me right now I’ve changed my mind.”

“Since you’re the one who made this mess you’re gonna be the one cleaning it up by the way.”

Despite being swatted at, he keeps the spoon aimed at her. Though, he does have to put the spoon to the side when she shoves the tea box set into his arms. He places the box on the counter and starts to read through the labels as well as make sure everything in there was unopened. Between sifting through contents of the tea box and looking back to Miss Carmine to make sure she wasn’t trying anything, he sighs.

“If I clean up the mess, you might try to do something while I’m distracted. I know your type-- you femme fatale.”

Percy shakes his head and backs away from her, leaving the box on the counter.

“I didn’t see anything wrong. You can make your tea now, but I’m keeping careful watch. And it’s okay if you don’t make me one. I’m alone in this estate.”

He points at his eyes with two fingers on one hand and then aims them are her to let her know that he really means what he’s said.

[thatladpercy]

The Poisoned | Chapter 2 (TWELVE)

[thatladpercy]

If Percy doesn’t blame him for what happened during the aggregate gambit - or even hold a grudge against him for his lack of trust - then TWELVE doesn’t know what the root of his anger is. His confusion reads on his face, and he opens his mouth to question Percy once more, when he’s suddenly pulled in close.

“Wo~oah, movin’ a little f-”

…And then he’s shoved away almost immediately, and Percy’s expression is uneasy, and TWELVE finds himself at a loss for words.

Until the other boy doubts him.

“Wait, you think I’m working with Theo? Look, I know we’re basically strangers here, but seriously? Why would I pretend to be a contestant? Like, nothin’s preventing any of you from murderin’ me, so that’s baaaaasically riskin’ my life, and for what? Dude, what’s gotten into-”

Again, he stops mid-sentence, because it finally dawns on him. A personality change this drastic has to be the result of the poison, and he frowns down at the photographer as it sinks in that maybe the poison hadn’t been a dud after all.

But if Percy is suffering adverse effects, then why isn’t he? By all means, he should be just as accusatory, but TWELVE feels perfectly fine. He wants to ask Percy if he thinks he has some kind of immunity to the toxins, but Percy isn’t in the right state of mind to discuss such a thing - nor would he know the answer - so…

(What if he is working with Theo?)

“…I’m not your enemy.”

(He doesn’t sound convinced.)

The only thing Percy could do was stare at TWELVE. He looked ready to run out of this room at any second if need be. The questions TWELVE asked him didn’t go unheard, but evidently Percy didn’t have the answers as he looked less confident in his accusations. For now, Percy stayed his distance to try and think.

When the other man had told him he’s not his enemy, Percy frowned. He flushes a bit for some reason his but balled his hands into fists.

“I’m not your enemy either. I don’t want to be anyone’s enemy. I think you could pretend to be a contestant because we wouldn’t see it coming. Maybe Theo would step in if someone tried to attack you or maybe you’re trained enough to always win a fight. I don’t know, man, but there’s plenty of reasons to subject yourself to this game and work with Theo!”

Like TWELVE, this photographer didn’t sound all that convinced in his reasonings. (Perhaps that explains why his face is a little red?) If anything, it was more like rambling to confirm his own suspicions.

Opening his eyes and shouting, “Prove to me you’re not the enemy! Prove to me you’re not trying to hurt anyone!”

[thatladpercy]

The Blade | Chapter 2 (Nines)

[thatladpercy]

Oh, good, it looks like Percy’s calming d- wait, “What?”

Nines opens and closes his mouth, flexing his jaw. This was going to be a long six days, apparently. “I only doubted you because-” he sighs- “Look, if that little rat had picked anyone else’s number to lie about, we could have sorted everything out just fine, right? She just got lucky, and you being uncertain made her look more legit.”

He leans against the door frame. A little more level, he says, “We did try to keep you from getting drugged, remember? That’s why you traded with Knockout. How does any of that mean I want you dead?”

He frowns at Percy. “I think this drug is making you… paranoid. Put down the knife and take some deep breaths, okay? I’ll stay right back here.”

Percy didn’t seem to care for his explanation for trusting Cygne over him, or at least he didn’t give any sort of response to it. The same thing can be said about the group having him trade numbers with Knockout in order to save him.

As for Nines’ last piece, he doesn’t put the knife down but he does take two quick deep breaths-- too quick to even really be deep breaths.

“How do I know you don’t plan on attacking me if I put this knife down? You’re looking at me like I’m crazy, man! I think I need this knife to save everyone. Without it, I can’t be reliable or a protector. If I let you kill me--”

His eyes widen and he looks down at the knife. He smiles and places the knife of the table by the chaise lounge. Percy then takes a couple steps towards Nines with his arms open, a smile on his face.

“Everyone else will live onto the next round and be given more time to find an escape if I die, right man? Go ahead and do it. I know you want to.”

[thatladpercy]

The Hourglass | Chapter 2 (Miss Carmine)

[thatladpercy]

Okay… Carmine squinting at him as he got closer. She wasn’t sure what the hell he was up to but tried to go about her business without being too creeped out. Maybe he’s just having an off day or something. Or the poison is making him act like a weirdo. Who knows. After placing a teabag into her cup, she went to pour the hot water in when suddenly an apple came flying at it.

Carmine lets out a rather embarrassing squawk, stumbling back and just barely managing to avoid splashing any hot water on herself. The tea cup itself knocks over and spills water all over the counter.

After regaining her composure Carmine places the kettle back down with a huff. Turning to face Percy she’s… Left speechless.

“…Are you trying to threaten me with a spoon?”

She stares in disbelief before quickly shaking her head, her expression quickly changing.

“What the hell are you doing Percy?! I could have burned myself! More importantly it could have spilled all over my clothes! Do you have any idea how much these boots are worth?!”

More than his student loans probably.

She stomps her foot, crossing her arms at the smaller man with a scowl. Nice choice of priorities there Carmine. Regardless she’s honestly at a loss for words at his sudden accusations. Hurt someone? Did he think she was going to poison someone with a cup of tea?

Christ almighty. With a sigh Carmine runs a hand through her hair as she tried to calm down.

“Make it from scratch- what are you talking about? I’m using a tea bag! What else would I even put in it?”

Despite calling calling him out for using a spoon, he doesn’t hesitate. He makes a jabbing motion with it to let her know that he’s serious about poking her with a spoon if she doesn’t comply.

“If they’re worth that much, they have compartments for you to hide things-- right?”

After saying that, he immediately turns red.

“I’m gonna need you to prove that you aren’t hiding anything dangerous! Pat yourself down or something!”

Percy’s flustered. He’s clearly not sure how to handle this situation. It’d be incredibly impolite for him to ask a woman to strip to prove she’s not carrying a dangerous weapon. He looks to Miss Carmine trusting she’ll figure something out. She may not be the best at math, but she can at least do something like this he hopes.

“Show me the tea bag then. I need to read the labels,” he lets one hand go of the spoon and puts his palm out for her to give him a tea bag. “Who are you pouring cups of tea for? Before you give any to anyone, I want to see you take a sip first.”

[thatladpercy]

The Blade | Chapter 2 (Nines)

[thatladpercy]

Nines shows his palms to Percy, empty other than the key to their suite that he’s still actually holding. “I sort of live here,” he says, half a smile on his face. He shouldn’t be smiling - didn’t Schrödinger say Percy had said he could kill someone? “Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten about us sleeping together night after night.”

He lowers his hands and dumps the key in his vest pocket. “Really though, no need for knives, okay? I’m not here to do anything bad, I swear.” He frowns. “This isn’t about me suspecting you, is it? Twice. I am sorry about both of those, you know, things were just… tense, I guess. I hope you’re not about to shank me in revenge.”

Despite his casual irreverence for having a knife pulled on him, Nines remains in the doorway, hesitating to actually step closer to Percy. Even if nothing else on him looks afraid, just his hesitancy should indicate a certain level of caution.

His grip on the blade loosened for for a moment when Nines shows him the key. It had slipped his mind for the moment, but he looks to Nines with a look of confusion.

“Of course, man, I know that. You were always...”

Percy looks away, troubled by something. However, he looks accusatory at Nines again and strengthens his grip on the knife again after he brings up the roommate betrayal during the gambit. 

“You doubted me even though all I ever wanted to do was try and help everyone-- save everyone! I don’t know why I didn’t see it before, but now it’s becoming more clear now that I think about it. I’ve been having glimpses of you wanting me dead. That’s how you want me, huh? Dead?”

[thatladpercy]

The Hourglass | Chapter 2 (Miss Carmine)

[thatladpercy]

She was feeling ancy.

Ever since the aggregate gambit ended and Carmine had the chance to calm down she couldn’t shake the feeling of uneasiness off her. Perhaps it was cause nearly half the people here were poisoned in one way or another. Carmine didn’t want to admit she was untrustworthy of the others here but with so many people afflicted by the poison, of which she had no idea of the effects, she couldn’t help but feel worried. For both her own sake and the others.

To tell the truth she would have preferred to stay in her suite for the next few days but even she had needs. And at the moment she was feeling rather parch. So with a stride to her step she headed towards the kitchen. As she entered she noticed Percy but simply gave him a hum of acknowledgement as she started to prepare herself a cup of tea. She figured it would be best to give the poor guy some space after

Well, that was the plan anyways. Though as she was making it Percy suddenly caught her attention.

“Uh… A drink?”

She turned around, blinking her eyes at him for a moment. What the heck was that about Percy?

Immediately Carmine simply assumed it must have been the poison taking it’s effect on him. Then again, considering how snippy she was at him during the aggregate gambit she wouldn’t blame Percy if he was simply just upset at her. Near the end she was getting more than fed up with everyone in that room.

“Do I need an explanation to be in the kitchen now?”

Yeah. Yeah she’s still a bit snippy.

Upon hearing that she’s making a drink, Percy instantly turns on his heels and marches right over to her. He stops when he’s about to three arm lengths away. From this position, he stares at the tea she’s making. Actually, staring might be an understatement-- he’s studying it.

“I’m sorry. You’re right. You don’t need an explanation to be here--” He throws his apple at her tea, trying to spill it over. “--But I’m not going to let you hurt anyone!”

He steps away and picks up a spoon that someone had accidentally left behind on one of the tables and wields it like a pistol placing both hands on either side of the kitchen utensil.

Percy bites his lip and glances back towards the hourglasses across the room. Time was slipping away...

“Make that tea from scratch! I need to see what you put into it!”

[thatladpercy]

The Poisoned | Chapter 2 (TWELVE)

[thatladpercy]

The hours following his poisoning are…uneventful, to say the least. After a short nap, TWELVE makes his way to the spa area. He’s planning on taking a dip in the hot springs, but when he enters the changing room, he finds Percy washing up. He’s about to greet the other boy, but before he can speak, Percy beats him to the punch, giving him a single word of acknowledgment and little more.

“Uuuh…did I do something to you? I know you weren’t supposed to get a lil’ poke, but that’s not my fault, it’s Cygne’s. Not that it matters much; it didn’t fuckin’ work. Better to get poisoned this week than last, huh?”

Still, the look Percy’s giving him is nothing short of accusatory, and TWELVE wracks his brain in a desperate attempt to figure out how he’d wronged the photographer. Eventually, he settles upon the solution, and snaps his fingers as though a metaphorical light bulb has just gone off in his head.

“Ah, right, accusin’ you of lyin’ during the gambit. I’m sorry about that. Wasn’t meant to be a slight against you, but, y’know, it benefits the highest number to lie, right? I still would’a paired with you, but, well…guess you ‘n I should’ve just said ‘fuck it’ and paired up anyway.”

“…’Course, with this week’s poison bein’ a dud, we could always just celebrate and pair up regardless.”

It would seem nothing the other individual said made much of a difference. Percy continued to glare at him and only took a single step closer to TWELVE.

“What happened in the gambit happened. I’m not holding anything against you.”

He looks to the side and shuts his eyes. It’s inaudible, but he can clearly be seen gritting his teeth.

A moment later, Percy walks directly up to TWELVE and grabs at one of his arms. He pulls him in and looks at it, placing a hand on the Conundrum Estate armband. This takes about ten seconds before he’s shoving him away after being the one to go up and grab him. Immediately, his expression twists into something.... else.

“A dud? A dud? You’re confident. You really think no one’s going to end up dead from the poison if there’s no murder? Why is that? Do you plan on murdering someone? Or maybe you’re working with Theo!”

Percy takes a couple steps back further from TWELVE not unlike someone trying to back away from a dangerous person.

[thatladpercy]

The Poisoned | Chapter 2 (TWELVE)

After finding the shorts he had used last time to go into the spa with Orion, Percy was back in the changing room getting ready to take another dip. Just as he closes the stall door, he tenses up, and throws the board shorts on the floor.

Percy walks over to the sink and starts washing his hands, using as much soap as possible. He was so focused on washing his hands that he didn’t hear anyone walk in, but he notices TWELVE in the mirror out of the corner of his eye.

“Twelve,” he stops washing his hands but continues to look at TWELVE via his mirror reflection, “..........” His mouth is open to say something, but he simply closes it.

He turns around buries his hands in his jacket pockets. He’s glaring at the other man now as if he’d done something to him in the past.

[thatladpercy]

The Hourglass | Chapter 2 (Miss Carmine)

The fireplace has always been there in the kitchen and dining area, but Percy hadn’t given it much attention until he took a picture of it during his photoshoot with Cygne. Sometime after the second round of the Aggregate Gambit, Percy returned to the kitchen and dining area to go see the fireplace again. However, his stomach growled so he’ll have to get something first.

Despite not eating anything really since before the gambit, he only takes an apple and washes it thoroughly in the sink. He really scrubs and scrubs at it.  It’s around this time that he notices Miss Carmine enter the kitchen and dining area. He looks to her briefly before turning off the sink water and making his way over to the fireplace.

After taking a bite into the apple, Percy flip all the hourglasses above the fireplace upside down. His eyes frantically moving to from hourglass to hourglass as if he were watching a close race between two sprinters right before the finish line.

“Carmine,” he calls out over his shoulder, not really sure where about in this room she is if she’s even still here. “What do you want?”

[thatladpercy]

The Blade | Chapter 2 (Nines)

After the gambit had come to a close, Percy had wanted to stay to himself. He fully realises that he had requested to be poisoned, but he couldn’t believe it happened the way it did. If only he’d been more confident in his number...

At some point, Percy had gone to the kitchen to grab something before retiring to his suite. Nines wasn’t in the room, but Percy takes a seat in one of the armchairs. There, he starts to doze off...

....the moment the door opens, Percy opens his eyes instantly and takes a knife from the kitchen out of his pocket. He stands up and holds the bladed end in the direction of the intruder as if he were actually going to stab them.

Once he realises it’s Nines, nothing changes. He keeps the blade aimed at his roommate.

“Why are you here?”

[thatladpercy]

The Guilt | Chapter 2 (Open)

[thatladpercy]

He knew that Percy was putting on a brave face, he could tell from his experience seeing multiple other individuals put on a brave face to hide their fear. He should know considering he is also hiding his fear, the only difference being that the years of experience have hardened him and given him the ability to hide said fear well.

“You don’t need to try and be strong, you already are strong, Percy! To me, someone who can keep a positive and cheerful attitude even in a situation as dire as this one, someone who can bring smiles onto others the same way you do, is strong. Heh, maybe we both should put on capes then. It’d be fun, I’m sure!”

Having said that, once Percy shows off those guns, a marveled Arsène gasps in excitement! Look at those guns, wow, amazing! He had left the force for over a year now, so it’s been a while since he last saw a gun show quite like that! Nodding excitedly to himself, he decides to mimic the other boy, rolling over his sleeves and flexing, patting his bicep as it bulges in his arm! Compared to someone else like Nines, his muscle mass isn’t that impressive, but hey, muscle is muscle! Muscle buddies!

“Ah… No… Sadly I haven’t found any indication of where we could escape from… I do find the window in the library interesting though. You know the one, right? I don’t get it. I mean, it makes sense if they want to mock us, but if that were the case they could have chosen to show us literally anything other than a dense forest that leads to who-knows-where. I don’t get what the point of showing us that would be. What about you, have you found any exits?”

The compliments about being strong already and keeping a cheerful outlook made Percy’s face flush slightly. He looks away for a moment, but laughs when he sees Arséne imitating him with his own arms.

“That windows our best bet so far, man, but there’s no way someone can get through it. Even if we could, Theo’s probably watching us and these armbands on our wrists are still too mysterious.” He rubs his nose with his hand for a second. “I think it might be something psychological to push our buttons by giving us a glimpse of the outside of the estate.”

He sighs, clearly not finding anything that really helps at all. He smiles at Arséne and holds his arm out to him-- for an arm bump?

“Buuuuut that’s okay! You’re a detective and I know you’ll solve this. I’m down to help you with what you need. Just don’t go suspecting me of murder again, okaaaaay?”