[ queen of the kitchen lup and bougie boy won ]

[recrowns]

Comments

[evocationary]

[ she did, and still does! she sinks down a bit. ]

What do you know so far? [ god. she so does not want to play cops and robbers, here. ]

[recrowns]

Not enough.

[and there's a note, brief as it may be, of frustration. of disdain.

and then it's gone as he continues]

A young girl was "removed" - and the device was prepared to tell us this, along with a song. Why? How could that be written in the system and delivered to us? Last night, the doors locked at 11 PM - everywhere. An hour later, a sleep fell upon us.

Her body was brought in from the direction of the forest and some items from different locations were found.

A paper, a headband, glass, cloth, twig, hair, cereal, and a rock.

Motivations remain unclear - there's plenty of food and shelter to go around. So it would be out of sadism, an accident or... it has something to do with the nova.

[evocationary]

[ she nods. ]

That's about what I know. There - was cereal, on the ground in the Planetarium. Taako and I stepped through it, and the other girl that was there was insistent that nobody who got locked in there had cereal.

[ she's so fidgety - she plays with her plush first, then adjusts soo-won's bracelet on her arm, and then sighs. ]

Nova's attracted to people. According to the hosts. [ lup says, quietly. ] So I'm - inclined to think someone really wants that wish, in that case?

[recrowns]

Other girl... [he thinks about who turned in what to the evidence - ] Ah. You were with Jeanne?

[he notes her fidgety hands - and one hand continues to run through her hair. the other circles around to take one of her hands in his, even if it's just the idle pressing their fingertips together.]

It must be quite the wish, and they must have quite a twisted sense of decision-making.

[he's not particularly impressed if that's truly the reason why]

[evocationary]

Meat shield? Sure. [ yeah. jeanne.

she does settle a bit when he takes her hand, but only a little. ]

I really, uh - I honestly don't care why or what they're doing it for. Are we gonna be expected to figure this out? Like, looks like our wonderful trustworthy hosts or whatever left us high and dry.

[ the sarcasm drips from those words. ]

[recrowns]

[a beat - and he lets his head rest against hers briefly, as he repeats:] Mm. Jeanne.

[and then he'll lift his head but please call this person he likes something else. even then, it's still only a gentle suggestion.]

I'll figure it out. [he sounds confident, for some reason.] I don't plan on relying on them when they're not available, or possibly at all depending on how they carry themselves tomorrow.

But I can't allow this to persist. Someone killed another person and at the moment, we are all still confined in the same space. If it wasn't a tragic accident, they have to answer to what they've done.

[evocationary]

[ she's not good at names, soo-won, but. she gets the suggestion. ]

Yeah, no, I'm with you on them answering, for sure, for sure. [ she says, glancing away. ] Just think this whole thing is a little too... I don't know.

It feels like we're getting jerked around.

[recrowns]

[just give her a cuter nickname than meat shield and he won't even bat an eye

but he hums thoughtfully at that]

That's a possibility as well. If all of this is a convoluted script, and the Leaders are all actors. We can't discount the chance entirely just yet.

[he doesn't sound surprised at the idea - or even particularly bothered. he's probably had time to sit with it]

There's a chance we're just at the center of some cosmic joke.

[evocationary]

[ she rests her head on his shoulder now. ]

Honestly that's my number one theory. [ she sounds annoyed. ] I'm uh - I'm pretty sick of being part of cosmic jokes? Just once I would like to be the guy walking out with the cameras like "Haha! You've been Punk'd!"

It's all fishy. All of it. Down to the presents after our super easy scavenger hunt.

[recrowns]

[he'll just shift so that it's more comfortable for her, arm looping around her shoulders so that he can still comb his fingers through her hair]

At the end then, once we figure out their game and beat them at it, you can say "You've bee Punk'd!"

In fact, we'll lead with it.

[evocationary]

[ that makes her laugh, at least. she seems to be relaxing bit by bit. ]

I'm - uh, I'm gonna hold you to that, because that's the funniest thing I've ever heard you say.

I swear to god, Bougie, if it turns out you were the murderer the whole time I'm going to flip my shit. I swear.

[recrowns]

[well, so long as she's getting there, that's what matters]

Oh, that would be a terrible... punk.

[he's not sure if he's using that correctly]

No... Hajime taught me what ice cream was - and while I'm not exactly a stranger to dealing with death and danger, I don't particularly seek it out without reason.

Bloodshed without purpose... it's only cruelty, as far as I'm concerned.

[evocationary]

[ she closes her eyes. and doesn't correct him on the usage of punk because like, good job. ]

... Agreed. [ she sighs. ] Don't get me wrong, I'm like, I'm not a fan of... I don't want to sound cruel, because I'm not trying to be? I'm sure she was a nice girl.

[ her grip tightens on the doll. ] I guess what I'm trying to say is I think killing what was probably just an innocent girl is wrong but I'm not exactly sure I want to dip my toes into avenging her murder. You feel?

[recrowns]

.... mm, I feel.

[and he seems to mean it sincerely, even if it took him a moment to say something - even still, his fingers don't stop carding through her hair]

You don't have to force yourself to feel anything, or any way about it.

Regardless of reason, I think their target was cruel. I can't particularly think of a way she could've offended someone that gravely in a week's time.

But I don't think there's any need to seek vengeance based on emotions either - not until we know context. The most important part is keeping as many people safe as possible moving forward.

[evocationary]

[ a little nod. ]

Keeping people safe is important. This isn't going to happen again. [ she's no protag, and she'll say it all day long, but... there's still a quiet little part of her, the part that stood up on the ship years and years ago, and said...

static. she bites the inside of her cheek. ]

I don't think I need to tell you what I'm aiming to protect.

[recrowns]

[he moves to let his head rest against hers - turning his face into her hair briefly, for just a moment - before he shifts to face forward again]

You don't.

And I'll help you however I can.

[evocationary]

[ she curls against his side just - briefly. just while he presses his face against her hair. ]

I'm a broken friggin' record, I know. [ she says, tiredly. ] You don't have to help me do shit. But I appreciate it.

[recrowns]

[there's just a bit of a laugh at that - ]

You're consistent, and loyal.

[if he can offer a reframing for her words]

It's good. If you had multiple passions in life, it would be much harder for me to try to help you protect all of them.

[because even if she says that he doesn't have to help with anything - he will]

[evocationary]

[ oh my gOD she just laughs at his response. ]

Okay - okay. [ she pulls away for just a second, meeting his gaze. she's amused, but there's a hint of... something, behind it. something decidedly not. ] Okay. Stop. Tell me why. You just met me. Do I remind you of someone? Is that what it is?

Or do you just do this with everybody?

[recrowns]

[there's a bit of a laugh at that - and he looks amused himself at the questioning.]

Do you still think I want something from you?

[if she still doesn't trust in his words - but he doesn't seem bothered. instead, he just shakes his head.]

You're right. I just met you... and I like you.

On occasion, there are some things that you do - that remind me of the people I love. [the easygoing jabs at anyone and everyone, the loyalty]

But I'm afraid I don't have a more articulate reason outside of the fact that you are a person that I enjoy, and I'd like you to be happy.

[evocationary]

[ it's... hard. it's hard to just take it at face value. ]

Okay. [ she says, finally, twisting his bracelet on her wrist. ] That's a reason, at least.

[ she looks back down at her plush doll. it's not much of an answer, but - she's wearing his bracelet, so it's not like he doesn't have any idea about her feelings on this. ]

[recrowns]

[ah.... there's just a soft exhale at that, and he'll reach out to tuck any loose strands of hair behind her ear]

I'm afraid it's the only one I have - even if only for the time being. I'm sure I'll have more reasons to like you the longer we know each other.

I hope you'll be able to trust in it soon - but it's alright, since I don't plan on going anywhere either.

[evocationary]

[ she does this weird sort of almost-shiver that she looks instantly embarrassed about when he touches her ear. nope. she's just going to waltz on past that one and not draw attention to it thanks bye ]

I'm not a dog that's getting used to a new house or something, you know. [ she says, raising an eyebrow. ]

You can tag along for the ride. I won't kick you off.

[recrowns]

[funny...... he notices - but the only hint of it is in the smile he gives afterward]

Oh good! It'd be bad if my best friend left me in the dust.

[evocationary]

[ she's an ELF it's a PROBLEM

also she just snorts, and pushes his face. gently. ] Unless I do kick you off. Wildcard!