unknownseas | Meeting Time!

[On Wednesday morning, all the suites will find another note slid under their door. It seems much less formal this time, but the handwriting is still very distinct.]

I am holding another meeting today, at 5 o'clock. I am terribly sorry for the the location this time, but it will be in the dressing rooms at the department store, as that is one of the few places I could find that we would not be watched.

I ask, however, that you don't all come in at once, because I fear that otherwise, it could catch Fontaine's attention and may add further security measures.

I will be providing refreshments, although I welcome any additional help.

J. Harker

[The dressing rooms are, obviously, a very not ideal place to hold a meeting, but Jonathan had somewhat set things up so that they could at least talk to each other, with all the curtains pulled back and one stall reserved for some cakes and sandwiches. He politely greets everyone who enters but it's clear that he's somewhat wary from the motive.

When everyone arrives, he once again addresses the group.]

Good evening. I am sure last week was an icy shock to everyone that Fontaine is not content to let us live about in harmony. However, it is vital that we do not give up hope that we can find a way out of here, because when we do, Fontaine will have already won.

[He's trying to convince himself this as much as he's trying to convince everyone else.]

[ INFORMATION IDEAS GENERAL CHATTER ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

How many of you have been listening to your radios? The recordings... I know they're uncomfortable, so I won't blame anyone for ignoring them.

[It's probably safer if they all pretend not to hear it, really.]

But I noticed something about it. The second recording I heard, when I tried to tune the radio -- of something that hasn't happened. The voices sounded off.

It sounded like it had been digitally mixed.

[He has no idea what digitally mixed means, but he thinks he has an idea of what she's inferring.]

So you're saying they have been faked?

[Oh thank goodness, he didn't want to ask for a translation.]

...No.

[The word is quiet, and Forrest is looking...really upset at this, honestly? You'd think this would be some sort of relief, but it seems to be anything but.]

No, I want to believe that there's some...I don't know, version of the world where he actually...

[Give him a moment.]

I... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to just... Sorry.

[He gives Forrest a sympathetic glance.]

Perhaps this just means that Fontaine isn't as all powerful as he wants us to think he is, and that we cannot rely on him to grant our wishes. I'm certain there's a world where everything turns out alright, especially if Joy is to be believed.

Perhaps so.

[He's quiet after that, though.]

[Ah. She hadn't considered this could be troubling to hear before she shared it.]

...I'm sorry, Forrest-san.

It's not... It isn't your fault, it's all right.

[He takes a moment. Just...breathes, calms himself down.]

I'll be fine, it's just... It's over something that hardly matters anymore anyway.

...

I believe it would simply be easier to fake a message than to go sifting through other universes to make an actual recording. He said that we were selected at random, but perhaps that makes it easier to access our particular iterations of reality than others.

...don't be sorry, it's fine. And hey - everything must've happened somewhere, right? The multiverse is supposed to go on forever.

I think they might have been. It's subtle, but there's a certain... something about the voices, that makes them sound a little unreal.

[a certain je ne sais miku]

They sound like programs used in my world to make songs. Using them to imitate voices wouldn't be so difficult.

[ !

This isn't all that surprising, but it does bring a smile to his face. ]

You have quite the ear, Asahina.

Nothin’ less to be expected of Sparkles!

Is that your nickname for her? It suits her well.

[ He is also, perhaps surprisingly, a fan. ]

That’s right. Because when she enters a room, she sparkles things up. [Its a little surprising, but since it’s praise, she’ll take it. She’s protective of her girl squad!]

[ He smiles and nods. He knows a mama bear when he sees one. ]

Now I have to ask, do you have a nickname for everyone?

Not everyone yet. It’s a work in progress. Sometimes it takes a bit of time to come up with the right one.

I must say the names are quite endearing. It makes me wish I had the mind to make some up myself for others.

It’s an old military habit. Army boys love a good nickname.

I’m sure you could come up with some good ones!

[ Nod.

Also that life of trying to nickname everyone in a mg... ]

What about Fontie? [ The Mayor but he refuses to actually address him by his name since he's petty! ]

He doesn’t deserve one.

(no subject)

buriedstar - 2022-06-30 01:36 (UTC) - Expand

[Oh, so that's what the nickname came from...]

Thank you, Blake-san. You're very kind to say so.

It’s just the truth. You got somethin special—- you even cheer Goldie up.

Ah... Thank you. I mix all the music for my group, so I have a lot of experience. You need to be good at picking up small imperfections.

That explains it, but it's still impressive. Just like your study discipline~.

[ That is only the slightest bit teasing, but no he is genuinely impressed. ]