WEEK 4

[bathymetric]

Another trial, another week, and still you're probably running lower on answers than you'd like. And on people - you lost three since last Sunday. By the end of this week, you'll have been here for nearly a full month, yet still the days crawl on.

You wake up Sunday, again with no memory of Saturday, but this time with a simple message on your devices: You may resume requesting items, if you like. Enjoy. Guess it really was just a stealth motive after all, but at least it's being communicated that it's over! That's something, at least.

And when you leave your rooms on Sunday, there's another new area to explore! This one is... certainly more ambitious in its construction than the last one, to say the least. But hey, you have a pretty neat place to host parties, if you feel so inclined! That's... fun...

Hey, you gotta find the fun in situations like this where you can! Silver linings, right?



SUNDAY | MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY

[ ooc: Welcome to Week 4! Remember to turn in AC here, threads for regain coins here, and if you feel so inclined you can visit Angel's office hours over here! ]

Comments

[philoxenia]

[ She checks the time on her phone... well. He's got a point. ]

I lost track of time, honestly. [ ... ] I'll make sure to next time, if it happens again.

[bolderfell]

[He nods. And then shrugs. All the while, he continues chipping away at his woodcarving project.]

...Done, then?

[philoxenia]

... I am.

[ She's still unsure why he's here. Why he'd stayed here without saying a thing this whole time. But instead of asking that... ]

... What are you working on?

[bolderfell]

[He holds up the unfinished piece for his own inspection.]

...A bird, I think.

[Apparently, he's finished for now, too, because he slips the knife away once more inside his cloak. The not-quite-bird stays in his hand. He's not worried about splinters.]

Still not sleeping much, huh.

[philoxenia]

[ Ah. She doesn't quite meet his eyes as she nods. ]

Not really, no... It's not that I haven't tried, it's just--

[ A hell of a lot of things. ]

Tough for a lot of people, I think.

[bolderfell]

[He looks up long enough to study her face.]

...If sleeping isn't something you do because of your powers, I doubt anyone cares. You could spend time with Rose, or Jasper. They don't sleep.

[philoxenia]

[ Well, she sure looks surprised at that. ]

Oh-- oh, no, it's not... because of that. It's not anything new, either, just because of this place.

[ it's the depression! fingerguns ]

[bolderfell]

Okay, well... whatever. Still better than running into someone who antagonizes you all the time.

[philoxenia]

That's... true, but....

[ ...... ]

I'm still surprised you're still here.

[ And that he's, you know, talking with her. ]

[bolderfell]

[Nmgh, yeah. He earned that.]

I'll go. I just...

[He can't even look at her. Even pulling his scarf up isn't enough. Damn it, Therion.]

...I'm not sorry for what I said. But I shouldn't have said it like that. And... definitely not after pushing you.

[philoxenia]

Wait--

[ ... she doesn't reach after him, but she definitely raises her voice and takes a little step closer. Because she doesn't want to leave it at that. ]

You don't-- have to go. Or apologize, even. [ ... ] It's just... Seeing the knife, and knowing it was mine, and remembering the last thing I saw before coming here-- It's not something I've been able to reconcile. That's-- why I said what I did.

[bolderfell]

I... know that.

[??

Why is she trying to prolong this? He was awful, and he accepts that.]

Pretty obvious, in hindsight.

[philoxenia]

... I guess you're right.

[ Maybe he was awful, but... there's definitely something more to it. ]

I've never been great at hiding things.

[bolderfell]

Right. ...Anyway, you should understand.

[He flicks one hand in the air, as if batting a stupid idea from his face. But he's still avoiding eye contact.]

You didn't kill your brother. That other guy, the one you trusted. He betrayed you. If seeing the knife makes you forget that, don't worry. I'm not giving it back.

[philoxenia]

[ Ah. Something flickers in her gaze... understanding. ]

... I know.

[ The guilt is still there. But she knows that, now. ]

You can have it. Maybe it'll fetch you a nice price, back in your world... as long as it isn't covered in blood.

[bolderfell]

You think I didn't clean it? Ugh.

[philoxenia]

... I guess the joke fell a little flat.

[ a pause. ]

... In any case, I'm glad we cleared the air between us.

[bolderfell]

[He deems it safe enough, after a moment, to shrug and nod.]

Yeah. I'll still keep out of your way, but I didn't want you stewing in guilt for something else you're not to blame for.