[LOGS] Dundee Game: Day Two, Early (2/2)
#theinternetisfor
This area sure seems to have a lot of supernatural things, huh...? Judging by your list.
I've heard of a few of these things... like the Tay Bridge.
"There are things everywhere, if you know where to look," Lucia smiles, leading the way upstairs.
The names sound familiar..
Not to me... but I guess I come from a place that's a little different from here. It's interesting how many there are.
* Sera continues following.
* Konatsu hurries up from behind, done meeting with Risa now.
Lucia opens a pair of heavy wooden double-doors, leading into a large-ish room on the third floor. There are several computers set up along one wall (all 27" iMacs, with a couple laptops set to one side). It's not exactly a full-sized library; more like a study.
* Robin^Sena sits in front of one of the computers.
* John^Brown heads to an iMac
* Konatsu goes to retrieve a laptop.
This should be fine... thank you, Lucia.
* Sera perks up happily and grabs a laptop, smiling a little.
Yes, thank you for allowing us usage of these resoucres, Miss Lucia.
* Sera is humming under her breath and checking her laptop for bugs. LAPTOP! Laptop~
* Konatsu is working to transcribe the list to a document on his laptop so that he can just copy paste information as needed.
* Robin^Sena starts pulling up wikipedia pages.
How should we divide what we're looking for?
Lucia peers over Konatsu's shoulder. "I can just send you that, you know."
Ah--it's--not necessary, I should have this complete momentarily.
I think this will take us a while...
A-Ah, Lucia, there've been several HMS Unicorns, which one is the one we're supposed to get wood from?
Not what I'm doing at the moment . . . there.
"Are there more than one in Dundee?" Lucia looks up.
...ah, my mistake.
There's a lot of things from Egypt on the list.
Lucia flops in a chair. "I like Egyptian things," she says. "They have fascinating artifacts. Ah, all of the things should currently be in the area, I think, though!"
* Sera keeps the network window open in the background, alert to any changes. "Looks like Blair Castle will be one of the places..."
What's there?
The body of John Graham, first Viscount of Dundee, if this is right.
Do you think the button would... still be inside him?
It seems as though the story of his button may be false.
...if he was shot with it in 1689, I doubt they pulled it out. I don't think their medical science was all that advanced, then. ...yeah, it might be.
If it remains with his body, then it will be at St Bride's Kirk.
Mm, which is in the grounds of Blair Castle.
If the story isn't true, then going there would just be a red herring.
"Well, you won't find out unless you dig him up, right?" Lucia sounds way too cheerful.
It seems they have a memorial to him . . . locating his body should not be difficutl upon arrival.
* Robin^Sena looks uncomfortable.
It's really not wise to dig up someone who's been dead for such a long time.
"Well, there won't be much left . . ."
That's still disturbing a grave.
Lucia peers over at one of the computers. "Oh, by the way, don't open any files in the folder marked ghast.exe, you'll go crazy and your eyes will bleed out." She calmly goes back to fiddling with her cellphone.
* Robin^Sena pauses.
... okay...
...
I will keep that in mind...
* Konatsu is examining a list of victims of the Tay Bridge Disaster
Um, I won't be digging anyone up... but someone else may be willing to. At least, the McManus Galleries are worth a visit. If they have the artifacts listed, even if we don't... steal them, we can find out about them.
* John^Brown opens new tab to research Grizzel Jaffray
Miss Lucia, would you consider a home to be a belonging?
Lucia tilts her head. "Sure."
And a piece of that home would count as the same?
* Sera ...opens and signs into gmail, while she's googling things, pulling her knees up and balancing her laptop on her lap behind them. "...I don't really mind doing most things that wouldn't hurt anyone, but... if nothing else, it seems unlikely that other people won't have looked for some of this first."
"It's even easier, if people already looked for this stuff, isn't it?" Lucia asks. "Then you just have to take it from them."
We won't know who they were, for one thing.
This site says that the Devil's Stone is in England... maybe there's another one...?
Lucia smiles. "Don't be silly. Most collectors are showoffs."
I believe I found a site that has everything we're looking for...
Oh?
* Robin^Sena leans over to look.
* John^Brown shows http://www.paranormaldiscovery.co.uk/haunteddundee.htm
Ah...I think I found that site as well
Or rather, not everything, but a good deal
Mm!
Yes, it certainly looks helpful
Oh, yes.
What sort of information on the family of Fiend's Den are you interested in, Lucia?
It says that the McManus gallery has some of the belongings of the Tay Bridge victims.
Lucia seems to be dozing in her chair.
* Robin^Sena leans over and whispers to Sera. "I got a text from Madison."
* Sera nods slightly.
* Robin^Sena opens her phone and shows her the message addressed to Robin and Sera: "Hello. It's nice weather this time of year. Are you well?"
I wanted to show it to you before responding.
Here.
* Robin^Sena hands her the phone and goes back to searching.
* Konatsu mutteres beneath his breath. "Jack the Ripper . . . ? What sort of a name is that . . . "
It was a famous unsolved serial killing case.
* Sera reads it, raises her eyebrows a bit, and hands it back.
Ah, yes, so I am seeing.
* Robin^Sena takes the phone. "It's not much, is it?"
* Sera shakes her head slightly and shrugs. "It isn't." She looks back down at her screen. "...I guess the best move would be for us to go to this gallery."
* Robin^Sena texts Madison back with: "We're on another investigation. We're looking for artifacts this time. Are you well?"
Yes, I agree. I also think it might be worth it to go to the Tay Bridge itself.
I wonder if they'll find anything at the Mayfair Manor...
I have a list of addresses for the victims of the Tay Bridge incident, we can visit their homes.
That was over one hundred years ago.
Sounds like a plan for tomorrow, then.
If the homes remain, a piece of the home would count as a belonging would it not?
That would be true
Lucia is soundly asleep now, head resting on the side of the chair.
Oh, yes.
It'll be better then stealing from the gallery
But... if someone else lives there now, it wouldn't be theirs anymore.
Regardless, it seems as though the McManus gallery should be a palce to visit tomorrow.
* Sera sits up and puts her laptop aside, then glances around for a blanket or something in the study.
* Robin^Sena scrolls down the page that John linked, and tenses slightly.
* Konatsu saves his reserach note document and closes his laptop, rising to look about the study.
There is a throw blanket draped across the top of a couch near the window.
Grizzel...
You are familiar with the name?
She was a Witch.
I'm not exactly familiar... but if we can find out anything about her, I'll do the investigating.
* Sera grabs the blanket and hesitates, looking at Lucia, before putting it over her. She glances in Robin's direction at that last.
Yes, the page John and I found mentioend that.
Perhaps a search for her name?
If I could just find where she was burned, that might help.
There was something about her son witnessing the event from the water, so perhaps somewhere near there.
Lucia seems thinner than you remember, Sera. Her hair color may be what's making her look paler, but there's also a bruise visible on her neck when her hair falls out of the way.
Ah--if you'll excuse me, I must use the restroom.
It would be a dock, yes... or perhaps the tollbooth, where she and her husband were imprisoned.
* Sera bites her lip, looking at her, and returns to the laptop she claimed.
--the Seagate. That's where it was.
* Konatsu heads out to the hallway, has to pee.
#Konatsumakesgooddecisions
* Konatsu steps out into the hallway from the study, glancing down either way to see what other rooms there are.
There are four doors on this level, and a stairwell going down.
* Konatsu moves to the nearest door and tries it to see if it is unlocked.
It opens easily. It seems to be a bedroom.
* Konatsu steps inside and looks around to see if there's any indication as to whose bedroom it might be.
It seems unoccupied.
* Konatsu checks the closet.
The closet has clothes in it. It seems fairly deep.
* Konatsu examines what kind of clothes they are as he pushes them aside, looking for the back wall of the closet.
You can't seem to reach it. Luckily, there is no snow, so you probably won't end up in Narnia if you check it out.
* Konatsu steps in, arms out, just curious as to how far the closet goes.
The door gently clicks behind you.
* Konatsu turns quickly, moving back to try and push the door open again.
The door is unmoving. You can't seem to find the handle when you fumble for it.
* Konatsu curses under his breath, turning back to face the back of the closet and calling out. "Who's there?"
There is a low chuckle.
* Konatsu puts a hand to the hilt of his sword, backing up against the closet door. "Show yourself!"
A hand (possibly) falls to Konatsu's wrist; an arm wraps around his waist. A strong body presses up against his back. A (strangely familiar) voice murmurs in his ear. "Don't tell me you've forgotten about me."
* Konatsu jerks violently away, trying to draw his sword and attack. "I would say that my memory fails me at the moment--!"
(pact pact pact pact pact pact pact)
The arm just pulls him closer. "Mm, but I remember you."
* Konatsu stop struggling, keeping his body tense, ready to escape should the opportunity present itself. "Should I consider myself flattered?"
"I don't know. You seemed fully ready to use my power last time," the voice laughs.
* Konatsu pauses a moment, drawing a deep breath. "Exactly how is it that you are here of all places?"
"I'm wherever I need to be," laughs the voice.
And you have need to be near Miss Lucia?
"Lucia? Is that the little girl with the Seal?"
What--seal?
"You've seen it, haven't you?" the voice murmurs.
You--that is--the necklace she has?
"Probably," the voice agrees. Then, "Hey. Do you want to make another pact with me?"
* Konatsu pauses a moment. "Will you tell me what you know of this seal?"
There is a tongue on his neck. "If you let me have you, I'll give you whatever you want."
* Konatsu shivers, closing his eyes. "What do you mean by 'have?'"
"What do I mean, indeed?" He chuckles.
Do your powers extend beyond this world?
"Yes."
Can you promise me you will not harm those I ask you not to?
"I promise," the answer comes, smoothly.
* Konatsu slowly clenches and unclenches his fist, opening his eyes. "Very well."
"Cut your hand," the demon purrs.
Release me so that I may draw my sword.
He does.
* Konatsu steps away, pulling one glove off and pocketing it. He turns as he draws his sword, running the blade across the palm of his ungloved hand. Turning his sword he holds it horizontally, the flat of the blade resting against the fresh wound.
You feel a mouth against the wound, a tongue flickering out to taste the blood. "Heeeh . . ."
* Konatsu holds still, looking forward into the darkness. "Does it suit you?"
"Invite me."
You are welcome. I hereby willingly enter into a pact with you.
You feel something /enter/ you, body and soul, seeping into every inch of your skin and filling you up inside. It feels . . . /good./
Konatsu has gained the chan, #konatsumakesthebestdecisions ! In which the voice in your head has a lot to say.
After that, you're not really sure of the passing of time . . .
#theinternetisfor
...it seems like she planted a lot of the trees around Ballumbie Castle.
I wonder if those are hers.
I wonder if those would count...
As something belonging to her.
* Sera googles [demons tiredness drained] and pulls up a few articles that look like this: (http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=798185). She looks worried.
I don't know. They might.
* Robin^Sena leans over and looks at Sera's screen curiously.
What's wrong?
* John^Brown is curious and comes over to Sera's computer
...Lucia just seems tired.
Is that unusual...?
Well, we didn't get up that long ago.
...I can't think of anything else to google until we get more leads, though. And we'll have to go there for that.
Do you think she's being drained of her energy?
I don't know the terms of her contracts.
I wonder what that ghast.exe file is...
... do you really think it'll do what Lucia said it would?
I don't think we should take it lightly, in any case.
That's true.
Maybe it's something supernatural that's saved onto a file. That sort of thing probably happens.
* Robin^Sena nods.
That sounds possible.
...I wonder where Konatsu went...
Should we look for him?
He said he went to the bathroom.
Oh, yeah.
* Robin^Sena reading... "I'll definitely go to the Seagate. A member of the Fiend's Den was executed there, as well."
* Sera logs off her computer and stands up. "I'll take a quick break, too. I want to see what's in the library, even if it's not useful..."
I need to go to the bathroom, too. I'll be back in a minute.
* Sera nods. "I'll wait for you to get back."
* Robin^Sena returns, probably not having been terrorized by demon bacon.
Did you see Konatsu?
No...
... do you suppose he went somewhere else then?
I'm not sure... I could go look for him, though.
...you two go ahead. I'll keep looking around online.
Should we look for him, Robin?
Alright. We have at least three places we can visit... that should be something to work with.
Yes, I think so.
* Sera grabs the laptop again and sits on the couch/chair closest to Lucia. :/
Lucia shifts a little in her sleep, chain around her neck clinking as she cuddles a little closer in the blanket. You can see a bitemark on her collarbone.
* Sera DDDDD:
Is that...?
* Sera keeps her voice low. "I-I don't know."
I don't know enough about how things work here, even after all this...
* Robin^Sena looks worried. "... maybe it was just the dogs rough-housing her?"
* Sera OPENS UP GOOGLE AGAIN.
...go find Konatsu... I'll stay with her.
* John^Brown looks closer to see what the bite mark looks like...
Okay...
If you say so.
Take care.
Lucia opens her eyes abruptly, finds John's face fairly close, and screams.
* John^Brown jumps back!
* Robin^Sena jumps back.
D-did I scare you?
Lucia sits up. "W-what were you doing!?"
A-ah... w-well......
* Sera says mildly, "We were a little worried. You didn't look very good."
We were just looking at...
Lucia hugs the blanket close to herself, suspiciously.
... the mark, on your neck. That's all.
Lucia blinks. Then clamps a hand over her neck, going red.
...
Umm...?
* John^Brown kinda derps away from Lucia...
* Sera ...googles "Twilight."
"That's none of your business!" Lucia snaps. ". . . what are you doing? What are you looking at?"
We were just... concerned. Sorry.
( Results 1 - 10 of about 103,000,000 for "twilight" )
You don't seem well...
* Sera just scans the first couple to make sure she remembers what it was right from last time.
"I'm fine! I just haven't been sleeping well."
Um, John, let's go look for Konatsu.
R-right.
#howdoesifindkonatsu
#howdoesifindkonatsu
So where should we start...?
Downstairs?
Maybe the dogs have seen him.
We should ask them then.
Yes.
* Robin^Sena heads downstairs.
* John^Brown follows /o/
You find Jez, in dog form, napping in the front hallway. At the sound of footsteps, she sits up abruptly, growling and baring her (way too many) teeth.
Um, sorry to bother you...
We were just wondering if you've seen Konatsu.
Jez continues to growl for a moment, then sits up, sniffing the air suspiciously.
We don't mean any harm... we just want to know if you've seen anyone come down.
After a moment's thought, Jez shifts into human form. Notttt wearing much, again, but a pair of tight black pants and a tanktop.
Hello.
* John^Brown nods
Jez rests her arms on her knees. "Which one?"
A young man, about this tall... I think he keeps a sword.
"Sword," Jez things about that, rubbing her nose and sniffing again. "He was with you."
Right.
Did he come down here?
Jez shakes her head. "No humans."
* Robin^Sena glances at John. "Maybe he's higher up...?"
Yeah.
Jez stretches, eying them suspiciously. "Nobody outside. He has to be in the house."
Can you tell where he is, Jez?
Jez picks her ear.
* Robin^Sena glances at John. "Think we should go?"
I think so.
Jez rolls.
* Robin^Sena has urge to pet.....
* Robin^Sena turns to go, and then pauses. "Jez, do you... want anything?"
Jez stares up at Robin. "Want?"
Yes.
* John^Brown watches this with interest
Jez rolls over slowly. "Treats."
* Robin^Sena glances at John, then back at Jez, then back at John. "Let's find some for her."
In the kitchen then.
* Robin^Sena goes to look for treats in the kitchen.
* John^Brown goes and looks in the cupboard first
Jez waits patiently.
You find nothing of interest in the cupboards. However, the fridge and freezer are full of meats. They're labelled.
* Robin^Sena checks the labels.
"beef" "ham" "back bacon" "chicken" "chicken" "henry" "beef" "beef"
......
... henry...
* John^Brown reaches out to take it
* Robin^Sena makes a face.
I don't think we should feed that to Jez.
It is a succulent cut.
I'm not going to feed it to her, I'm just...
* John^Brown doesn't know how to finish that sentence
It's probably for Sera.
... at least, I hope.
...wasn't there someone named Henry on the list?
There was William Henry Bury, but...
... anyway, maybe Jez would eat some beef.
...right
* Robin^Sena goes for the beef.
* John^Brown grabs instead the beef
* Robin^Sena lets John take it.
Let's see if Jez likes this.
Jez is still flopped out in the main hallway when you get back.
* John^Brown offers beef to Jez "Do you like this?"
Jez sniffs it suspiciously.
It may feel vaguely strange to be offering raw meat to a scantily-clad DDD-cup teenager. For the record. Just to help you there.
* John^Brown IS BLUSHING FURIOUSLY
* Robin^Sena is just watching.
After a long moment, Jez reaches up and takes the meat from him with her teeth.
* John^Brown lets and just DERPS there before stepping away
Well... I guess we should go look upstairs, now.
R-right!
Jez is happily tearing apart the meat, spraying blood.
* Robin^Sena ... tries to sidestep the spray of it and continue to the stairs, sob.
* John^Brown briskly walks towards the stairs!1 orz
A moment later, Jez follows behind them, still trailing blood.
* Robin^Sena watches her.
* John^Brown keeps an eye on Jez and the trail of blood
Jez stops at the foot of the stairs, blood trailing down over her arms.
Jez... can you smell the people in this house?
Jez nods.
Will you track Konatsu's scent for us?
Jez licks her lips, thinking.
He left the study a while ago, and we haven't seen him since.
"Which room is his?" Jez asks after a long moment.
I believe he shared with... Vaan, right?
"Show me," says Jez.
Yes. It's this way, I think.
* Robin^Sena leads the way to Konatsu and Vaan's room.
* John^Brown follows along
Jez follows, shoulders hunched.
* Robin^Sena goes down the hall once upstairs. "I'm pretty sure it was this one."
Jez shuffles in, sniffing around. "This boy already left," she says, pointing to one of the beds. "With Lo--with Mr. Sidney."
Vaan's with Sidney.
Yes, they went to the manor.
Jez licks her lips, then shuffles out the door again, heading up the stairs, sniffing.
* Robin^Sena follows.
* John^Brown does so too
Jez leads the way . . . to #theinternetisfor
He was here before, and then he left.
Yeah
#theinternetisfor
Lucia looks up at Sera, frowning. "I said I'm fine!"
Okay! I'm glad you are.
Lucia rubs her eyes. "I just have nightmares."
* Sera pulls her knees up again, setting the laptop aside and huddling a bit. "I know how that feels."
Are they really bad?
Lucia glances at her, mouth tightening. ". . . Sidney makes them stop, sometimes."
Mm, good.
". . . you guys don't really like me, do you? I mean, I think /you/ do, but the rest of you . . ."
* Sera tilts her head.
Lucia looks down at her lap.
...I like you. I can't speak for everyone, obviously... and a lot of us have had bad experiences with demons, or being called out of camp, so it's hard to trust you. I don't think anyone I've talked to /dis/likes you.
"Konatsu?" Lucia snorts.
Konatsu gets really driven... and he's naturally suspicious, I think. I don't know him that well except for what I've seen of him in games.
* Sera looks pensive and fiddles with the edge of her uniform sleeve. "...we don't know a lot about you or each other, and we've been in danger together before. It makes things tense."
"I'm not dangerous," says Lucia, almost sulkily.
* Sera makes a muffled sound that's almost a giggle. "Sidney could kill all of us, even if he won't unless you say so. That's a lot to take on faith."
"Well, he's not here right now," Lucia points out.
* Sera half smiles. "That's true. And I think I trust you not to ask him to. But you still see what I'm saying."
Is it so easy for you to trust us, either...?
"You all judge me!" Lucia crosses her arms.
...?
Lucia tilts her chin up. "You do."
* Sera huddles up a little more. "...I'm the last person to judge anyone, all right?"
I do worry about you. Because I like you, and I don't know what's going on. But I can't help that, much.
Hesitantly, Lucia reaches out to touch Sera's hair.
* Sera doesn't move...?
Lucia pets her, carefully. "Do you want to talk about it . . .?"
* Sera ... is petted...
...mm... I've done a lot of things t-that didn't work out well, that's all. And hurt a lot of people.
Lucia fiddles with Sera's short hair. "Ah . . ."
* Sera shrugs slightly. "...how much do you know about us? When you borrow us from camp."
"Not much," Lucia admits.
Did you ask Sidney?
"Why would he know?" Lucia blinks.
* Sera looks wry. "He probably knows a little about me. I think I'm kind of obvious. I... it's a really long story, but even though I'm a demon, I'm really weird for a few reasons. ...it doesn't seem like things work like they do at home here, though."
* Sera sighs.
"Like how you eat people?" There is no judgement in Lucia's gaze whatsoever.
No. That's not actually that weird at home. I'm the Cyber Shaman, though. That's why I'm so good with computers.
Lucia shifts a little forward. "Cyber Shaman?"
The door opens, and Jez (covered in blood) comes in.
* Sera cuts off and glances up.
Hi, Sera.
Hello.
Lucia yelps. "Jez! You're getting blood on the carpet!"
H-hey. What happened?
Jez looks down at her chest. ". . . sorry, Master."
We fed her some beef. Sorry about the mess...
Did you find Konatsu...?
A-ah, yes, sorry...
I'll clean it up later, I promise.
Lucia . . . facepalms.
Not yet.
No. We thought maybe Jez could help us.
Jez whines, shuffling.
Are you feeling better, Lucia?
Lucia sighs, sitting up. "I'm feeling fine," she grumbles. "I was just tired out. What's wrong? Where's Konatsu?"
We can't find him. He left to go to the bathroom some time ago, and hasn't returned. Knowing him, we would have heard if something had happened to him... so we're trying to find him.
"Did he leave the house?" Lucia demands.
Jez shakes her head. "Nnn."
* Sera shakes her head and hops to her feet. "...okay, where have you looked?"
Jez said that he hasn't been downstairs.
Lucia sighs. "He's probably just wandered off somewhere, snooping."
Let's look.
* Robin^Sena nods.
Right.
* Sera gives Lucia a brief apologetic look and then pokes her head out the door. "Konatsu--?"
* Sera starts down the hall.
Lucia sighs, standing up and following Sera out. Jez sniffs around in the air.
* Robin^Sena gives a cursory look-over at the room first.
* John^Brown watches Jez sniff and then follows Sera and Lucia
Jez sniffs around wandering down the hall, peering at doors.
* John^Brown is keeping track of where they're going
Jez doesn't go far. She opens up a closet. It's empty, but she starts to growl.
What's in there...?
* John^Brown pokes head inside the closet
...
There is nothing in the closet. To Sera, though, you'll note that it just smells . . . bad.
* Sera makes note of this closet.
* John^Brown with head still in closet "You smell him in here, Jez?"
* Robin^Sena reaches out to touch the inside of the closet.
It is a totally normal closet.
Jez growls again, staying huddled near Lucia.
Hmmm.
Lucia, do you have any ideas...?
Lucia frowns, shaking her head. "It's just the closet . . ." she says. "Is there a secret door?"
I don't see one.
* John^Brown presses a hand against the back wall
* Sera steps into the closet and closes her eyes.
Sera...
"Sera . . .?" Lucia murmurs.
* Sera shakes her head slightly. "...I don't know why she's looking at it."
"Blood," says Jez.
Was it recent?
Jez nods. "Sword boy's."
...
Oh no...
Did he leave this place, Jez?
Jez sniffs the air, then drops to the ground, sniffing at it. Sure enough, there's a splatter of blood. "Don't know."
"What? How could anybody get in here to hurt him??" Lucia looks alarmed. "There are guards--!"
...if he walked out bleeding, it should be easier to follow him.
Does the trail end here?
Jez nods. "There's no trail."
* Robin^Sena kneels where the blood splatter is. "If he was killed, there would be more than just a few drops. If he made it away, there would be a trail going somewhere."
...mm...
Lucia, where's Buttons? Is he the guard?
"There are a lot of hounds . . ." Lucia touches her hand to her chest, over her necklace, and closes her eyes.
* Sera watches.
* Robin^Sena dips her fingers into the blood, idly.
It's still warm.
I wonder if the closet will burn...
Lucia looks alarmed. "You can't burn it!!"
I wasn't going to. It would be too dangerous.
"But you said--!"
* Sera ...pushes Robin out of the closet, gently.
I'm just thinking out loud.
* Robin^Sena goes. "Sorry..."
It's fine. But if something weird happend here...
* Sera makes a vague reminiscent-of-that-time-we-set-Cillian's-office-on-fire hand gesture.
* Robin^Sena bows her head. "I know..."
That was my fault too.
...Lucia? Did you find anything out?
"Nobody came in or out . . ." Lucia says slowly.
* Robin^Sena looks sad. "I didn't do it on purpose... anyway, I was just thinking that if the closet has something evil in it, that it would show up. But I don't feel anything here."
Lucia starts to look very unhappy.
What can we do...?
...I... have an idea... but it might only work if it's one of us alone, if he found something strange.
What do you mean?
"Alone?" Lucia echoes.
* Sera gestures at Lucia apologetically. "...last time you brought us, some weird stuff happened at night, when we were sleeping. Maybe it's like that?"
Jez begins to growl.
Jez...?
Lucia twists her hands together. "Nothing like that should be able to happen!'
...just let me check it out for a minute on my own? I'll be right back if nothing happens.
Will you be okay, Sera?
* Sera nods.
Alright...
". . . fine," mutters Lucia. She points at John. "You, go back to the library and continue research. Robin, you search the rest of the house. I'm . . . going to lie down."
... okay.
* Sera gives her a concerned look. "...all right."
I'll go upstairs... and, um, sorry about the mess, Lucia. I'll clean it up before the night is over.
Lucia shakes her head. "I'll get one of the servants to do it. Jez, you see to it," she instructs firmly.
* Robin^Sena nods, hesitantly. "Alright... be careful, everyone." She shoots Sera a worried but determined look, and goes to check the other rooms upstairs.
* Sera ... sticks around in the vicinity of the closet.
#konatsumakesthebestdecisions
You feel a constant sense of /violence./ Like you want to gently rip into people and tug them apart.
The presence in your mind also feels malevolently amused.
#thecloset
...
* Sera shuts the door behind her.
I-I'm scared for Konatsu. Does that...?
The closet smells like blood and old mothballs.
* Sera ...sits down and leans against the back wall.
...if it's you, I'm sorry. If it's not... w-well, I've done stupider things than talking to a closet.
I don't know what to do here. It scares me more than I can really think about. I wish Joshua or Kazuki or someone was here. I-I'm scared something's going to happen to her. Or to us. Or we'll happen to one another. I don't know what to do.
Beep beep beepbeepbeepbeep.
* Sera pulls out her phone...?
There is a text message from Madison.
* Sera opens it.
"You should check the news."
* Sera ... gets up and heads out of the closet, giving it one last glance before she goes.
The closet looks innocently back.
Before you make it back to the study, you come across Konatsu walking calmly out of one of the other rooms.
--Konatsu? Where have you been?
Ah--I believe I got a little lost.
...I see... did you bleed on something, in here...?
No, I was just--ah--trying to find the bathroom.
...huh.
Um, I think Robin's looking for you upstairs. You might want to go tell her...
...I need to check the news.
Oh--yes, of course. Have you managed to find anything new?
Not yet.
I see . . . hopefully tomorrow will yield something more.
* Sera nods and heads back to the study.
* Konatsu moves to the stairs to find Robin.
Konatsu, #pyroadventures
#konatsumakesthebestdecisions
Let's keep this our little secret, shall we?
I do not intend to tell anyone else of this.
Our little secret.
If you wish to call it that, yes.
She didn't believe you.
Unless she sees fit to discuss this matter with the others, I see no reason to be concerned.
The seal you spoke of . . . what is it?
It gives that girl power over her pet demons.
Including the one called Sidney?
Especially him.
What--manner of demon is he, exactly?
A pet dog, at the moment.
(Sardonic laughter)
She seems to have a multitude of those.
We are wasting our time.
What do you propose that we do?
Leave this place.
And go where? We have no means of transportation at the moment,
We can take a vehicle.
You forget that I do not know how to operate the vehicles of this world. Where would you even go
You forget that I can do things you haven't even dreamed of.
Where would you go?
Away from this place before [DARK IMAGES OF SIDNEY] comes back.
Would he be able to sense you?
Yes.
And what would he do if he knew you were here?
Us.
. . . us?
Us.
You and I.
Yes, what would he do to us?
I don't think you'd like to know.
Then we can find a way out before they return.
#pyroadventures
* Robin^Sena goes up the stairs to check the next floor out.
You find a hallway with a variety of doors across from each other, a bit like rental student housing.
* Robin^Sena goes to open up the first one on her left.
It's a small bedroom -- bed, desk, etc. It looks lived-in but it's currently unoccupied.
* Robin^Sena wonders who lives here. She opens the next room.
Likewise.
* Robin^Sena continues down the hall like that, leaving the doors open. "Konatsu?" She calls out.
There's no reply from Konatsu, but in the next room, there's a dog on the bed which looks upw ith interest.
Oh.
Um... hello?
The dog, who is very very fluffy and has twelve horns curling down from its head, wags its tail.
Can you speak...?
It seems to consider that thoughtfully.
... woof?
It barks back, then transforms into a boy of about thirteen, with equally fluffy hair and the same horns.
He's wearing boxer shorts.
* Robin^Sena feels like she should be surprised, but isn't, really. "Hello."
"Hi! Hi."
What's your name?
"Pox."
Pox... I'm Robin.
"Hi!"
* Robin^Sena smiles a little. "Are you the only one who lives up here?"
He shakes his head. "Are you one of Lucia's?"
I'm a guest of hers, yes.
What else is up here?
"Others!"
He jumps off the bed.
* Robin^Sena watches. "Can I meet them?"
"Dunno." He walks up to her.
* Robin^Sena hesitates, then holds out her hand.
He tilts his head, then puts a hand on top of it and looks expectant.
* Robin^Sena smiles, and shakes. "Can I pet you?"
He drops onto the floor and wriggles, even more expectant.
* Robin^Sena pets his fluffy hair.
"Tummy," he says, pointedly.
* Robin^Sena kneels and pets his tummy.
he squirms gleefully.
* Robin^Sena scritchie?
Konatsu, you walk into a room where Robin is... kneeling and rubbing a young boy on the stomach.
Ah . . . M-Miss Robin . . . ?
Oh, Konatsu!
I--I'm not interrupting anything--I--can step outside . . .
* Robin^Sena stops petting Pox and stands, going over to him.
Are you okay? What happened?
The boy -- who is around 13, wearing boxer shorts, has fluffy hair and twelve horns -- whines.
Ah--I'm fine, I just got--a little lost, looking for the restroom.
You're not injured?
No, I'm all right.
Did--you and Miss Sera find something . . . ?
* Robin^Sena glances back at Pox apologetically. "You were gone for so long... we decided to look for you. John and I fed Jez a steak so she would follow us, and she led us to a closet that had some of your blood on it."
Pox perks up around the words 'fed' and 'steak'.
With . . . my blood? Where?
Downstairs, in the hall. Sera's still down there. We should go tell her and Lucia that you're okay-- we were afraid something had happened to you.
* Robin^Sena ... lifts her hand to beckon Pox.
Ah, I already ran across Miss Sera. Did Miss Lucia wake from her nap?
Pox comes over and leans against her.
Not that I know of. I came up here a few minutes ago to look for you, and I found him.
* Robin^Sena pets Pox. "He says his name is Pox."
"Pox," he agrees.
. . . Pox . . .
"Pox!" he repeats.
Ah--I see. Pox it is.
We did find a few things out about the artifacts... at least, we have a few places that we can research tomorrow.
Visit, I mean.
That is fortunate. Shall we return downstairs, then?
Yes.
Very well.
* Konatsu gives Pox one last confused glance before heading back downstairs.
* Robin^Sena follows.
* Robin^Sena looks to see if Pox follows.
Pox does follow, whining.
Is it okay for you to leave...?
"Leave?" he sounds confused.
Come downstairs, I mean.
"House is okay," he says. He sniffs at them idly.
Do you think perhaps she has given him orders to remain in the room?
* Robin^Sena pets him again. "Did Lucia give you orders, Pox?"
"House is okay," he says. "Except if I have to go."
... then, I guess you can come with...?
We will remain within the house.
#thestudy ?
#konatsumakesthebestdecisions
Zazzle> Find the keys to one of the cars.
I will do what I can. I thought that you were capable of things that I cannot dream of.
All in moderation.
Very well. What manner of creature is Pox?
Just a lowly hellhound.
The same as the other two?
Which two are you referring to?
Her--other pets.
I wouldn't be able to catalogue them. But nothing compares to "Sidney."
He is more powerful than you, then?
(Annoyance, hesitance)
Yes.
It seems rather foolish of you to be lurking in his home, then.
He's not here right now.
A valid point.
So we should leave before he's back.
I am trying to do as much,.
#thestudy
* Sera goes to her laptop and looks up "local news dundee"
Dundee United will be without Mihael Kovacevic for Sunday’s trip to face Motherwell and the 22-year-old faces a real battle to regain a starting spot (writes Graeme Finnan).
A Monifieth couple have been left “devastated” after part of their dream holiday to the USA was cancelled due to a volcanic ash cloud (By Geraldine McKelvie).
Tayside Police today said warnings had been given to the region’s small number of stockists about the impending ban on various legal highs, including mephedrone (By Graham Huband).
Dundee’s Ninewells Hospital faces record waiting room times in light of recent "mono" outbreak among young children and teenagers (by Claire Thompson)
A DRINK and bubbles-fuelled paranoid schizophrenic has been jailed after he dowsed his Brechin girlfriend in petrol and threatened to set her alight.
TOP CIVIL servants in Scotland are planning to cut the Scottish budget by a massive 15% to tackle the looming squeeze in public spending.
DOCTORS ARE being given a hard time by overweight patients offended when the subject of their weight is broached, a Dundee University researcher said yesterday.
* Sera checks out the mono story.
According to the story, a record number of children have been admitted to hospital recently with mono-like symptoms, primarily extreme exhaustion. Several are currently catatonic. Doctors currently have no explanation for the illnesses.
* Sera ... checks out the story about the volcanic eruption in another tab while she's at it. Hm.
* Sera looks for any more information on the mono story, too. Where are the children coming from, exactly?
Volcanic ash from Iceland has apparently been causing travel havoc over much of the UK.
* Sera looks for where the kids with mono have been coming from, exactly?
All around the region, generally. Schools are considering shutting down in a number of regions in an attempt to curb the outbreaks.
* Sera texts back to Madison. "The news where?"
* Sera checks for anything murder related.
"serial killer Dundee"
It comes up with a number of hits in the last few weeks; the victims again are apparently random, but all the victims have been brutally ripped apart. The news is calling it "the new Jack the Ripper."
........oh, not again.
* Sera rests her forehead on the computer table for a minute and then checks the network to see if Lucia's online.
She's not.
* Sera puts "Bellcourt" into the google search engine, stares at it for a minute, then erases it with a sigh and starts looking up greater demons in Abrahamic mythology.
* Sera googles demonology and eventually comes up with this site: http://www.djmcadam.com/demons.htm
* Sera reads through that for a while.
[Robin and Konatsu come in]
Hi, guys.
A boy is accompanying them, about thirteen, in boxer shorts. He has fluffy hair and twelve horns.
Hi, Sera.
* Sera nods politely at the newcomer...?
This is Pox. He was upstairs.
"Hi!"
He--seems to be another of Miss Lucia's pets.
Hello.
"hi!!!" he sounds more excited to say it a second time.
N-nice to meet you.
"Hi!!!!" He doesn't seem bored with this yet.
* Konatsu sighs, rubbing lightly at his temple.
* Sera smiles at him and looks over at Robin. "...there wasn't anything in the closet, I guess."
I see...
What was upstairs? Besides Pox...
* Robin^Sena pets Pox and sits down. "I didn't see much upstairs, except a long hallway with rooms. They looked like they were for people to live in."
This must be some sort of vacation home . . .
I still don't understand why your blood was in the closet, though.
It was warm, too, like it had been freshly spilt.
...oh, I should tell Lucia you're okay.
Ah--I'm not certain either. I--how did you know it was mine?
* Sera pulls out her cell phone.
Jez could smell it.
I see. Oh--is Miss Lucia awake?
--oh! I don't know, but it seems wrong not to let her know...
[to Pox] Will one of you let her know when she wakes up?
"Know what?"
That Konatsu came back.
Perhaps we should just leave her a note . ..
"Konatsu?" He looks at Konatsu curiously.
N-Nevermind, Pox.
A note might be better...
* Sera nods and pockets her phone again, then.
* Robin^Sena sighs deeply. "I wonder if the others are okay..."
* Konatsu looks around the room for something to write with.
There are pens, paper, etc.
* Konatsu quickly writes a note explaining that he got lost and is doing quite fine, thank you.
Where is Miss Lucia right now?
I don't know...? She said she was going to go lay down.
Ah--I see. I'll--see if I can locate her.
* Konatsu takes the note and heads for the hallway.
I'll go with you.
I--should be all right on my own. But thank you.
...I don't have anything else to do in here...
I don't want you to disappear again. We don't know where her room is. Pox, do you know where Lucia sleeps?
"Her room," he says promptly. "With Lord Sidney."
Can you show us where it is?
"I'm not allowed there," he says.
You don't have to go in. But we would like if it you showed us where it is.
* Konatsu sighs irritably, clenching the fist not holding the note. "Can you deliver something to her room?"
"Go there... but don't go there?" He considers this.
Yes.
... well, point it out to us.
"I can go?" He sounds excited.
* Robin^Sena nods.
You can show us, but not go in, because you're not allowed. That's okay, right?
"............................................................okay."
He walks out the door.
After--after you two.
* Robin^Sena walks out.
* Sera ... eyes Konatsu and then walks out.
* Konatsu follows them out.
#konatsumakesthebestdecisions
Keeping this a secret is somewhat difficult when everyone insists on being concerned.
They're fools.
You're better than them.
(you are)
I--thank you.
This area sure seems to have a lot of supernatural things, huh...? Judging by your list.
I've heard of a few of these things... like the Tay Bridge.
"There are things everywhere, if you know where to look," Lucia smiles, leading the way upstairs.
The names sound familiar..
Not to me... but I guess I come from a place that's a little different from here. It's interesting how many there are.
* Sera continues following.
* Konatsu hurries up from behind, done meeting with Risa now.
Lucia opens a pair of heavy wooden double-doors, leading into a large-ish room on the third floor. There are several computers set up along one wall (all 27" iMacs, with a couple laptops set to one side). It's not exactly a full-sized library; more like a study.
* Robin^Sena sits in front of one of the computers.
* John^Brown heads to an iMac
* Konatsu goes to retrieve a laptop.
This should be fine... thank you, Lucia.
* Sera perks up happily and grabs a laptop, smiling a little.
Yes, thank you for allowing us usage of these resoucres, Miss Lucia.
* Sera is humming under her breath and checking her laptop for bugs. LAPTOP! Laptop~
* Konatsu is working to transcribe the list to a document on his laptop so that he can just copy paste information as needed.
* Robin^Sena starts pulling up wikipedia pages.
How should we divide what we're looking for?
Lucia peers over Konatsu's shoulder. "I can just send you that, you know."
Ah--it's--not necessary, I should have this complete momentarily.
I think this will take us a while...
A-Ah, Lucia, there've been several HMS Unicorns, which one is the one we're supposed to get wood from?
Not what I'm doing at the moment . . . there.
"Are there more than one in Dundee?" Lucia looks up.
...ah, my mistake.
There's a lot of things from Egypt on the list.
Lucia flops in a chair. "I like Egyptian things," she says. "They have fascinating artifacts. Ah, all of the things should currently be in the area, I think, though!"
* Sera keeps the network window open in the background, alert to any changes. "Looks like Blair Castle will be one of the places..."
What's there?
The body of John Graham, first Viscount of Dundee, if this is right.
Do you think the button would... still be inside him?
It seems as though the story of his button may be false.
...if he was shot with it in 1689, I doubt they pulled it out. I don't think their medical science was all that advanced, then. ...yeah, it might be.
If it remains with his body, then it will be at St Bride's Kirk.
Mm, which is in the grounds of Blair Castle.
If the story isn't true, then going there would just be a red herring.
"Well, you won't find out unless you dig him up, right?" Lucia sounds way too cheerful.
It seems they have a memorial to him . . . locating his body should not be difficutl upon arrival.
* Robin^Sena looks uncomfortable.
It's really not wise to dig up someone who's been dead for such a long time.
"Well, there won't be much left . . ."
That's still disturbing a grave.
Lucia peers over at one of the computers. "Oh, by the way, don't open any files in the folder marked ghast.exe, you'll go crazy and your eyes will bleed out." She calmly goes back to fiddling with her cellphone.
* Robin^Sena pauses.
... okay...
...
I will keep that in mind...
* Konatsu is examining a list of victims of the Tay Bridge Disaster
Um, I won't be digging anyone up... but someone else may be willing to. At least, the McManus Galleries are worth a visit. If they have the artifacts listed, even if we don't... steal them, we can find out about them.
* John^Brown opens new tab to research Grizzel Jaffray
Miss Lucia, would you consider a home to be a belonging?
Lucia tilts her head. "Sure."
And a piece of that home would count as the same?
* Sera ...opens and signs into gmail, while she's googling things, pulling her knees up and balancing her laptop on her lap behind them. "...I don't really mind doing most things that wouldn't hurt anyone, but... if nothing else, it seems unlikely that other people won't have looked for some of this first."
"It's even easier, if people already looked for this stuff, isn't it?" Lucia asks. "Then you just have to take it from them."
We won't know who they were, for one thing.
This site says that the Devil's Stone is in England... maybe there's another one...?
Lucia smiles. "Don't be silly. Most collectors are showoffs."
I believe I found a site that has everything we're looking for...
Oh?
* Robin^Sena leans over to look.
* John^Brown shows http://www.paranormaldiscovery.co.uk/haunteddundee.htm
Ah...I think I found that site as well
Or rather, not everything, but a good deal
Mm!
Yes, it certainly looks helpful
Oh, yes.
What sort of information on the family of Fiend's Den are you interested in, Lucia?
It says that the McManus gallery has some of the belongings of the Tay Bridge victims.
Lucia seems to be dozing in her chair.
* Robin^Sena leans over and whispers to Sera. "I got a text from Madison."
* Sera nods slightly.
* Robin^Sena opens her phone and shows her the message addressed to Robin and Sera: "Hello. It's nice weather this time of year. Are you well?"
I wanted to show it to you before responding.
Here.
* Robin^Sena hands her the phone and goes back to searching.
* Konatsu mutteres beneath his breath. "Jack the Ripper . . . ? What sort of a name is that . . . "
It was a famous unsolved serial killing case.
* Sera reads it, raises her eyebrows a bit, and hands it back.
Ah, yes, so I am seeing.
* Robin^Sena takes the phone. "It's not much, is it?"
* Sera shakes her head slightly and shrugs. "It isn't." She looks back down at her screen. "...I guess the best move would be for us to go to this gallery."
* Robin^Sena texts Madison back with: "We're on another investigation. We're looking for artifacts this time. Are you well?"
Yes, I agree. I also think it might be worth it to go to the Tay Bridge itself.
I wonder if they'll find anything at the Mayfair Manor...
I have a list of addresses for the victims of the Tay Bridge incident, we can visit their homes.
That was over one hundred years ago.
Sounds like a plan for tomorrow, then.
If the homes remain, a piece of the home would count as a belonging would it not?
That would be true
Lucia is soundly asleep now, head resting on the side of the chair.
Oh, yes.
It'll be better then stealing from the gallery
But... if someone else lives there now, it wouldn't be theirs anymore.
Regardless, it seems as though the McManus gallery should be a palce to visit tomorrow.
* Sera sits up and puts her laptop aside, then glances around for a blanket or something in the study.
* Robin^Sena scrolls down the page that John linked, and tenses slightly.
* Konatsu saves his reserach note document and closes his laptop, rising to look about the study.
There is a throw blanket draped across the top of a couch near the window.
Grizzel...
You are familiar with the name?
She was a Witch.
I'm not exactly familiar... but if we can find out anything about her, I'll do the investigating.
* Sera grabs the blanket and hesitates, looking at Lucia, before putting it over her. She glances in Robin's direction at that last.
Yes, the page John and I found mentioend that.
Perhaps a search for her name?
If I could just find where she was burned, that might help.
There was something about her son witnessing the event from the water, so perhaps somewhere near there.
Lucia seems thinner than you remember, Sera. Her hair color may be what's making her look paler, but there's also a bruise visible on her neck when her hair falls out of the way.
Ah--if you'll excuse me, I must use the restroom.
It would be a dock, yes... or perhaps the tollbooth, where she and her husband were imprisoned.
* Sera bites her lip, looking at her, and returns to the laptop she claimed.
--the Seagate. That's where it was.
* Konatsu heads out to the hallway, has to pee.
#Konatsumakesgooddecisions
* Konatsu steps out into the hallway from the study, glancing down either way to see what other rooms there are.
There are four doors on this level, and a stairwell going down.
* Konatsu moves to the nearest door and tries it to see if it is unlocked.
It opens easily. It seems to be a bedroom.
* Konatsu steps inside and looks around to see if there's any indication as to whose bedroom it might be.
It seems unoccupied.
* Konatsu checks the closet.
The closet has clothes in it. It seems fairly deep.
* Konatsu examines what kind of clothes they are as he pushes them aside, looking for the back wall of the closet.
You can't seem to reach it. Luckily, there is no snow, so you probably won't end up in Narnia if you check it out.
* Konatsu steps in, arms out, just curious as to how far the closet goes.
The door gently clicks behind you.
* Konatsu turns quickly, moving back to try and push the door open again.
The door is unmoving. You can't seem to find the handle when you fumble for it.
* Konatsu curses under his breath, turning back to face the back of the closet and calling out. "Who's there?"
There is a low chuckle.
* Konatsu puts a hand to the hilt of his sword, backing up against the closet door. "Show yourself!"
A hand (possibly) falls to Konatsu's wrist; an arm wraps around his waist. A strong body presses up against his back. A (strangely familiar) voice murmurs in his ear. "Don't tell me you've forgotten about me."
* Konatsu jerks violently away, trying to draw his sword and attack. "I would say that my memory fails me at the moment--!"
(pact pact pact pact pact pact pact)
The arm just pulls him closer. "Mm, but I remember you."
* Konatsu stop struggling, keeping his body tense, ready to escape should the opportunity present itself. "Should I consider myself flattered?"
"I don't know. You seemed fully ready to use my power last time," the voice laughs.
* Konatsu pauses a moment, drawing a deep breath. "Exactly how is it that you are here of all places?"
"I'm wherever I need to be," laughs the voice.
And you have need to be near Miss Lucia?
"Lucia? Is that the little girl with the Seal?"
What--seal?
"You've seen it, haven't you?" the voice murmurs.
You--that is--the necklace she has?
"Probably," the voice agrees. Then, "Hey. Do you want to make another pact with me?"
* Konatsu pauses a moment. "Will you tell me what you know of this seal?"
There is a tongue on his neck. "If you let me have you, I'll give you whatever you want."
* Konatsu shivers, closing his eyes. "What do you mean by 'have?'"
"What do I mean, indeed?" He chuckles.
Do your powers extend beyond this world?
"Yes."
Can you promise me you will not harm those I ask you not to?
"I promise," the answer comes, smoothly.
* Konatsu slowly clenches and unclenches his fist, opening his eyes. "Very well."
"Cut your hand," the demon purrs.
Release me so that I may draw my sword.
He does.
* Konatsu steps away, pulling one glove off and pocketing it. He turns as he draws his sword, running the blade across the palm of his ungloved hand. Turning his sword he holds it horizontally, the flat of the blade resting against the fresh wound.
You feel a mouth against the wound, a tongue flickering out to taste the blood. "Heeeh . . ."
* Konatsu holds still, looking forward into the darkness. "Does it suit you?"
"Invite me."
You are welcome. I hereby willingly enter into a pact with you.
You feel something /enter/ you, body and soul, seeping into every inch of your skin and filling you up inside. It feels . . . /good./
Konatsu has gained the chan, #konatsumakesthebestdecisions ! In which the voice in your head has a lot to say.
After that, you're not really sure of the passing of time . . .
#theinternetisfor
...it seems like she planted a lot of the trees around Ballumbie Castle.
I wonder if those are hers.
I wonder if those would count...
As something belonging to her.
* Sera googles [demons tiredness drained] and pulls up a few articles that look like this: (http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=798185). She looks worried.
I don't know. They might.
* Robin^Sena leans over and looks at Sera's screen curiously.
What's wrong?
* John^Brown is curious and comes over to Sera's computer
...Lucia just seems tired.
Is that unusual...?
Well, we didn't get up that long ago.
...I can't think of anything else to google until we get more leads, though. And we'll have to go there for that.
Do you think she's being drained of her energy?
I don't know the terms of her contracts.
I wonder what that ghast.exe file is...
... do you really think it'll do what Lucia said it would?
I don't think we should take it lightly, in any case.
That's true.
Maybe it's something supernatural that's saved onto a file. That sort of thing probably happens.
* Robin^Sena nods.
That sounds possible.
...I wonder where Konatsu went...
Should we look for him?
He said he went to the bathroom.
Oh, yeah.
* Robin^Sena reading... "I'll definitely go to the Seagate. A member of the Fiend's Den was executed there, as well."
* Sera logs off her computer and stands up. "I'll take a quick break, too. I want to see what's in the library, even if it's not useful..."
I need to go to the bathroom, too. I'll be back in a minute.
* Sera nods. "I'll wait for you to get back."
* Robin^Sena returns, probably not having been terrorized by demon bacon.
Did you see Konatsu?
No...
... do you suppose he went somewhere else then?
I'm not sure... I could go look for him, though.
...you two go ahead. I'll keep looking around online.
Should we look for him, Robin?
Alright. We have at least three places we can visit... that should be something to work with.
Yes, I think so.
* Sera grabs the laptop again and sits on the couch/chair closest to Lucia. :/
Lucia shifts a little in her sleep, chain around her neck clinking as she cuddles a little closer in the blanket. You can see a bitemark on her collarbone.
* Sera DDDDD:
Is that...?
* Sera keeps her voice low. "I-I don't know."
I don't know enough about how things work here, even after all this...
* Robin^Sena looks worried. "... maybe it was just the dogs rough-housing her?"
* Sera OPENS UP GOOGLE AGAIN.
...go find Konatsu... I'll stay with her.
* John^Brown looks closer to see what the bite mark looks like...
Okay...
If you say so.
Take care.
Lucia opens her eyes abruptly, finds John's face fairly close, and screams.
* John^Brown jumps back!
* Robin^Sena jumps back.
D-did I scare you?
Lucia sits up. "W-what were you doing!?"
A-ah... w-well......
* Sera says mildly, "We were a little worried. You didn't look very good."
We were just looking at...
Lucia hugs the blanket close to herself, suspiciously.
... the mark, on your neck. That's all.
Lucia blinks. Then clamps a hand over her neck, going red.
...
Umm...?
* John^Brown kinda derps away from Lucia...
* Sera ...googles "Twilight."
"That's none of your business!" Lucia snaps. ". . . what are you doing? What are you looking at?"
We were just... concerned. Sorry.
( Results 1 - 10 of about 103,000,000 for "twilight" )
You don't seem well...
* Sera just scans the first couple to make sure she remembers what it was right from last time.
"I'm fine! I just haven't been sleeping well."
Um, John, let's go look for Konatsu.
R-right.
#howdoesifindkonatsu
#howdoesifindkonatsu
So where should we start...?
Downstairs?
Maybe the dogs have seen him.
We should ask them then.
Yes.
* Robin^Sena heads downstairs.
* John^Brown follows /o/
You find Jez, in dog form, napping in the front hallway. At the sound of footsteps, she sits up abruptly, growling and baring her (way too many) teeth.
Um, sorry to bother you...
We were just wondering if you've seen Konatsu.
Jez continues to growl for a moment, then sits up, sniffing the air suspiciously.
We don't mean any harm... we just want to know if you've seen anyone come down.
After a moment's thought, Jez shifts into human form. Notttt wearing much, again, but a pair of tight black pants and a tanktop.
Hello.
* John^Brown nods
Jez rests her arms on her knees. "Which one?"
A young man, about this tall... I think he keeps a sword.
"Sword," Jez things about that, rubbing her nose and sniffing again. "He was with you."
Right.
Did he come down here?
Jez shakes her head. "No humans."
* Robin^Sena glances at John. "Maybe he's higher up...?"
Yeah.
Jez stretches, eying them suspiciously. "Nobody outside. He has to be in the house."
Can you tell where he is, Jez?
Jez picks her ear.
* Robin^Sena glances at John. "Think we should go?"
I think so.
Jez rolls.
* Robin^Sena has urge to pet.....
* Robin^Sena turns to go, and then pauses. "Jez, do you... want anything?"
Jez stares up at Robin. "Want?"
Yes.
* John^Brown watches this with interest
Jez rolls over slowly. "Treats."
* Robin^Sena glances at John, then back at Jez, then back at John. "Let's find some for her."
In the kitchen then.
* Robin^Sena goes to look for treats in the kitchen.
* John^Brown goes and looks in the cupboard first
Jez waits patiently.
You find nothing of interest in the cupboards. However, the fridge and freezer are full of meats. They're labelled.
* Robin^Sena checks the labels.
"beef" "ham" "back bacon" "chicken" "chicken" "henry" "beef" "beef"
......
... henry...
* John^Brown reaches out to take it
* Robin^Sena makes a face.
I don't think we should feed that to Jez.
It is a succulent cut.
I'm not going to feed it to her, I'm just...
* John^Brown doesn't know how to finish that sentence
It's probably for Sera.
... at least, I hope.
...wasn't there someone named Henry on the list?
There was William Henry Bury, but...
... anyway, maybe Jez would eat some beef.
...right
* Robin^Sena goes for the beef.
* John^Brown grabs instead the beef
* Robin^Sena lets John take it.
Let's see if Jez likes this.
Jez is still flopped out in the main hallway when you get back.
* John^Brown offers beef to Jez "Do you like this?"
Jez sniffs it suspiciously.
It may feel vaguely strange to be offering raw meat to a scantily-clad DDD-cup teenager. For the record. Just to help you there.
* John^Brown IS BLUSHING FURIOUSLY
* Robin^Sena is just watching.
After a long moment, Jez reaches up and takes the meat from him with her teeth.
* John^Brown lets and just DERPS there before stepping away
Well... I guess we should go look upstairs, now.
R-right!
Jez is happily tearing apart the meat, spraying blood.
* Robin^Sena ... tries to sidestep the spray of it and continue to the stairs, sob.
* John^Brown briskly walks towards the stairs!1 orz
A moment later, Jez follows behind them, still trailing blood.
* Robin^Sena watches her.
* John^Brown keeps an eye on Jez and the trail of blood
Jez stops at the foot of the stairs, blood trailing down over her arms.
Jez... can you smell the people in this house?
Jez nods.
Will you track Konatsu's scent for us?
Jez licks her lips, thinking.
He left the study a while ago, and we haven't seen him since.
"Which room is his?" Jez asks after a long moment.
I believe he shared with... Vaan, right?
"Show me," says Jez.
Yes. It's this way, I think.
* Robin^Sena leads the way to Konatsu and Vaan's room.
* John^Brown follows along
Jez follows, shoulders hunched.
* Robin^Sena goes down the hall once upstairs. "I'm pretty sure it was this one."
Jez shuffles in, sniffing around. "This boy already left," she says, pointing to one of the beds. "With Lo--with Mr. Sidney."
Vaan's with Sidney.
Yes, they went to the manor.
Jez licks her lips, then shuffles out the door again, heading up the stairs, sniffing.
* Robin^Sena follows.
* John^Brown does so too
Jez leads the way . . . to #theinternetisfor
He was here before, and then he left.
Yeah
#theinternetisfor
Lucia looks up at Sera, frowning. "I said I'm fine!"
Okay! I'm glad you are.
Lucia rubs her eyes. "I just have nightmares."
* Sera pulls her knees up again, setting the laptop aside and huddling a bit. "I know how that feels."
Are they really bad?
Lucia glances at her, mouth tightening. ". . . Sidney makes them stop, sometimes."
Mm, good.
". . . you guys don't really like me, do you? I mean, I think /you/ do, but the rest of you . . ."
* Sera tilts her head.
Lucia looks down at her lap.
...I like you. I can't speak for everyone, obviously... and a lot of us have had bad experiences with demons, or being called out of camp, so it's hard to trust you. I don't think anyone I've talked to /dis/likes you.
"Konatsu?" Lucia snorts.
Konatsu gets really driven... and he's naturally suspicious, I think. I don't know him that well except for what I've seen of him in games.
* Sera looks pensive and fiddles with the edge of her uniform sleeve. "...we don't know a lot about you or each other, and we've been in danger together before. It makes things tense."
"I'm not dangerous," says Lucia, almost sulkily.
* Sera makes a muffled sound that's almost a giggle. "Sidney could kill all of us, even if he won't unless you say so. That's a lot to take on faith."
"Well, he's not here right now," Lucia points out.
* Sera half smiles. "That's true. And I think I trust you not to ask him to. But you still see what I'm saying."
Is it so easy for you to trust us, either...?
"You all judge me!" Lucia crosses her arms.
...?
Lucia tilts her chin up. "You do."
* Sera huddles up a little more. "...I'm the last person to judge anyone, all right?"
I do worry about you. Because I like you, and I don't know what's going on. But I can't help that, much.
Hesitantly, Lucia reaches out to touch Sera's hair.
* Sera doesn't move...?
Lucia pets her, carefully. "Do you want to talk about it . . .?"
* Sera ... is petted...
...mm... I've done a lot of things t-that didn't work out well, that's all. And hurt a lot of people.
Lucia fiddles with Sera's short hair. "Ah . . ."
* Sera shrugs slightly. "...how much do you know about us? When you borrow us from camp."
"Not much," Lucia admits.
Did you ask Sidney?
"Why would he know?" Lucia blinks.
* Sera looks wry. "He probably knows a little about me. I think I'm kind of obvious. I... it's a really long story, but even though I'm a demon, I'm really weird for a few reasons. ...it doesn't seem like things work like they do at home here, though."
* Sera sighs.
"Like how you eat people?" There is no judgement in Lucia's gaze whatsoever.
No. That's not actually that weird at home. I'm the Cyber Shaman, though. That's why I'm so good with computers.
Lucia shifts a little forward. "Cyber Shaman?"
The door opens, and Jez (covered in blood) comes in.
* Sera cuts off and glances up.
Hi, Sera.
Hello.
Lucia yelps. "Jez! You're getting blood on the carpet!"
H-hey. What happened?
Jez looks down at her chest. ". . . sorry, Master."
We fed her some beef. Sorry about the mess...
Did you find Konatsu...?
A-ah, yes, sorry...
I'll clean it up later, I promise.
Lucia . . . facepalms.
Not yet.
No. We thought maybe Jez could help us.
Jez whines, shuffling.
Are you feeling better, Lucia?
Lucia sighs, sitting up. "I'm feeling fine," she grumbles. "I was just tired out. What's wrong? Where's Konatsu?"
We can't find him. He left to go to the bathroom some time ago, and hasn't returned. Knowing him, we would have heard if something had happened to him... so we're trying to find him.
"Did he leave the house?" Lucia demands.
Jez shakes her head. "Nnn."
* Sera shakes her head and hops to her feet. "...okay, where have you looked?"
Jez said that he hasn't been downstairs.
Lucia sighs. "He's probably just wandered off somewhere, snooping."
Let's look.
* Robin^Sena nods.
Right.
* Sera gives Lucia a brief apologetic look and then pokes her head out the door. "Konatsu--?"
* Sera starts down the hall.
Lucia sighs, standing up and following Sera out. Jez sniffs around in the air.
* Robin^Sena gives a cursory look-over at the room first.
* John^Brown watches Jez sniff and then follows Sera and Lucia
Jez sniffs around wandering down the hall, peering at doors.
* John^Brown is keeping track of where they're going
Jez doesn't go far. She opens up a closet. It's empty, but she starts to growl.
What's in there...?
* John^Brown pokes head inside the closet
...
There is nothing in the closet. To Sera, though, you'll note that it just smells . . . bad.
* Sera makes note of this closet.
* John^Brown with head still in closet "You smell him in here, Jez?"
* Robin^Sena reaches out to touch the inside of the closet.
It is a totally normal closet.
Jez growls again, staying huddled near Lucia.
Hmmm.
Lucia, do you have any ideas...?
Lucia frowns, shaking her head. "It's just the closet . . ." she says. "Is there a secret door?"
I don't see one.
* John^Brown presses a hand against the back wall
* Sera steps into the closet and closes her eyes.
Sera...
"Sera . . .?" Lucia murmurs.
* Sera shakes her head slightly. "...I don't know why she's looking at it."
"Blood," says Jez.
Was it recent?
Jez nods. "Sword boy's."
...
Oh no...
Did he leave this place, Jez?
Jez sniffs the air, then drops to the ground, sniffing at it. Sure enough, there's a splatter of blood. "Don't know."
"What? How could anybody get in here to hurt him??" Lucia looks alarmed. "There are guards--!"
...if he walked out bleeding, it should be easier to follow him.
Does the trail end here?
Jez nods. "There's no trail."
* Robin^Sena kneels where the blood splatter is. "If he was killed, there would be more than just a few drops. If he made it away, there would be a trail going somewhere."
...mm...
Lucia, where's Buttons? Is he the guard?
"There are a lot of hounds . . ." Lucia touches her hand to her chest, over her necklace, and closes her eyes.
* Sera watches.
* Robin^Sena dips her fingers into the blood, idly.
It's still warm.
I wonder if the closet will burn...
Lucia looks alarmed. "You can't burn it!!"
I wasn't going to. It would be too dangerous.
"But you said--!"
* Sera ...pushes Robin out of the closet, gently.
I'm just thinking out loud.
* Robin^Sena goes. "Sorry..."
It's fine. But if something weird happend here...
* Sera makes a vague reminiscent-of-that-time-we-set-Cillian's-office-on-fire hand gesture.
* Robin^Sena bows her head. "I know..."
That was my fault too.
...Lucia? Did you find anything out?
"Nobody came in or out . . ." Lucia says slowly.
* Robin^Sena looks sad. "I didn't do it on purpose... anyway, I was just thinking that if the closet has something evil in it, that it would show up. But I don't feel anything here."
Lucia starts to look very unhappy.
What can we do...?
...I... have an idea... but it might only work if it's one of us alone, if he found something strange.
What do you mean?
"Alone?" Lucia echoes.
* Sera gestures at Lucia apologetically. "...last time you brought us, some weird stuff happened at night, when we were sleeping. Maybe it's like that?"
Jez begins to growl.
Jez...?
Lucia twists her hands together. "Nothing like that should be able to happen!'
...just let me check it out for a minute on my own? I'll be right back if nothing happens.
Will you be okay, Sera?
* Sera nods.
Alright...
". . . fine," mutters Lucia. She points at John. "You, go back to the library and continue research. Robin, you search the rest of the house. I'm . . . going to lie down."
... okay.
* Sera gives her a concerned look. "...all right."
I'll go upstairs... and, um, sorry about the mess, Lucia. I'll clean it up before the night is over.
Lucia shakes her head. "I'll get one of the servants to do it. Jez, you see to it," she instructs firmly.
* Robin^Sena nods, hesitantly. "Alright... be careful, everyone." She shoots Sera a worried but determined look, and goes to check the other rooms upstairs.
* Sera ... sticks around in the vicinity of the closet.
#konatsumakesthebestdecisions
You feel a constant sense of /violence./ Like you want to gently rip into people and tug them apart.
The presence in your mind also feels malevolently amused.
#thecloset
...
* Sera shuts the door behind her.
I-I'm scared for Konatsu. Does that...?
The closet smells like blood and old mothballs.
* Sera ...sits down and leans against the back wall.
...if it's you, I'm sorry. If it's not... w-well, I've done stupider things than talking to a closet.
I don't know what to do here. It scares me more than I can really think about. I wish Joshua or Kazuki or someone was here. I-I'm scared something's going to happen to her. Or to us. Or we'll happen to one another. I don't know what to do.
Beep beep beepbeepbeepbeep.
* Sera pulls out her phone...?
There is a text message from Madison.
* Sera opens it.
"You should check the news."
* Sera ... gets up and heads out of the closet, giving it one last glance before she goes.
The closet looks innocently back.
Before you make it back to the study, you come across Konatsu walking calmly out of one of the other rooms.
--Konatsu? Where have you been?
Ah--I believe I got a little lost.
...I see... did you bleed on something, in here...?
No, I was just--ah--trying to find the bathroom.
...huh.
Um, I think Robin's looking for you upstairs. You might want to go tell her...
...I need to check the news.
Oh--yes, of course. Have you managed to find anything new?
Not yet.
I see . . . hopefully tomorrow will yield something more.
* Sera nods and heads back to the study.
* Konatsu moves to the stairs to find Robin.
Konatsu, #pyroadventures
#konatsumakesthebestdecisions
Let's keep this our little secret, shall we?
I do not intend to tell anyone else of this.
Our little secret.
If you wish to call it that, yes.
She didn't believe you.
Unless she sees fit to discuss this matter with the others, I see no reason to be concerned.
The seal you spoke of . . . what is it?
It gives that girl power over her pet demons.
Including the one called Sidney?
Especially him.
What--manner of demon is he, exactly?
A pet dog, at the moment.
(Sardonic laughter)
She seems to have a multitude of those.
We are wasting our time.
What do you propose that we do?
Leave this place.
And go where? We have no means of transportation at the moment,
We can take a vehicle.
You forget that I do not know how to operate the vehicles of this world. Where would you even go
You forget that I can do things you haven't even dreamed of.
Where would you go?
Away from this place before [DARK IMAGES OF SIDNEY] comes back.
Would he be able to sense you?
Yes.
And what would he do if he knew you were here?
Us.
. . . us?
Us.
You and I.
Yes, what would he do to us?
I don't think you'd like to know.
Then we can find a way out before they return.
#pyroadventures
* Robin^Sena goes up the stairs to check the next floor out.
You find a hallway with a variety of doors across from each other, a bit like rental student housing.
* Robin^Sena goes to open up the first one on her left.
It's a small bedroom -- bed, desk, etc. It looks lived-in but it's currently unoccupied.
* Robin^Sena wonders who lives here. She opens the next room.
Likewise.
* Robin^Sena continues down the hall like that, leaving the doors open. "Konatsu?" She calls out.
There's no reply from Konatsu, but in the next room, there's a dog on the bed which looks upw ith interest.
Oh.
Um... hello?
The dog, who is very very fluffy and has twelve horns curling down from its head, wags its tail.
Can you speak...?
It seems to consider that thoughtfully.
... woof?
It barks back, then transforms into a boy of about thirteen, with equally fluffy hair and the same horns.
He's wearing boxer shorts.
* Robin^Sena feels like she should be surprised, but isn't, really. "Hello."
"Hi! Hi."
What's your name?
"Pox."
Pox... I'm Robin.
"Hi!"
* Robin^Sena smiles a little. "Are you the only one who lives up here?"
He shakes his head. "Are you one of Lucia's?"
I'm a guest of hers, yes.
What else is up here?
"Others!"
He jumps off the bed.
* Robin^Sena watches. "Can I meet them?"
"Dunno." He walks up to her.
* Robin^Sena hesitates, then holds out her hand.
He tilts his head, then puts a hand on top of it and looks expectant.
* Robin^Sena smiles, and shakes. "Can I pet you?"
He drops onto the floor and wriggles, even more expectant.
* Robin^Sena pets his fluffy hair.
"Tummy," he says, pointedly.
* Robin^Sena kneels and pets his tummy.
he squirms gleefully.
* Robin^Sena scritchie?
Konatsu, you walk into a room where Robin is... kneeling and rubbing a young boy on the stomach.
Ah . . . M-Miss Robin . . . ?
Oh, Konatsu!
I--I'm not interrupting anything--I--can step outside . . .
* Robin^Sena stops petting Pox and stands, going over to him.
Are you okay? What happened?
The boy -- who is around 13, wearing boxer shorts, has fluffy hair and twelve horns -- whines.
Ah--I'm fine, I just got--a little lost, looking for the restroom.
You're not injured?
No, I'm all right.
Did--you and Miss Sera find something . . . ?
* Robin^Sena glances back at Pox apologetically. "You were gone for so long... we decided to look for you. John and I fed Jez a steak so she would follow us, and she led us to a closet that had some of your blood on it."
Pox perks up around the words 'fed' and 'steak'.
With . . . my blood? Where?
Downstairs, in the hall. Sera's still down there. We should go tell her and Lucia that you're okay-- we were afraid something had happened to you.
* Robin^Sena ... lifts her hand to beckon Pox.
Ah, I already ran across Miss Sera. Did Miss Lucia wake from her nap?
Pox comes over and leans against her.
Not that I know of. I came up here a few minutes ago to look for you, and I found him.
* Robin^Sena pets Pox. "He says his name is Pox."
"Pox," he agrees.
. . . Pox . . .
"Pox!" he repeats.
Ah--I see. Pox it is.
We did find a few things out about the artifacts... at least, we have a few places that we can research tomorrow.
Visit, I mean.
That is fortunate. Shall we return downstairs, then?
Yes.
Very well.
* Konatsu gives Pox one last confused glance before heading back downstairs.
* Robin^Sena follows.
* Robin^Sena looks to see if Pox follows.
Pox does follow, whining.
Is it okay for you to leave...?
"Leave?" he sounds confused.
Come downstairs, I mean.
"House is okay," he says. He sniffs at them idly.
Do you think perhaps she has given him orders to remain in the room?
* Robin^Sena pets him again. "Did Lucia give you orders, Pox?"
"House is okay," he says. "Except if I have to go."
... then, I guess you can come with...?
We will remain within the house.
#thestudy ?
#konatsumakesthebestdecisions
Zazzle> Find the keys to one of the cars.
I will do what I can. I thought that you were capable of things that I cannot dream of.
All in moderation.
Very well. What manner of creature is Pox?
Just a lowly hellhound.
The same as the other two?
Which two are you referring to?
Her--other pets.
I wouldn't be able to catalogue them. But nothing compares to "Sidney."
He is more powerful than you, then?
(Annoyance, hesitance)
Yes.
It seems rather foolish of you to be lurking in his home, then.
He's not here right now.
A valid point.
So we should leave before he's back.
I am trying to do as much,.
#thestudy
* Sera goes to her laptop and looks up "local news dundee"
Dundee United will be without Mihael Kovacevic for Sunday’s trip to face Motherwell and the 22-year-old faces a real battle to regain a starting spot (writes Graeme Finnan).
A Monifieth couple have been left “devastated” after part of their dream holiday to the USA was cancelled due to a volcanic ash cloud (By Geraldine McKelvie).
Tayside Police today said warnings had been given to the region’s small number of stockists about the impending ban on various legal highs, including mephedrone (By Graham Huband).
Dundee’s Ninewells Hospital faces record waiting room times in light of recent "mono" outbreak among young children and teenagers (by Claire Thompson)
A DRINK and bubbles-fuelled paranoid schizophrenic has been jailed after he dowsed his Brechin girlfriend in petrol and threatened to set her alight.
TOP CIVIL servants in Scotland are planning to cut the Scottish budget by a massive 15% to tackle the looming squeeze in public spending.
DOCTORS ARE being given a hard time by overweight patients offended when the subject of their weight is broached, a Dundee University researcher said yesterday.
* Sera checks out the mono story.
According to the story, a record number of children have been admitted to hospital recently with mono-like symptoms, primarily extreme exhaustion. Several are currently catatonic. Doctors currently have no explanation for the illnesses.
* Sera ... checks out the story about the volcanic eruption in another tab while she's at it. Hm.
* Sera looks for any more information on the mono story, too. Where are the children coming from, exactly?
Volcanic ash from Iceland has apparently been causing travel havoc over much of the UK.
* Sera looks for where the kids with mono have been coming from, exactly?
All around the region, generally. Schools are considering shutting down in a number of regions in an attempt to curb the outbreaks.
* Sera texts back to Madison. "The news where?"
* Sera checks for anything murder related.
"serial killer Dundee"
It comes up with a number of hits in the last few weeks; the victims again are apparently random, but all the victims have been brutally ripped apart. The news is calling it "the new Jack the Ripper."
........oh, not again.
* Sera rests her forehead on the computer table for a minute and then checks the network to see if Lucia's online.
She's not.
* Sera puts "Bellcourt" into the google search engine, stares at it for a minute, then erases it with a sigh and starts looking up greater demons in Abrahamic mythology.
* Sera googles demonology and eventually comes up with this site: http://www.djmcadam.com/demons.htm
* Sera reads through that for a while.
[Robin and Konatsu come in]
Hi, guys.
A boy is accompanying them, about thirteen, in boxer shorts. He has fluffy hair and twelve horns.
Hi, Sera.
* Sera nods politely at the newcomer...?
This is Pox. He was upstairs.
"Hi!"
He--seems to be another of Miss Lucia's pets.
Hello.
"hi!!!" he sounds more excited to say it a second time.
N-nice to meet you.
"Hi!!!!" He doesn't seem bored with this yet.
* Konatsu sighs, rubbing lightly at his temple.
* Sera smiles at him and looks over at Robin. "...there wasn't anything in the closet, I guess."
I see...
What was upstairs? Besides Pox...
* Robin^Sena pets Pox and sits down. "I didn't see much upstairs, except a long hallway with rooms. They looked like they were for people to live in."
This must be some sort of vacation home . . .
I still don't understand why your blood was in the closet, though.
It was warm, too, like it had been freshly spilt.
...oh, I should tell Lucia you're okay.
Ah--I'm not certain either. I--how did you know it was mine?
* Sera pulls out her cell phone.
Jez could smell it.
I see. Oh--is Miss Lucia awake?
--oh! I don't know, but it seems wrong not to let her know...
[to Pox] Will one of you let her know when she wakes up?
"Know what?"
That Konatsu came back.
Perhaps we should just leave her a note . ..
"Konatsu?" He looks at Konatsu curiously.
N-Nevermind, Pox.
A note might be better...
* Sera nods and pockets her phone again, then.
* Robin^Sena sighs deeply. "I wonder if the others are okay..."
* Konatsu looks around the room for something to write with.
There are pens, paper, etc.
* Konatsu quickly writes a note explaining that he got lost and is doing quite fine, thank you.
Where is Miss Lucia right now?
I don't know...? She said she was going to go lay down.
Ah--I see. I'll--see if I can locate her.
* Konatsu takes the note and heads for the hallway.
I'll go with you.
I--should be all right on my own. But thank you.
...I don't have anything else to do in here...
I don't want you to disappear again. We don't know where her room is. Pox, do you know where Lucia sleeps?
"Her room," he says promptly. "With Lord Sidney."
Can you show us where it is?
"I'm not allowed there," he says.
You don't have to go in. But we would like if it you showed us where it is.
* Konatsu sighs irritably, clenching the fist not holding the note. "Can you deliver something to her room?"
"Go there... but don't go there?" He considers this.
Yes.
... well, point it out to us.
"I can go?" He sounds excited.
* Robin^Sena nods.
You can show us, but not go in, because you're not allowed. That's okay, right?
"............................................................okay."
He walks out the door.
After--after you two.
* Robin^Sena walks out.
* Sera ... eyes Konatsu and then walks out.
* Konatsu follows them out.
#konatsumakesthebestdecisions
Keeping this a secret is somewhat difficult when everyone insists on being concerned.
They're fools.
You're better than them.
(you are)
I--thank you.