∞ 49: After the mission [action]

[chikaidestroyer]

Turn down a few torches. We'll rest here for now.

[Albert's voice echoes as he calls out to the rest of the group to stop. It's been a steady walk away from the warehouse even though they had been told by their Malnosso co-conspirators to leave the tunnels quickly. Extinguishing several torches, as they had been every time they rested, would help

Comments

[grinnvalesti]

[Sigmund is quietly resting against the wall, though he's still keeping an eye out for danger. Everything was a success, but his thoughts were back home. There had been no word of trouble in the village, but Sigmund couldn't help but be concerned about his family.

He knew it was pointless to worry - the only way to get back was to slog through the journey back. The silence was only giving him more time to think.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[So many brooding fellows. Albert realizes as much as he notices the others lining up against the wall. He regards a page of his notes before speaking.]

We are approaching another experiment day. Within the week.

[grinnvalesti]

[Sigmund looks up at him curiously.]

Are they not entirely put upon us at random?

[chikaidestroyer]

Usually. But it appears they also take some inspiration from other worlds' holidays, such as one called Halloween. There was an experiment last year around this time that seems inspired by a particular holiday -- Valentine's Day.

[grinnvalesti]

I do not think I shall ever forget Halloween. I arrived during that time.

What is the nature of Valentine's Day?

[chikaidestroyer]

It's particularly important to look up some of these holidays when our captors seem to draw elements from them -- especially when they can become as dangerous as Halloween.

It seems to celebrate the life of a saint, a priest of some sort, who wed couples outside of the sanctions of the church. The experiment last year involved uncontrollable infatuation.

[grinnvalesti]

Indeed. I hear more of them the longer I stay here, and I certainly wish to avoid the madness that came at Halloween.

Uncontrollable infatuation? What of those who were already in love?

[chikaidestroyer]

There was a lot of bloodletting in that Halloween experiment. It was possibly the bloodiest experiment we have had to date, though there were also many killed during the Hunter experiment.

I don't believe we had the opportunity to see how those in love were affected. I imagine they wouldn't be left unaffected.

[grinnvalesti]

It is almost reassuring that Halloween was the bloodiest, but I cannot be content knowing that something similar may happen in the future.

...I will keep that in mind. Thank you for the forewarning.

[chikaidestroyer]

Indeed, especially with things such as death penalties in place. The more a person is put in dangerous situations here, the more likely they will perish -- and lose a part of themselves.

[grinnvalesti]

I had been fortunate enough to avoid the chance to learn about the death penalties, but that is indeed a disturbing thought. There are no ways to reverse these penalties?

[chikaidestroyer]

Not that we have found, no. I wouldn't put it past our captors' abilities to be able to restore what they take away, though.

[grinnvalesti]

Then it is only a matter of forcing there hand, however impossible it may seem.

[chikaidestroyer]

With time, anything is possible. We just have to remain patient and continue taking advantage of whatever comes our way.

[grinnvalesti]

Of course. You have my assistance, whenever those times come.

[chikaidestroyer]

I appreciate your words, Sir Sigmund.