◌ 023 ◌ Watching us, watching them

[wind_of_reason]

[Video message to everyone:]

Good ...evening. Although it was light just a little while ago. Luministi sure knows how to set a mood!

I've just received an invitation to the festival that I cannot refuse. [She holds up a mask in front of her face for a moment.] Would anyone like to accompany me? Although, it wouldn't surprise me if you've all

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[wind_of_reason]

[Holding tight to Sophie's hand, she takes and holds a breath, then also passes through the curtain just a step behind her.]

[luministimods]

[The first thing that Sophie and Fuu will notice when they go through the archway and the curtain is absolutely nothing. The small room is absolutely empty.

However.

Once they're through, they'll hear a little noise like a "zing" and if they press on the curtain, they'll find that it's completely solid and will not budge at all. Basically, they are trapped!

--Or are they?

The wall opposite of the curtain slides open to reveal the darkness beyond--it is night, after all--but if Sophie and Fuu venture outside, they'll notice they're somewhere no one has been able to get to for a while... The area seems empty right now, but once Sophie and Fuu venture out into the area...it might not be for long.]

[wind_of_reason]

[Fuu didn't move around too much while in the darkness of the small room - this really was like the Spring! - and thankfully follows Sophie out into the night.
She's glad to see the night sky and as they walk along she looks around to get her bearings. After a moment, she blinks in surprise.]

You know, this seems really familiar.
Actually... I was being dragged by a lion paperweight at the time so I wasn't really looking at the scenery but, are we on the path to the Mayor's house?

[luministimods]

[almost in answer to Fuu's question, a dark shape appears on the pathway to reveal a podium that has three buttons before three different little screens. the pictures reveal three familiar faces to the pair of them.

the left features the smiling face of Verita.

the center features the suave former Sheriff Iussus.

and the right features a grinning Audrey as they once knew her when they first arrived in town.

a note set up against the screen reads:]

"Using what you know now, choose who you believe is responsible."

[the wall that had opened up from from the curtained area closes behind them. they have no choice but to choose.]

[wind_of_reason]

No, I think it's Audrey as well. I don't understand how it came to this, or why we're being given the choice from these three, but... yes.

[With a definitive nod to Sophie, she reaches over and presses the button under Audrey's picture.]

[luministimods]

[it takes a second for the console to register the button they hit, but register it does with a positive "ding" sound and from just beyond one of the nearby trees, Audrey herself emerges and stays a safe distance. she has no weapons on hand, unless one considers the electronic lamp she's carrying to be one.]

I don't have much time, my darlings, but please listen to me. I'm not going to harm you. It was me who is responsible for the recent deaths, but for reasons I can't quite talk about right now, I had to do what was done to some of you--especially you, Fuu-darling--because it was the only way I could pass information off without giving myself away. At least I can say it's good seeing you again, the both of you. And congratulations, Sophie. [she smiles sadly, but as she continues speaking, her smile fades and her tone turns increasingly urgent.]But since I took out my in-town double, I can't come back again after today. A friend of ours is going to try to get you all home while I try to stop everything else. What I need you

[wind_of_reason]

[Fuu blinks at seeing Miss Ardes - she had suspected that there might be a double, but it is still strange to see her... 'alive' again. She frowns when she admits to being the murderer. Even if there was a reason for it, it was disturbing to know that this woman had shot her through the heart.

As Audrey lays out her plans, she feels a small ball of ice form in her stomach. Being asked to do something so suddenly, without knowing the whole picture... it's a scenario that is all too familiar with. Tragically familiar with.

She certainly does have questions - about seven off the top of her head - but picking up on the sense of time slipping away, she tries to respect Audrey's request. But Sophie brought up some very good points, and she needs some clarification too.]...You'll give us a window of opportunity to destroy two things in this town that are preventing us from leaving here. Once it's done, your ally - you can just tell us who it is, by the way - will get us out of here, and you will stop PL and Resarci and whomever else is

[luministimods]

[Audrey glances behind her, her demeanor obviously increasingly worried and her mind elsewhere.]

It must end quickly. Things are progressing in a way that it will be extremely difficult for me to get a chance like this again, but I trust him to take care of things for me. Your friends will show you why once everyone leaves the curtains.

And Fuu-darling, I can't tell you his name. I asked him not to tell me what it was in case I did get caught. Also, do not dwell on Resarci. He...[her eyes turn cold for a second]--isn't in the picture any longer.

Just know that even if you don't destroy the right ones the first time, no one in town can get hurt--but you can. Be careful; once I turn the switch, things can be destroyed--but remember where you are. If you burn the place down, you'll have an entire fire to contend with. Likewise, flooding the town will be just as inadvisable.

I'm sorry you two, but I have to go. It sounds like you understand what needs to be done. [she takes a half-step forward, like she wants to comfort