WEEK 1 MINGLE - KALMIA

[foundationmods]

All of the guests awoke in their rooms, just like they had before.

Yesterday had been a day of surprises.
First, they'd finally met the person who had brought them here - the Witch of Dimensions, Yuuko.
Secondly, they'd learned they were going to be playing a horrible game.
And most important, they learned that wishes could be granted if they won this game.🗈

Still, for now, it seemed like there wasn't much to do. Was the Witch already in talks with the 'Murderer'? Was the 'victim' already decided upon?

There was no way to know until some day later this week, apparently.

Still, it wasn't all bad. The island was beautiful and the climate just perfect for beachgoing, or taking a cosy walk in the garden. There were also board and card games which would be produced upon request - and the tv in the Sitting Room - to help ease the boredom of it all.

Though, perhaps the guests would prefer to get to know each other instead? On maybe get into some trouble as they roamed the island.

Despite being told someone will die, it...felt remarkably peaceful. Could one of their own really be able to kill someone?

...Or, maybe...this is just the silence that comes just before a massive storm breaks, and sweeps away everything...

MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY

CALENDAR | LOCATIONS | PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS

Comments

Re: MEETING

[improbablenotimpossible]

[Ruler arrives promptly - dressed business-like but for the warmer clime, tapping a pack of cigarettes against his long, pale fingers as he sat down, removing a large notebook from under his arm]

Would anyone mind if I smoke?

[He'll wait for the answer to that as he opens his notebook, taking a pen out from his vest]

I can answer questions as well - I have a few thoughts on the matter, and want to confirm things.

I will get the obvious question out of the way: How exactly do you know Ms. Yuuko?

[chaoscontrol]

[since neither witch was involved in making this food, Shadow will actually partake -- in a very small portion of fried rice.

Notedly, he still hasn't put back on any clothes. fuq clothes]

[Shadow sneers a bit] If you must smoke, please crack open a window. [moving on...]

It seems that some of you may have more experience with these witches and this situation than others. Syaoran -- you seem to know the witch "Yuuko" in particular. Is she from your world?

[improbablenotimpossible]

Noted.

[He'll just wait until the meeting ends then, as he does try some bao, chewing thoughtfully as he waits for Syaoran to answer]

[chaoscontrol]

Thank you.

[excavated]

I don't mind the smoke myself [ he's actually indifferent, but let him clear up some things ] but in terms of Yuuko-san... she's not necessarily from 'my world', but I know her due to a wish that I wanted to have granted a while ago.

But like Watanuki said yesterday, I fully believe that the Yuuko-san here is not the real one.

[anonnomnomnom]

[... He swallows before speaking because for the most part he is a good decorous fellow.]

You know something about how she grants wishes, don't you? That's what you went after her for. But Watanuki found Mokona! So you're back down to just one reason why she's fake. Why is she fake?

[He doesn't seem argumentative or accusatory. Actually, he seems unusually excited about this topic.]

[excavated]

I do. But that's not the only reason why I believe that she's fake. As for the other reason... I can't say it. If I did, something might be changed again, and I can't risk that. [ Because Watanuki-- no, because Kimihiro is here. ]

[anonnomnomnom]

So, kind of like you can't say a move out loud or your opponent will make a different move?

[Hmm. He has zero context for this. What's happening.]

Re: MEETING

[fullbodied]

What sort of notes did you manage to get, Ruler?

I got too pissed off to really dig... Sorry...

Re: MEETING

[improbablenotimpossible]

Well, I've been compiling everything Ms. Yuuko has said, and some of my observations.

[His expression softens as she apologizes]

It's all right - it is a rather vexing situation.

One thing I had noticed, she seemed quite familiar with the mechanics of how My sort of existence works, and I believe it might be safe to assume, unless otherwise shown that they know each and every one of us quite well.

Most 'games' operate on the idea that both players will know how every piece operates, to take the metaphor further.

Re: MEETING

[chaoscontrol]

Right. Like in a game of chess -- each piece moves a certain way and both players know how.

... But I suppose from the perspective of the Rook, how the Knight moves is a mystery.

[improbablenotimpossible]

[He smiles, giving a nod of agreement]

Or how a pawn could promote to Queen or whatever the most advantageous piece would be during the game. I don't believe there is a true pattern as to why we were selected, but "our" witch no doubt chose us because she believes our non-extraordinary abilities will prove effective in disproving Fantasy.

[fullbodied]

It'd be nice to get some actual answers for "why we were chosen" though, rather than extrapolating.

[she sets aside the "my existence" bit. Since she knows that that's important to him.]

And also... are they saying our abilities are inherently fantasy or something? 'Cause it feels like it's just a ploy to make us more helpless.

[anonnomnomnom]

It would be pretty stupid if they got a bunch of pieces and didn't know how any of them moved. Of course, they've turned off all the extra moves, so it makes it way easier for them. Boring.

[There's teeth in that last word, but it's momentary. He perks up again, peering at Sherlock up and down... and up and down again.]

So what is your existence anyway? Are you Furniture too?

[It's not like they explained all that well yesterday.]

[improbablenotimpossible]

[He steeples his fingers, exhaling softly as he gathers his thoughts to sort and explain]

I am a Servant, so functionally yes, there seems to be quite a few similarities between Servants like myself and Furniture.

Under normal conditions, someone like I can only be summoned under special circumstances - A "Class" is set up as a template, and a Magus, a user of magic calls upon a spirit to fulfill it, becoming the servant's master.

The Master receives three Command Spells, which can - long as the command isn't impossible or incredibly vague - force the Servant to do whatever the Master wants. While we can resist some commands, it will make us weak and sick to do so.

The fact the Witch use that kind of compulsion on Watanuki here for a minor chore does suggest unlike a Servant-Master relationship, there may be no limits on the commands a Witch can use on the Furniture.

[anonnomnomnom]

Hmm, so there is a difference. That means that you're like me, you've been through a few worlds now! Does that mean you have a Master Magus in the Foundation, too?

[Since most of them seem to be Foundation buddies, he goes straight for that one. Is that relevant. Who knows. He's curious!]

And you can probably take some guesses at why Witches and Furniture are so different. Right?

[youkaiwatch]

I wouldn't, but it seems it's become pretty unpopular with kids since my time.

[ Which is to say, she's got a pack in her pocket herself and will definitely join you after this meeting. In the meantime, she'll listen to whatever everyone else has to say. ]

[improbablenotimpossible]

I mean it really is a bad habit.

[He grins with self-deprecating humor]

Though there are far worse ones to have.

[youkaiwatch]

True. I'd put playing games with living pieces somewhere near the top.

[improbablenotimpossible]

I would certainly hope this isn't a habit of theirs, it would imply it's played with some regularity.

[youkaiwatch]

Isn't it? She said something like that to you, didn't she? That this was how their disputes were usually resolved?

[very_good_end]

Yes, I mind. It's annoying, and the smell gets everywhere.

...Or perhaps were you thinking of consuming something other than tobacco?

[improbablenotimpossible]

[He simply puts away the cigarette pack at that, keeping on a placid expression]

Hardly, the other substance you are referring to is even more foul-smelling than tobacco.

[very_good_end]

Oh? I can think of many chemicals one could imbibe through smoking if one were... adventurous... enough.

[snickers]

Ah, but have we been introduced? Let us correct that. How do you do? I am the Great Detective, Furudo Erika. Though we will surely only share this space for a short time, I'm sure we will grow very intimately acquainted.

Please, by all means, allow me to hear your name to mark our introduction as complete.

[improbablenotimpossible]

My choice of adventure is less, Chemical so to speak.

[He keeps his face neutral during the introduction, but the way she says 'great detective' sets his teeth on edge, Ruler hopes it is just because of ego, at least that is a problem that can be overcome. Then there is how she speaks, the wording sounds so rehearsed to his ears - a show rather than a natural introduction]

I am called Ruler, a nom de guerre I will admit, but it's useful enough. But rather perfect timing in introducing yourself, Miss Furudo. I could not but overhear that you seem to have some familiarity with this 'game' that we have been invited to play, would you care to elucidate on the matter?