WEEK 2 MINGLE - ARTEMISIA

[foundationmods]

Things had changed so rapidly in the past few days.

The loss of two of them hung over like a shroud, made even worse by the fact that an innocent person had been executed.

Was this....how the rest of the game was going to go...?🗈

....Even if it was, there wasn't much they could do now. Yuuko herself hasn't shown up in public since the trial, and while some have talked to her, she's been...subdued.

Did the trial hurt her just as much as them?

Regardless, the island is still beautiful, if deadly. Summer continues, beaming down on all of them, the waves of the sea warm and inviting.

But even if things look bleak...

They have something in their hands that will soon lead to the Truth, and the heart of this matter.

And in the air...lies a heavy sense that everything is about to change.

MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY

CALENDAR | LOCATIONS | PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS | YUUKO PC POST | BIRDWITCH PC POST

Comments

[very_good_end]

...

[she straightens up, and at his words, starts to dip her head... as if some idea is warring in her brain. She stares at him with dark eyes.]

Yo̵un͡g ͠s͠i͢r͠... ̶I̷ ͢ha͜ve ̸n͝o͝ s͞uch...͞ pr̨e̵dece̶ss҉o͠r̸. ̵A̷re ̶yo̶u͠ ̶s̴ure... yo̵u'̨r̸e͝ n̶o͝t̷..̶.͞ ͟c̛onfu͟se̶d̴?

... [it passes as the question moves on]

Surely I am no demon.

[anonnomnomnom]

[... He cocks his head and narrows his eyes, examining her expression with keen interest.]

So that's how it's going to be, hmm? I guess it's something I'm going to have to ask Yuuko about.

But anyway, if you say you'e not a demon, then you're probably not a demon. Are you human, then?

[very_good_end]

[she blinks and her eyes go back to normal, her expression returning to the stone-faced one as she straightens up]

Sir, I am but a maid. Questions such as 'are you a human'... if you pardon my saying so, the answers should be obvious. What else would attend to the Lady's house other than her servants?

[anonnomnomnom]

Right, right, so you're a totally human servant for Yuuko's house, even if it isn't actually Yuuko's house. That makes Watanuki something in between... or something?

[That's halfway to himself, musing, before he nods.]

So what do you do, exactly? I know Vinea is in charge... Do you just clean things? I didn't even know how many servants a mansion like this had until I saw all the goats.

[very_good_end]

...This is the Lady's house. Any further comment from me would be inappropriate as a mere servant.

I am to clean and attend to my designated areas and see to the upkeep of the house. Serving the needs of the Lady and her guests is also a part of those duties. That is all. When the day is over and the next day begins, I will do so again.

[anonnomnomnom]

It's too bad, you're definitely more boring this way.

[He gives a little shrug, though. Que será, será.]

So you're not all that different from the goat butlers now... Oh, hey, do you get along with the goat butlers? Are there butler meetings about cleaning and being servants and eating books?

They're really scary fast at working.

[very_good_end]

Apologies, sir. I was not tasked with providing entertainment.

...I'm afraid I don't understand. There are a number of butlers here, but why would you call my fellow servants goats?

[anonnomnomnom]

Haha. What if we asked for entertainment?

[Please don't give him this much power.

He actually looks a little bit intrigued from where he's sort of fallen into a steady rhythm of prodding at not-Erika.]

Well, they just kind of seem like goats to me. What do they look like to you?

[very_good_end]

... I would perhaps direct you to one of the butlers who could perhaps provide you with a deck of cards, chess board, or cribbage set.

They are my fellow servants, sir. No more, no less.

[anonnomnomnom]

A boring answer, as expected! Though, I don't know what cribbage is, actually.

[He just seems amused with her. It's all good.]

Do the other servants have names, too? Like you.

[very_good_end]

More's the pity, sir.

...Surely they do. I'm sure they will gladly introduce themselves, if asked.

[anonnomnomnom]

Maybe I should figure out what cribbage is, if the goats are really into it... Oh, you haven't met all of them yet, either?

[He lowers his voice a little conspiratorially.]

You know, sometimes it's hard to tell them apart.

[very_good_end]

Sir, I'm afraid I must be direct: I will appreciate if you stop referring to my fellow servants as 'goats'. They are as flesh and blood human as you or I.

[anonnomnomnom]

Okay, okay.

[He holds up his hands in a (mock?) placating gesture.]

Jeez, you're as uptight about goats as Vinea is about the library.

[very_good_end]

...

[she continues to stare, not taking the bait to ask]

[anonnomnomnom]

[He still needs to finish his sandwich, so you know what? He's just going to stare back unblinkingly at the facsimile of a dead girl probably created by a witch.

Zombie staring contest go!]

[very_good_end]

[The game anyone can play! She stands there as he takes bite after bite. Not staring at him, but to the side in case he calls on her.]

[anonnomnomnom]

[OK OK, he's finally done. At least sandwiches don't usually get cold during long, not-so-spirited conversations with the not-so-dearly-departed. Anon starts putting things away before he turns to Freida again.]

Right, so, it was good to meet you. I guess? I bet your fellow servants are going to get more and more interesting in the next few weeks.

[He gives her a sly half-grin as he leaves.]

[very_good_end]

Likewise, sir.

--You are free to leave your dishes, sir. I will take care of them.

[anonnomnomnom]

Too late, Freida! You gotta be faster than that!

[Annnnnd he absconds with the dishes.]

[very_good_end]

[No chase ensues. She'll simply wait for him to go and then return to cleaning.]