[CONTINUE + 3] Week 1 || act: investigate

[foundationmods]

[Everything is still, silent, and dark - just like it should be.

But there is still, undeniably...

a feeling of foreboding.

You know what this is.

One of your own...has perished.

At the hands of one of you.]

((One person only in each spot, please!))

Comments

[dereban]

[Himeko opens the door, her expression impassive.

It doesn't even look like she's been crying, in fact. But her voice betrays her expression, a little drained.]

... hey.

[oceanicbutterfly]

...hey.

May I come in?

[dereban]

Yeah, go ahead.

I don't mind, and it's not as if I was planning on doing anything if we're forced to be stuck here.

[oceanicbutterfly]

[Having thankfully had the presence of mind not to bring the hood with her, Karen comes in.

And she just... finds a place to sit, and sits.]

[dereban]

[For a while, Himeko isn't really sure what to say.

But-]

Do... you want to talk?

[She'd rather not sit in empty silence.]

[oceanicbutterfly]

...do you?

[It is kind of awkward, just being quiet like this.]

I mostly just wanted to check on you.

[dereban]

I wouldn't know what to talk about.

[She shakes her head.]

I'm fine, though. It's not the first time.

[She saw Yoshi's dead body before -

Up close and personal, in fact. So hearing the news and not seeing it is like a breath of fresh air, if she's going to be totally honest.]

[oceanicbutterfly]

Still...

[Karen doesn't pick up on quite how specifically she means that, but eh.

She goes to look out the window.]

I suppose everyone here has had this kind of experience by now, right?

[dereban]

We all most certainly have.

[To be honest, she sounds more disgruntled and annoyed - not directed at Karen than upset.]

I'll go see him later, probably...

[She recalls Yoshi's death, back at the Hotel.

And how she warned everyone, just in case. To not go outside - to see the sheer horror and gore that herself and Shirou wound up finding in the snow.

How she was told words of wisdom that weren't from the person who said them -

"Don't call them dead until you see a body."]

...pictures have never done it justice for me. Besides - we were staying together, and I'm one of the people who've known him the longest. I'm not going to let some sort of lockdown stop me from doing that much.

[She won't allow for it.]

[oceanicbutterfly]

I'll... run interference for you, I suppose.

[She doesn't want to see. She said "everyone," but... her experience has been different. Karen has been through two murdergames before this one, but the first time she saw a friend's body was Inaba's by the tree.]

[dereban]

... thanks.

Besides - all I'm doing is just confirming. Not - I'm not investigating.

[It's half her answer to Karen and half a slap on the wrist to herself, a verbal reminder of what she told herself she wouldn't do.]

[oceanicbutterfly]

[Karen nods.

...]

Don't take too long, all right? We'll get worried.

[At least Karen will.]

[dereban]

I'm not planning to. Just a trip and back. I won't mess with anything, either.

...but not now.

[She'll wait a bit, until later.]

[oceanicbutterfly]

Good.

[...

Sigh.]

I came here to make sure you were all right, and now I feel like I'm the one being looked after.

[dereban]

....ha.

Honestly, at this rate? I don't think much things could possibly upset me further than I am.

[oceanicbutterfly]

Inaba?!

[Karen stands up.]

[dereban]

[She... looks at Karen, confused.]

Did I say something wrong?

[oceanicbutterfly]

I knew you were dealing with something, but if it's that bad...

[dereban]

... It's fine.

It's not like it's something that can be fixed just by talking about it, and it's not going to do me any wonders just mulling over it, either.

[oceanicbutterfly]

That doesn't make it fine. Nothing that makes you feel like that is fine.

[dereban]

I meant 'fine' in like - that I can handle it, sense.

[oceanicbutterfly]

Just because you can--

[Karen stops, and takes a few breaths.]

Inaba, I've seen enough of what you're doing to recognize it.

[dereban]

... well, it's not like you can do anything about it, can you?

[oceanicbutterfly]

...no, I can't. All I can do is support you however you'll let me.

[dereban]

...mm.

And... don't get me wrong - I do appreciate that.