come out of hiding, i'm right here beside you

[barehands]

[A while after the execution has ended, everyone will find a simple note slipped under their door.]

If you don't want to be alone after everything that's happening, some of us will be in the dining room. Even if you decide not to come, please remember that you aren't alone here.

[The note isn't signed, but the handwriting is feminine and neat.

For anyone who decides to come, there's a good array of food laid out on the table. There are some small and simple cakes, cookies, and pastries, a healthy amount of okonomiyaki, okayu, and other Japanese dishes (with a focus on rice and eggs), along with curry. In addition, there are pancakes, and a large pot of soup. It looks like a few people collaborated to make enough food for everyone here.

Just like the meal they shared together earlier in the week, the candles from the storage room lend a more peaceful light than the fluorescent lights above.]

Comments

[nachetanya]

Why is that?

[ossifragant]

It's just... note likely to stop. I've been around for a long time; I wish I was wrong, would like to be wrong, but I don't think I am.

[nachetanya]

I find it hard to accept that reasoning with a hunch. However... I also do not have the experiences you've had, Greed.

[ossifragant]

People are far easier to manipulate than they would like to believe.

I'm not blaming the Transmitter for this, far from it, but this "game" has only begun.

[nachetanya]

You don't blame the Transmitter?

[ She's curious, in spite of herself, casting her gaze downward. ]

[ossifragant]

No. She doesn't strike me as someone who enjoys what's happening.

[nachetanya]

Couldn't that, too, be a lie?

[ossifragant]

If it's a lie, it's a very convincing lie.

She's more genuine than that, I think.

[nachetanya]

[ She closes her eyes, opens them... and smiles ]

Honestly, I think do too. Have you spoken with her personally?

[ossifragant]

I have, a couple of times. Can't say I know her, really, but I do like her.

[nachetanya]

Mmm. Don't you consider that odd, "Authentic?"

[ She says with some irony, assuming that the Transmitter uses his title with him ]

[ossifragant]

[He chuckles.]

Nah, not really. I'm a people-person.

[nachetanya]

But she is our captor, after all!

[ And yet, Nachetanya pretty much agrees. Hence the giggle ]

[ossifragant]

Not entirely willingly, I don't think.

[But he thinks he gets the gist of what she's talking about even so.]

...Maybe that's the reason she was chosen to represent her group to us.

[nachetanya]

I'm not sure that "willing" is the right way to describe it, personally. But yes, I suspect that is the case. She's quite personable, after a fashion.

[ossifragant]

That's just it-- I don't think she's a willing captor. We're missing something, something major.

[nachetanya]

That's assuming a lot of her, I think...

[ But she nods ]

I agree there is something we're missing though, probably several things.

[ossifragant]

When you've seen as much as I have, you tend to go with your gut.

[That's not to say he can't be wrong, of course.]

[nachetanya]

Oh yes, you are over two centuries old, right? That really would provide you with a great deal of insight.

[ossifragant]

Something like that.

[He smiles.]

I'd like to consider myself "experienced" as opposed to wise or anything like that.

[nachetanya]

The line between those can be murky sometimes... but yes, I think based on your attitude, "experienced" does suit you better.

[ossifragant]

In any case, I'm not sure how relevant my experience is gonna be-- this is... different, to put it lightly.

[nachetanya]

Is it, though?

[ She tilts her head ]

After all, experiences with people are fairly universal.

[ossifragant]

You have experience with being forced into a killing game?

[nachetanya]

No, but I have spoken with people for years and dealt with my own hardships before now. I don't think those experiences are without value... and if you have more, then it's not.