[005]

[fortune_sought]

[it probably comes as no surprise to anyone who knows her that, when Sophie's CAT activates seemingly without her consent, it shows Sophie looking terribly annoyed] What do you mean by asking questions like this just to go in!? I have a headache, and I would like some tea, and you are going to open this door!

[she is standing outside the tearoom, her hands on her hips and definitely not a mood to deal with the hologram in front of her, currently displaying a trivia question: What is the name of the reptilian race that, by the 25th century, dominated a large portion of the galaxy matched only by their rival and sometimes enemy the Earth Empire?]

I have no idea what you're even referring to! Open the door! [grabs the knob, but the door doesn't budge. instead, an angry tone sounds to reveal to Sophie that she has answered incorrectly]

[she lets out a cry of frustration] Curses! Open!

[unfortunately, as she tries the knob again, another hologram appears, this time with the question: What is the name of the weapon that can both unlock all doors and people's hearts?]

[gapes] Whatever it is, it must be black magic indeed! Stop this nonsense and let me in!

[observers might be able to guess that she's been at this for a while. in fact, one by one, strands of her hair have been changing to orange yarn, though not enough to be easily visible yet. she's also about two inches shorter than she should be and her left foot is composed of fabric rather than skin. this is not a good day for Sophie]

Comments

[fortune_sought]

[gasps] Oh...oh my! What a ghastly thing to have planned! I thought that Doctor Resarci had acted alone in that. [she is clearly not fond of this idea at all]

[cringes] Yes, I agree with you there.

[collector]

He may have done. As I said, we don't know when these were recorded. But it's a possibility to keep in mind.

Well then. [He offers her his arm.] Shall we?

[fortune_sought]

[accepts it, relaxing a bit at his familiar gentlemanly manner] What do you think we should ask her?

[collector]

What do you think, Ms Hatter?

[fortune_sought]

[considers] We might ask her directly about these games. It's possible that the townspeople know more than we do.

[collector]

Then that is what we'll ask. I'm interested to see what sort of question she gets coming out to speak to us.

[fortune_sought]

Yes, that will be interesting...

Well, nearly there now, at least.

[collector]

Best thing is to knock, I suppose.

[fortune_sought]

Yes, and hope that she answers and not simply a patron.

[glances at Mr Braxiatel as they approach the White Rabbit. it seems it's time to give this a try]

[collector]

[Well then. Brax knocks politely on the White Rabbit's front door.]

[luministimods]

[Audrey looks up, curious by the knock--after all, people just normally barge in--so she gets up and shouts through the door:]

You can come in, you know! Door's not locked.

[fortune_sought]

[glances at Brax before calling in:] Would you mind terribly coming out to speak to us? It would only be a few moments.

[collector]

[Also calling in] And I do hate it when I'm unable to hold a door open for a lady.

[luministimods]

[she frowns, getting what they mean for her to do, and frankly, she's not happy about it. nonetheless, she goes to open the door and receives a question that makes her choke back a sob, but she answers it and after a moment, she heads out. she still looks very much the same as she always has, but she looks very tired and not pleased about having to talk out in the open. nor does she look at either of them.]

Let's talk somewhere else. [she hastens around the corner of the pub, heading for the back entrance. she only moves that fast so she can wipe at her tear-stained face before looking at them properly. once there, she tries to put on a smile, but fails] All right, my darlings, what'd you need?

[fortune_sought]

[is relieved that Audrey comes out to meet them. she was afraid it was too odd of a request for her to comply with, but considering the residents are experiencing these games as well, maybe Audrey wasn't surprised by it]

[she catches the hint of tears and the failing smile and frowns, concerned] Are you quite all right?

[collector]

[quietly] I imagine she was asked a question she doesn't much like the answer to.

[He doesn't even try comfort. What he offered Sophie was the little bit of sympathy he knows. For a stranger . . . well. It isn't a question.]

[luministimods]

[nods] Yes, that's exactly right. And I bet you both have had some bad ones yourselves, my poor dears. I'm so sorry...

[fortune_sought]

Yes. Well. [twiddles her fingers a bit awkwardly] We were wondering if you could tell us anything about why we're all being asked these questions.

[collector]

Yes, usually these sorts of trials limit themselves to the mayor's new residents. I was quite surprised to see the rest of you suffering under them.

[luministimods]

You're not the only one. [begins to rub her arms nervously, as though she's cold] Something is going on with how--[stops and quickly changes her wording]--within this town, but I haven't been able to find anything out. I've barely even left the pub for fear of ending up like that poor, dear girl.

[fortune_sought]

[softly, but urgently] Do you know what's happened to her? I believe...well, I believe we can guess, but was she chosen purposefully?

[collector]

[That slip - and he can't miss it - is the most significant thing she hasn't said. But he keeps quiet, simply concerning himself with reading Audrey's expressions.]

[luministimods]

She changed into a doll after answering a question incorrectly, just like everyone else in town. As for whether it was on purpose or not... [she frowns, a bit of anger seeping into her expression] I don't know for sure, but it's cruel.

[fortune_sought]

[scowling] I agree.

What can be done about it?

[collector]

Oh, Verita's transformation is doubtless intentional. Among those who have been transformed are all individuals involved in Teger's trial, with the exception of Iussus. Things are going far too convenient for mere coincidence to be involved.