luministi | Fourth Strike

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Fourth Strike

[Oswald stands before the Southeast door and frowns as the question finishes playing. He's rather had it up to here with this town and its games: first his Psypher being stolen, this his memory, then those damn quizzes, and now being dragged from his 'home' to a rather forbidding house only to, once again, be stuck.

He's actually handling it rather well, all things considered]

...How am I to know any of these answers!? [tries to shatter the door with Belderiver, but like the other three, it remains a door and not splinters. Lowers his Psypher and mutters to himself]

Perhaps teaming with someone would not be amiss.

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[because bothering the grumpy man with a sword like that is always a good idea] Not a bad idea! I'm afraid I don't know enough to be of much assistance, but I'm sure there's someone you could ask. [and he can't really pick locks that aren't there :|] Which way do you plan to go?

[hey now, he's not all that grumpy]

I don't know. Whichever way I can get through. Are you not planning to try?

[just grumpy enough to take on a door]

I would, but I fear I lack the knowledge of the people. [a brief check of Brax's message, and] I suppose we could make guesses at the south-east door, that seems feasible.

[well, he was justified]

Southeast, huh... Any door will do, as long as we can continue.

[…probably better than taking it out on the furniture, too. Hawk goes for pilfering small objects, personally.]

All right! I'll see you shortly.

Very well, then.

[aaand there he goes]

[there a little more than shortly due to grabbing a couple of oranges from the kitchen. he lifts his hand in greeting as he comes in range of sight, smiling easily.]

Different seeing people over these CAT things. I'm Hawk.

[nods his head in greeting] Indeed. My name is Oswald. [turns to the door and holds out his CAT]

"I'm as boisterous and cheerful as they come, but mentioning this can kill my good mood. What is it?"

I do not even know who this woman is. Any ideas?

I believe she's the barkeep- or one of them, at least. I'm told she's quite a friendly person- [he turns more towards the door and continues a little more loudly] so, perhaps a fight at the bar.

[the door suddenly gives a buzzing sound of rejection]

[frowns at the door]

Friendly and boisterous? But not a fight... [a little louder, like Hawk] Perhaps she means unhappy news?

[disappointed, but not entirely surprised by the door's response]

I suppose it might make more of a dent in the mood. The barkeeps at home were quite capable.

[he nods at Oswald's suggestion, and blinks- something Fuu said…]

[the door gives a another buzzing sound of rejection at Oswald's vague answer]

What then? These questions are pathetic and serve no purpose!

[turns to Hawk] Any other suggestions?

Perhaps, but… it seems like a test. I wonder what lies behind the door.

[presses his lips together, and then speaks with as little inflection as he can] I think- she had a brother, Andre. You said bad news- there's surely no news worse than her brother's murder.

[the door gives a ding of approval and opens up to reveal--

the interior of the White Rabbit pub, and Audrey Ardes within. Or rather a facsimile of it. The walls of the room are painted to resemble the pub's interior, but the only real objects in the room are a few bar stools and the bar itself. even the rows of alcohol behind Audrey are only painted on.]

Oh, hello there! I was beginning to wonder if I'd be seeing any of you.

[a brother, huh? It pricks his memory, but he doesn't worry about it--they're in. Although he doesn't recognise the place, as he never visited the pub before]

You've been expecting us?

[takes a moment to compose himself before stepping inside, smiling again.] Sorry to have kept you waiting, then.

I have been, my darlings. Come on over and have a seat. [she motions towards the bar stools] I'm sure you've got questions, don't you?

[Oswald stays standing where he is, his arms hung loosely at his sides. Time to get right to the chase]

Questions? The only thing I want to know is how can I leave this place?

[nods in response to Oswald's question, and takes a seat to get more comfortable] I'd like to know if there's anything you know about the Revival Program, too.

I wish I could tell you that, sugar pie, but I can't. I can't even leave this room, and neither can you, not yet.

[turns to Hawk] Not until I've told you a bit more about that program. At least that's what I think I'm... [trails off then shakes her head] Anyway, you've probably learned about the Program through the Mayor's video message, right? The one about repopulating the town with new blood and whatnot. Well, the 'revival' part is right. This whole thing is part of a revitalisation project of Dr. Constantine Caligin's--and yes, that is the same man as the mayor you and your friends have known these past few months. You two are a bit newer than the others, but no doubt you've heard about the different tests, right?

[frowns and leans against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest]

Different tests? Like those quizzes, and the strange mist that made us forget things? Are those what you call tests, now?

Yes, I've heard of them. Though the word used was 'trials'. You mean there's a connection between those and the Program? What kind of connection?

Tests, trials--same difference, really--but they're very much connected. Hand-in-hand, in fact. [but she doesn't look happy about it] You see...before you came here, the tests were simply physical, to see how you all faired under extreme weather conditions or while under attack from a force that wasn't easily stopped like moving statues that couldn't be broken apart. Things like that. But after the dinner party Dr. Resarci threw for you all, the tests began to focus on the mental. Became more twisted and inhumane. Both of you missed where all you new residents were deliberately poisoned.

But that, the forced selective amnesia, even the changing into dolls...that wasn't supposed to happen. At least, that's what I was told, anyway.

[pushes himself off the wall angrily]

And you did nothing about these things? Did nothing to try to stop them? Was it enjoyable to watch us being used so?

[takes a few steps towards her] Whether things were meant to happen or not, they did, and you all allowed it.

People died because they wanted to stop it. Combine that with a few threats, and- especially if they're few in number- people become scared to take action.

[he looks towards Audrey] That's what the message meant, isn't it?

… What changed things?

[she doesn't back away from Oswald. he's not the one who scares her] I did nothing because I couldn't. My brother was already killed! [she looks as though she has more to say, more to admit--but she can't.]

Which message?

Resarci changed everything. He's got Dr. Caligin in the palm of his hand.

[glances away]

...This Resarci. Is he the man who disappeared after that strange gas? ...Or was it before?

I understand. [watches her face for a few moments] Audrey- is there something that's being held over you in particular?

'This is what happens to traitors'.

How so?

[to Oswald] Before was what I heard.

[he's already tried that, so he'll be lounging on a couch somewhere downstairs, watching through his CAT]

Not gonna work the second time unless you figure out why it didn't work the first time.

And do you know the correct way, then?

If I did, you think I'd be sittin' here?

If you choose to give up so early, then that's your fault.

I'm not going to bang around their cage like they want me to.

You can, if it makes you feel better.

I will find my own way out. I won't be staying in this cage, as you call it.

Call us if you actually accomplish something.

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Fourth Strike

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rather late reply

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