luministi | [009]

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[009]

[Sophie is in the Town Square again, though this time with a very large shopping bag set on the ground at her feet. while she is standing calmly enough, there are some subtle signs of the anxiety and exhaustion that she's been feeling lately. her hair isn't quite as neat as usual, and her dress looks a tad wrinkled. in fact, it's a new dress--forest green, edged in lace, but a very simple design overall. the skirt of it is very loose, clearly designed with plenty of leeway, for a reason that those looking closely at her might notice. at this point in her pregnancy, Sophie has started to show a small baby bump]

Hello again, everyone. [she clasps her hands in front of her as she talks, that calm expression becoming a bit more nervous. she glances around, as though concerned about being overheard, before she continues] Many of you asked me for charms before, and I've finished them all. If you'd like to meet me in the Town Square, I have them here.

This would also be a good opportunity to discuss other recent...events, as well. In person is best, I think. [she smiles somewhat grimly]

I look forward to talking to all of you. [reaching out to the CAT, she ends the transmission]

[ooc: Feel free to use this post as a mingling post! You can interact with Sophie, or you can interact with each other in the Town Square so that information can freely be shared. Also, feel free to notice the baby bump or not as you prefer~]

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I'm glad to hear that! Hopefully it means that we're at least somewhat on the right track.

[Briefly glancing up from his nails, then resuming to finish painting them.] It was an attempt at intimidation for a good cause. It doesn't seem that anyone really took it seriously, anyway - without being backed by my guards or having nasty rumors about me going around, it's difficult to be perceived as a potential threat.

Those who did bother to contact me seemed fairly tight-lipped. I'm uncertain whether that is a matter of not wanting to divulge something or simply that they had no information to offer. You may have better luck with that sort of thing since I'm positive that you know more people than I do.

[Finally screwing the brush-cap back onto his bottle of nail polish;] I'm sure that I'll be able to make good use of your gift. Now, while I'm waiting for my nails to dry, is there anything you'd like me to bring along?

I think it's likely some people either are not watching their CATs or don't want to appear on them under the current circumstances, particularly to someone they don't know. I'll do what I can to share what I find out, in any case.

[thoughtfully] If you've found anything related to our current situation that you'd like to share, please bring that.

[Even though he's finished painting them, he still seems oddly fixated on his nails.] I've already made it a habit to carry my notes with me, so you don't have to worry about that. I was speaking more of things less business-related, like tea or something to eat.

[she's used to quirky people, but she is surprised by the offer] Oh! A sandwich and tea would be very nice, thank you--if it's not too much trouble. Will you be coming soon?

If I thought it was troublesome, I wouldn't have offered. It's customary to discuss important matters over a meal or at least some sort of drink, so it would be impolite not to make some sort of attempt - typically I would have much classier arrangements, but given the circumstances it can't be helped.

[He finally stands from the chair he was perched on, gives one of his nails a quick swipe with a fingertip to check the polish for hardness, and, upon approval, makes his way over to his kitchen and swings open a cupboard door to reveal a somewhat excessive variety of different coffees and teas that he's accumulated. Clearly, he takes hospitality during meetings very seriously.]

If you have any preferences, you would do best to name them now. I'll make an assortment of extras for anyone who stops by. Since I'm already late I'll try to prepare everything as swiftly as possible and head your way the moment it's ready.

Well, thank you in any case; that's very generous of you. Any black tea would be fine, really.

Then I will see you shortly.

Very well! [The CAT goes off, and the next Sophie will see or hear from him is several minutes later as he's rushing like a hyperactive caterer in her direction, carrying with one hand a glass platter with various types of neatly-arranged sandwiches on it and with the other a bag containing some small pitchers of different teas, his diary, and a few dainty teacups.

It's fairly obvious that he's not used to lengthy spans of rushing and/or carrying heavy-ish things over moderate distances - by the time he approaches Sophie, he's already panting and dripping with sweat. It's kind of pathetic.]

[huff...] Please forgive me for- [huff...] -making you wait. [huff...] May I sit?

Goodness, be careful! [she can hardly believe her eyes when he comes running up like that. really, what is the rush? Sophie hurries over to help him with his load] Yes, by all means, sit down! You should be more careful.

Edited 2011-07-17 15:47 (UTC)

[He seems genuinely baffled by her concern and shoots Sophie a wide-eyed look as she offers him some assistance. Outside of his guards, nobody was ever this nice to him!]

Ah? How...?

[Ichijou slumps to the ground and makes good progress toward totally catching his breath.]

Just how is it that you can be so kind!?

[Sophie stares at him, wondering just what was so kind about yelling at him to be careful. she sets down the tray she was helping with and leans over him] It's common courtesy. And really, that's quite a question to ask when you've made all this food and tea for everyone! Are you all right?

[He shakes his head.] Normally I would be punished for being so late. The people here are just so... Different. It's hard to get used to.

All I need is to rest for a while and I'll be fine. I'm exhausted! Aren't all of us that way?

[gapes] Late!? I only just invited you, and then you made all that food! I don't know what sort of people there are where you're from, Mr Ichijou, but--if you don't mind my saying--they sound quite ridiculous.

[she moves back over to her bag, beginning to dig within it. she sighs at his comment about exhaustion. pregnancy has definitely not been helping her in that regard] Yes, I have noticed that... Ah, here we are! [she withdraws a simple, thin scarf from her bag. it's made of a light purple fabric] Will this do? [she walks over, sitting gingerly beside him and offering it to him]

[Giving a resentful little laugh;] "Ridiculous" doesn't even begin to describe it.

I'd like to say that things will calm down and we can all take a nice little break if we ever puzzle out this mystery that we've been caught up in, but somehow I doubt that that's true. Even if it is, it's not like I'd have any way of knowing.

[Upon seeing the scarf, Ichijou immediately looks rather pleased. He gently takes it and starts feeling the fabric, rubbing it between his fingers.] Miss Sophie, how did you know that this is one of my favorite colors? Of course it'll do.

Now, shall we eat and start discussing the matter at hand? I don't mean to rush, but my stomach's been growling. It's not good for concentration or polite company.

[frowns sourly] I think I'm beginning to understand why you were glad to arrive here.

We just have to make do and take care as best we can. [she sighs, shifting in an attempt to sit a bit more comfortably. it's remarkable what carrying a baby does to your posture]

Oh, it's the colour of your tie. [gestures at it, relieved that he approves] But that's very good to hear. I hope it's of use.

[smiles, always glad to spend time with someone who's polite] I'd like that very much. Not to rush things, but once you've had a chance to get your food, would you mind telling me what you've learned that's made you so certain the two Audreys are different?

Somehow, the things that happened when I made someone unhappy were often more pleasant than what occurred when I was in my superiors' favor.

[He cringes just thinking about it and quickly changes the subject. As he's talking, first he loosely ties the scarf around his neck, then he retrieves two teacups and the pitchers of tea, lining them up in front of him.]

This may sound contrived, but my theory about the two Audreys is mostly based on her-- their fingernails. They were quite dramatically different from each other. And after what Fuu showed to me... I'm getting ahead of myself.

[He then retrieves a sandwich and pauses to nibble at it.]

Did you see them?

[wow, as hard as it is to believe, she is definitely starting to be glad that Ichijou has ended up in this town. he seems like such a nice man! and, if possible, his life outside the town sounds like it was even worse than life within it] I'm very sorry to hear that...

[frowns curiously] Her nails? Oh, yes. They were painted, weren't they?

I've been trying not to think about it.

[He starts to pour himself a cup of tea.]

Right, in that message that we received just before the body was discovered, her nails were painted a gorgeous shade of purple. When I checked, the dead "Audrey" had no trace of nail polish.

[Another pause to take a bite of his sandwich and a sip of tea;]

Later, Fuu showed me that her nails were also painted that same exact color by an unknown entity. If we assume that whoever painted Fuu's nails was also responsible for that Audrey's death, it had to have been someone with access to that very same nail polish.

[blinks, thinking about that for a moment. it implies what seems like an improbable answer, but...really, why not in this town?] Do you mean that you believe the Audrey in the video may have killed the Audrey in town?

That's the point I'm stuck on. It doesn't make any sense, right? But at the same time that's what every piece of evidence I've seen leads to. Not that I've seen a tremendous amount of evidence...

Considering what this town is like, I doubt it has to make sense. Though I do wonder what her motive would be. To replace herself, perhaps? The men on the CAT mentioned fishing someone out, but I don't think that would be Audrey's reason...

I haven't the slightest idea, aside from getting someone's attention as you said.

[There's a long pause and Ichijou seems to be distracted by something. He lifts a hand to his face, resting his lips on a finger as if holding himself back from saying anything. Would someone as fixated on appearances as Ichijou ever fail to notice a pregnant woman starting to show? The answer, of course, is absolutely not. And it's been making him incredibly curious throughout this entire conversation.]

Not to change the subject, but, Miss Sophie...

[His cheeks are practically glowing red at this point. This could be horrible if he turns out to be wrong.]

Are you having a child soon?

Edited 2011-07-20 05:35 (UTC)

Yes... Frightening them, perhaps. Though it's frightened us all, so that wouldn't be much of an indication--unless they're searching for one of their own associates again. [she sighs, putting a hand to her head. this is terribly frustrating]

[for a moment, she was wondering what was wrong with Ichijou; he looked so strange all of a sudden! at the question, though, she can't help a small smile] Goodness, not soon! In six months, maybe. But yes, I am. [and as upset as she was about it at first--and as worried as she still is about being in this condition in this town--she's really starting to feel very happy about the prospect of becoming a mother]

I believe you would be hard-pressed to find someone who wasn't frightened by the prospect of someone dying mysteriously as if on cue. [He pauses thoughtfully for a moment. Actually, that was a complete lie - he knows several people who would find it anywhere from pleasantly fascinating to sexually gratifying.] -Normal people, anyway.

[There's still some residual blushing, but the fact that Sophie didn't react negatively to his question makes him breathe a sigh of relief.] Well, I wouldn't know how to estimate stages of pregnancy with any sort of accuracy so I just assume that it's late as soon as I can tell that something's there. I've never known all that many women - it's just not something that I have experience with. [It doesn't help that most of the women he's known in the last several years have been prostitutes.]

[frowns] Well, yes, but I think they're expecting the reaction to be different depending on if a person is on their side or not... But perhaps not. [she sighs, doubting that theory now]

Really? Well... [at this, she starts to look a bit nervous herself. she fiddles with her dress] To be honest, I don't have much experience myself. But it all seems to be fine, so far.

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[009]

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