guiltrip | WEEK SIX

WEEK SIX

16 Vacationers

Throughout your time on the island, there's been a steady rhythm; the murders, the trials, the executions, the clean-up afterwards that leave just up remnants for you to remember what was lost. This Monday morning though, things are different. The debris and any biohazards are cleared, but no effort has been made to repair the games at the arcade, or to restock the chemicals and damaged equipment at the laboratory.

Odd.

If you cast your eyes to the sky, you'll also notice that the distortion is also lingering—there's certainly less of it at least, a haze still lingering over the go-karts, one whirlpool lingering out in the sea. It could be worse, surely.

Though there's no new locations for you to take your mind off of all these oddities either. In fact, looking at your device to access the resort map area and scrolling past Kakapo's Nest triggers an error.

There’s one more, slightly more eclectic change: the kittybots, instead of having cute kitty ears and faces, are now without exception round-headed. This would make them look like ordinary robots, but their heads actually now look like a bowl of fish swimming, which occasionally form up into expressions. A change of pace for everything, it seems.

!
WEATHER ALERT:

Bulletin:
The current barometric pressure is 29.90 inHg, and is expected to steadily decline over the coming days. Rain and storms are likely in the latter half of the week.

(( OOC: Welcome to endgame week everyone. We'll be running an endgame investigation Friday during our typical investigation timeslot, and Saturday will be endgame proper.

This week your admins can be contacted Monday and Tuesday only, after that they'll be incommunicado. ))

MONDAY • TUESDAY • WEDNESDAY • THURSDAY

Locations Proposals PCs Check-in Submissions Profiles Network Main Nav

code

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Lobelia would certainly agree— if anyone knows how to persist through sheer, gutting emptiness, it's himself. Someone with as much life to live as Lacus can surely survive all that she's been through and come out as a better person for it.]

We've come full circle, hm? The world is filled with corruption and humanity is quite an ugly thing, but there is always beauté among it all.

Live a life of bliss, Lacus! You're as deserving of happiness as anyone else.

[ She hums at that, between pensive and amused. ]

I may not chase that bliss as selfishly as you do, but rest assured that there are desires I hold that are solely for myself.

[ Notably more amused: ] One such desire is to see you again. I believe we are due a fun afternoon on the beach before we depart to our respective fates, no?

[Lacus truly is a saint among men, isn't she? Lobelia can think of few who know his true self and choose to delight in his company regardless, but that said, he's nothing but pleased with her suggestion.]

Bien sûr ma chère! I miss the sounds of the ocean terribly, but I miss our conversations even more. It will be a shame when we ultimately part, but it's for the best that we do.

[Should they meet again after leaving this place, it will be as enemies. They're both well aware of what roles fate intends for them.]

Even as you are beholden to the goals of your lover, this much is not changing, hm?

[ Lacus can't say that she's disappointed, exatcly - she'd known better than to expect differently. But it's still a bittersweet reaffirmation. ]

Oui. The only way to repay someone for blessing you with an invaluable gift is to bless them in kind, don't you think? As such, his ambitions and the price paid for them are now mine.

[Still... With all of that said, perhaps it's important to mention this:]

I made him a promesse. In exchange for all that he is, I will harm no one else.

[In exchange for (1) Vergilius' eternal torment, the rest of the island gets to live in peace knowing Lobelia won't raise a finger against them.]

How romantic.

[ Maybe that is the wrong word to use for it, but the point is that it makes her glad. And what higher form of love is there than offering up your everything to commit to someone else this way? ]

Should the many universes twists themselves into us meeting once more at a later point, you would at least not have to be my enemy - though I cannot in good conscience promise we'd be allies.

[ The island friendship will remain forever special and confined to this 'vacation'. ]

[That is absolutely the word Lobelia would use, but he'll pray for Lacus' sake that Vergilius didn't overhear that. He's touchy, you know? Real sensitive.]

Oui. Promises should not be made lightly. If we meet again, let us both hope that it can be as chers amis.

[ Oh, she'll say it to Vergilius' face, just watch her. ~~She feels like a parent giving her beloved child to a suitor. 'Continue to make Lobelia happy or else', you know?~~ ]

But, monsieur! You will always have my friendship, even in the worst of circumstances.

[Please do, Lacus. Nothing delights Lobelia more than seeing Vergilius' tomato eyes flare brightly with anger and embarrassment.]

You're much too kind, Chère! At the same time, it takes a certain degree of ruthlessness to cross blades with a dear friend. You truly are quite strong!

Oh? Interesting word choice~

[ Yeah, it's absolutely ruthlessness. ]

Hm? Is there another word you would have preferred?

I'll let it stand, because it's you.

[ And you see the calculating part of her, without letting it discredit her idealism. It's rare to come by. ]

[What can he say? Lobelia likes those who are nothing but true to themselves— his perfect opposites. What's not to love?]

I'll work on brushing up my lexicon before we meet again! There are many words one could use to describe both your cunning and your strength of heart, but I always aim to choose the parfait ones.

[did someone say parfait]

I'm going to be quite curious to see what you come up with, eloquent as you are!

[ Not that there is any serious need for other words, but now she's curious. ]

I wonder, is there anything you'd like as a 'welcome back' gift when you return to the world of the living? It seems we'll be having a bit of free time for the next few days...

Oh? A gift for moi? You really are much too thoughtful!

[...But his answer comes to him naturally, much to the disappointment of everyone, probably.]

I have an archive to rebuild! For that, I require no small amount of conques, but take heart, chère! There is no shortage of them available on the beach. As it happens, there is no such thing as too many conques, so by all means, go wild!

[ Unfortunately for everyone, Lacus just laughs at that. Of course. He never changes. ]

That's right. There are still sounds to record - I am sure the whole world is full of something new to hear and discover!

[ These are things that she said to Wang Lu when she was in mourning. When she thought he was dead and gone forever, so he gave her a blank conch shell to remember Lobelia by.

There's a whole world of noise! And surely, surely, death is not the only option that could have fulfilled Lobelia! ]

There would be no greater honor for me than to contribute to your first archiving steps in your new life as a happy man.

And I like taking walks on the beach, anyway.

[ It's like all she does for half the day. ]

Oui! Oui! Only you understand me, Chère!

[Sound is so useful! It can capture memories, soothe the heart, and even cause grievous bodily harm. Lobelia can't for the life of him understand why anyone would take issue with his methods.]

Of course, I have always been fond of taking walks along the shoreline. I would often do so with Maman and Papa. Those days have long since passed, but they are among my most cherished memories.

[everyone again: but lobelia, didn't you kill your parents

lobelia: ANYWAY,]