GAME 5 - ROSE

[crittersheep]

This VIP room would probably be welcoming under any other circumstance. As is, it's poorly lit and doesn't appear to have a door. There is a fully stocked cabinet of alcohol in the back as well as a circular couch. There's snacks as well, but nothing really substantial . . . except for maybe the goat cheese balls.

Before you on a table sits a marble plate with dips for placing things. Nearby is a small notecard with instructions written in flourish:

Place a secret in the corresponding spot while speaking the name of the person you want it to apply to on that flock. Point values can be found on the back of each secret stone. The walls will not come down until at least three secrets have been played. Failure to earn at least three points will result in an automatic loss.

Secrets that have been guessed correctly will be on display for all at the after party. ♥

Nearby, in a small dish, your secret stones can be found. A list of names can also be found on a sheet of paper on the table, with a little note on the side: Choose wisely.

Comments

[catposting]

Hmmm?

[finalbows]

You keep complaining when I give my little thematic insights, I should just keep it to myself...

_{[ he sits up. ]}

But...
You're very practically minded for a professional layabout. I can't help but wonder if you were doing at least part of a jester's job, anyway? You know. Insight. Reality checking, for the "weird guy." ...it's just funny that you have all this practical experience, too, in such a position...

_{[ pause. ]}

Were...you ever one of those-- what did you call it... 'Light Bearers?'

[catposting]

[ oh. ]

I knew how to act as a Light Bearer before I became a professional layabout.

[ said as if this is the most normal thing in the world ]

[finalbows]

See, that's an entire chapter worth you skimmed. Born a human, commissioned by some rich eccentric, pause, cat tree. Or is it 'born a human, pause, eccentric, tree, pasture'...?

[catposting]

. . .

Are humans the only ones that can use magic in your world?

[ again, surprised ]

[finalbows]

...no, anything can with either a knack or training, in fact there are certain powers primarily held by particular minority populations that are very much, not.

[catposting]

[ blinks. ]

So why the obsession with the "born a human" thing? For the record, you could be correct. I was always told otherwise, but multiple hundreds of people could have been lying. I wouldn't put it past those guys. At the same time... I can't imagine that they'd lie just for me. I'm hardly special.

[ . . . ]

Whether I was born or grown or hacked together with a chainsaw wouldn't have made much of a difference. A freak is a freak, no?

[finalbows]

<sub>[ ...

the swishy tail has long dropped, as they talked. curiously, the end of it tightly squeezes around a leg of the couch as Blood Fiend finishes talking. ]</sub>

...It's not an obsession, cat. It was in inference from what I've seen you do already. You didn't exactly protest it til just now, but...

If that's the case, I won't call you one again. But I'll tell you. There are differences.

[catposting]

[ tilts head, shrugs. ]

Call me whatever you like; the distinction is clearly important to you. Unless I regain those memories, I have no way of knowing the truth. And... well, those memories hardly mean much to me. I'd rather regain the ones Death took.

[finalbows]

_{Changed your mind about those memories, huh...}

That's hardly true, that there's no way of knowing. You don't even need to rely on some rusted-out recollection you don’t even want.

[catposting]

... Would it make you happier if I asked?

[finalbows]

Of course. Then you'll actually know what I'm talking about, when I ask you if there's tells.

Unfortunately, we'd need your Lighthouse to prove it without a doubt... _{[ the tail unfurls, and takes up a gentle, thoughtful swish. ]} It's too magic to be working, right?

[catposting]

[ thinks back to his lie, snorts ]

Yeah, you got me.

[finalbows]

Later, then. The truth shall out, and it'll be an answer that's elegant in its simplicity.

[catposting]

... You don't have to answer me now. But later, if you want me to go along with your experiment — tell me why this is so important to you. Without hiding behind anyone else. Can you do that much?

[ no mockery behind this one. it's sincere. ]

[finalbows]

...

_{[ tail goes swish, swish. not agitatedly. what is that one mean-- interest? ]}

...Sure. Why not? I'll tell you then why I think the distinction matters.

[catposting]

Deal, then. Maybe we'll get an outfit out of it, who knows.

🎀

[finalbows]

~🎵.