AUDIENCE FOR: Shinobu Kocho

[guestservices]

Comments

[wisterin]

It feels as if I do. It's a little unsettling.

[guestservices]

[that makes sense. there's a moment's pause as they debate.]

Your thoughts, now that you've read and remember things?

[wisterin]

[ she's thoughtful for a moment, as if she's deliberating what parts she wants to address. ]

The Host's preferred form of entertainment being murder, yet warning against excessive murder is interesting.

When does it become excessive?

[guestservices]

I imagine the excessiveness comes in when one removes all potential players without anyone remaining for a trial. Taking away the challenge, essentially.

[wisterin]

[ she makes a face that's also a smile. ]

That still allows for so much.

[guestservices]

[this would be so innocuous if it came from anyone but you.]

Does it? How so?

[wisterin]

[ i can't refute this but LISTEN,,, ]

You can still hold a trial with half the number of guests we have currently.

[ that means there could be so much murder? there hasn't been a lot of murder yet, which she's grateful for, but that doesn't mean it can't end up that way? ]

[guestservices]

You can, but the terms are still eight weeks. Without enough people, the terms will not be met. And that would be a breach of contract.

[wisterin]

I don't think anyone will go wild. At least, no one seems to be the type, and I don't think I'm the worst judge of characters.

[guestservices]

Perhaps that's true, but...I've come to find people will do surprising, unheard of things when someone they care about is threatened, or danger comes just a little too close to them.

[wisterin]

I know.

[ she smiles. ]

I can be one of those people, and while I know the minimum of entertainment needs to happen and would like to have more faith, I am surprised people haven't done more.

[ murder, she means.

... ]

I would not like to invoke more.

[guestservices]

...you and I both, Miss Kocho, but simultaneously I would prefer that our guests succeed in fulfilling their contract. However....it is still early.

[people may be waiting. they aren't sure yet.]

[wisterin]

[ she nods. ]

We do still have weeks left. I'm not an optimist, so I suppose we'll have to see if it'll get worse before it gets better, as it usually does.

[guestservices]

As it usually does. [they repeat softly.] ...do you have any hope that perhaps this time would be different?

[wisterin]

I want to have the heart to, but I don't.

[ sadly, unfortunately, she's much too much of a realist, and every death hurts. ]

[guestservices]

...only time will tell.

[they almost want to say more, but. that seems to be enough.]

[wisterin]

... If you have something more to say, I'll listen.

[guestservices]

It's nothing, really. Just the faint hopes that perhaps maybe someday it won't be so difficult to hope still.

[wisterin]

I do believe in the goodness of people, but I can also acknowledge the contract doesn't call for too much goodness.

[ when murder is the prime entertainment. ]

May I ask if there is something you enjoy? A food, a drink, or a hobby.

[guestservices]

Perhaps not. With how it's written...it leaves little room for kindness, doesn't it?

[but anyway.]

...I've tried to find pleasure in things as they come. I don't necessarily think I have a favorite or anything though, even if many people continue to provide me with tea. [it's vaguely amused, in a sense.]

[wisterin]

Very little room, but that doesn't mean I won't try. As long as I'm still breathing, I'll try.

[ that's all she can do, really. ]

Would you like some variety? Or if you keep getting tea, are there particular kinds that stand out?

[guestservices]

...I certainly can't stop you. [and won't, actually.]

I can't say there's a particular kind I like over others. But I am fond of trying different ones. I never really know where to start and sometimes it's easier to stick with what I've grown used to.

[wisterin]

Old habits are hard to break. Is that it?

[guestservices]

Exactly that. I'm sure you understand well enough?

[are you similar, shinobu?]

[wisterin]

Some of the time, but I don't look away if I'm given something new to try, if it'll make things better in the long run.