guestservices | AUDIENCE FOR: Shinobu Kocho

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

Does it? How so?

[ 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? ]

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.

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.

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.

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.

...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.]

[ 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.

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

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. ]

...only time will tell.

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

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

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

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.

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.]

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?

...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.