but anyway. jason will be left on read for a little bit, but eventually he will feel a presence behind him and see aquarius standing a few feet away as they glance around.]
[i hate you. aquarius doesn't even seem surprised anymore, but they keep their arms folded loosely over their chest as they tilt their head slowly.]
Tragic for you. But you've got other people, so I don't feel so bad. [their voice is a little quiet, but they're mostly alert.] I don't think I've really seen an arcade in a while, so...sure. Guess it's as good of a cover as anything.
[they also aren't surprised jason has another agenda. but they'll walk forward to explore a little.]
Maybe I don't want to play in the arcade with other people. [He grins.] Or maybe... I already have. Now it's your turn.
[He really says this in a hehe way. He'll follow them in the walk around.]
I want to talk to you about... things we've found or noticed. Cloud thinks I'm a moron for being upfront, and maybe I am... but... I'd rather be honest with you. I get... you can't say a whole lot. NDA and everything. That's okay, I get it. I don't mind.
[there's a nod like they're listening, sort of shuffling around and eyeballing what's available. unfortunately, it means that they kind of aren't paying attention and end up bumping straight into a pinball machine with a little yelp.
scooting away...pretending that didn't happen...]
Okay. [it's still the same quiet voice, but they don't seem to mind. it almost sounds resigned...or still exhausted. one of the two. maybe it's both.] Are you going to ask me if I really think Orion's hot, too?
[He doesn't, like, rush to grab them or anything, but he does stick his hand out to lightly put his hand on their shoulder when they run into the machine. Be careful? He steers them away from it. I hate you.]
What? No? [He sort of laughs.] Who even asked you that? Weird.
[stop i didn't do anything. they don't shrug him off, but they do seem a little slower in their reactions as they nod.]
Fine. Just kinda missed. [okay. but they huff a little when he laughs.] Futaba and Rin both did. I'd never even talked to Rin before he was asking me stupid stuff like that.
[its fine? sometimes you're just a little staff and also on top of everything else your balance is a little off.]
Thanks. Seems like more personal notes and letters are floating around. [but they try to concentrate to think.] ...maybe something without a screen? Like those kind where you have to actually do something.
[like skeeball or those free shooting basketball games or etc. ]
Sure. [kids are terrible that's why. but they're wandering back toward wherever the skee ball set-up is and nodding along even as a hand slips under their veil for a second. They debate for a bit on that, especially because jason really is this way right now and that's a whole other can of worms.]
I have a job, so I'm alright enough to work. I'm just not feeling my best right now. [but they blow it off to pick up one of the game balls and toss it between their hands.]
[He sounds worried still, though. Look, if Aquarius can always be mega worried about him, he can be worried about Aquarius. He parks himself at the skee ball machine beside that one, taking up one of the balls.]
What you mentioned earlier. The random notes floating around. The random journal, too, which I'm sure you've heard about a thousand times already. Kinda weird finding strange trash just lying around.
[there's a breath, but they don't elaborate. anyway. they will play skee ball while this goes on.]
I have heard a lot about the journal, yeah. People ask a lot of questions about it. I think it's a little weird, too, but...you know. Hotel does whatever it wants sometimes. I've accepted it by now.
I mean...what makes you think I'm not that person? [idly. ] People accept it as mine, so it must be mine. I'm not going to tell them to think any differently if that's the conclusion they came to.
Did you actually read the journal yourself? [a ball soars up the ramp, going through one of the smaller holes and bouncing off.] Like I said. If people think I'm that kind of person, I'm not going to tell them to think differently.
[...that's a little trickier though.]
I'm kinda surprised you're even asking me when you're the type to keep digging. But if something doesn't make sense to you, wouldn't you keep looking into it until it did?
[Because, like, OKAY SHUT UP TRUE. But also... he trusts Cloud to give him decent details. Maybe. Look.]
Sure, I'm a digger. But... I'm not the same man I used to be on the island. A lot has happened. [He refuses to say he's gotten soft.] The rest of you act pretty skittish about Nightman listening, and you've told me to leave it alone before.
I don't want the digging to put someone else at risk.
[they stop and point at him with a ball in their hand.]
That's not at all what I'm saying. I trust Cloud myself. [so. that's something. and they pause a little and just turn away.]
...and I trust you, like I've told you, even if I'm not sure you get what that actually means. Your instincts have been pretty good so far. I just have to keep doing my job.
[so they get it. they throw the ball and it barely goes up the ramp before sliding down again.]
Like the contract says, the Host is aware of everything that goes on in the hotel so he can gauge the entertainment value of everything. As long as we're doing our jobs, there's nothing to be risked. [...] And as long as you fulfill your part of the contract, then...you'll be okay.
[He pauses to glance at them. He trusts Cloud, too, so it's fine. What's funny is... hearing them say they trust him. He's probably the least trustworthy person here, he thinks. He's not even that bad.
A small, hidden smile appears for a second or two before it's gone.]
So... he isn't going to retaliate because of these things floating around? Or... [A bit of a frown.] ...they're thrown in on purpose to make things more entertaining?
[rhetorical though it may be, they do seem to try to think of how to reply. they also don't linger on what they've said, because jason might not fucking remember right now ANNA but they are...similar, aquarius thinks. they've both had a life that's been tumultuous and trusting people doesn't come easy. when they do trust, it's for a good reason even if it's a fragile thing.
they pick up the ball at the bottom of the ramp again.]
Not sure yet. I don't know why these things are showing up, or why you were permitted to go certain places, or why...any of this. You've been careful so far with what you've been saying and doing though. I don't think anything's stood out yet.
[Hehe. It's okay. He gets everything back right before the nice party. :) It's all good.]
Gotta toss it a little harder.
[He feels like Aquarius is too dried up to for a physical toss-the-ball. MAYBE EAT MORE. Orion makes pancakes for a damn reason, don't just nibble on the edge of one.]
What? You mean to complete it? Either being alive and in the lobby, or offing someone to ensure the hostage...?
I know. [it's fine. they know how to play, but it's more going through the motions than everything. they do turn to throw it though and it speeds up the ramp to sink through one of the center holes.]
But no, not quite. Doesn't matter if you off someone or not, the contract says you have to be in the lobby by check-out no matter what. Even if you kill someone and your hostage is free to leave after the terms are completed, if you're not in the lobby at the end your contract isn't fulfilled.
[Don't "I know" him, wow. But it's okay. He watches Aquarius lob the ball back up the ramp and into one of the center holes. Not bad.]
Yeah... [It sounds like he might leave it at that, but he doesn't.] I know about that. Knew about it from the start. [Reading the contract, he means.] I figured, at least. It was worded too weird not to be important, even for the dead.
...We're working on it. Not a lot of leads right now.
Nerd. [it's a soft tease, but it falls flat because it's nice to know jason read the whole contract.] But it's something to keep in mind to know what terms you're bound by.
[...]
Effort's pretty much all that we can ask for. Staff can't interfere with things guests are doing when it comes to their contracts, except for the things permitted. You get it. Like why we can't help during your trials and stuff.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
week 5, wednesday pre-minievent
but anyway. jason will be left on read for a little bit, but eventually he will feel a presence behind him and see aquarius standing a few feet away as they glance around.]
Arcade, Todd?
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Hey, there you are. I thought I got stood up. [He laughs.] Everyone can use a little fun, right? Want to play some games with me?
[But he won't be shitty and pretend like there's no ulterior motive here:]
I want to talk to you about some things.
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Tragic for you. But you've got other people, so I don't feel so bad. [their voice is a little quiet, but they're mostly alert.] I don't think I've really seen an arcade in a while, so...sure. Guess it's as good of a cover as anything.
[they also aren't surprised jason has another agenda. but they'll walk forward to explore a little.]
What's on the agenda today?
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[He really says this in a hehe way. He'll follow them in the walk around.]
I want to talk to you about... things we've found or noticed. Cloud thinks I'm a moron for being upfront, and maybe I am... but... I'd rather be honest with you. I get... you can't say a whole lot. NDA and everything. That's okay, I get it. I don't mind.
Okay?
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scooting away...pretending that didn't happen...]
Okay. [it's still the same quiet voice, but they don't seem to mind. it almost sounds resigned...or still exhausted. one of the two. maybe it's both.] Are you going to ask me if I really think Orion's hot, too?
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[He doesn't, like, rush to grab them or anything, but he does stick his hand out to lightly put his hand on their shoulder when they run into the machine. Be careful? He steers them away from it. I hate you.]
What? No? [He sort of laughs.] Who even asked you that? Weird.
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Fine. Just kinda missed. [okay. but they huff a little when he laughs.] Futaba and Rin both did. I'd never even talked to Rin before he was asking me stupid stuff like that.
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Jason sort of gives them a look, keeping his hand there even though he's not steering them anymore.]
I... What now? Why do they care whether...? Nevermind. [WHAT? Okay.] I promise not to ask you whether Orion is hot.
What game you feel like playing?
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Thanks. Seems like more personal notes and letters are floating around. [but they try to concentrate to think.] ...maybe something without a screen? Like those kind where you have to actually do something.
[like skeeball or those free shooting basketball games or etc. ]
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[This makes a bit more sense, but he doesn't know why they would... just... ask if Orion is hot. Jesus.]
Okay, how about skee ball? [He played with Lup, so he can play with Aquarius. Just, uh, with less romance. Don't look.] You sure you're alright...?
[VERY FUNNY OF HIM TO PRESS THIS WHEN HE IS THE WAY HE IS]
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I have a job, so I'm alright enough to work. I'm just not feeling my best right now. [but they blow it off to pick up one of the game balls and toss it between their hands.]
So this isn't a question about Orion. What is it?
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You and the rest of us.
[He sounds worried still, though. Look, if Aquarius can always be mega worried about him, he can be worried about Aquarius. He parks himself at the skee ball machine beside that one, taking up one of the balls.]
What you mentioned earlier. The random notes floating around. The random journal, too, which I'm sure you've heard about a thousand times already. Kinda weird finding strange trash just lying around.
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I have heard a lot about the journal, yeah. People ask a lot of questions about it. I think it's a little weird, too, but...you know. Hotel does whatever it wants sometimes. I've accepted it by now.
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You just accept the hotel throwing something out that makes you seem like a totally different person?
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I mean...what makes you think I'm not that person? [idly. ] People accept it as mine, so it must be mine. I'm not going to tell them to think any differently if that's the conclusion they came to.
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[He tosses another ball up the ramp, but doesn’t get it into any hood holes.]
Okay. In your expert hotel staff opinion, do you think we should keep digging, or leave it alone?
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[...that's a little trickier though.]
I'm kinda surprised you're even asking me when you're the type to keep digging. But if something doesn't make sense to you, wouldn't you keep looking into it until it did?
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[Because, like, OKAY SHUT UP TRUE. But also... he trusts Cloud to give him decent details. Maybe. Look.]
Sure, I'm a digger. But... I'm not the same man I used to be on the island. A lot has happened. [He refuses to say he's gotten soft.] The rest of you act pretty skittish about Nightman listening, and you've told me to leave it alone before.
I don't want the digging to put someone else at risk.
[Is what he's trying to say.]
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That's not at all what I'm saying. I trust Cloud myself. [so. that's something. and they pause a little and just turn away.]
...and I trust you, like I've told you, even if I'm not sure you get what that actually means. Your instincts have been pretty good so far. I just have to keep doing my job.
[so they get it. they throw the ball and it barely goes up the ramp before sliding down again.]
Like the contract says, the Host is aware of everything that goes on in the hotel so he can gauge the entertainment value of everything. As long as we're doing our jobs, there's nothing to be risked. [...] And as long as you fulfill your part of the contract, then...you'll be okay.
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A small, hidden smile appears for a second or two before it's gone.]
So... he isn't going to retaliate because of these things floating around? Or... [A bit of a frown.] ...they're thrown in on purpose to make things more entertaining?
[It's mostly rhetorical; he glances at them.]
Fulfill the contract. Okay, sure.
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they pick up the ball at the bottom of the ramp again.]
Not sure yet. I don't know why these things are showing up, or why you were permitted to go certain places, or why...any of this. You've been careful so far with what you've been saying and doing though. I don't think anything's stood out yet.
[so thank you for that, they mean.]
You remember what fulfilling the contract means?
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Gotta toss it a little harder.
[He feels like Aquarius is too dried up to for a physical toss-the-ball. MAYBE EAT MORE. Orion makes pancakes for a damn reason, don't just nibble on the edge of one.]
What? You mean to complete it? Either being alive and in the lobby, or offing someone to ensure the hostage...?
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I know. [it's fine. they know how to play, but it's more going through the motions than everything. they do turn to throw it though and it speeds up the ramp to sink through one of the center holes.]
But no, not quite. Doesn't matter if you off someone or not, the contract says you have to be in the lobby by check-out no matter what. Even if you kill someone and your hostage is free to leave after the terms are completed, if you're not in the lobby at the end your contract isn't fulfilled.
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Yeah... [It sounds like he might leave it at that, but he doesn't.] I know about that. Knew about it from the start. [Reading the contract, he means.] I figured, at least. It was worded too weird not to be important, even for the dead.
...We're working on it. Not a lot of leads right now.
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Nerd. [it's a soft tease, but it falls flat because it's nice to know jason read the whole contract.] But it's something to keep in mind to know what terms you're bound by.
[...]
Effort's pretty much all that we can ask for. Staff can't interfere with things guests are doing when it comes to their contracts, except for the things permitted. You get it. Like why we can't help during your trials and stuff.
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