It's a rather quaint town when you get down to it. At least, that's what the Sheriff would argue. Warm and dry in the mornings and afternoons with a brisk coolness in the evenings. The perfect type of weather to just sit out on your rocking chair and observe the comings and goings.
... Of course, there's not much in the way of comings and goings when there aren't any actual people here to watch. Nevertheless, don't let that get you down! The town is your oyster and those roosters won't stop crowing until everyone's out of bed. Up and at 'em, rise and shine, it's time to make the day yours!
After all, there's nothing wrong with the town today and you might just want to savor it while it lasts.
This post functions as the general mingle post for the week. Wanted Posters and other small events will be posted in top levels below. If there's any questions or requests, please send a PM or shoot a PP to robowest.
Ah, I'm a coward, so I'm not thrilled about anything that puts me in danger, which includes festivals that require us to murder one another.
[Well, "kill or be killed" is a world he's used to, however despicable it is. He doesn't expect that to change anytime soon.]
But we're running on very little information right now, and if they've been doing this for as long as Mr. Sheriff claims they have, they're no doubt ready to counter any obvious ideas we might have. Saying something like "there has to be a way" sounds nice and all, but you're going to have to come up with something concrete for those words to mean anything.
Even if we weren't surrounded by a desert, and even if we all decided to carelessly escape together this very moment... what would stop the people behind this from killing us all on the spot for being dull entertainment?
[ Xion's quiet at that, wide-eyed and cowed into silence.
At least, for a moment. She straightens her spine and says, with a voice that initially shakes but grows stronger as she goes: ]
Because... because it's a game, right? The Sheriff... he said that whoever is doing this really wants us to play. He's here to help enforce the rules, right? If we kill ourselves, that's ... that's not playing the game. So them killing us.... that defeats the point too, right? They ... they need us to murder each other. [ She's very pale. ]
I ... I may not have any concrete ideas, but ... that shouldn't stop us from trying to come up with something.
He did say that, but people can also be very whimsical, so I don't really feel like trusting that they won't kill us if they get bored.
[If Shinnosuke has any sympathy for how affected Xion seems to be, he doesn't show it. Sorry, Xion; he's a jerk.]
Of course, for my own sake, I'll be thinking of how to get out of this too. But blindly refusing to play by their rules is dangerous in its own right, and it means that you're underestimating the enemy.
If I were the one who organized this, the first thing I'd figure out is how to handle unwilling participants, and what they might do to escape. [...] The very start of the game is also when I'd be most prepared for something like that. If I'm going to slip up, it'll be when I'm lured into a false sense of security.
... In short, my point is that any success we might have probably won't be immediate. That'd be too easy. They'll likely be ready for whatever we try. And in that case, whether you like it or not, you should steel yourself for at least one round in this demented festival. Cling to your ideals, and you'll be that much more unprepared.
You know, I get the feeling that you're not going to like anything I say, so I'm not sure why you're still talking to me.
But to answer your question, I don't have a clue.
[Shrugging, he continues.]
According to Mr. Sheriff, brainwashing's out. One possibility is that they'll kill one of us in secret. After all, there's one other way for us to eliminate someone: if we believe they've murdered someone and choose to execute them. The people behind this might decide to get their kicks off of us scrambling around, accusing others when no one was really guilty in the first place.
[He lets out a derisive snort.]
Ah, but that is a little contradictory to what they're going for, with the whole "merit" thing, so I don't seriously expect that to be first resort.
I don't think I'm going to like anything about this, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try to listen to each other.
[ He's not ... being mean to her, just blunt, so she isn't put off quite yet.
She listens to his explanation in silence, her gaze eventually falling to the ground. She uncurls one of her hands (when had she made it into a fist?) and stares at her palm, like it might contain answers. ]
[Direct and unashamed. He's not going to pretend otherwise (for starters, his poster doesn't even hide the fact that he's committed murder before), though at least for this, he does look somewhat serious.]
If someone tried to kill me, I wouldn't hesitate to defend myself, and in the moment, I'm not going to spare a thought for my attacker's life. Haha, I'm nowhere near nice enough for that.
However, I'm not interested in initiating anything. Not because I'm some goody-two-shoes, but because each death will be investigated, apparently, and actually being guilty would put me at risk for execution. There'd probably be evidence pointing to me, right? And whatever reward they're giving for participation, it's worth nothing if I'm dead.
[He doesn't quite buy the whole notion of rewards to begin with, at any rate.]
Of course, depending on the situation, I can't say that I would never do it. Then again, I think that anyone who'd claim such a thing is either a liar or hopelessly naive.
[ With, for whatever reason, a smile, Xion murmurs: ]
That's a really cold way of looking at it... but to be honest, I can't blame you.
[ Is she horrible, too? Is it horrible in the first place, to feel the way he does, given the situation?
Xion hugs herself, uncomfortable and sad, still smiling. ]
No one wants to die, right? And I'm ... I'm really not sure we want to find out what'll happen if we all try to get out of it. Which means you have to kill someone, or avoid being killed yourself...
[Shinnosuke watches Xion for a moment, silent. When he speaks, he sounds almost bored.]
That just makes you "normal", you know? Of course, that might not be such a good thing in this place. But I'm sure you'll find plenty of others here who will agree with your way of thinking.
[He'll take "cold" as a compliment. Still, while he believes his way of life to be the best for him and his goals... well, he won't claim that it works for everyone.]
In any case, you shouldn't put too much stock into everything I say. After all, in a situation like this, you should trust no one but yourself.
[ That stuns her, for one reason or another. So much so that she has to shake her head after a moment, as if to clear it. She actually laughs a little, though the sound is humorless. ]
I've never been normal before. This is a pretty bad time to start, huh...?
[ Finally, she shakes her head. ]
Maybe not. It's just ... you're probably right. I couldn't ever feel the same way, I don't think, but ... it'd be easier, right?
Am I normal...? [He pauses, before he smiles; it's a tad more somber than his usual smug look, though.] Ha... depends on who you ask. Well, for all of my talk, what's "normal" is pretty subjective.
[Really, he just doesn't want to give a straight answer to that question, in part for pragmatic reasons and in part because he doesn't want to have to examine himself in that regard.]
And in this case, it depends on what kind of people have been brought here.
It ... is? I always thought... everyone else was normal. [ She finishes the thought somewhat lamely after that brief hesitation, abruptly changing course in her words. She gives her head a little shake, then tilts it curiously. ]
[Shinnosuke's quick at counting at a glance, so he took a moment to figure this out when he could.]
Excluding Mr. Sheriff and the people in the prison, forty. Guess that means I've befriended everyone here but you, huh?
[... He gets the feeling that Xion's actually taking him seriously so he should stop this right now before she starts thinking he's some kind of friendship machine, but.]
Why? I mean, you don't seem so bad to me. You don't want friends?
[ Again, all of this is said without an ounce of intent to insult or mock. She's completely sincere. This is what happens when you tangle with a Disney princess, buddy. ]
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robowest2017-01-15 12:00 pm
town hall;
It's horrible. I can't believe he's trying to make us do this. What if we just ... leave?
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Well, you could... if you feel like starving to death. Or dehydration—whichever comes first for you.
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[ She bursts out, without thinking, and then makes a visible effort at reining herself in. ]
You'd really rather... do this? Than try anything else?
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Ah, I'm a coward, so I'm not thrilled about anything that puts me in danger, which includes festivals that require us to murder one another.
[Well, "kill or be killed" is a world he's used to, however despicable it is. He doesn't expect that to change anytime soon.]
But we're running on very little information right now, and if they've been doing this for as long as Mr. Sheriff claims they have, they're no doubt ready to counter any obvious ideas we might have. Saying something like "there has to be a way" sounds nice and all, but you're going to have to come up with something concrete for those words to mean anything.
Even if we weren't surrounded by a desert, and even if we all decided to carelessly escape together this very moment... what would stop the people behind this from killing us all on the spot for being dull entertainment?
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At least, for a moment. She straightens her spine and says, with a voice that initially shakes but grows stronger as she goes: ]
Because... because it's a game, right? The Sheriff... he said that whoever is doing this really wants us to play. He's here to help enforce the rules, right? If we kill ourselves, that's ... that's not playing the game. So them killing us.... that defeats the point too, right? They ... they need us to murder each other. [ She's very pale. ]
I ... I may not have any concrete ideas, but ... that shouldn't stop us from trying to come up with something.
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[If Shinnosuke has any sympathy for how affected Xion seems to be, he doesn't show it. Sorry, Xion; he's a jerk.]
Of course, for my own sake, I'll be thinking of how to get out of this too. But blindly refusing to play by their rules is dangerous in its own right, and it means that you're underestimating the enemy.
If I were the one who organized this, the first thing I'd figure out is how to handle unwilling participants, and what they might do to escape. [...] The very start of the game is also when I'd be most prepared for something like that. If I'm going to slip up, it'll be when I'm lured into a false sense of security.
... In short, my point is that any success we might have probably won't be immediate. That'd be too easy. They'll likely be ready for whatever we try. And in that case, whether you like it or not, you should steel yourself for at least one round in this demented festival. Cling to your ideals, and you'll be that much more unprepared.
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... at least, that's what she'd say. ]
... so you think I should just ... accept this? That... by the end of the week, one of us is going to murder someone else?
[ Her frown grows deeper. ]
Did you hear what he said? About what happens during a stalemate? ... what do you think will happen?
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But to answer your question, I don't have a clue.
[Shrugging, he continues.]
According to Mr. Sheriff, brainwashing's out. One possibility is that they'll kill one of us in secret. After all, there's one other way for us to eliminate someone: if we believe they've murdered someone and choose to execute them. The people behind this might decide to get their kicks off of us scrambling around, accusing others when no one was really guilty in the first place.
[He lets out a derisive snort.]
Ah, but that is a little contradictory to what they're going for, with the whole "merit" thing, so I don't seriously expect that to be first resort.
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I don't think I'm going to like anything about this, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try to listen to each other.
[ He's not ... being mean to her, just blunt, so she isn't put off quite yet.
She listens to his explanation in silence, her gaze eventually falling to the ground. She uncurls one of her hands (when had she made it into a fist?) and stares at her palm, like it might contain answers. ]
... would you do it? Kill someone.
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[Direct and unashamed. He's not going to pretend otherwise (for starters, his poster doesn't even hide the fact that he's committed murder before), though at least for this, he does look somewhat serious.]
If someone tried to kill me, I wouldn't hesitate to defend myself, and in the moment, I'm not going to spare a thought for my attacker's life. Haha, I'm nowhere near nice enough for that.
However, I'm not interested in initiating anything. Not because I'm some goody-two-shoes, but because each death will be investigated, apparently, and actually being guilty would put me at risk for execution. There'd probably be evidence pointing to me, right? And whatever reward they're giving for participation, it's worth nothing if I'm dead.
[He doesn't quite buy the whole notion of rewards to begin with, at any rate.]
Of course, depending on the situation, I can't say that I would never do it. Then again, I think that anyone who'd claim such a thing is either a liar or hopelessly naive.
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That's a really cold way of looking at it... but to be honest, I can't blame you.
[ Is she horrible, too? Is it horrible in the first place, to feel the way he does, given the situation?
Xion hugs herself, uncomfortable and sad, still smiling. ]
No one wants to die, right? And I'm ... I'm really not sure we want to find out what'll happen if we all try to get out of it. Which means you have to kill someone, or avoid being killed yourself...
[ She ducks her chin. ]
I wish I could think like you do.
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That just makes you "normal", you know? Of course, that might not be such a good thing in this place. But I'm sure you'll find plenty of others here who will agree with your way of thinking.
[He'll take "cold" as a compliment. Still, while he believes his way of life to be the best for him and his goals... well, he won't claim that it works for everyone.]
In any case, you shouldn't put too much stock into everything I say. After all, in a situation like this, you should trust no one but yourself.
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[ That stuns her, for one reason or another. So much so that she has to shake her head after a moment, as if to clear it. She actually laughs a little, though the sound is humorless. ]
I've never been normal before. This is a pretty bad time to start, huh...?
[ Finally, she shakes her head. ]
Maybe not. It's just ... you're probably right. I couldn't ever feel the same way, I don't think, but ... it'd be easier, right?
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[He shrugs again.]
Anyway, I couldn't say. Just like you can't feel the same way I do, I don't really understand the feelings of someone like you on a personal level.
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Abruptly she laughs, the sound of it quiet. ]
You know, if I'd ever heard that back home, I would have been so happy. Right now, it doesn't help at all. So ... does this mean you're not normal?
[ the question seems to be a genuine one, given her tone and the thoughtful look on her face. ]
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[Really, he just doesn't want to give a straight answer to that question, in part for pragmatic reasons and in part because he doesn't want to have to examine himself in that regard.]
And in this case, it depends on what kind of people have been brought here.
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Have you met many of the others yet?
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That's ... that's a lot! I've never had that many friends before. Um, how many of us are even here?
[ She didn't really stop to count. ]
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Excluding Mr. Sheriff and the people in the prison, forty. Guess that means I've befriended everyone here but you, huh?
[... He gets the feeling that Xion's actually taking him seriously so he should stop this right now before she starts thinking he's some kind of friendship machine, but.]
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I'll be your friend.
[ it's too late shinnosuke you've done this to yourself ]
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I'm just joking. Please don't say that sort of thing—it makes me sick.
[noooooooo]
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[ Again, all of this is said without an ounce of intent to insult or mock. She's completely sincere. This is what happens when you tangle with a Disney princess, buddy. ]
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