[ People think that when they're under the influence of a power, so she's not sure she believes him? But she still nods and settles in more so that he can see she's not going to make any sudden movements. ]
[He takes a second to breath and regain his composure, his hands slowly lowering into his lap as the adrenaline starts to wear off.
When he speaks again, his voice has taken on a sheepish tone, but once laced with the fatigue of someone who has had to tell this information many, many times.]
It's... it's just fear. A phobia. Not a power.
I promise, it's not your fault. I just... I can't be that close to a woman without reacting like that most of the time.
[He laughs quietly. It's a nicer reaction - one that almost reminds him of Tear, in a way.]
There's nothing to apologize for. You didn't have any way of knowing, right? Most people don't figure it out until something like this happens, unfortunately.
[He'll slowly start to get to his feet, still keeping an arm's length from Escha but significantly calmer than a few minutes before. There is mud all over his outfit now, but whatever. He's ended up in worse situations out of panic.]
So, you found your way around that barricade pretty easy. You really that interested to watch what's going on out here with the rain coming down this hard, or were you just curious??
[ Escha pulls herself up too, but turns to look directly at the screen in another attempt to make it clear that she isn't moving in his direction. There's mud all up her legs, but she doesn't appear to mind it. ]
I guess I was just curious. We have that task to watch one of these, after all... [ Well, she's been kind of avoiding it. ]
It's good to learn whatever we can, though. About previous games, and about each other. But... Even though I say that, I haven't really been asking people which game they came from.
[ That said, after a moment she points up at the screen while Asch is on it. She knows Asch. ]
I haven't been the greatest at it, either. The best I can do is just try to pay attention when it comes up.
[He'll glance up at the gesture, pausing for a minute to pay attention to whatever Asch seems to be screaming over. He'll keep talking, though his eyes stay on the screen.]
Like you, for example. I know you're not from this group, because I've gotten confirmation on everyone that was at the house. You're not from mine, and you're not with Magnus because he apparently came by himself. So that leaves... the boat, the village, the castle or the island, right?
I could probably narrow that down based on who you seemed familiar with, too, if I knew you a little better.
The one with the demons. Alright. [Siri how rude is it to talk about sex demons with a girl you barely know while watching people investigate a child's murder] So you know a few different people already.
You guys sounded like you had the worse of it, from everything I've heard.
But I don't like to think about it that way. [ Escha? Clearly you do? If you just agreed to that assessment? ] All of us have gone through some pretty miserable stuff. We don't need to compare them like that.
[A laugh, sheepish.] I mean, sure, we don't need to. But you can feel sympathy without needing to compare things. It's not a competition.
Still. There's enough differences that I'm sure people are kind of on the fence with this video set up and everything. You saw the barrier on the road here, right?
[ She looks curious, because she doesn't know people well enough to make that kind of guess. But mainly she wants to know so that she can sensitive to them... After having gone against what they want. ]
Are you staying to watch this for the task? I can catch you up on what you missed.
You're clever, so you'll be able to figure it out. [Figure out the trial, and the barricade becomes obvious. He doesn't even know the details yet, but he knows enough.]
[He'll nod, turning back to the screen. Akira and 45 both show up on the image as he speaks.]
A young girl was killed overnight by a monster, her head removed. They've found some odd evidence, but it's pointing all over the place for where she died or how.
Asch was found in the foyer the morning after their curfew, injured pretty bad. That's why his arm's missing in this. Someone removed it. Asch apparently didn't remember what happened and hasn't been able to confirm how he was involved.
They're pretty scattered, so I'm thinking this must have been one of their first trials.
[ Somehow it's just really... Sad to see people struggle. At least it makes her feel like - at least it wasn't just her group that were kind of a mess, but... It's sad. ]
That happened to me. The part about not being able to confirm what happened or how I was involved.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Is it - someone's power? [ That's her best guess about what's happening? ] I can help you.
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[His back hits the tree trunk behind him, where he halts, trembling hands held out as though he expects her not to listen and jump forward again.]
Look, it's... it's not a power. I'm sorry. I wish I could say it was.
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Okay. Okay, I'm not moving.
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When he speaks again, his voice has taken on a sheepish tone, but once laced with the fatigue of someone who has had to tell this information many, many times.]
It's... it's just fear. A phobia. Not a power.
I promise, it's not your fault. I just... I can't be that close to a woman without reacting like that most of the time.
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you.
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I see...
No, I'm sorry, I didn't know.
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There's nothing to apologize for. You didn't have any way of knowing, right? Most people don't figure it out until something like this happens, unfortunately.
That's on me, not you.
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It's fine, Escha. I've dealt with this for a long time. Please, don't worry about it.
All that matters to me right now is that you're okay.
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... I'm okay.
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[He'll slowly start to get to his feet, still keeping an arm's length from Escha but significantly calmer than a few minutes before. There is mud all over his outfit now, but whatever. He's ended up in worse situations out of panic.]
So, you found your way around that barricade pretty easy. You really that interested to watch what's going on out here with the rain coming down this hard, or were you just curious??
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I guess I was just curious. We have that task to watch one of these, after all... [ Well, she's been kind of avoiding it. ]
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[He'll pull his chair back upright, moving slightly farther than it had been previously before settling back down into it.
He, apparently, is still staying, even with the rain.]
Have you met anyone from this group? It's the mansion. The one that was eating souls and turning them into monsters.
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It's good to learn whatever we can, though. About previous games, and about each other. But... Even though I say that, I haven't really been asking people which game they came from.
[ That said, after a moment she points up at the screen while Asch is on it. She knows Asch. ]
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[He'll glance up at the gesture, pausing for a minute to pay attention to whatever Asch seems to be screaming over. He'll keep talking, though his eyes stay on the screen.]
Like you, for example. I know you're not from this group, because I've gotten confirmation on everyone that was at the house. You're not from mine, and you're not with Magnus because he apparently came by himself. So that leaves... the boat, the village, the castle or the island, right?
I could probably narrow that down based on who you seemed familiar with, too, if I knew you a little better.
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[ She does hesitate a little bit, but that's because the boat. Sure has a reputation. People sure do know about sex demons. ]
I was on the ship.
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The one with the demons. Alright. [Siri how rude is it to talk about sex demons with a girl you barely know while watching people investigate a child's murder] So you know a few different people already.
You guys sounded like you had the worse of it, from everything I've heard.
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But I don't like to think about it that way. [ Escha? Clearly you do? If you just agreed to that assessment? ] All of us have gone through some pretty miserable stuff. We don't need to compare them like that.
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Still. There's enough differences that I'm sure people are kind of on the fence with this video set up and everything. You saw the barrier on the road here, right?
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People still want - and deserve - some level of privacy... But it's hard to know what might be useful to us.
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[which begs the question... why is he here?]
...Pretty sure I know who tried to keep people out, though.
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[ She looks curious, because she doesn't know people well enough to make that kind of guess. But mainly she wants to know so that she can sensitive to them... After having gone against what they want. ]
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Haha.
Just. Shaking his head.
Not gonna spill that right now.]
Are you staying to watch this for the task? I can catch you up on what you missed.
You're clever, so you'll be able to figure it out. [Figure out the trial, and the barricade becomes obvious. He doesn't even know the details yet, but he knows enough.]
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... I'm staying.
[ She would feel worse about that, but... He's here too, isn't he? So how much can he judge that decision? ]
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A young girl was killed overnight by a monster, her head removed. They've found some odd evidence, but it's pointing all over the place for where she died or how.
Asch was found in the foyer the morning after their curfew, injured pretty bad. That's why his arm's missing in this. Someone removed it. Asch apparently didn't remember what happened and hasn't been able to confirm how he was involved.
They're pretty scattered, so I'm thinking this must have been one of their first trials.
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That happened to me. The part about not being able to confirm what happened or how I was involved.