With the weekend's latest tragedy, a strange mood has descended over Cartesio. What happened was unprecedented, and perhaps that's why the already decreasing hostility from the townsfolk comes to a complete halt. Could it be the strange circumstances? Bolin's desperate plea? Last week's peaceful Wednesday? Some combination? Whatever the reason, it's clear that the Sergeant's iron fist around the town has loosened. While the residents aren't jumping to interact with you, there's no graffiti, no new broken windows.
Cartesio is confused...but open to explanation, for perhaps the first time.
Still, while the town seems amiable, almost accepting again, there's little to chase away the knowledge that the Sergeant's tasks for you are near their end, and that means those without medals are doomed to their fate.
Or does it? After everything that's turned around, is it possible for you to claw your way out of here as well?
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cartesianism2018-11-18 02:58 pm
SUNDAY - May 20th
EXECUTION
Natalie's the one to perform it, and Bolin is the target. The Sergeant's bringing them to the place where it'll happen. The three walk into the execution room, none of them looking forward to this.
There's a constant feeling of tension, of thick nervousness. Natalie keeps staring at her feet, already carrying the gun as if having it in her hands will help her get used to its, to the weight of both the weapon and the task she was going to fulfill now. Bolin had his chin up, but it wasn't like he was going to try to escape, or even try to attack the Sergeant. He had gotten resigned to his fate ever since the moment he returned to the motel, he knew this was going to happen, and now they're here. He just didn't think it'd be Natalie. Maybe it was better the Sergeant was the one to do this, so Natalie didn't have to sully her hands with blood because of him.
The Sergeant wasn't exactly looking forward to this. When he opened the door, he let them in, without even a comment.
The electric chair still was broken from last time Bolin had gotten there. He hadn't imagined now he'd be on the opposite role, waiting for someone else to take his life. Natalie finally looked up, trying to remember the pointers Kino had given her. She had made it sound so simple, like it was a matter of aiming and pulling a trigger, but the consequence of such a simple action was something she hadn't fully processed yet. In a time like this, she regretted having volunteered.
"...I'm sorry..." she said, as if that was going to be any consolation. Bolin didn't even bother to reply to that, he just stepped towards her, hands up in the air. Would that make it easier for her to aim? If she missed, if she got cold feet, he didn't want to think what the Sergeant could do if she decided to back off.
Natalie's eyes widened, she held the gun up in the air, her hands shaking. She was frozen, staring at Bolin, not understanding why he was approaching. Was it to defend himself, was he waiting her to get her guard down? Pale, she stepped back, her back hitting the wall, and held the gun, shaking.
The blast from the gun was unexpected. She didn't realize when she pulled the trigger, she involuntarily closed her eyes when the shot startled her, she didn't understand it not even when she heard the sound of Bolin falling to the floor. She stood there, still holding the gun up, until finally she opened her eyes, seeing what she had done. It was over? It took so little time? That was impossible! She hadn't even prepared herself yet, Bolin couldn't...
...he couldn't be dead.
She didn't know how much time she spent staring at Bolin, expecting him to stand up. It may have been just a minute, it may have been ten, or an hour. Only when she processed what she had done, she let the gun fall to the floor and walked out of the execution room. The Sergeant didn't even try to stop her, or talk to her.
The final execution wasn't anything showy, or even unusual. In a way, it represented what these two months had been about: inexperienced people being forced to kill others against their will.
That was the last death that happened in Cartesio.
NEWSPAPER
As expected, our town saw another murder between the outsiders Friday. This time, the group caused a commotion outside that lodge on the edge of town. Mr. Bolin, who was reported harassing townsfolk a few weeks back, claims the death was accidental, but who can believe that? And if it was, then it proves that death follows the outsiders, wherever they may be.
Those in attendance while the outsiders argued with each other as usual have had a strange response, however. A few seem to even be giving them the benefit of the doubt. While some opinions have been middling, this reporter still urges everyone to stay on their toes. After everything that's happened, how can we let our guard down?
_
In Kino's room there are new damages to the wall. Additionally to this new stab marks, there are marks left and right below the words "SAR" and "ACT" that were left previously.
Keith's room has stab marks as well.
And finally there are some marks in Sakura's Room. ]
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nevertheless, people might be hearing a surprised shriek coming from Sakura's room — don't worry, she's fine, she's just extremely surprised? yikes. it does take her a while to calm down, of course, but eventually she does have to grab a pen and paper because she knows the meaning behind this message.
once she thinks over it a bit, she eventually comes up with a possible answer for what the message is:
stay strong.
it's short and simple, but it means the world to her that someone would say that to her, causing her to smile. tears are starting again, yes, but she's smiling, saying the words a little small: "Thank you." she knows that she can't be heard, most likely, but it's the thought that counts, right? right.
after all's said and done, however, she's going to the flower shop - she needs to pick up a few flowers-- some aster tataricus (remembrance) and bluebells (grateful) along white and yellow chrysanthemums. for the memorial in the motel. also said memorial is filled to the brim with cranes. like, a bunch of them. it's not 1000, or even close but there's A Lot -- and the fresh flowers are going on there after making sure that the other flowers she's brought have been taken care of. just in case they're wilting.
aaaand after that she's going to be seeking out people? mostly making sure that the others from her group are doing alright - with a heavy focus on seeking out Waver, Rean (why hasn't anyone made a reanfinery pun yet, shame) and Alfin but not necessarily approaching them, as to keep her distance for now, she just wants to make sure that they're unharmed, really.
late at night, though, people might find Sakura at the park, sitting down near the pond just gazing up at the night sky instead of... actually doing much of anything. just thinking. ]
Investigation
While Sakura is leaving the park late that night, though, she'll see something...]
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what do we got here in the park.
does Sakura have to be worried about someone defaming the Keith statue. ]
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It's someone you know, Sakura. Hard not to recognize her.]
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yeah, no. Sakura is immediately going after her because whatー ]
Wait!!
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park
oh! There's someone hanging out by the pond.]
Hey, Cherry! Hot enough for ya?
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[ she absolutely is and nobody can tell her otherwise. ] It's not too hot, though.
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Investigation!
Afterwards, she returns to her room to solve the puzzle on her wall, eyes going wide once she has the solution. When she departs from her room for the day, she seems deep in thought, though if she sees someone, she'll go ahead and say:]
...The Sergeant can go to the other side.
[Investigation - Oil Refinery]
[Kino approaches, eyes set on the building. Will they allow her to look for anything strange? Or will she need to talk her way in?]
[Communal Kitchen]
[In the afternoon, she can be found her, grilling up meats and vegetables and making herself a cup of tea. Only herself, unfortunately, but it's fine if you want to make yourself one as well. The meats are unseasoned, so it might surprise characters more familiar with her usual cooking that they... actually look really good? She takes a sip from her tea as she places the now cooked food on a plate, glancing over at whoever may be joining her.]
If you want to use it next, I'm done here.
+1 investigation nakama
Going inside?
[He's just going to peer around himself. Did they... uh... paint over Clarisse's spray paint dick or what.]
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...They also said the Sergeant went over there, and he's going to act.
[Which means they need to, too.]
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They told me he plans on brainwashing them all like he did with Sakura's original group.
[But he's giving the refinery a more serious glance and begins heading inside. Looks like he's having the same thought about the need to poke around as Kino.]
How do you think they're getting information on their side?
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Maybe they've been finding clues over there? Things that they can find when they don't have townspeople to worry about. Plus, if the Sergeant went over there himself... there's a chance he told them exactly what he plans to do with them then.
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Nobody stops them from getting into the refinery, but it doesn't seem like there's anything out of place over here. Rean seems to be okay too, if a bit antsy.
There's a feeling of anticipation in the air and nobody knows why. It's like everyone knows something's going to happen in the near future]
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But someone would have to be leaving those clues for them to find in the first place. Someone other than the Sergeant who can vanish at will. [A beat.] Gabe maybe....
We still haven't figured out who's been planting clues for us to find here, for that matter.
[Which is... annoying.]
You getting the feeling the people are tense about something?
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Later on, she can be found in the library, sitting at a desk with a stack of books in front of her. There doesn't seem to be any unifying theme between what she's reading... Or trying to read, at least. If she sees anyone approach, she'll put the book down and glance their way wordlessly.]
community kitchen
[ hi, Sakura's here and avidly curious about what she's doing here ]
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Hey.
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[ curiosity killed the cat, as they say and why would someone be in the kitchen and not be making something...?? ]
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Sentiments like this shouldn't even be fucking happening are the norm for Cartesio really, but it's always been something that was blanketed in rage. Something that could be dealt with by making vengeful promises nobody asked him to make. Watching Natalie stand there frozen though... part of him is angry all over again that she took it upon herself to volunteer for this. An even bigger part of him just feels bitterly helpless.
She leaves and he leaves with her, not knowing what to say. Eventually though...]
You shouldn't dwell on it.
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Her response is hollow, distant.]
Yeah. No... You're right.
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He hesitates, but once he's made up his mind there's no faltering. He reaches out to touch her arm, his grip firm and steady.]
Let's go.
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