Week 0

[productions]

Who: Designated Killers and Mastermind
What: Assignments
When: Early Morning, Sunday

[Early this morning, several guests will be awoken before 6 AM by a loud alarm ringing in their room. Lying on their desk will be a telegram, signed The Producer, instructing them to go immediately to the billiards room.

Once they arrive at the billiards room, they will find the door in the back open. They will then be able to proceed into the smoking room, where others await.]

Comments

[speakveryclearly]

[She meets Kaoru's eyes and is glad to see acceptance there. Kanaya worried at first after seeing how much concern over appearances and dignity the other girl had - about her new acquaintance judging her for being so quick to acquiesce.]

Good. We're much stronger together than apart. We have that advantage over the other players.

[souredsweet]

[it seems like there won't be any judgment passed at all; really, Kaoru is in complete agreement there.]

We'll need all of the advantages that we can get in such an unfortunate situation. [this said with a steely sort of determination.] None of our objectives conflict, correct?

[speakveryclearly]

[She shakes her head.] We were all strangers before coming here with independent circumstances; that makes it easy for our desires to be in harmony with each other.

[souredsweet]

[there's a careful, almost wary look and a silence that stretches on just a little too long. Kaoru is, at heart, a person who doesn't trust easily.

...still, what she says rings true enough, and the wariness eventually ebbs away.] Then for the sake of achieving my incentive, I will lend aid to the people in this room where I can. [there's more conviction this time, though Kaoru sounded sure enough the first.] Failure... in a situation like this, failure is simply not an option.

[speakveryclearly]

It's not. [Agreeing with Kaoru, or reassuring herself? She used to be very trusting indeed before the incidents she recounted to Aozaki. it's in Kanaya's nature to take everything literally. It's a small relief that the first person she met here is nominally on her side in this mess.] It's not an option. The others in this manor - all they've got to worry about in this game are their own individual lives. All of us, we have so much more than that. [...except Aozaki but... she's sure something bad would happen if she lost her magic yes of course.] Keeping that in mind, that's all that matters.

And as a group, even if we were all ordinary in ability, coordination would let us overcome that handicap. As it is, it seems we are capable.

[souredsweet]

[AOZAKI CONTINUES TO BE THE EXCEPTION...

but there is much at stake, it's true enough. just the promise of being able to learn Chizuru's location is enough motivation to drive Kaoru through the entire game alone, and the threat of losing her is enough to raise the aggressive streak usually hidden beneath demure smiles.]

Speaking of that, I believe it would be wise for everyone here to disclose their abilities. If we're to work as a team, we should exploit strengths and defend weaknesses.

[speakveryclearly]

Oh, uh, weaknesses-- [Hadn't thought about that.] Like I told you before, my own album entry is accurate to the letter. I can handle a lot physically and can move very quickly. For weaknesses, though...

Fire would be the best way to kill me, as it so happens.

[souredsweet]

[K....ANAYA...]

I was referring to weaknesses that might make committing or covering a murder more difficult. The inability to carry or dispose of a body, for example. [Kaoru's brow creases just a little.] ...You're fortunate that isn't written down on your page, and more fortunate still that burning is a very messy and obvious way to kill a person. I doubt you would have to worry about such a thing happening to you.

[speakveryclearly]

That's a... reassuring analysis... [Whew]

S-so-oh, uh... well, on that front... I have never had to cover up a murder before in spite of my committal experience. And humans have told me before I'm a terrible liar.

[Singing like a canary here right now after all]

[souredsweet]

[a nod like "why yes, it is reassuring isn't it!!".]

Covering up a murder is something I have little experience with, as well. ["little"... Kaoru's circumstances are actually quite close to Kanaya in that there's never been a need for cover up.]

But I may be able to cover for your other weakness, at least.

[speakveryclearly]

That's promising... In fact, with our establishment of acquaintance before... [...being in... the DK group... together] this... [yeah...] we could even perhaps provide one another with an alibi.

[souredsweet]

[eloquently put...]

I would be willing to do that. I suppose it was fortunate that we met each other much earlier than today, yes?

[speakveryclearly]

Yeah. That's a positive way of thinking about it.

[souredsweet]

There is little else we can do but think "positively" about this situation. We have much to gain, at least... [and much to lose, which goes unsaid.]

[speakveryclearly]

There's nowhere to go but the finish line.

[Even though they hadn't gotten on their marks an hour ago.]