WEEK SIX

[whimsicalism]

WEEK SIX

Death itself isn't an end to this sinister game, and the only outcome is to play until you die.

Even without the boundaries being pushed too much last week, it would seem that the stakes continue to rise. Students will enter the new week with three of their number taken away. The class is half its size by now, the number of dead underscored by the number of dorm doors that don't open every morning, the number of seats that aren't filled out in any given room.

The atmosphere of Ira Academy has always been hostile. This week, however, the malice is more present than ever, choking the air. It's easy to feel watched at all times, especially with the knowledge that everyone is bound to the one orchestrating this ongoing killing game. Doors will sometimes open themselves invitingly only to slam closed a few moments later, mercurial in temperament and just as susceptible to the dark anger creeping through the building as the students.

For now, no new locations have opened up to explore in the school. The fifth floor remains the tallest in the building, and there's a certain sense that everything is just bound to repeat itself until there's nothing left.

Though same things remain the same, others feel as if they're on the precipice of change. Just how long can everyone go on under the threat of further violence? Even Kakuya seems to be worried now that her game can't persist like this forever. Perhaps one of the other Academy denizens can shine some light on things throughout the week, or your belief that you can save yourselves and your friends will open up new doors. There have to be answers out there: Who will find them?

Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday
Regains | AC | IC Profiles | Locations | Mystery Information | Sheep Contact | Nanami Contact | Kakuya Contact

OOC NOTES

Welcome to the final week of Round 2! There will be no traditional motive-murder-trial set up this week, and instead, we will try to solve the Ira Academy situation once and for all. Information on the final investigation for this week will go live later this afternoon. Characters will be split into exploration groups - Nanami will come along for this ride!

While there are no new areas for investigation this week, please feel free to ping mod characters for any public needs or reach out to them on their private posts for things your character would prefer to discuss 1:1. We hope you enjoy the ride!

Comments

INVESTIGATION

[copycut]

investigation (ft. adorabat)

[ With the dust settled from last week—or, at least, from last week's mystery game—Kuro heads upstairs to the pool. Her posture is easygoing, but she still has her twin swords by her side; even if things had gone well with Lucky and Slimy, she couldn't completely dismiss the idea that this creature's monstrous appetite would remain.

To that end, Kuro has brought Adorabat with her as well. Safety in numbers! She approaches the edge of the pool with confidence, not wanting to let on any misgivings she might have. ]

Hey~ Is there anyone here? Don't worry, there's no hard feelings about last time — we just want to say hi!

ota

[ Despite the lack of classes, Kuro can be found loitering around the classroom. It's strange for her—but, then again, a strange atmosphere hangs over the whole school. Her expression is distant and a bit grim as she maneuvers around the desks—almost calling to mind the face of someone trying to set their affairs in order.

She rifles through the desks of the missing students, searching for any personal effects that had been left behind and forgotten. Since no one else is around, when she reaches Jeanne's, she lingers over it. She's in the middle of leafing through the lightly-worn copy of A Little Prince she found there when the classroom door slams of its own volition. ]

Wo~w. Scary, scary! How long are you going to keep throwing this tantrum for, Kakuya-sama?

[ She doesn't necessarily expect an answer, but she doesn't not expect one, either. ]

investigation (ft. adorabat)

[violence_ensues]

[Adorabat follows behind Kuro sans Slimy. She and Kuro were both there when it happened, so she gladly offered her help. Though... the little bat is feeling a little awkward. While she HAS learned that not every single monster is bad, she's unsure if this is one of the bad ones.]

Um, hi... I'm Adorabat. And this is Kuro.

[whimsicalism]

[The water shimmers in the pool. There's no pull to jump in, thankfully, but there are many presences here. There's a chorus of voices that respond in unison:]

Oh...! You're not one of us...! Hello.

[copycut]

[ Kuro kneels down, leaning forward to peer into the water. Is anything visible, or is it just voices? ]

Mm, that's right. Do you remember us?

[violence_ensues]

[Adorabat very nearly gets angry and yells at these monsters because she was called one before managing to catch herself. She does land next to Kuro so she can huff and cross her wings. Sorry, this habit is going to be one that's hard to beat. She'll let Kuro do the talking. For now.]

[whimsicalism]

[There’s a glow deep within the pool but there’s no movement other than that.]

We do. There’s so few of us here so we tried calling out… that child with the hat jumped in.

[copycut]

[ Huh. Interesting... Kuro makes quick eye-contact with Adorabat, trying to wordlessly signal her to be ready, and then...

She reaches out to skim her fingertips over the surface of the water, rippling it above the glow that emanates from within. ]

So you're all alone? Hey, how did you get separated like this?

[violence_ensues]

[Adorabat receives the signal and makes a quick salute, being prepared to grab and pull Kuro should it come to that.]

[whimsicalism]

We usually live together… a lot of us. This group of children came to us, saying they could bring us to a better home. They only brought some of us.

[Looks like there’s no attempt to pull Kuro in but there is a reaction to the shimmer. It almost blinks, acknowledging their presence in the water.]

[copycut]

[ With that story, Kuro frowns, but... She lets her arm sink deeper into the water, seemingly unafraid of being pulled down. ]

So, they tricked you, too. Just like what they did to Lucky... [ hm!! ] Ah, but— What exactly are you, though?

[violence_ensues]

...Do you know who Slimy is?

ota

[canreallymove]

Who knows, at this point?

[He's reading a copy of Moby Dick over here.]

Hi, Kuro.

[copycut]

[ Kuro sighs and snaps the book in her hands shut. ]

It's too bad that she won't act her age. That'd make things a lot easier on us.

[canreallymove]

Hey, not actin' your age isn't always a bad thing.

[shrug]

Though if it was me I'd probably do a different prank!

[Not that he'll say. No giving the spirit any ideas!]

[copycut]

Huh? And exactly how do you not act yours?

[ This. Might be a harsh statement, whoops. ]

[otogihorror]

If... this was... a tantrum... you wouldn't... be able to talk, Kuro-chan~

[The light lilt to Kakuya's voice announces her presence before she materializes in the doorway.]

Kakuya is almost insulted... almost.

[copycut]

Huh? Is that so? [ Kuro's smile is a little... mean. ] What would you call it, then?

[otogihorror]

Boredom~ which may be… more dangerous.

[copycut]

So you're getting tired of this game, after all? Hm... Any chance of sending us back where we came from so you can get some new toys, then?

[otogihorror]

There’s a chance… you may vanish… but Kakuya has no reason to return you.

[copycut]

Really? But, you know... Yasu said you want other people to understand you. Don't you think that means you should try to understand what we want, too?

[ uh oh. she might be gearing up for some "constructive" "criticism" here ]

asdljasd probably should get this in before finale

[otogihorror]

If... you don't... look at Kakuya... you don't think Kakuya was helpful... then you're throwing her away... isn't it fair for Kakuya to do the same?

[...Kakuya, just say you're throwing a tantrum.]

[copycut]

[ She clicks her tongue. ]

See? This is exactly what I mean. You! Don't! Listen!

You helped us? So what? That wasn't for our sake, but for yours. If you really cared about us, instead of just wanting to keep your toys—you wouldn't have put your fingers in your ears when everyone told you this game makes them miserable and scared. Instead, you expect to get all of the perks of friendship without making any of the sacrifice.

[otogihorror]

If you pull... a thorn from... a lion's paw... just to steal the thorn... that doesn't erase the debt.

[If she could, she would make the same noise. She tilts her head slightly, the eternal smile looks a bit... annoyed, perhaps?]

You cannot blame... Kakuya... for not wanting to go hungry... besides. The... game has it's conditions... Not her fault you... can't understand the curse.

[copycut]

Pull out as many pretty sayings as you want. It doesn't change reality.

[ this time, she sighs ]

I thought I'd give you some pointers, but it seems like that was a waste of time. You don't want us to treat you like a friend—you want us to roll over like dogs!