Me? [Give her a second.] Oh! Oh, because I'm royalty?
[She must have been reading the profiles. Either way she gives a humble shake of the head.]
No no, I didn't get much of a chance to try. And the style was quite different where I was from, but it doesn't much matter now. Everything's in ruins, so there's not much need for dressing up or going to balls.
I guess you're right. [She takes a look at her own reflection, turning her head this way and that.] If I started small, maybe I could find something I like.
[Keep it to the lips and the eyes, perhaps. She's worried the powder might cake in unflattering ways over the raised skin.]
[The concourse seems a foolish place to take refuge, but Rosamund can't help herself. The vastness and hollow echo seem fitting. It's less like a market and more like a reception hall. A church. A throne room. And there's enough to look at that she can keep her thoughts from sinking into the grim mush they've been slogging through since hearing the news.
Me either. [Which is the troubling thing. Why must they lock all the suspicious areas down completely anyway? Why not allow a team to investigate tonight instead of making them all lose sleep worrying?] It doesn't seem very fair that we can't look yet.
[There's some pretty cushioned seats next to a fountain and a few snake-ish potted plants. Rosamund sets herself down and feels the ache in her bones at once. She rubs at the back of her neck, careful to not upset the minor bandages.]
If they do not know who committed the crime, they cannot trust any of us. But we also have fewer reasons to trust a ship that is supposed to stop threats.... if it has stopped nothing.
[ it's a double-edged blade kind of thing. shouxue seats herself on one of the cushions. ]
[Whether that's the way of the real world, or that's the way this story is written, she can't say. Can't decide if this is another story at all. If it isn't, then what the hell is she doing here? How?]
I think that there must be...I can't quite say whether there's a force or another person interfering with the ship, but with all that's gone wrong and how things ended last week? It seems likely to me.
But I don't know why an enemy of the company would want to see us hurt each other. [She drums her fingers on the end of her seat.] Perhaps I'm reaching too far for explanations.
It's natural to want it all to make more sense, for any kind of justification. There may be a bigger reason that all of this is happening, but it is hard to see it with so little to go on.
[ it's very frustrating. she has never had answers handed to her, but there is usually more for her to go on. ]
The ship gets less trustworthy every day that passes by, but even if there is something abnormal interfering with it, a competitor to the company doesn't seem that likely.
I don't know. People will do an awful lot to get a little bit of money. [She knows of some horrors of capitalism.] I knew a boar who tried to erase Death itself, and he was going to supply armies with weapons for wars that could never end.
[Though it hadn't been his main goal. Rather a pleasant side hustle on a grim revenge plot.]
Still, it's a puzzle, and we've scarcely been given any of the pieces. And the worlds among the stars are so far apart...I wonder how we'll gather them all.
There are easier ways to sabotage or obtain money than causing whatever is happening on this ship. [ she doesn't know capitalism, but she knows enough merchant families doing their best (or their worst). ] It'd be easier to crash this ship and collect what's on it.
[ that does sound like an intriguing story, but with the next day hovering over them, she doesn't have the energy to ask after it. ]
We collect them bit by pit or piece by piece, or we'll stay lost forever.
That is true. [Rosamund purses her lips.] Or maybe we're the product after all. Someone could be watching this for fun. Making bets.
[She doesn't trust higher powers not to get their kicks from mortal suffering. Whether that applies to just herself or everyone here remains to be seen.]
I wouldn't like that at all. [She turns to the other girl and offers a bracing smile.] Maybe it'll be slow work, but I don't mind getting my hands dirty. I won't give up so easily.
There's a way out of this. We just have to keep digging.
[ she doesn't like that idea at all, and how severe her frown is doesn't hide it. she doesn't think it reeks of a higher power yet, but that's mostly because her canon's higher powers don't really operate like that. ]
Until we dig up more evidence, I won't jump into any conclusions yet. I don't think there's nothing to be found. If there is a way to end up here, there is a way to end up out of here.
She's been hesitant to go this time. Neither girl was someone she considered a close confidant, and no doubt they've been badgered beyond their limit by the rest. But it sits ill with her heart not to try.
They're victims here, just the same as everyone else.]
Hello, Shouxue?
[She'll go to the girl she knows better first. To the one who killed a most precious friend. Rosamund enters with a hand to her heart, looking to the other girl with wary eyes.]
[ shouxue is seated, knees up, arms around them. sheba is in the cell next door for flavor. her expression is more or less impassive when she looks at rosamund. ]
That doesn't mean you should have to put up with more than you want to.
[Looks a bit fretfully to Sheba, but ultimately sits next to Shouxue's window. Going to say sound doesn't travel super well between cells for my own logistical sanity]
I wanted to come talk to you. I know we didn't know each other well, but...I would've liked to. At least to try.
[They meet by happenstance at Inn Side Out! Rosamund is sitting outside of the hotspring absolutely revelling in the wildlife. There are six birds cheeping all along one arm and a squirrel at her shoulder, a family of rabbits at her feet.]
Shouxue! [She waves!] Hello! Isn't this place just wonderful?
Oh. That's all right too. [You've hurt the squirrel's feelings Shouxue. Repent.]
The rats are...interesting. [She is too polite to call them fucking weird.] But I really missed having real wildlife. You know? Proper bush and tree guys. For a while, they were the only friends I had.
[Carefully, she moves her hand so that Shouxue's fingers are at the bird's belly, just above its feet. It takes the hint and steps lightly into her hand, fluffing its feathers and turning its head this way and that to take her in.]
There. Just don't move too quickly, they startle very easily.
[ shouxue is not nervous or afraid to hold a bird. she has a plump and stupid chicken that i forget to write into threads post-auction, but it's fine.....
chickens are not like perching birds, but she steadily but slowly brings her hand closer to her. ]
Birds are frequent visitors to every palace in my country.
[NO THE PLUMP CHICKEN!!! i mourn him, lost to the pet void.]
The privilege of having wings. [She'd always thought it would be a grand power to have. Not within her spellcasting range, sadly, she's got a more practical survivalist skillset. Mother Goose could manage it though, surely.]
What were you fond of doing in the palace, then? I know you're capable of great magic.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
week 0, monday
doing my best to show you how low effort you can be i love you kabby ]
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HOW DARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
also i appreciate this so much thank you ara]
Oh! Hello. [Feeling suddenly quite awkward.] Am I interrupting?
[She's never make-upped probably so how private is this supposed to be]
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[ she paints her eyelids red. ]
I am almost done.
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You've done a lovely job. You look very beautiful. [A beat.] Is there a reason for it? Or is it just the fashion?
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{ she glances at rosamund. ]
I thought you would have some experience with it.
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[She must have been reading the profiles. Either way she gives a humble shake of the head.]
No no, I didn't get much of a chance to try. And the style was quite different where I was from, but it doesn't much matter now. Everything's in ruins, so there's not much need for dressing up or going to balls.
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[ but she's not here to say they're great or anything. it's just something that's part of her everyday routine. ]
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Even when you're alone?
[Though that's sort of implied.]
Well. They look lovely on you, truly. I don't know how much I could do now with all of these.
[She points to the many scars scraped across her face, neck. Most everywhere really.]
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You can do as little or as much as you want.
[ scars or briars or anything else. ]
It doesn't have to be about covering anything up.
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[Keep it to the lips and the eyes, perhaps. She's worried the powder might cake in unflattering ways over the raised skin.]
I'm Rosamund, by the way. What's your name?
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[ she can continue to be makeup free and that would be fine. ]
I am called Shouxue.
WEEK 1: Friday
She doesn't expect company though.]
Shouxue?
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[ in a futile manner since the food court is blocked off. ]
Do you wish to be alone?
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[Even in a "lockdown." She draws even with the young woman, giving her a nod.]
Would you mind if I joined you, then?
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I don't mind sitting for a while either. I already know I'll find nothing today.
[ she just has to pretend for a moment that she can. ]
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[There's some pretty cushioned seats next to a fountain and a few snake-ish potted plants. Rosamund sets herself down and feels the ache in her bones at once. She rubs at the back of her neck, careful to not upset the minor bandages.]
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[ it's a double-edged blade kind of thing. shouxue seats herself on one of the cushions. ]
It isn't fair, but most things aren't.
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[Whether that's the way of the real world, or that's the way this story is written, she can't say. Can't decide if this is another story at all. If it isn't, then what the hell is she doing here? How?]
I think that there must be...I can't quite say whether there's a force or another person interfering with the ship, but with all that's gone wrong and how things ended last week? It seems likely to me.
But I don't know why an enemy of the company would want to see us hurt each other. [She drums her fingers on the end of her seat.] Perhaps I'm reaching too far for explanations.
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[ it's very frustrating. she has never had answers handed to her, but there is usually more for her to go on. ]
The ship gets less trustworthy every day that passes by, but even if there is something abnormal interfering with it, a competitor to the company doesn't seem that likely.
[ she doesn't know how cutthroat capitalism is. ]
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[Though it hadn't been his main goal. Rather a pleasant side hustle on a grim revenge plot.]
Still, it's a puzzle, and we've scarcely been given any of the pieces. And the worlds among the stars are so far apart...I wonder how we'll gather them all.
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[ that does sound like an intriguing story, but with the next day hovering over them, she doesn't have the energy to ask after it. ]
We collect them bit by pit or piece by piece, or we'll stay lost forever.
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[She doesn't trust higher powers not to get their kicks from mortal suffering. Whether that applies to just herself or everyone here remains to be seen.]
I wouldn't like that at all. [She turns to the other girl and offers a bracing smile.] Maybe it'll be slow work, but I don't mind getting my hands dirty. I won't give up so easily.
There's a way out of this. We just have to keep digging.
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Until we dig up more evidence, I won't jump into any conclusions yet. I don't think there's nothing to be found. If there is a way to end up here, there is a way to end up out of here.
WEEK 2: Saturday
She's been hesitant to go this time. Neither girl was someone she considered a close confidant, and no doubt they've been badgered beyond their limit by the rest. But it sits ill with her heart not to try.
They're victims here, just the same as everyone else.]
Hello, Shouxue?
[She'll go to the girl she knows better first. To the one who killed a most precious friend. Rosamund enters with a hand to her heart, looking to the other girl with wary eyes.]
Are you all right to speak for a moment?
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I have no where else to be.
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[Looks a bit fretfully to Sheba, but ultimately sits next to Shouxue's window. Going to say sound doesn't travel super well between cells for my own logistical sanity]
I wanted to come talk to you. I know we didn't know each other well, but...I would've liked to. At least to try.
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there's a tired quality to shouxue's voice and in the way her shoulders droop as she hugs her knees. ]
It is too late for that, but I can talk. We can talk.
WEEK 6: Monday, magic 8ball will shouxue finally become her new best friend
Shouxue! [She waves!] Hello! Isn't this place just wonderful?
[She gives a bird a leedle kiss.]
8ball says reply hazy come back later
I am still looking around, but some parts.... seem unsafe.
Bursts into tears
[that are not rats.
She waves her over.]
Come! Come sit! Would you like to meet them?
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I don't need to meet all of them. Were the rats not enough?
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The rats are...interesting. [She is too polite to call them fucking weird.] But I really missed having real wildlife. You know? Proper bush and tree guys. For a while, they were the only friends I had.
Do you see any much, where you're from?
[She strikes her as more of an indoor girl.]
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I mostly stay in my palace.
[ so rosamund isn't wrong. ]
Although birds are cherished throughout the entire Imperial Estate.
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Rosamund smiles. The squirrel takes its leave as she collects a black-capped chickadee on one finger, leaning forward with her hand outstretched.]
Then would you like to hold him?
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she doesn't see a reason to say no. ]
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There. Just don't move too quickly, they startle very easily.
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chickens are not like perching birds, but she steadily but slowly brings her hand closer to her. ]
Birds are frequent visitors to every palace in my country.
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The privilege of having wings. [She'd always thought it would be a grand power to have. Not within her spellcasting range, sadly, she's got a more practical survivalist skillset. Mother Goose could manage it though, surely.]
What were you fond of doing in the palace, then? I know you're capable of great magic.
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.... ]
I read, if I have books. I answer requests, if someone visits me.
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Palace life can be terribly restrictive, can't it?
[She cants her head, curious.]
What about here? You've made some good friends, I see. Has there been anything you've enjoyed learning or trying out since you got here?
[She's partial to a good boba and a good movie, herself.]
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[ she is so food-obsessed. ]