02.50 - week two, saturday

[afflictionmods]

W2 SATURDAY

Like last Saturday, everyone will get an announcement on their tablets; this time, the announcement is preceded with a bell of some sort before Lorelei appears on the screen again.

"Good morning, everyone. This is an announcement to let you know that today's lesson will take place starting at 8:15 tonight. Again, today's lesson will be starting at 8:15. Please meet at the lower campus exit near the lecture by 8:00pm; Florence will be waiting for you there.

If you have a bag for some snacks and, perhaps, an item you can use for self-defense in the case of an emergency, please arrive with those things on you. We will provide you with an overview of what to expect when you arrive at 8pm.

Thank you."

The alert ends.

You have the day to prepare, ask each other what the hell is happening -- Florence and Lorelei do not seem to be available, strangely enough. There's a lot to take in with the information you have now. But before you know it... night falls.

FULL NAV

(CODE)

Comments

[cloudalike]

It was impossible to hate them when you seemed to like them so much. I’m - not good with my emotions, you know. But your delight was certainly infectious.

[ He smiles down at the washi tape on his talisman. ]

It was sweet, but not too sweet. And a little tart, but on the mild side. And icy - that was good, too.

[cheerfuldays]

..... That's good. I wanted them to help.

[cloudalike]

[ Small acts of kindness, but as selfless as any grand gesture. ]

I... want to help you, too. Could you let me know how?

[cheerfuldays]

I... ( a pause- ) I don't feel anything. Not fear... or sorrow. Or joy. Nothing. It's all... hollow. But I know I should be upset by this.

[cloudalike]

Earlier something similar happened to Xingqiu. It seemed to help him fight the spirit possessing him when we disproved the lies it was whispering. I think... we should try to make you feel something. Joy, sorrow...

[ Though he would feel terrible if she were to cry over this. ]

Maybe anger? Uh - let's see... I actually really hate the strawberries! And I think it has a terribly unappealing name. And - um - washi tape is childish. And your hair makes you look... like a hag...

[ He peers up at her to check her reaction. ]

[cheerfuldays]

( no reaction, except maybe something like... the aftertaste of confusion? ... unfortunately for chongyun's plan? shizuku is not someone who gets angry. determined, maybe. but not angry. )

... I don't understand what's happening right now.

( like. logically? she gets the idea but. chongyun?? )

[cloudalike]

[ Alright, that didn’t seem to work. Disappointing, but he’ll explore other options. ]

That’s fine because none of that was true anyway. And I’m sorry I said those things. Forgive me…

[ If they rule out anger, then… ]

What if - you tell me about one of your happiest memories?

[cheerfuldays]

I...

( a happy memory...? happy... it's. )

When my little sister first started to speak... she said my name first. It made me cry, but in a good way... she'd look at me with those big, beautiful green eyes and reach for me.

[cloudalike]

Whoa - that's incredible! Your sister must be quite the genius. It is no small feat for a toddler to speak that many syllables.

[cheerfuldays]

She tried! She said, "Shiku". I think I told my mom I wanted to change my name to that... My Shii is wonderful though- she's so cute!

[cloudalike]

[ He grins. That sounds more like the usual Shizuku. ]

Indeed, that does sound wonderful. Shii's love for you and your clear love for her.

[cheerfuldays]

You know... she's not the best with her emotions either. But she has music... and watching her grow every day is the best feeling. I- I don't know what I'd do without her...

( is that a ghoul loosening its grip more? it sure is. )

[cloudalike]

[ He blinks, confused. ]

Do you really think you're not good with your emotions Shizuku? It seems like the opposite to me.

[cheerfuldays]

Ah- no, I was referring to when you said you weren't good with them yourself!

[cloudalike]

[ He's apparently also not good at connecting the dots sometimes. ]

Ah, so I did! Wow, it's incredible that, even through you're not completely yourself, you're still paying close attention to our conversation.

[cheerfuldays]

Why wouldn't I?

( you're close, chongyun. but the confusion sort of... lets her slip back to the hollowness. my d20 is bullying you. )

[cloudalike]

[ She wouldn’t ever think to not pay attention is his impression, even under these conditions. So he tilts his head and considers his answer. ]

In cases where someone is possessed, the evil spirit can cloud their mind so much that they overpower human thoughts. That person’s personality can completely change. What’s simple becomes abstruse. But Shizuku, the parts that are you still shine through.

[cheerfuldays]

( he's right- though, part of it is that there's no point in forgetting either. as she is now, she takes all information... she simply doesn't care, at the worst of it. )

It's... not that, I don't think. There's no reason not to remember. I just see no reason to act, either, like this. Nothing seems to matter. But it's still there.

( like trying to pour water into a cracked glass. )

[cloudalike]

Shii matters. Tell me more about her. When you hear her music, how do you feel?

[cheerfuldays]

I... so incredibly proud. She works so hard, and she loves her music with all her heart.