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week 5, friday
[ Mizuki goes to find Ishikirimaru fairly soon after the reveal of the bodies. At least it's only three this week - not that it's much comfort when they're all children, and when they're having the problem they're currently having. As always, they're quite good at concealing anything they might be feeling about the matter, but show concern for Ishikirimaru immediately upon finding him. ]
Ishi-san, I need a minute of your time... Are you all right?
[ he's gentle, paternal - he's probably not doing well with this, they know. ]
Ishi-san, I need a minute of your time... Are you all right?
[ he's gentle, paternal - he's probably not doing well with this, they know. ]
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[he's in the study, probably-- he hasn't been around much since that vision, and when mizuki finds him he has his head in his hands. he doesn't look up at the sound of their voice, though he does straighten, one sleeve swiping briefly at his face.]
Of course. Go ahead, Mizuki-san.
[his voice is soft, tired.]
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I guess that was a silly question, huh...
[ maybe it would be better if they kept their distance, but they find themself circling around to him nonetheless, gently placing a hand on his shoulder. ]
I'm sorry.
[ they hold off on getting to the topic at hand, at least for a moment. ]
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it still doesn't feel like quite enough, but-- it helps.]
... thank you.
What was it you wanted to discuss?
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You'll see them again.
[ it's really the only comfort they can offer. ]
... Some news. Not anything good, unfortunately. [ with that, they quietly pull their hand back - then lift the opposite to tug their sleeve up. Several long slashes mark the skin of their arm; not particularly deep, but certainly nothing to sniff at, either. ] I woke up with these. Normally, I'd assume someone from Ruin used their power, but... obviously, that's not possible anymore.
[ do they sound troubled?? they are. ]
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[he frowns deeply as he looks at those slashes, taking their arm in his hands-- speaking of which, he does have 2 now, though the left one does not feel as real as it looks. it isn't warm like the real one is, and doesn't feel exactly as it should.]
Firstly, we should treat these just to be on the safe side. But considering no one has that ability anymore...
[he doesn't want to say it, but.]
-someone wanted to make you look suspicious, perhaps. Or something happened where you were that injured you without waking you up. Where did you sleep?
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[ they have to say something about it - it's too strange not to comment on - but they otherwise let him take their arm without complaint. ]
In the west wing - the inn. And I was with Majima-kun... I can't imagine someone snuck in and managed not to wake either of us up. [ a beat. ] The other arm is the same. I've got a bruise on my neck, too.
[ they frown, deeply. ]
... I swear that I didn't do anything. Someone is trying to make me a scapegoat.
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[-and he looks sad at that thought, actually, though he doesn't explain why, choosing to move right on.]
I may know why you would have been chosen, but first-- was Majima-kun also marked in any way?
[he's majima-kun to ishi now too that's fine]
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No... Just me. He was fine. [ a beat. ] Because someone is trying to bring Beauty down to zero followers...? Or because they consider me suspicious already, maybe. What's your thought?
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[a pause, there.]
I was informed that someone received a hint about a killer, this week. It was that there are six letters in their name.
If someone is aware of that who would have reason to direct suspicion elsewhere... that may be why you were targeted, though Majima-kun would have worked as well.
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[ that certainly isn't a reason they considered they'd be suspected, but they suppose it's fair enough if it came from a god, even if they resent it a little. They tug their sleeve back down, then rub their temples. ]
Maybe I should have made people call me Ioti-san, after all. [ a sigh. the joke doesn't really do much to lighten their spirits. ] If that information comes from a reliable source, then I can't blame them... but I promise you that I'm innocent. I haven't hurt anyone the entire time I've been here.
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[but at their last words, he quickly shakes his head.]
-I know. I trust that if you had ever needed to, you would have at least let me help, wouldn't you? Especially after... everything that happened, last week.
[he's definitely not going to forget that. ishi had faith they wouldn't turn on him, but it's still something that he deeply appreciates.]
Mm, but speaking of help-- come. It won't do if those are allowed to become infected.
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At his offer, though, they gently shake their head. ]
It's all right. Majima-kun already helped me treat them this morning... I should be fine. But thank you. [ a beat. ] ... We've been working on having the gods form an alliance so that we can end this game without more violence. If something happens to Beauty-kun, it won't work.
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[he doesn't want a repeat of fortune or ruin. two is enough.
but he tilts his head slightly, more willing to focus on other topics knowing that mizuki's injuries will be all right.]
Can you explain a bit further? I am aware of different efforts to try to organize us, rather than the gods themselves, but I had not heard anything of this.
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[ his being vulnerable would mean that Mizuki was dead, probably, and they'd like to avoid that if at all possible?! Dismissively, they shake their head, moving onto his question. ]
Sure. I'm trying to build an alliance in the pantheon between Beauty-kun and some of the other gods - Indulgence-san, Sincerity-san, Piety-san... Anyone who seems like they could work together. Instead of forcing us to kill one another, we should be forcing them to compromise, don't you think? Even if just one of them is the "head" god, the others could still have concessions made in their favor that make the arrangement appealing to them. [ a beat. ] Mostly, it's a matter of social engineering between the gods. But I also need to try and find at least one other person to join Beauty-kun.