redacted ★ rufus

[infreefall]

MY ORIGINAL IMAGE VANISHED SOMEHOW so this'll have to do

Comments

[infreefall]

They'll heal eventually.

[ but that's not really an answer, is it. she sighs. ]

It all hurts, but I don't think that there's much we can do about it, right now.

[soulus]

. . . There are certain kinds of tea that can provide some relief. Why don't you ask around?

[infreefall]

[ she gives a soft, strained laugh. ]

I think I've caused everyone enough trouble for on week. I don't want to be too much of a burden.

[soulus]

Didn't you retrieve previously unknown information on your excursion? I would consider that more than worth the trouble.

[infreefall]

I don't know if we can say it was completely unknown. It sounded like at least one of us should already be aware of what we found in that note, at least.

[soulus]

. . . What is it?

[infreefall]

[ ...hm. it's easier if she pulls out her phs to show rufus her notes, so that's what she does. on it, he'll find a transcript. ]

It was in a compartment with the guns and branch we found. So... someone here must know, besides us.

[soulus]

[He carefully peruses the transcript.]

. . . someone who hails from the same world as at least two others . . .

[infreefall]

Yeah. I don't know who that could even be, though. I thought all of us were from different worlds entirely.

[soulus]

No. I suspect there are a few . . . It's a matter of confirming them.

[infreefall]

Who are you thinking of? Maybe I can help narrow it down.

[soulus]

Gossip will only set us back.

More importantly, what do you suppose the importance of this note to be?

[infreefall]

[ oh. ] That's not really how I meant it, but okay...

[ he does have a point, so ochako won't argue any further. ]

Hm... I guess it means we're doing a good job finding nova. Most of it just sounds like personal stuff, though the note at the bottom about our "journey" kind of makes me wonder how much they know about what could happen here?

What confuses me the most is why we found it there. I thought what happened might have just been part of the disturbances they've mentioned before, but then, why would a leader's notes be there with the branch and guns? It's like someone wanted us to find it... but that would mean someone deliberately set up that whole thing.

[ which is. troubling for other reasons. ]

[soulus]

[Troubling, indeed.]

Have you discussed this with the Leaders?

[infreefall]

Not yet. I was too tired on Thursday, and then they weren't available, but I'm going to ask this week.

[soulus]

I would be interested in hearing their answers.

Until then . . . what purpose does the branch serve?

[infreefall]

Then I'll make sure to tell you, once I get them.

[ she doesn't mind making that promise! it's a small thing. ]

The note said that if it was placed somewhere, it would give the one who put it there an idea of what happened overnight. So I think, if things keep happening on Thursdays, it might help us figure something out in the trial that week.

It and the guns are only good for one use, though, so we'll only have one chance to get it right.

[soulus]

[It's hard to say if the items are meant to be helpful or harmful when they indirectly promote the killings. But they are, without a doubt, useful.]

Starting now, we will have to use our time and resources wisely.

[infreefall]

[ nods! ]

Mm. That's why I didn't use the gun to heal my own wounds, after we got it - just in case someone else needs it more. I hope we won't need it, but it's better to have it in reserve than not.

[soulus]

Even knowing what it is, will you be able to point the barrel at another participant?

[infreefall]

[ she smiles. ]

If it’s to help someone, then it’s worth the risk to try. Until I know for sure, I think it’s probably better to wait for a real emergency, but if it really is what it’s supposed to be, it won’t be a problem.

[soulus]

If it isn't, I suppose it won't make a difference to use it on a fatal wound . . .

[infreefall]

[ well, this is what she gets for trying to be positive. ]

...Yeah, exactly. Under those circumstances, it's worth the risk to try, no matter what.

[soulus]

[The world requires balance.]

But if it is as the note says, it's a powerful item to have on standby. Keeping both eyes on it would be good.

[infreefall]

Yeah, I know. I'm planning to keep it with me at all times, just in case we need it... but that won't stop someone from trying to steal it, if we end up asleep again on Thursdays.