week 3, monday

[reapertoire]

#REAPER MEET UP

As with last week, the Reapers will wake suddenly, with their IC rulebook in their hand and open to a page in the back -- which contains a note that's only visible to them. "Reapers! Today's meeting will be at Shibu-Q Heads at 7 AM sharp! There's coffee and snacks for everyone, so don't be late!" When they arrive at the chain, at 07:00, they'll find themselves walking into a private area of the party supply store, with a door that closes and locks behind them once everyone is inside. It's roomy and filled with comfortable furniture, as well as various balloons and party decorations. There's an assortment of comfort foods along with with coffee and actual McFlurries this time. For once, Maya is not eating, she has a puppy on her lap and is looking a little more serious than usual. As always, music is on loop forever. "We should probably have another moment of silence for Ranpo and Junko. And--- after that, I've got some news about this week." game info ☠ setting ☠ statuses ☠ ic profiles private conversations ☠ murder proposals ☠ money full nav

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[purrtagonist]

[after this weekend he can handle a li'l bit of slobber]

[the smile he gives Maya is lopsided but warm, exhausted but oh-so-grateful]

Maya, you're the best Conductor a Reaper could ask for. I'm glad the Composer didn't Erase you for asking.

[speaking of asking. . .]

. . . did you deliver my letter?

[feytality]

Ha ha. Well, I'm happy to help.

[ enjoy being slobbered on. ]

Okay, so, good news and bad news --- [ she'll hand the letter over: ]

Akira.

I am afraid that at this current point in time, I cannot meet with you. To borrow a phrase that your lovely Host frequently says, "Ask again later."

That's the bad news. The good news is, I think asking this week does count as later --- we were talking, and the way the Game is going, I can probably help convince them if you want to give it another shot.

[purrtagonist]

[okay okay, down Tenko. Akira plants a hand on the puppy's head to push him down while he takes the letter with the other hand. he's silent for a moment, eyes scanning the piece of paper, before his mouth curves upward]

[he flips the letter over, places the paper flat on the ground, and somehow acquires a pen (IDK I ASSUME MAYA HAS ONE ON HER OR SMTH) to jot down a response]

Then consider this me "asking again later." I'd like to renew my formal request for a meeting, and along with it that offer for a free dinner. Sorry about the sushi shop. That one wasn't my fault.

- Joker

[annnnd once that is done, he folds it up, and hands it back to Maya]

Tell them I eagerly anticipate their reply.

[feytality]

[ tag yourself: akira trying to be dramatic while a puppy is slobbering o him. also, stop godmoding me wow??? anyway, maya takes the letter and tucks it away. ]

I think Mcdonalds kinda was your fault, Ray Repairman --- but, I'll deliver it. Fingers crossed!

[purrtagonist]

McDonald's wasn't shut down, so I have done absolutely nothing wrong.

[yeah, KAREN. he lifts a hand, index and middle finger crossed, to echo her sentiment]

In the meantime, I want to ask you about the other group of Reapers. I got the basic details from Max, but he said he couldn't advise me on a course of action.

I know their job is to sniff us out. But how, exactly, are they doing that?

[he thinks back to the trial, and the single-target focus some people had on Junko. on one hand? it made sense. she was at the scene of Eleanor's death, and she had been acting fairly out there since her arrival. but on the other?]

[he hadn't thought about this during the trial, but it was almost like some people who had pursued her knew she was a Reaper. . .]

[feytality]

Aww, come on, I was only teasing a little. [ there goes her attempt to lighten the mood!!! she sobers up. ]

Um, well -- special job benefit, really. They have meetings kinda like ours, except they answer directly to the Composer instead of down the chain of command like you guys do. So it's a perk of the job.

[ and now she looks a little guilty. ]

... I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you earlier, but.... I couldn't.

[purrtagonist]

[. . . HEY??? HEY!! quirking a brow, looking a bit put off]

Directly to the Composer? Well, now I know someone is playing favorites.

[w-wry. but the sarcasm fades quickly]

It's okay, Maya. I know you would've said something if you could have. But we know now; that's the important part.

What can you tell me about them? I know their win condition, but what are they like? As people.

[feytality]

If it helps, you're my favorite. And, probably Max's too, even though he'll never admit it to your face.

[ throws max under the bus like nbd ]

Well, they're a mixed bag, kinda like you guys. Sooo, ranging between..... kinda Junko-level of creepery, and.... well, there's no equivalent of you, 'cause you're kind of one of a kind, but....

[purrtagonist]

[tsun tsun max]

I'd much rather have your bias than the Composer's.

[just saying. but he listens to her response carefully, folding his arms and leaning back with clear pensiveness on his features as he does so]

I'm not really sure what to do now that we know about this other group of Reapers. I was thinking. . . [frowns]

The last time I showed my back to an enemy, I got shot. [ha] But do you think they'd be willing to talk?

[feytality]

[ tsun tsun, dere dere. ]

.... Some of them, maybe. I think you'd have to be careful about how you went about it, though. They job is technically to Erase you guys, sooo........

[ what "technically". ]

They're not as, um, willing to question as you are, I guess. For the most part.

[purrtagonist]

Wait, "technically?"

[yeah he's picking up on that]

[feytality]

Technically as iiiiin, they're not gonna get Erased if they don't go each week, like you guys. They've got more leeway.

[purrtagonist]

More freedom, and they get to directly communicate with the Composer. I'm almost jealous.

[he's being sarcastic]

Maya. . . can I send them an anonymous letter?

[feytality]

[ do you think they have puppies and parties, akira, i think not. they should be the ones jealous!!! ]

... Not gonna lie, you guys got the short end of the stick. [ aside from the ultra cute conductor. ]

Yeah, I think I can manage that. What do you wanna send?

[purrtagonist]

I've been thinking that since day one.

[puppies and a cute Conductor make up for it]

Something simple. Something to show them we're ready and willing to talk, without giving away who we are.

"We know you exist. There's something wrong with this game. We're trying to figure it out. We don't wish to Erase you or the Players. If you find us, come talk to us."

[feytality]

.... Yeah, but even as far as Reapering goes.

[ don't forget mario kart. ]

[ she mulls it over for a second, then nods. ]

Okay, I'll make sure it gets delivered, and I'll keep my fingers crossed.

[purrtagonist]

Wouldn't know. This is the first Game I've ever reaped in.

[what a shitty first game]

Thanks, Maya. Let me know what they say. If they say anything at all.

[feytality]

Will do!

[ ... ]

Hey, Akira. Do you hate the Composer?

[purrtagonist]

[wow, now that's a question]

I-- [he hesitates]

I'm angry at them. For designing the game the way that it is. But I don't understand them.

I can't hate that which I don't understand.

[feytality]

Most people tend to think the opposite way. [ of course, akira is a protag, not most people ]

Lemme ask this, then. Do you think this particular Game is worse than being dead? That it's not worth it to go through all of this for a second chance at life?

[ she's sincerely asking. ]

[purrtagonist]

[gestures at Akechi, gestures at Junko]

. . . I don't know.

[he's been struggling with that]

This Game asks people to compromise who they are for that second chance. To make them commit atrocities they'd never dream of doing. We may all be dead, but the pain we feel is still very real.

Isn't it like saying, "we're going to torture you now, but we'll give you a prize afterwards, so it's okay?"

[feytality]

.... Yeah, I know. [ she looks sad. ] It's really messed up.

[ and cruel to everyone who plays it, reapers and players. ]

But what if could only be one or the other? A Game like this, or..... no second chance?

[purrtagonist]

. . .

I would take the second chance.

[of course he would. because any amount of torture would be worth returning to his friends. when he thinks about it that way? his perspective shifts a little]

[feytality]

I think most people playing would --- that's why they're still playing, yanno?

[ as fucked up as it is. ]

But imagine if these were the only two options. What do you think would be crueler?

[purrtagonist]

[h. . . huh]

I think every person would respond to that differently.

[. . .]

And I don't know how I'd answer it yet.