week 0, tuesday

[reapertoire]

[Wherever Eleanor might've been before this, she's now ended up in the back alley behind McDonald's!

"there's a back alley behind mcdonald's"?

Apparently!

Waiting for her there is the Host, who's holding a small case with eight pins in it. I'm sure this all seems very normal.]

Comments

[concertmaster]

Normally this shit would've been done Sunday, but. My fucking bad. Anyway. Here's the deal. You've been picked to choose one of these for this week.

[he doesn't sound very sorry about it! Max opens the case and gestures to each pin]

They all do something different that can affect stuff in the Game. Since we're late on it, it'll affect stuff next week, but whatever. And I can't tell you what each of these shitty pins do, but you can try to guess.

[That said, he starts to gesture at each pin as he names them! The first has a simple design on it with two beams crossing each other to form an X.]

You've got Muramasa. Then there's Olly Olly Oxen Free Barrier. [this one has a cartoon design of a cute little Ox! Aww.] Moving on to Demon's Look. [This pin has a dark background broken by three yellow scratch marks, exposing something red underneath.] Over here is Delightful Beam. [the pin is a pale yellow with cute, pink hearts forming a beam] This one's Lolita Gifts [that pin depicts a gift box with definite gothic tones in the wrapping] and that one's One Chance, One Hope. [it's... a bunch of multicolored swirls with a bright question mark in the middle. okay.] Here's Kleptomania Rulez [six multicolored stars with dark jail bars in front of them] and finally we've got King's Treat. [It has a frozen crown on it!]

[max pauses to look deep into eleanor's eyes]

Yeah. The names are fucking dumb. Anyway, if you want, your Partner can help you pick, blablabla. Just tell me and I'll arrange this shit.

[exorcismo]

[ Between the sketchy alley to the mouthy child hidden in the shadows with a suspicious case of goods, there's nothing about this exchange that doesn't feel OMINOUS and VAGUELY ILLEGAL ]

Chosen? By who? And why?

[ And then a sudden afterthought-- ]

Do any of these have inherently negative repercussions? Or will whether the outcomes are good or bad depend on what we choose to do with the results?

[concertmaster]

Composer, to help out Players.

[well. that was straightforward!]

I'm supposed to tell you what the pin you chose does once you pick it. Before that, nothing. Reapers aren't aware this is in play, so choose wisely.

[exorcismo]

I see..

[ Not helpful!! ]

In that case, I have one more question-- once chosen will this pin no longer be available for someone else to pick next time? If there is a next time?

[concertmaster]

You catch on pretty quick. [that's all he says re: the next time]

The pins don't magically vanish once you use them. They're around for the length of the Game for Players. Like I said, secret advantage, blablabla.

[exorcismo]

Well, you do refer to it as a game. Games have rules and patterns. Though lives are hardly things to be played with.

[ cue righteous grumbling. ]

I choose that one-- demon's look.

[ She points!! And she says this with quite a bit of certainty for someone who has no idea what the hell these lil doodads do. ]

[concertmaster]

Nice choice. [he hands it over to her]

I'm gonna need this back by Sunday. Demon's look-- you can pick one Player to check if they're a Reaper. Usually the results'd be instant, but they're not for you because ... because the Composer's an asshole, honestly, the fuck do I know. You'll get the results of your scan Sunday when you hand this back.

So, anyway. Pick a Player. [a beat] Since your result's belated, you can take your time to pick, actually. Just tell me by Sunday.

[exorcismo]

[ She's gonna take the pin and look at with the most serious expression imaginable, like she's going to war or something. ]

Very well, by Sunday then. But for my own sake I have to ask-- as foolish as this may sound... can the others see this as well? I'm concerned about the others asking questions or someone taking it from me.

[concertmaster]

Your Partner if you want them to, but otherwise, nope. It's only visible to the person who can use it. I'm guessing you won't want to include fuckin' Velvet, though. Considering.

[exorcismo]

[ Velvet can choke. ]

That woman doesn't need to be included in any of this, thank you.

[ She says that very politely. ]

Very well then, you'll hear from me on Sunday. If what you promise does indeed come to pass, then I intend to make good use of this.

[concertmaster]

Yeah yeah, see you once four people are Erased.

[<3]

Sunday - Before Executions

[exorcismo]

[ Eleanor is gonna seek Max out, wherever the hell he is. Idk what that foul mouthed little boy gets up to. ]

I've made my decision. But first, can you answer a question?

[ cause boy has it been a long week. ]

How is someone chosen to recieve these boons? Is it entirely arbitrary?

[concertmaster]

[he has an hotel room?? let him sleep in you fucks :/]

Unfortunately, answering questions is literally part of my job.

[he leans back and thinks]

It's meant to be merit-based. Of course, since none of you guys had done anything to deserve merit, we kind of ... flipped a coin for you. Lucky you.

[exorcismo]

[ then please let it be known that Eleanor very loudly banged on his door. rise and shine kiddo!!!! ]

In that case.. can someone be chosen more than once for this? Assuming they do something to earn such merits in the future.

[concertmaster]

Nope. You guys are gonna have to share like it's kindergarten all over again.

[does eleanor know what kindergarten is? probably not. does he care? definitely not.]

[exorcismo]

[ Please don't mock her education at least she knows how to read!! >:/ ]

Very well-- then I've made my choice. Chuuya Nakahara-- tell me if he's a reaper.

[concertmaster]

[<3.]

Nope. He's clear. You've got one person you know for sure is a Player now outside yourself, Eleanor.

[exorcismo]

[ she releases a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding. Honestly, she’s relived. ]

Very well. I’d thank you but frankly that doesn’t seem appropriate. So I’ll just return your pin instead.

[concertmaster]

[he rolls his eyes and holds his hand out to take out]

Yeah, I literally do not give a fuck. Thank the Composer.

[exorcismo]

[ she hands it back, a little grateful to have it out of her possession. ]

I can think of a plethora of less painful things I’d rather do, so I’ll have to pass.

[concertmaster]

That's the most relatable thing you've ever said to me.