CYOA - W3

[afflictionmods]

ic date: friday, w3
ic time: 7pm - 10pm

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[imitationsoul]

[ Let's head for the games. She doesn't expect anything too interesting here, so might as well give it a once-over first. ]

[afflictionmods]

[There’s just about any carnival game you could imagine here, from ring toss to basketball toss to toss a ball to knock over some clowns, and most of the booths seem to have matching prizes.

Not too far from her, it seems like someone is shouting.]

[imitationsoul]

[ Oho - public drama? Don't mind if she inches closer to that! She has no intention of disturbing the scene right now, she just wants to eavesdrop. ]

[afflictionmods]

[It might take a lot to interrupt the scene - though someone might want to, because it seems like they’re about to come to blows.

The area around the shouting men is warm, surprisingly so, but one of them…

He’s awfully familiar, isn’t he?]

[herlocksholmes]

[Ah, there's a scene going on! Sholmes approaches, identifying who is one of the people involved. That's Shin! At first sight, he doesn't realize it's not Shin. This one here, this is Miach!]

Ah, good luck in your newfound career in the circus, my dear madam.

[As if Miach deciding to join the circus is literally the only reason why she would be here today, what kind of greeting is this, Sholmes.

So! Let's see, before taking action: who is this Shin fighting? This...not-shin, I guess. This...Tibia, for lack of a good synonym for shin]

[imitationsoul]

[ Well, that's certainly a crowd of familiar faces now.

Miach gives Sholmes a raised eyebrow at his comment. She then raises her wrist to show off the pink bracelet, like... look, I'm a visitor.

But she doesn't speak up because she doesn't want to distract the arguing men in front of them. Can they make out any words being said? ]

[afflictionmods]

[Never give up, Miach. It seems like you've got Sholmes support, at least.

The stranger is clear as day, though his shouting seems to mostly consist of "what the fuck is wrong with you?", "back off, man!", and "you wanna say that again?!"

Tibia, on the other hand, seems to be largely incomprehensible. His words are distorted, wobbly, something that sounds like words you should recognize but somehow neither of you do. It doesn't even seem like he's speaking in an unfamiliar language, as there's no logic to the sound he's making.

There's something about this that is deeply unnatural, while at the same time... It feels perfectly normal.]

[herlocksholmes]

[Sholmes takes her by the wrist and gives Miach's bracelet a good look, catching onto what this could mean, and lets go. Hm. Perhaps he should get his hands onto a bracelet like that one -- he shows her his bare wrist, sans bracelet, indicating he sneaked in.

Now, this doppelganger's words...that didn't sound great. It's gibberish]

I intend to step in. Someone needs to look out for Mr. Nouzen, after all.

[This is his teammate...or at least something that looks like his teammate. You never know what could happen if they allow Tibia to get pummeled today]

[imitationsoul]

[ Huh, interesting. So the set-up of whatever this is is not the same for all of them. How fitting for Mr. Sholmes though. It's a good touch.

She gives him a nod. ]

Go ahead. See if he can understand you, while we're at it.

[ Is this a one way communication barrier or is something else at large? ]

[herlocksholmes]

[Alright, time to go ahead]

Hold it!

[Sholmes steps in, raising an arm to get their attention]

Allow me to interrupt. He's with me. [Turning to the doppelganger] Now, what's the matter here?

[Yeah, better keep an eye out for any signs of understanding when he speaks. Is there a language barrier going on here?]

[afflictionmods]

[Sholmes is certainly welcome to step in! The man fighting Tibia seems relieved, stepping back when the (great) detective approaches.]

This guy's a friend'a yours?

[The area around the fight has been getting hotter and hotter with each passing moment, but the temperature suddenly plummets when Sholmes steps forward.

Tibia goes silent, at least, once he notices Sholmes. His eyes track over to Miach, and he lets out a slow breath that sounds more like whistling wind. Whether or not he understands is... unclear.]

[herlocksholmes]

That's correct, my good fellow. Is something the matter?

[Sholmes says that and gives Miach a...well, it's a momentarily confused glance. Not clear yet if they can communicate with Tibia, it seems! But hey, at least this leaves Miach free to do anything she feels like doing]

[imitationsoul]

[ Alright, that was an easy defusing. Miach gives Sholmes a nod - and she hopes he will interpret this as 'grill this guy for absolutely all information you can'.

She herself steps over to 'Shin'. ]

Mr. Shinei Nouzen, would you like to play a game with me? I don't think we're wanted here.

[afflictionmods]

Yeah, this guy just fuckin' went off at me for no reason!

[Mr. Stranger is peeved, and since Sholmes has taken it upon himself to defuse the situation... He gets to deal with that anger.

The temperature has started to raise again, but it's still quite cold for the summer night it was before.

Now, for Miach... The question gets a long, long stare, before there's a nod as Tibia steps forward. He seems to have calmed down significantly, but he's still keeping silent. It does confirm that he understands her, which is probably a win.]

[herlocksholmes]

Ah, you'll have to forgive my friend. His temperament is quite explosive. I myself tend to draw his ire, more often than not. [Having proceeded to throw Shin's temperament under the bus, Sholmes bows] May I be of service, if you still need anything?

[There must be a chance to grill him for more information. There are many questions that need answer! But first, assuage this man's mood until he's willing to answer questions, yup]

not here

[undertakings]

[sneezes]

[imitationsoul]

[ Miach meanwhile gestures for Tibia to follow her a bit before she stops at a booth for can knockdown - it's still within view from Herlock, but there is a bit more privacy. ]

Was there something suspicious about that man? I don't seem to be able to understand you, so please use gestures.

[afflictionmods]

I just want to be left alone, man. This night's been bad enough, an' then this guy who's a total freak gets in my business? He doesn't have any control over himself.

[Well! He certainly does seem willing to talk, if only to complain. Sorry, Sholmes, but he might be able to steer this conversation in...a direction.

Tibia shrugs, before spreading his hands broadly. Then he raises one hand, and slowly lowers it, before raising it again, as if miming something going up and down.]

[herlocksholmes]

Have you ever seen a cat when they're in a new unfamiliar location? That's how my good friend here is like. Madam here will get him out of your hair. [Thank goodness Miach is here and talking to Tibia already, it makes it easier to lie. Now, for starters!] We're on a roadtrip, and this city is an unplanned stop. What's the name of this place?

[imitationsoul]

[ So the man he'd gotten into a fight with doesn't seem to have done anything specific... the issue is something else. Up and down...? ]

The Ferris Wheel?

[afflictionmods]

[The stranger looks at Herlock likes he's grown a second head. It does seem to have confused him so much that he's no longer angry at all.]

...Dude. You're in Estelline.

[Tibia, meanwhile, looks very unimpressed at Miach's charades ability, shaking his head and miming the up and down gesture again, before miming wiping off his brow and fanning himself.]

[herlocksholmes]

[Ah, they're still in the same city. Good to have confirmed that, good. Still, that all these people exist, and are seemingly real...something is going on. Perhaps thinking as outside of the box as possible will be necessary, and unlike many other times, it will be with the utmost seriousness. Hmmmm...

Sholmes nods and shakes his head, as if disappointed with himself]

How unfortunate. We took a wrong turn, indeed! We'll have to get back on the road tomorrow. [Now, what if...] Indulge me on this one, too: what's today's date?

[What if this is all some vision of the past somehow? It could be, no?]

[imitationsoul]

[ Look, she's good at words not at absence of them!! But this gives her a (hopefully) better idea of what Tibia is getting at. ]

The temperature changes - they correspond to the emotion. Anger equals hot. I have read that this is normal for Estelline and its inhabitants.

[afflictionmods]

What? It’s, uh-

[He pauses, looking even more confused.]

It’s… I don’t know.

[He needs to think about this.]

It’s The 8th.

[It’s unlikely that Miach will be able to catch that while playing charades with Tibia, but it’s absolutely not the date those women told her.

Tibia does at least seem pleased with her next guess, though! So that’s progress! He nods, before making a motion like he’s pushing down, and then wrapping his arms around himself in an exaggerated shiver, before holding his arms in front of him in an “x” and shaking his head.]

[herlocksholmes]

[Oh, oho! That pause is very significant, he thinks. Hm...better keep that and the date in mind]

Thank you, sir.

[Sholmes bows and then leans forward, eyes wide open like he just thought about this]

Wait, Estelline! I recall hearing something about this place. I knew something was in the back of my mind. This is where that university is at, isn't it? The Estelline University!

[Trying to establish if these citizens know about that place or if, somehow, that university doesn't exist right now or something. Clearly something is afoot about basic information, but even some hesitation should say a lot about this situation]