[She shakes her head, as if that'll help her sort through her thoughts.]
These people... they came in here, just like you.
[There's an attempt to gesture at the fair going on around them.]
But they're right in a way you're wrong. And everything is worse, which is how they ended up here. They're stuck here, but... you're not. So if you can be right but still be able to get out...
[She trails off for a moment.]
These people could get out too. Right? We can get out or... or we could get more people to come in...
[ ... Hm, he thinks he can understand it. The people are trapped; it makes him think of those listless people shambling about. ]
I can tell you now that no one really wants to come and live in a place like this.
[ Just saying that as it is, but... ]
I don't think it's impossible for everyone to leave. We're trapped in some place as well, even before we came "here". So, if we could work together, maybe we can both achieve something we'd want.
Those of us who've come here just also want to go home, and you want to get out of here. Of course, in order to achieve those things, we'll need more information. Can you tell me if you've heard of any exits from here? And what exactly has been keeping them stuck here? As well as any details about how 'everything is worse'?
[ Xingqiu believes it can't hurt to see if this is an option. It does make him think a bit of business negotiations, but in the end, if they can help each other, maybe it can alleviate the situation somehow. Including them getting out of 'this' false place. ]
I… haven’t heard of any exits… I’m s-sure one has to exist, but I don’t know how to find it.
[Though there is, of course, the possibility that there isn’t actually an exit after all.]
I haven’t been to the place outside, but some of the people here talk. They talk a lot, and some of them don’t seem to care that things are like this! But they say things about seeing things that don’t make sense, about how things seemed so terrible, and something pulled them in.
But they just think I’m strange, if I ask. They think all of us are strange. And they don’t care.
[ A possibility that Xingqiu has eliminated from the equation kthx. ]
I think it's odd that they don't care.
[ Or maybe not, if they've escaped to this place in particular.
Whatever this 'false world' is supposed to be. A reflection of the world they were sent to, maybe? Tied by strong feelings, or...a presence that is responsible for pulling them in? ]
Do you happen to know what that something is, exactly? Did they say?
[ He has to be optimistic or otherwise he will not return home. :( ]
I see. Well, that's quite unfortunate...for obvious reasons.
But, I've no intention in winding up the very same. Can you tell me if there are any places of interest we should look into? Or certain people...?
In addition, someone had left behind a toy of some sort, but it was in disrepair, so I have to wonder if there are others who may have kept their wits about them.
[ That's not exactly the phrase he'd be using if he thought the case. But Xingqiu found it and it stuck out in his mind, so he figures he may as well mention it. See if garners a reaction, jogs a memory. ]
They tend to spend most of their time in the fair... Sometimes they leave, once they stop feeling so much, but I don't know where they go after that.
[She sighs, gaze dropping to the ground.]
I've never left the fair, but it's - it's - it's
[She shakes her head, a rattling noise coming from her throat again, as if she's trying to fight with herself. Though whether that's over what to say or something else is unclear.]
I've no intention of lingering here. If you've no idea where else to go, though, you can come along with me.
[ So the offer is there, but anywhere else that seems notable around here? If not, he will begin to make his way towards the big tent he had spotted. ]
[They're a perfectly normal clown! Who doesn't pay Xingqiu any attention, as they're busy talking to another clown.
The tent also seems to be normal, but everyone inside of it seems to be preparing for the show. They're checking the tightrope and the other structures, looking over each other's costumes, setting up the bleachers and cleaning up where they can...
Nobody's noticed Xingqiu (yet?), so he's free to explore and take a closer look at anything he wants right now.]
Sounds like just a bunch of clowning around before the main show.
Xingqiu will definitely explore, to see if there are any other noticeable spots within the inside of the tent. Or rather, any notable or suspicious/strange people hanging around. ]
[After so very much fucking around outside, Shin will finally wander back onto the fairgrounds and into the tent. Is NPC-san still in tow, who knows but either way, Shin isn't exactly trying to stealth this as he enters.
Hi Xingqiu!! Or not, because he's hiding, but it's said in spirit, maybe.]
[NPC-san doesn’t seem all that interested in the show - which may or may not be for the best? It’s unclear.
As the tent fills up, the two of them will notice something strange about the crowd - though with their adventures at the museum, the shadowy, hollow people that fill the stands shouldn’t be much of a surprise.
Neither should the fact that some of them have the same markings they do.]
He probably catches sight of Shin, but doesn't say anything because he's in ~stealth mode~. If the other looks in his direction he might peek his head out, though.
[You know what, he probably will look in Xingqiu's direction at some point because there's just a lot of these guys coming in and they're kind of everywhere in the stands?
But also just for clarification's sake: are the hollow shadowy people somewhat distinguishable (i.e. in terms of build, hairstyle, etc.) or are they uniform in profile?
[They are incredibly uniform, all distinguishing features washed away except for the occasional lightning marks on some of the gathered crowd. They're all looking towards the stage, and won't respond to any conversation or touches.
The lights over the crowds go dim, and spotlights focus on the ring master. She raises her arms, gesturing excitedly - she is distinct, but there is something not quite right about the way she moves or the way she smiles. It's reminiscent of the doubles you've run across so far. Something unnatural and jerky but trying to be something real.
You blink as the spotlights trail over the crowd, blinding you momentarily.
You're both standing at the bus stop between the mall and the university. The circus is gone. If you check the time, it's 10 o'clock in the evening - three hours have passed, thought it doesn't feel like it's been that long? Or does it feel like that took longer... You'll find you still have anything that you grabbed, but Shin will also find that his red tie is missing. Maybe it's still with NPC-san...?]
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[She shakes her head, as if that'll help her sort through her thoughts.]
These people... they came in here, just like you.
[There's an attempt to gesture at the fair going on around them.]
But they're right in a way you're wrong. And everything is worse, which is how they ended up here. They're stuck here, but... you're not. So if you can be right but still be able to get out...
[She trails off for a moment.]
These people could get out too. Right? We can get out or... or we could get more people to come in...
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I can tell you now that no one really wants to come and live in a place like this.
[ Just saying that as it is, but... ]
I don't think it's impossible for everyone to leave. We're trapped in some place as well, even before we came "here". So, if we could work together, maybe we can both achieve something we'd want.
Those of us who've come here just also want to go home, and you want to get out of here. Of course, in order to achieve those things, we'll need more information. Can you tell me if you've heard of any exits from here? And what exactly has been keeping them stuck here? As well as any details about how 'everything is worse'?
[ Xingqiu believes it can't hurt to see if this is an option. It does make him think a bit of business negotiations, but in the end, if they can help each other, maybe it can alleviate the situation somehow. Including them getting out of 'this' false place. ]
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[Though there is, of course, the possibility that there isn’t actually an exit after all.]
I haven’t been to the place outside, but some of the people here talk. They talk a lot, and some of them don’t seem to care that things are like this! But they say things about seeing things that don’t make sense, about how things seemed so terrible, and something pulled them in.
But they just think I’m strange, if I ask. They think all of us are strange. And they don’t care.
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I think it's odd that they don't care.
[ Or maybe not, if they've escaped to this place in particular.
Whatever this 'false world' is supposed to be. A reflection of the world they were sent to, maybe? Tied by strong feelings, or...a presence that is responsible for pulling them in? ]
Do you happen to know what that something is, exactly? Did they say?
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It's something that happens every year. This year is different but I don't... I don't know any specifics.
[She sounds frustrated, for a moment, before it fades.]
It seems like the longer people are here, though... the less they end up caring.
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I see. Well, that's quite unfortunate...for obvious reasons.
But, I've no intention in winding up the very same. Can you tell me if there are any places of interest we should look into? Or certain people...?
In addition, someone had left behind a toy of some sort, but it was in disrepair, so I have to wonder if there are others who may have kept their wits about them.
[ That's not exactly the phrase he'd be using if he thought the case. But Xingqiu found it and it stuck out in his mind, so he figures he may as well mention it. See if garners a reaction, jogs a memory. ]
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Some of the people who talk have said things like... people are lashing out more than usual, so I wonder if that's what happened there...
[It makes the most sense, of course. If this place is one and the same and just a step to the left...]
But if someone did that, they can't have been in here for very long.
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No, they couldn't have.
I'd wondered if that was the reason I found you crying, but now I see that isn't the case.
[ ... ]
What else have you heard from the people around here? Anything about places that they tend to go to more than the rest?
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[She sighs, gaze dropping to the ground.]
I've never left the fair, but it's - it's - it's
[She shakes her head, a rattling noise coming from her throat again, as if she's trying to fight with herself. Though whether that's over what to say or something else is unclear.]
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[ ... ]
Are you alright?
[ He still has no idea what is up with the condition she is in, to be quite honest. ]
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[She seems to be losing grip on herself, but she’s making a concerted effort to pull herself together.]
You… You can’t stay here for long, either. It’s - I think it’s dangerous.
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I've no intention of lingering here. If you've no idea where else to go, though, you can come along with me.
[ So the offer is there, but anywhere else that seems notable around here? If not, he will begin to make his way towards the big tent he had spotted. ]
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The Not Miach nods, before shaking her head, before nodding.]
I don't think I can go with you. Not right now. But I can try!
[Well. He might just want to head out.]
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Anything strange going on in tent land? ]
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Because that’s the first thing he’ll see in the tent, but whether that’s strange or not is up for debate.]
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Anything...noticeable about them, or the surroundings inside of the tent? ]
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The tent also seems to be normal, but everyone inside of it seems to be preparing for the show. They're checking the tightrope and the other structures, looking over each other's costumes, setting up the bleachers and cleaning up where they can...
Nobody's noticed Xingqiu (yet?), so he's free to explore and take a closer look at anything he wants right now.]
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Sounds like just a bunch of clowning around before the main show.
Xingqiu will definitely explore, to see if there are any other noticeable spots within the inside of the tent. Or rather, any notable or suspicious/strange people hanging around. ]
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There’s nothing suspicious at first blush!
But he might want to wait for the show.]
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So. Xingqiu will find a good hiding spot, and then. . .wait.
To be continued... ]
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Hi Xingqiu!! Or not, because he's hiding, but it's said in spirit, maybe.]
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As the tent fills up, the two of them will notice something strange about the crowd - though with their adventures at the museum, the shadowy, hollow people that fill the stands shouldn’t be much of a surprise.
Neither should the fact that some of them have the same markings they do.]
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Okay, that is strange. On two accounts.
He probably catches sight of Shin, but doesn't say anything because he's in ~stealth mode~. If the other looks in his direction he might peek his head out, though.
Anyway, anything else going to happen...? ]
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But also just for clarification's sake: are the hollow shadowy people somewhat distinguishable (i.e. in terms of build, hairstyle, etc.) or are they uniform in profile?
Otherwise yeah, let the show go on?!]
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The lights over the crowds go dim, and spotlights focus on the ring master. She raises her arms, gesturing excitedly - she is distinct, but there is something not quite right about the way she moves or the way she smiles. It's reminiscent of the doubles you've run across so far. Something unnatural and jerky but trying to be something real.
You blink as the spotlights trail over the crowd, blinding you momentarily.
You're both standing at the bus stop between the mall and the university. The circus is gone. If you check the time, it's 10 o'clock in the evening - three hours have passed, thought it doesn't feel like it's been that long? Or does it feel like that took longer... You'll find you still have anything that you grabbed, but Shin will also find that his red tie is missing. Maybe it's still with NPC-san...?]
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