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...?]
[Terrible indeed. Not that it's a thought that crosses Shin's mind, but the fact that it ended all so suddenly is admittedly pretty jarring, even if he doesn't show much sign of it outwardly. But rest in pieces NPC-san (and maybe also his tie); at least it shows that those others can't seem to warp back to this side just by being in close proximity.
He'll turn towards Xingqiu with something of a considering expression though, loosened collar revealing a glimpse of red discoloration running across his throat.]
[There's certainly none of that... wrongness that permeated the other Xingqiu's behavior, so he'll take that as a good sign.]
Because I met someone with the same face as you. [A blink and a pause.] Probably the same thing that happened to you... we were in the tent together, after all.
[He’s not entirely sure he feels reassured by that but it’s better than the alternative probably.]
The one I met said there was one that could replace me.
[Clearly only a sign of good things to come.
At the remark about the tie though, there’s a quiet “ah” as a hand automatically drifts up to the collar of his shirt, before he just lowers it with a shake of his head.]
I left it with someone I met over there… someone we didn’t know. They were trapped in that place too.
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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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Didn't even get to see much of anything!!
Oh well... ]
Hmm...well, that certainly happened.
Strange, isn't it?
[ But what about this place isn't strange? ]
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He'll turn towards Xingqiu with something of a considering expression though, loosened collar revealing a glimpse of red discoloration running across his throat.]
Yeah. [...] You're the real one, right?
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Why are you asking?
[ Xingqiu has a suspicion as to why, but better to not assume, just in case. Shit's wildin in this place, man. ]
...Also, what happened to you?
[ In reference to the red discoloration, just to try to make sure someone didn't strangle him or anything. ]
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Because I met someone with the same face as you. [A blink and a pause.] Probably the same thing that happened to you... we were in the tent together, after all.
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[ Strange that a fake version of themselves are hanging around...but whatever. ]
I asked since your tie suddenly went away, is all. But, I've still got my item with me.
[ Xingqiu shows the pink thing around his wrist. ]
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The one I met said there was one that could replace me.
[Clearly only a sign of good things to come.
At the remark about the tie though, there’s a quiet “ah” as a hand automatically drifts up to the collar of his shirt, before he just lowers it with a shake of his head.]
I left it with someone I met over there… someone we didn’t know. They were trapped in that place too.
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