[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.
I guess it's those orbs that newspaper was talking about. I tried leaving the mall district and I ran into the same darkness that was keeping us trapped inside the museum on Saturday. I think it's safe to assume we ended up in the same... dimension, even if the location was different.
[Granted, it doesn't explain what the orbs are to begin with, but baby steps...]
If that was the whole town, then the numbers make sense... But more importantly, I'm wondering if that includes the figures we saw inside the tent.
It's good that level-headed people are involved in this, who knows how badly some of the more strong personalities would deal with the current scenario. ]
I wouldn't be surprised if it did.
[ SO, YEAH... ]
...Whatever the case, it seems that we're going to need to find a way out of here. Especially if we don't want to become like anyone hanging around in this place.
The orbs appear every night, so it's possible others hiding out in the city could be drawn in at any point. And the one I met had been there for approximately two weeks.
Well, she also mentioned that the people who were drawn into here spoke about others lashing out more than usual, which is something we've heard before.
[ So. Yeah! ]
Oh, and she said that she created herself somehow.
[On the plus side, at least they weren't the ones left in clown costumes, so truly it is fine.
Creating herself though... huh.]
The one I met said he was created, but didn't go into the details. [But uiqgnix was also pretty incomprehensible at times so eh... could've just forgotten to mention it.] I wondered if he was related to Luscinia, but he didn't recognize the name.
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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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Like people being brought here every year, apparently. But not knowing what it is that pulled them in.
[ Not very comforting, but, you know. ]
It appears there's quite a good number of people trapped here.
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[Granted, it doesn't explain what the orbs are to begin with, but baby steps...]
If that was the whole town, then the numbers make sense... But more importantly, I'm wondering if that includes the figures we saw inside the tent.
[Because :worry: if that's the case.]
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It's good that level-headed people are involved in this, who knows how badly some of the more strong personalities would deal with the current scenario. ]
I wouldn't be surprised if it did.
[ SO, YEAH... ]
...Whatever the case, it seems that we're going to need to find a way out of here. Especially if we don't want to become like anyone hanging around in this place.
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Yeah. I don't want to be trapped in that place either. [Truly, hell is just a circus.] Did you find anything else?
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But yeah, that is one wholeass mood. ]
Someone's ripped up toy on the Ferris Wheel...Miach's imposter stated it's likely been done by someone who hasn't been here all that long.
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The orbs appear every night, so it's possible others hiding out in the city could be drawn in at any point. And the one I met had been there for approximately two weeks.
[...]
They also couldn't recall their name when asked.
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Well, she also mentioned that the people who were drawn into here spoke about others lashing out more than usual, which is something we've heard before.
[ So. Yeah! ]
Oh, and she said that she created herself somehow.
[ Which is ??? But you know what. It's fine (?) ]
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Creating herself though... huh.]
The one I met said he was created, but didn't go into the details. [But uiqgnix was also pretty incomprehensible at times so eh... could've just forgotten to mention it.] I wondered if he was related to Luscinia, but he didn't recognize the name.