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[harrow is near the pool, in a contemplative mood, on her own. when she sees hua cheng, she glances up from whatever thoughts she's focused on, looks at him, and a slightly odd grimace comes across her face. she drops the expression a moment later.]
Well. A long day.
Well. A long day.
Oh, yes. And I won't disguise the obvious, that we were quite focused on you as a potential suspect for much of the day.
A trial by fire.
A trial by fire.
...Yes, well. You've made it very clear you have someone you're devoted to, who you don't want to lose.
[she shrugs slightly.]
To be fair, he was almost clever to call it that. It downplayed what it was.
[she shrugs slightly.]
To be fair, he was almost clever to call it that. It downplayed what it was.
[ a moment of consideration ]
She was not who I would pick, if I were pressed to kill for his sake. But none of you could have known that.
But it did, and it was. If we had a little less time I suspect that he might have been able to get away with it.
She was not who I would pick, if I were pressed to kill for his sake. But none of you could have known that.
But it did, and it was. If we had a little less time I suspect that he might have been able to get away with it.
I'm not so sure. It would have been enough in question I would have chosen to vote for Jason Todd, perhaps. But as soon as his injuries were examined, it was hard to ignore.
It was - but if his injuries were not, the chance was there.
Still, at least an innocent, if obstinate, person was spared the chopping block. [ and him, but they've already discussed his involvement and moved on, in his opinion. ] We'll see how the next week treats us.
Still, at least an innocent, if obstinate, person was spared the chopping block. [ and him, but they've already discussed his involvement and moved on, in his opinion. ] We'll see how the next week treats us.
[ well, rather than learn their lessons, hua cheng finds himself investigating the new set of doors. he stands in front of number 6, arms crossed, tanhua seated on his haunches next to him, regarding it thoughtfully when he notices harrow. ]
Might as well, right? [ what's it going to do, kill them? they're a necromancer and a ghost. ]
Might as well, right? [ what's it going to do, kill them? they're a necromancer and a ghost. ]
It will simply bother me if I don't look inside. I know they will never be worthwhile, but the thought will itch.
[so yes, let's go in...to the art room.]
[so yes, let's go in...to the art room.]
Likewise, I'm afraid. [ aside, to tanhua: ] Stay out here.
[ the huli jing lets out a raspy yap, staying right there, and they can. go into the art room. which actually has him visibly interested if still cautious. ]
Well, something might come alive and try to strangle us again, but at least there aren't clowns.
[ the huli jing lets out a raspy yap, staying right there, and they can. go into the art room. which actually has him visibly interested if still cautious. ]
Well, something might come alive and try to strangle us again, but at least there aren't clowns.
It's...painting?
[she will cautiously approach the paints, like she's waiting for a jump scare.]
[she will cautiously approach the paints, like she's waiting for a jump scare.]
Appears so. Any ability in it?
[ she's so easy for him to see over even if he's not right on her heels, but he still steps around her after following her closer to avoid their personal bubbles overlapping. ]
Because I imagine we'll have to at least start something to get anywhere.
[ she's so easy for him to see over even if he's not right on her heels, but he still steps around her after following her closer to avoid their personal bubbles overlapping. ]
Because I imagine we'll have to at least start something to get anywhere.
I've only ever done greasepaint, for the face.
[but she does have a deft hand.]
You?
[but she does have a deft hand.]
You?
Hua Cheng.
[she approaches him, nods her head. there's something a bit stiff and awkward about it, with an odd twist to her mouth. she's limping a bit, and her face is painted but only half, avoiding the burn on her cheek.]
I am sorry to hear about Kaeya.
[she approaches him, nods her head. there's something a bit stiff and awkward about it, with an odd twist to her mouth. she's limping a bit, and her face is painted but only half, avoiding the burn on her cheek.]
I am sorry to hear about Kaeya.
... as am I. Tomorrow will be interesting.
[ his expression twitches briefly, twists at the corners, almost rueful and angry at the same time. it evens out afterwards as he closes his eye. ]
Have you heard or seen anything? I'm afraid I didn't get the chance, since I was a bit preoccupied digging myself out of the cemetery.
[ his expression twitches briefly, twists at the corners, almost rueful and angry at the same time. it evens out afterwards as he closes his eye. ]
Have you heard or seen anything? I'm afraid I didn't get the chance, since I was a bit preoccupied digging myself out of the cemetery.
You were buried?
[her hands clench slightly.]
The housekeeping room was too hot, the cemetery caused lost feeling in the extremities, Kaeya was found in the chapel, and there was a dream in the karaoke lounge.
[her hands clench slightly.]
The housekeeping room was too hot, the cemetery caused lost feeling in the extremities, Kaeya was found in the chapel, and there was a dream in the karaoke lounge.
I had my things all on my person, so I was able to protect my hands, at least.
[ he holds up a hand, showing her his knuckles and fingers. the knuckles are red and split, but not as bad as they could be, his nail polish from last week terribly chipped. ]
Rin told me he had a dream, though I think he was in another location from the lounge. Yoo Joonghyuk took a call in my room.
[ he holds up a hand, showing her his knuckles and fingers. the knuckles are red and split, but not as bad as they could be, his nail polish from last week terribly chipped. ]
Rin told me he had a dream, though I think he was in another location from the lounge. Yoo Joonghyuk took a call in my room.
Where did you spend the night?
[she looks at his nails and takes the hand to inspect it.]
What did he hear? Joonghyuk?
[she looks at his nails and takes the hand to inspect it.]
What did he hear? Joonghyuk?
Well. It's hard to die without a gasp and a thud involved. I might not take that as a pattern distinct from that.
[hmm.]
Glass shattering is interesting, however.
[hmm.]
Glass shattering is interesting, however.
En. The thuds could mean anything - hit over the head, [ he sounds sour about that ] hitting the ground, a wall, something being dropped. They truly are enjoying giving us their "final breath," though.
[ he does incline his head ]
I was thinking perhaps the bar or restaurant would be of interest for that. The spa has glass doors, but they've got the glasses and bottles.
[ he does incline his head ]
I was thinking perhaps the bar or restaurant would be of interest for that. The spa has glass doors, but they've got the glasses and bottles.
That makes sense. [...] Hua Cheng, may I ask you - do you know whether Kaeya killed someone last week?
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