[on the opposite side of the room, there's a group of people standing around a coffin in a mausoleum quietly - some crying, but the setting is very different than her side.
he walks in, but as he sees the interior of the room, his eyes are naturally pulled to the cave first.]
...Harrow?
[there's concern in his voice, but he hasn't really figured out what's going on yet.]
[yeah the energy on harrow's side of the room is like watching a cult during a mass ritual suicide, it's a very, very bad vibe. people are really losing it. someone who doesn't have shorn hair is hacking her hair off with a knife while others are trying to kiss various body parts of the corpse. it's a wild scene.
harrow will start to tiptoe over to see her own body lying still and cold on the ground.]
[he tries not to look back at either of the displays going on here, not really keen on playing into whatever he assumes the hotel is trying to do, but - he can't really help but stiffen a little as he ends and they both get an idea as to who at least one of those funerals was for.
I suppose it is...something of both. Each of the houses is ruled by a family who can trace their lineage to the founder of the house, appointed to tend to it and its people by the Emperor. I am of Anastasia's line, the family who has governed the Ninth for thousands of years.
But we are a little peculiar among the Houses. We are far smaller, and tasked by God with a sacred duty to guard the tomb interred within our House. Much of our population was not born on the House, but rather came to us as pilgrims and determined to remain. Anastasia was a saint, and as her descendent, I also lead worship and prayer in my House.
—Oh, jeez. Well - hopefully that means nobody is trying to get in, then? I can't imagine anyone's really eager to trigger something like that, at least.
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he walks in, but as he sees the interior of the room, his eyes are naturally pulled to the cave first.]
...Harrow?
[there's concern in his voice, but he hasn't really figured out what's going on yet.]
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harrow will start to tiptoe over to see her own body lying still and cold on the ground.]
What is this meant to - what does it mean?
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Um... I'm not sure that staying here or going closer is such a good idea - maybe we should head back the way we came in?
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[she's trying to get a closer look, but as he approaches, she glances back over her shoulder.]
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[he sounds nervous, but it's an honest question.]
I really think it would be a better idea to go back. Something about this seems wrong.
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...You may be right.
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Okay. Then - let's go back out, alright?
[jury's out on whether they'll be able to before these funerals are over, but.]
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a few moments after, expression tense:]
...Okay, let's go. You ready?
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...Are you alright?
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Yes, of course. It was all only an illusion.
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[he rubs at his face for a second before continuing.]
I'm guessing you recognized those people? And... The kind of thing they were doing?
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[he pauses for a moment.]
Not to be rude or anything, but it seemed a little - extreme. Or at least, more than what I'm used to.
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[she doesn't seem offended, but a bit contemplative.]
...They are passionate. We are a house of zealous believers. And I am the Reverend Daughter, and they are devoted to me, and depend on me for much.
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[tilting his head, trying to understand.]
So would that be, like - royalty, or is a more religious kind of thing? What do they depend on you for?
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But we are a little peculiar among the Houses. We are far smaller, and tasked by God with a sacred duty to guard the tomb interred within our House. Much of our population was not born on the House, but rather came to us as pilgrims and determined to remain. Anastasia was a saint, and as her descendent, I also lead worship and prayer in my House.
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[he thinks that over for a while.]
I don't think I've heard of anything like that before. What are you guarding the tomb from? Like, what would happen if someone got into it somehow?
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