week 7; tuesday

[scythegun]

[Yeager usually stops by Duke's room early - he likes keeping tabs on the people who are important to him and it's especially important with Duke. He's still not convinced that Duke is entirely safe, so these check-ins put his mind at ease (at least until the end of the day, usually).

He knocks loudly and obnoxiously on Duke's door, as he's done every morning since after Leo's execution.]

Good morning, Duke~!

Comments

[unlikelyend]

[ Last night was not a good night for sleep. The dream he had still sat within his mind in a very raw manner that made sleeping impossible. He entertained the thought of visiting Yeager so early, but he didn't want to in-- oh okay said man was already suddenly at his door.

Duke headed over to open it, glad to see it was him, and stepped to the side almost immediately to let him in. ]

... Good morning, Yeager.

[ As always Duke could not match Yeager's exuberance... although that was especially true now, given how quiet his voice came out. ]

[scythegun]

Goodness, if I didn't know better, I'd say you weren't pleased to see me~!

[But as soon as he's inside with the door shut he drops the act. He's still smiling cheerfully, but it isn't quite as obnoxious as it was five seconds ago.]

Are you alright?

[unlikelyend]

[ Duke had paused to think of a way to respond to Yeager's joke, but the idea fell flat as soon as Yeager asked his question. He tries to say something, but fails the first time, as the words don't end up with sound-- the second time he's more successful. ]

It is hard to say, but ... I do not think so.

[ He takes a breath, because he feels foolish. It is just a dream. Yet... ]

This is unfortunate to admit, but I did not sleep well. I was ... bothered by a nightmare, in which I faced my own execution.

[scythegun]

...Oh.

[For a moment that's the only thing he can think to say. Nightmares certainly are familiar; he's had plenty of them in the past and quite a few here as well. Usually he isn't too bothered, because he wakes up and he puts on his usual cheerful act and eventually the act becomes reality and he's fine.

But most people aren't like him. Most people actually handle their problems instead of aggressively ignoring them for ten years.]

I'm very sorry to hear about. Do you think it would help to talk about it?

[He can certainly do distracting if Duke thinks that will help, but maybe discussing it would be better...? He honestly has no idea. When Gauche and Droite had nightmares as kids they usually just asked him to tell them stories.]

[unlikelyend]

... Perhaps not.

[ Duke is not sure if he wishes to dwell on the nightmare, although he told Yeager about it, because well... when you trust people you just tell them these things, and once he's gotten into the habit of having someone to confide in, he does not bother hiding these type of things. ]

I am not sure what good that would do, considering everyone has a nightmare of some sort in some part of their lives eventually.

However, perhaps we could talk about... something else.

[scythegun]

I'm sure almost everyone here has had nightmares about what's happened.

[Or what didn't happen, in Duke's case.]

But if you're looking for a distraction I can always help with that! I like to think that's one of the things I'm best at!

[unlikelyend]

... Indeed. But, yes, I am looking for one.

[ That was probably as awkwardly-said as one could expect, considering. ]

Perhaps discussing something that happened on Monday could serve as a distraction as well?

[scythegun]

Well, Monday was a little...

[...Terrible.]

I sparred against Top Dollar! He hits very hard, even when he was holding back!

[sometimes yeager is sane and has his shit together, sometimes his response is I FOUGHT A DUDE, IT WAS WONDERFUL]

[unlikelyend]

Top Dollar is a rather skillful fighter. I did have a bought with him once, as well. It was quite a while ago, however.

[ There's a brief pause as Duke wonders if he's surprised or not about Yeager's exuberance in fighting a dude. Then again, even he may find the idea excitable, considering he hasn't done much of that lately.

Although he's not a blood knight or anything. ]

I assume from your statement you managed to receive a substantial bruising from the fight?

[scythegun]

[but why wouldn't you be a blood knight]

I did, yes! No open injuries or anything to worry about, but it certainly was nice!

[unlikelyend]

[ Someone in the Vesperia cast has to be the non-blood knight!! ]

Was it by hand to hand only or did you both use some sort of weapon?

[scythegun]

[...it's true, we do need one sane man!!]

We fought with fireplace pokers! I'm not particularly good at hand-to-hand, actually.

[unlikelyend]

... I see.

[ Duke wonders briefly if they could work on that, and he considers the thought, but Duke is unsure of how much of a good teacher he'd be. So he just leaves it. ]

By the way... did you notice anything odd happening that night?

[scythegun]

No, I didn't. Did something happen?

[unlikelyend]

Yes. Lights showered on and off in the ballroom, displaying a password of sorts.

[ ... He'll continue a bit, because why not. ]

The password happened to be the one that could open that locked locker, which had items of interest within. There were a few pictures that depicted a murder and a letter as well.

[scythegun]

Really? That's fascinating! Do you know who was behind the lights?

[...Uh, hang on.]

I believe I communicated with Hazama not long ago.

[unlikelyend]

...No, I do not. Whomever was seemed to be rather enthusiastic and full of energy, however.

[ So it was someone... lively? He has no clue who it was.

There's a small pause. ]

You are able to communicate with the dead? I was not aware you had such an ability.

[ Duke is having a little bit of a misunderstanding here, whoops. ]

[scythegun]

...Well, it would be amazing if I had done that on my own! But I didn't. I'm not that incredible! No, I was messing with the lights in the laser tag area and someone else started playing with them too. I was the only one in the room though, so that should have been impossible, ja?

The person I was communicating with asked me about a pocketwatch, which I took from Hazama's body.

[AS YOU DO..........]

[unlikelyend]

[ Duke wonders if the person who communicated with him and Mikami was something who didn't hate his guts. That is probably a reasonable thought. ]

I still do not know the identity of who played with the lights, but I am assuming it was likely not Leo at the very least. Especially since they appeared to actually know what they were doing, however, it is ...noteworthy the dead are able to still communicate with us.

[scythegun]

Ja, it's something we should keep quiet, I think. I don't want to bring it to that sheep's attention.

[It's possible the sheep already knows, but just to be safe...]

Anyway, were any of the items you found in that locker interesting?

[unlikelyend]

[ He'll nod. That is a good point-- Duke will just make a note to bust out the pens and paper if the dead do something again later down the road. ]

... Yes.

There were the eight pictures that depicted a woman killing another woman, who was apparently her friend, before disposing of the body. In addition to that there was a white coat found in the locker as well. Then finally, the letter I briefly mentioned ... which seemed to be someone detailing the fact that they knew the murder had taken place and it mentioned to "keep to the contract" or they would release the information concerning said murder. It was sent to an individual named "Electra Omehia".

[ Sounds like a case of blackmail here. ]

[scythegun]

Oh dear. That sounds... fun.

[why does it have to be blackmail...]

I'm afraid that doesn't mean anything to me, though. Do you recognize the name?

[unlikelyend]

[ It's air the dirty laundry week with secrets and blackmail, apparently... ]

... No, I do not.

I've assumed it's likely someone involved in this business. Although, I do not know if this person is present in this hotel.

[scythegun]

Maybe they were present and something happened to them. At this point we can't rule anything out. It's certainly something to keep in mind.

[unlikelyend]

... That is true.

[ Duke would not be surprised if there was another dead body lying around besides Sandra's. This place was literally just like that. ]

I believe that is all on my side.

[ He'll choose this moment to fall a bit silent, as he's thinking over present events, and especially this week. But before he thinks of proceeding where he may... ]

And I presume nothing more happened on your end as well? It was just once with Hazama?