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]

... 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?

[scythegun]

Ja, that's right. Perhaps I'll try to contact him again at some point.

[He's not sure what good it will do, since he apparently had a good enough response to Hazama's message, but who knows.]

...It's probably strange to say it, but I'm... glad I had another opportunity to speak with him. Of course I don't approve of what he did, but... I was fond of him, I suppose.

[Of all the deaths to take hard of course it's Hazama's he's having difficulties with.]

[unlikelyend]

... He was a friend, correct?

[ Duke wasn't as close to Hazama, and didn't like what he did, but he knows that bonds and feelings can remain regardless of what a person's done.

Maybe from experience now... ]

You made a close bond with him of some sort I believe, so perhaps, to me it does not sound quite so strange.

[scythegun]

Was. I wanted nothing to do with him after what he did to Aki.

[...For obvious reasons, probably.]

I think it's for the best that he's dead. He was dangerous and if that was how he was going to entertain himself then we're all better off without him.

...But even so... Ah, this is the sort of thing I usually don't allow myself to think about. I've always done what's in my own best interest, even if that does mean getting rid of the people I like.

[Don Whitehorse is a prime example of that and something Yeager still hasn't allowed himself to process for longer than five minutes. It's easier that way.]

[unlikelyend]

Indeed.

[ ... and he'll just leave it at that for now, regarding the incident.

He takes pause, regarding the other man. Duke knows he himself is the type to think on matters for quite a lengthy amount of time. ]

... Sometimes there are things you cannot help but dwell on.

[scythegun]

...Ja, I know.

[He rests his hand over the blastia for a moment before he forces himself to let go.]

Ah, but speaking of that! Is that secret of yours too terrible?

[unlikelyend]

[ This suddenly became immensely awkward.

His eyes flicker to the side. ]

... Yes.

[ He takes a small breath. Duke figures Yeager will be knowing soon enough, and so he decides to explain it completely before he loses the nerve. ]

Before Yuri and his friends were able to rescue the world with help, I had foolishly fought against them. However, that was not the only thing.

I was stubborn and would not heed their words at that point... and attempted to use Tarquaron to save the world. The secret lists that I did try to use Tarquaron, but also the simple fact that if I had been successful, humanity would be no more. I knew the consequences of this as well.