( HUNTERS - WEEK 4 )

[abhoth]

For this week, there will be no sudden loss of control for those who have signed their souls away for the greater good. As long as they're in the Curio Shop by 6:05 PM on Monday, nothing out of the ordinary will happen. All they must do is knock on the shop's door, carefully as if to not draw attention towards themselves, and the door will creak open by itself much like the previous week. As per usual, inside this strange room they'll find Craftly seated at a round table. Shelves of antiques line the walls and the smell of peppermint tea wafts through the air. A thin tendril slips across the table from Craftly's sleeve, hooking around his cup of tea. As smug as ever, he smiles to the group. "Come in, Hunters. It's time for us to begin". ( quick navigation ) ic rulebook | locations | statuses | room assignments private conversations | ic profiles | graveyard | full navigation hunter's handbook

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HUNTERS

[abhoth]

[Craftly will be here to answer any questions they may have, but won't actively participate in the discussion unless directly addressed.]

[ninjay]

[ jay has a question he needs answered immediately tbh ]

If they actually execute you, what happens to the rebellion?

[abhoth]

The rebellion will continue as long as you will it. The basin hardly needs me to be present to work, and one of my men will allow you to enter the room.

[ninjay]

Would someone replace you for everything else then? Or would one of your men just fulfill your role? They don't seem like they can answer the types of questions we ask.

[ you know. cause of the lack of mouths. ]

[abhoth]

No. If I die, no one will replace me for the duration of this game. You will have to find the answers you seek through other means.

[ninjay]

[ that doesn't sound good, especially during trials. ]

Another question, then. At the beginning, you said that the Prophets were unaware of us. Obviously this has changed, since they even know how many we are. Do you know how they figured that out?

[abhoth]

[There is a pause here, not quite thoughtful as it is surprised, and then he narrows his eyes ever-so-slightly.]

Your ill advised expedition to the Library. I must ask all of you to show me your injuries at once.

[ninjay]

[ oh.

once they were in the library, all three of them became very suddenly aware of how dumb it was to go in together like that. after all, if all of them died, then who would stop the prophets? after the other groups went in, jay figured they'd be fine. they weren't even the first group of three to break in somewhere.

obediently, jay lifts his sleeve to show craftly his injuries. ]

What did we do wrong? [ ... ] Besides the obvious.

[abhoth]

[Boy........... Don't mind Craftly to poke Jay's little body horror eyes, frown becoming more pronounced as the eyes just. Do their thing down there, rolling under the flesh.]

... It is as I thought. You allowed her to mark you, giving her access to all you see, hear and feel. [Who is this mysterious "her," he doesn't elaborate. But he will let go of Jay's arm, looking him in the eyes.

The ones on his face, I mean.]

We must get rid of these parasites at once.

[ninjay]

[ oh my god

he glances at his arm, then back at craftly, looking pretty horrified. ]

Is-- they told us not to trip over our blindness. Is this what they meant?

[ GET IT OUT ]

[abhoth]

... I would assume so, yes. Goodness—

[A faceless man just. Rushes in, carrying a tray full of very scary looking medical equipment. Pliers, mostly, as well as sharp scalpels.]

We have to act at once. The longer they remain on your body, the more information they will gather. I apologize for the pain that will come.

[So. Does Jay want to pull them out himself or should a faceless man do it. Yikes.]

[nowyouseeit]

[SLAMS HIS BOX OF CLUE ONTO THE TABLE!! well. as well as he can slam it down, considering he's still unable to use his right arm]

Two things, Craftly.

One: we're playing CLUE today.

Two: what happens to us if you die?

[abhoth]

[COCKING AN EYEBROW, TBH.]

... I see.

To answer your inquiry: nothing. You will be safe even after my death, and the basin will continue to work as it should.

[nowyouseeit]

[. . . ? that isn't the answer he expected]

Then. . .

Why would the Prophets want you dead so badly?

[abhoth]

Drama, I assume. It would be best if you ignore their words, Kaito. Those who speak the words of monsters are not to be trusted.

[nowyouseeit]

[. . .]

[he frowns, brows furrowed, slumping into his seat a bit]

No. . . it can't just be drama, can it? We're a part of your "rebellion," but Mira had a point: we're still playing by the rules of this game. We're still expected to spill blood for the sake of a ritual, even if spilling the right blood can end things early.

[. . .]

Is. . . there something you're not telling us?

[three weeks in, and he's grown fond of Craftly, he has to admit. but that niggling doubt chews on the back of his brain, and he hates it]

[abhoth]

I have told you the means to end this game, Kaito. Kill the Prophets, and if no one else is willing to kill... It will end. It's as simple as that.

[He frowns, swirling his tea around.]

If there is a reason behind their attempts to execute me, I would imagine it's because they know how difficult this game will become without my aid. You see, it's my duty to to provide information and tools to those who participate of this ritual. The odds will be skewed in their favor without someone to realize my duty as a facilitator.

[nowyouseeit]

[. . . that makes sense, but. . .]

[he reaches for a danish, gaze flickering towards the table]

. . . how would your death open up new doors for the players of this game? New places for everyone to explore? Mira said that's what it'd do. I don't know if I believe her, but--

[still! he wants Craftly's input]

[abhoth]

Simple. I am not the only facilitator in this realm, although I am the only Innkeeper. The one you call the, ahem... "Sewer Goddess" [TENTAFINGER QUOTES] would be given free reign to do as she will to the motel, in my absence.

[nowyouseeit]

. . .

You mean your fiancee? That's what Andersen called her.

[ALSO, overhearing Craftly asking Jay to show him their injuries, he sits up and rests the arm bound by the sling on the table. he does his best to tug on his shirt and show Craftly the bandaged shoulder, but. it's hard??? at least Craftly can see the bruises that mar his skin, tho]

[thawedheart]

Craftly-san...

[Her brows are knit together in concern. Jay and Kaito have already asked the most pressing questions, but...]

Are you all right...? There was that push to vote for you at the trial, after all...

[abhoth]

I'm fine, Yukina. It's not the first nor shall it be the last time such a push is made.

[thawedheart]

I know, but... It must have been frightening.

[Since he's checking the others' wounds, she'll lower her hood and roll up her sleeves so that she can undo some of the bandages for him to check.]

Do you think there might be anything we can do to keep it from happening again..?

[abhoth]

Short of outing yourselves? I don't believe so. I would worry less about my survival and more about your own, Yukina.

[Her injuries are free of creepy body parts, at least! So she gets a clear, along with some burn ointment for the road. Bless.]

[thawedheart]

...as long as they don't enlist someone who's not a Prophet to try to kill me, and as long as I steer clear of suspicion in trials, I should be fine, right?

[Her ability and all.]

I'll be careful.