( 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

Comments

[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]

[abhoth]

Yes, my fiancee. A former Prophet, now ascended to a higher role. We have had... our differences.

[don't involve the kids in your relationship drama.

But, anyway!! He gives Kaito's injured shoulder a look before shaking his head.]

A foolish injury for a foolish man, but nothing to worry about. You are unmarked.

[nowyouseeit]

[nods, and lowers his shirt again. he nibbles on the danish quietly as he ponders his next question]

Were you once a Prophet too, Craftly? If so. . . then what made you decide to rebel against the ritual?

[abhoth]

I wasn't, no. I was a Sacrifice, much like the others trapped in this twisted game.

[nowyouseeit]

[so. . . that explains it]

[and it leads nicely into Kaito's next question]

If we kill all three Prophets, the game ends. The ritual is over.

What happens to all of us after that? Are we sent home?

[abhoth]

Correct. There's no point in leaving you all trapped here if no one else is willing to murder.

[nowyouseeit]

[. . .]

[scowls a little bit and gestures to Jay]

Do you think they know who we are now?

[abhoth]

I'm afraid I wouldn't know. I'm not privy to their machinations.

[nowyouseeit]

S'probably better to operate under the assumption that they do.

[sighs]

That's unfortunate for us.

Can you tell us more about this ritual? The purpose, why it still happens when the town is abandoned, who runs it, stuff like that?

[abhoth]

[Echoing that sigh, buddy.]

I cannot. But know this — the city is only a setting. It has little to do with the ritual.

[nowyouseeit]

[that answer is expected, so he doesn't push]

Then. . . if we want to learn more, we need people to keep searching the city and hope we find the information we seek.

[like Percy, Quer, and Hajime did]

Craftly. . . even if we kill the Prophets and end this ritual, will another one be held in the future anyway?

[abhoth]

... Yes, there will. But you will not be part of it, Kaito, nor will anyone else participating in this ritual. That is the way this realm operates.

[nowyouseeit]

[an idea is starting to form in the back of his brain]

Craftly.

You said a large sacrifice would be required in order to bring back the dead, right? Something much bigger than the sacrifices we make on a weekly basis.

[brushes his thumb against the handle of his handgun]

Would sacrificing the being who runs this place to bring back the dead be sufficient enough? And. . . would that stop any future rituals from occurring?

[abhoth]

You can't sacrifice a god, so no. Not only is it insufficient, it's impossible. The rituals will continue regardless of what you offer.

[nowyouseeit]

[frowns deeply, visibly disappointed]

Even my weapon is useless against a god, huh.

. . . well, it was worth it to ask.

[abhoth]

[There, there. Kaito gets a bottle of chocolate milk for his troubles, tbh.]

[nowyouseeit]

[LOOK HE'S A DO-GOODER HE JUST HATES!! MURDER!!]

[takes the chocolate milk and immediately pops the lid off of it]

So what sort of things could we sacrifice to bring them back?