finer food, but no music

[promittere]

[Well that was...unpleasant, to say the least. Two more deaths, but this time there's the matter of whatever's happening to Seteth as well.

Ignis is trying not to think about it, which means he's thinking about it a lot, which means he spends a few moments pacing and trying to figure out what to do. He thinks back to the party - for as much as you could call it that - that Olivert hosted, and, well... He's not sure how much morale can be boosted, but it's worth a shot, isn't it?

The decorations of the opera house are much simpler this time around, but the food is noticeably better, between the actual operational kitchen and the fact Ignis is much more skilled than Olivert. The food is well made and it even looks delicious from where it's set up, and there's a sign outside the opera house that reads:]

A not as grand feast, for all of us to enjoy.
Attendance is not mandatory, but it might be better than staying alone.

Catered by Ignis Scientia.

[At least there are less rose petals this time.]

Comments

[baitless]

I wouldn't mind hearing them just in case it does end up potentially being the explanation.

[He feels like the guesses probably aren't pretty, but. You know.]

I assume you aren't hungry, then? But really, I don't mind at all.

[bawcock]

This one might be the most far-fetched, if only because it doesn't explain how the blue-eyes came to be here. All it does is explain why there are so many of them now.

The idea is, they can actually infect other people. If, say, the Lady took one of those guys and let it bite you... well, that might be why she put you under. She didn't want you to see how swarm around you.

[ Maybe because it was dangerous, maybe just cause. Who knows, really. He's assuming whatever she did was more direct than that but it's a possibility so here they are.

At the mention of food, he pauses. ]

Ah... No, I wouldn't exactly say that. It's more like I don't want to take more than my fair share. Not when I already ate earlier.

[baitless]

[Seteth ponders it as he eats and listens to Erik. It... hm. Yeah, it's entirely possible, thinking about it, and...

...

Fuck it, he might as well discuss it.]

I... wouldn't say it necessarily works the same way, but there are...

[...he tries to figure out how to phrase it.]

...relics in my world that are dangerous in the wrong hands. If used incorrectly, they can transform people into beasts. It all happens at once in those instances, but I can't help but wonder if this is just... a more gradual version.

[Ah... and he'll nod at that. he understands, actually.]

Understandable. As long as you ate already.

[bawcock]

[ Huh... uh. Hm. He hasn't seen too much shit yet so while this doesn't sound like a stretch, it's a story that could be more familiar, too. Thinking it over. ]

That's... quite the story, friend. I've witnesses witches turning people to ice, and even heard of tales where people became monsters but... relics, huh?

It could be the Lady has something like that. And if she does, the only way we'll know for sure is if we bust into her castle. [ Heist? Heist.

As for the last part, he's pretty glad Seteh understands. Even if, honestly, he kind of expected him to anyway. Nodding right back. ] You don't have to worry about that. I know I have to keep my strength up—heck, we all have to. And eating when I have to is just one part of that.

[baitless]

...yes. It's... a very specific set of circumstances that cause it, so I am not sure how they would be replicated, but it could be something like that.

[...he REALLY doesn't want to get into it, but...]

...speaking of not making me worry, try not to do anything too reckless.

[bawcock]

We can try asking the group to get more ideas on the hows and whys, but if they come up with nothing then our only choice is to catch the Lady off-guard.

[ Mostly only choice. Ahem. When Seteth mentions being reckless, he starts tensing up. He does marginally relax a second later, though he doesn't meet Seteth's eyes. ]

What do you mean?

[baitless]

Perhaps, yes. I wonder if there is some way to get a straight answer out of her without having to play mind games... I doubt it, though.

[...

HMMMMMMMMM]

...well, after what happened to Noelle and Mako, I am concerned. We need more information on how we can accomplish anything without ending up dead, you know.

[bawcock]

Hard to tell, isn't it? Rembrandt is forthcoming enough, the Lady though... that's another story altogether.

[ Like, shrug?? To be fair he never spoke to her but she just has that whole "mystery mastermind, ain't gonna tell you a single thing" air about her. And, huh... okay, he does look over at that. ]

So that's what you meant. [ Hm. ] That was... a little different. If only because they were invited, not that it bodes well for anyone who isn't.

[baitless]

...I feel like it would be a waste of my time and patience talking to her... but maybe I should attempt it at some point in case it's necessary.

[SIGH.........]

I think it'd almost bode worse for someone who was not invited, really.

[bawcock]

You're gonna need all the luck in the world if you do. 'Course, I could always try instead.

[ Poor Seteth. ]

Yeah, but only if she manages to catch them in the act. And if I'm the one breaking in, I don't plan on making myself all that easy to find.

[baitless]

...I should probably do it for myself one time or another, though I appreciate the offer.

...

[SIGH...]

We have no idea what surveillance techniques she’s employing, either. That should be the first thing we attempt to find out before deciding we are going to break in.

[bawcock]

[ You and him both, buddy. On both fronts. ]

That's the rub, isn't it? [ Shrug. ] Too bad for us the only idea I've got is a total shot in the dark.

[baitless]

...

[SIGH.....]

What... is the idea.

[bawcock]

They're using the blue-eyes to stalk us.

[ this probs isnt it ]

[baitless]

You know, that makes a fair amount of sense, actually...