WEEK 4.

[trustwellness]

WEEK 4 Three more have died this past week. Milla Maxwell was killed for breaking a rule, Chiyuki was murdered, and you all had a hand in executing Yoshikage Kira. It seems like this isn't going to stop any time soon. How many more will join them this week? Saturday is given to regrouping and rest; on Sunday morning the clock chimes as it always has, but at least there are no bodies to find today. It seems you're safe for now. The night before wasn't necessarily a peaceful one, however; you'll probably feel a bit groggy when you wake up, and it seems you've regained something that you didn't realize you'd lost... Despite the Wordsmith's reaction to the last trial, it seems as though you've been rewarded once again for a job that was...well, it was done, even if he didn't explicitly say it was well-done. Another door has opened in that stairway, it seems, leading you further down into the building; once again, there are more rooms down there, more things to occupy yourselves with. Or perhaps just more means to get creative with regards to how you take initiative with your fellow Apprentices. APPRENTICES REMAINING: 23 APPRENTICES REMAINING: 22 APPRENTICES REMAINING: 20

SUNDAY | MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY

[OOC: Welcome to week four of Trustfell! Feel free to make as many top levels as you'd like and tag out to other characters! This post is for all of your interactions this week... at least until the weekend. Don't forget to save those threads for coins and the activity check!

If you'd like to get in contact with the Wordsmith, you can do so through letters or the switchboard!]

Comments

[oyashiromama]

[She's not in much of a state to dodge, even if she wanted to. The whole thing takes her by surprise and she lets go of the strap on her brand new bag, which...honestly was already half on the floor, so it just sets down lightly. For a moment, she blinks in a daze and then shuts her eyes tight, crying. That's when she's able to hug Estelle back.]

[firstaid]

[So even gods cry...

Then again, she may not have respect for a god that doesn't feel human emotion and empathize with their situation. Right now, this is Hanyuu, feeling pain for a lost friend and being given a harsh reminder of the world they're in.

Estelle rubs her back with one hand and has her other hand on the back of Hanyuu's head. Just there, consoling her. She has no words right now and instead will just hold her until she's better.]

[oyashiromama]

[That may be a little while. It's not terribly long before she's cried herself out, but that doesn't stop her from gasping and breathing heavily, like even though she's run out of tears to cry she can't stop the action itself. She just can't stop feeling sad, and mourning. She hugs tight to Estelle and...through uneven breaths, she gasps out:]

S-sorry... I'm sorry- s-sorry, I-I'm so s-sorry...!

[firstaid]

[Estelle continues to hold on to her, rubbing her back to comfort her. It can't be easy to take on these sins and to watch people she enjoyed being around die, to watch them give in to the incentives for good reasons.]

You've been doing everything you can, Hanyuu. Thank you for being there for us and supporting us. I'm sorry the Wordsmith is doing this to you.

[oyashiromama]

[How guilty does she feel at this next thought? How much does all of this hurt? More than she could ever quantify, if how tight she's holding on to Estelle means anything.]

I-it's not good enough...! I-I c-can't- I can't save her! [Can't. Couldn't. Ouka, Rika, Alani, they're all swirled together.]

[firstaid]

[She feels how tight Hanyuu is holding on and she can't bear that emotional pain. How much Hanyuu holds on her shoulders and how much she really bears for the people everywhere.]

It's not your burden to bear. I understand that you're a god, but... here we're all equally responsible to save and protect one another as well as ourselves.

[oyashiromama]

N-no, I- [Everything gets caught up and she stumbles and stammers over her words.] it is, she's- not- my little girl, m-my- my precious...my- I have to get out of here, sh-she needs me...!

[firstaid]

[Now Estelle's starting to see it's really more than just here. It's about needing to be back at her home. She understands -- it's how she felt last week when she was so uncertain about everything.]

And we will. We'll work to get out of here, together.

[oyashiromama]

B-but she keeps d-dying... All of you keep d-dying, I'm...! [She hiccups.] I'm a- a powerless god...!

[firstaid]

[She can't even imagine how that feels to be a god and be powerless. What she feels about not being able to heal others is likely nothing in comparison to how Hanyuu feels.]

I wish I could stop the killing here, too. Yet... something outside of our power keeps motivating others to kill for one reason or another. All of us here have been made to be on equal playing grounds.

[Thinking about that is... terrifying.]

[oyashiromama]

If I can't- here, then- what can I...?

[She dissolves into another wave of sobs.]

Rikaaaa...!

[There's nothing she can do, anywhere.]

[firstaid]

[She hears the name and that must be what's on her mind. Estelle wonders if she received a memory related to this 'Rika'. Oh, what a memory it must be to bring down a god. Little by little, her intolerance for the Wordsmith grows more and more.]

We're going to get out of here and then we can do what we need to do!

[oyashiromama]

[She won't- or can't- respond to that, just cry, cry for a little while longer, head bowed, and- and...very careful to avoid poking Estelle with her horns.

Eventually, though, she'll say something. Eventually.]

I- thank you...Estellise.

[firstaid]

Yes, you're welcome. I wish I could say the right thing, but know that I wish the best for you and your situation.

[She knows she could do better, but she can just be a comforting presence for now.]

[oyashiromama]

[There may not even be a "right thing" to say right now. Just the faith...it's appreciated.

Gently, she disengages, almost hesitant, and wipes at her eyes.]

You've d-done...you've done enough.

[firstaid]

[Estelle slowly lets her go, making sure she's okay.]

Is there anything else I can do for you?

[Clearly, she didn't hear that 'you've done enough' or if she did, she's interpreting it she's done with the hug and words for now.]

[oyashiromama]

[Save my little girl.

Hanyuu shakes her head.]

N-no, I think...that will be all. I- I need to go rest for a little.

[firstaid]

Yes, you should. Please get rest, Hanyuu.

[A pause.]

Would you like me to see you to your room, or elsewhere?

[oyashiromama]

[She very gently shakes her head, gathering up the Maidenly Carry-On Bag.]

I can manage. You're- you're far too kind.