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

[deofoled]

Yeah, my luck's not bad. [ He's certainly pleased, and the exercising is helping burn off the energy he has after today.]

[firstaid]

I'm glad you were able to get a weapon, then. [She smiles at him.]

It seems like one you have a proficiency with.

[deofoled]

It's my third best: fist, sword, spear, axes. [ Well he can use more, but he hasn't used them in quite some time so.]

Were you able to get a sword?

[firstaid]

[She shakes her head.]

No, I got another gun.

[deofoled]

[...]

Maybe someone wants to trade?

I CAN READ TAGS, I SWEAR TO GOD...

[firstaid]

Perhaps they would if they got a sword. Though it's not exactly like I wish to announce what weaponry I have either.

[She thinks on this and well, it's not like she's been learning herself.]

Hmm, perhaps I'll have to keep my ears open.

s'ok i saw nothin!

[deofoled]

[ Tbh, it hadn't even crossed his mind to try to hide the spear.]

I'll let you know if I hear anything.

Did you want to practice hand-to-hand in the meantime?

bless you

[firstaid]

I would appreciate that.

[Just because she is more proficient with a sword and would be better able to defend herself.


In the meantime...]

If you're offering to practice, I accept.

[deofoled]

Let's get started then.

[ Killia's not a bad teacher, but he has a bit of excess energy today so he probably pushed Estelle harder than he needed to. On the plus side she probably learned a lot, even if she might be sore and tired afterwards.]

...I never thought I'd train anyone.

[firstaid]

[She did learn a lot. Her arms are tired and they feel wobbly. Not to mention she's rather out of breath, however, she really appreciates he chose not to go easy on her. This is about survival, not just some basic training. At least she feels like she could stand a chance if confronted without a weapon. She'll continue to train, too, tomorrow... or after that if her arms don't hurt terribly.]

I do really appreciate you doing this. Even though we're fighting for our own survival, I'm really happy you decided to train me like this. It means a lot to me.

[A dog eat dog place and someone is showing kindness to her instead of throwing her to the wolves.]

[deofoled]

It's not a problem. [ He stretches a bit, flaring his wings momentarily in doing so.]

I can help you with the basics, but I'd never be a good enough teacher beyond that. Not when I didn't finish my own training.

[firstaid]

You're still teaching me and I appreciate that more than you know, as I've already said.

[She'll move in and attempt to grab his hands.]

So please, don't sell yourself short.

[deofoled]

[ Well he doesn't move back or anything, but he doesn't reciprocate so much as tolerate the gesture. He's been on edge all day, which showed in his training.]

Just be careful this week.

[firstaid]

[She gives him an inquisitive look, however, she's still holding on to his hands.]

I will. I'm careful all the time -- I have to be.

[She'll give his hands a squeeze as if to enunciate that.]

[deofoled]

[...]

Especially with that shadow thing.

[ There's honestly just a lot on his mind and he just gives her a nod before pulling his hands back. He just doesn't want to sit still right now.]

I'm gonna stay here for a bit.

[firstaid]

[He studies him for a bit after he pulls his hands from her and she clasps her hands in front of her chest.]

Are you doing alright? You seem... preoccupied.

[deofoled]

[ He takes up the trident again from where he's left it, running through the paces with it again. The exercise helps him focus, and though his comments come more sporadic as he goes through his routine, they're more normal sounding.]

Too many people have died in the past few days already. I haven't ever doubted that anyone would kill, but this week that's more true than ever.

[firstaid]

I can't doubt that at all. As much as I wish it wouldn't happen, the incentives are starting to become more enticing. Honestly, even I don't doubt that someone will die as a result. We all have regrets we wish to undo, especially with... this one that the Wordsmith gave us.

[She was definitely swayed by it. So many 'what ifs' in her mind if... if Belius wasn't killed.]

It's all the more reason I've chosen to find ways to protect myself. After all, I can't rely on others to protect me when they could very well be the ones that want me dead.

[Her words definitely sound shakey at that last part. Perhaps fear.]

[deofoled]

[ There was a reason he hadn't approached her then, because she wasn't the only one who was tempted upon hearing what the wordsmith offered.]

No, you can't. [ It's as blunt as ever, but he's pleased in some way that she realizes this. He stops in his routine though, looking over at her. He knows that tone, he's heard it too many times before.]

We all have to do what we can.

[firstaid]

[It's definitely a terrifying thought since at home everyone protected each other. They were on each other's sides. Yet here... here she knows... friendships can be made yet... when will people die? When will they... betray one another?

She doesn't want to think like that. She wants to think they'll all get out, yet she knows. She knows. She knows.]

Yes, we do. I want to live and I'll fight to live, yet-- [She pauses in her words, wondering if she should really say what she's thinking.] --it's okay if I have to die. If it means others get the chance to live, then it's okay.

[deofoled]

[ Well he's definitely not thrilled about that answer and his scowl shows it, he does understand. Oh does he ever understand that mentality of not putting oneself first when it came down to it.]

I'm not gonna tell you what to think, but that better be your last resort.

[firstaid]

[She hunches a bit at that scowl, retreating a bit.]

W-well, if it meant that you, or Mikazuki, or Hanyuu, or someone else gets to live... I-I would be okay with it. It scares me to think that maybe someone I've gotten close to might die.

[deofoled]

[...]

Don't forget the people you have at home either.

[firstaid]

[She looks down. She honestly doesn't know her fate back home. Maybe she lives, maybe... she dies. Then there's the fact that she's a poison on top of it.]

I--

[She sighs.]

I know.

[deofoled]

[ He sighs, though it's out of a relief and not exasperation. He had wanted to yell at her that dying for him of all people was stupid. It's a good thing he didn't.

And it's also probably better to talk about something else.]

Don't forget that.

Have all your dreams made sense? Or they do they feel like they're skipping?