voice ● second reflection

[straying]

You know... This was the last place I think I would ever make a return trip to.

But I guess it works out. How's the place, guys? Looks like there haven't been any more explosions? Still looks like things are buzzing, but well... I wouldn't be opposed to being brought up to speed.

And hey, if there were any thefts going on, I think I can point you to a possible suspect. ...Provided that he's still here, anyway.

People disappear often, huh?

Comments

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

[...]

I may just have to join in. A murder, huh?

[redcloakedthief.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately so.

[He was worried that that is where you disappeared to.]

But trust me, it gets stranger.

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

Yeah? What do you mean by that?

[And no, she's not shuffling around her apartment and rummaging through her drawers to find some bullets right now. :|]

[redcloakedthief.livejournal.com]

[And this he approves of, because being armed while there is a murderer on the loose is generally good practice.

His tone is nonchalant.]

The murder victim came back to life.

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

[... yes. Self-defense. That is precisely what she's aiming to get done.]

Did he? Has he been interrogated?

[redcloakedthief.livejournal.com]

I don't think so.

[A pause.]

People have been disappearing left and right, Saya.

[You...And Guy.]

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

You don't need to tell me that. And apparently people come back after disappearing, whether they've died or...

[No, she doesn't have a reason for her disappearance. Hm.]

Well, if it's any consolation, I don't remember dying this time.

[redcloakedthief.livejournal.com]

...Sometimes they come back.

[For Guy is still not here.]

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

Point.

It's looking to be a bit of a random process.

[redcloakedthief.livejournal.com]

[Well, as much as he trusts Saya at this point, he's still quick to go back to the cheery grin.]

Most things here are, I think. It's as if they like to try to keep us on our toes.

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

Looks like it.

[She pauses for a bit, going over a mental checklist of things she had to cover. The topic of the murder is rather exhausted for the moment, seeing as for once it looks like Matthew doesn't have as many answers as she expected. So... she goes to the next subject she wanted to cover.]

And how've you been dealing with all of it anyway, Matthew?

[redcloakedthief.livejournal.com]

[Huh. An interesting question, but he just shrugs.]

Well enough, I'd imagine.

[Better than most people; he is no stranger to poison.]

Why do you ask?

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

I have been gone for a while. Hope you weren't too lonely~

[redcloakedthief.livejournal.com]

[Snerk. Have some light sarcasm.]

I pined away during your absence. Can't you tell?

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

You've always been good at hiding things. Makes me wonder what else you're keeping from me.

[redcloakedthief.livejournal.com]

You would be disappointed, probably. My life isn't all that interesting, after all.

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

Hm? Not just hiding things, but outright lying now?

[redcloakedthief.livejournal.com]

Uh-oh. You caught me red-handed this time.

[A shrug, and he is still grinning.]

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

[And an amused laugh from her.]

My goal in Vatheon is to do it more often, hopefully in a situation that matters next time.

[redcloakedthief.livejournal.com]

[His response is flippant.]

I guess I just need to try harder next time, huh?

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm always up for a challenge.

[redcloakedthief.livejournal.com]

[He shakes his head, laughing quietly.]

I know you are.

[A pause, as he thinks for a moment, and then he shrugs.]

I don't think you missed much more, except for the ball and the gender-changing jellyfish.

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

[... what.]

Run that by me again.

[redcloakedthief.livejournal.com]

A ball? Well, you see, Saya, balls generally involve dancing, refreshments and socializing amongst the attendees.

[:D]

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

[... well, she needed clarification on that too, so.]

Huh, been a while since I've heard the term 'ball' used. Sorry to hear that I missed it. Did you have fun?

Now if you'd be so kind as to elaborate on the second and more confusing half, Matthew?

[redcloakedthief.livejournal.com]

[He laughs and ignores the question about having fun. Silly Saya, that's not what balls are for.]

Well, as part of the 'ball', there were these jellyfish that showed up. If they touched you, they turned you into the opposite gender, or put some of the guys here into dresses.

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

... so I missed Matthew in a dress? Darn.

[And she doesn't sound nearly as disappointed as you might expect. She's pretty glad she missed it, really.]

[redcloakedthief.livejournal.com]

You don't have very much faith in me, Saya.

[Nope, he avoided all of the jellyfish. :D It pays to have a maxed out Agility stat.]

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

Aw, take a joke. [and she has to laugh for a bit] But still, it sounds like it was pretty weird.

[redcloakedthief.livejournal.com]

[He laughs too.]

You're right. I much preferred our normal existence in a bubble underwater.

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

Explosions and all?

[a pause]

... and did that ever get solved?

[redcloakedthief.livejournal.com]

[A pause in return. ...The culprit was gone, and he was getting no more answers out of him. So Matthew's tone is serious when he responds.]

Eyes Rutherford.

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

... really? Didn't see that one coming.

[redcloakedthief.livejournal.com]

[He shrugs.]

I am pretty sure nobody else knows. But he is also one of the people who has disappeared.

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

Really... Well, I guess if we don't have any more random explosions, then it may be for the better.

[and she pauses to think again]

And have you seen Cheshire around?

[redcloakedthief.livejournal.com]

I haven't, no. Neither of them, for that matter.

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

Oh, right. I heard there were two of them, huh?

Well... I hope the one with the long hair is okay. He was hurt pretty bad last I saw him.

[redcloakedthief.livejournal.com]

Well, if not, that's okay too. It doesn't seem as though you could stay dead here if you wanted to.

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

Still, the experience isn't very fun.

[redcloakedthief.livejournal.com]

I didn't say it was.

[He laughs, shrugging.]

Still, it's good to know.

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

Hope you don't plan on making use of the knowledge the wrong the way.

[redcloakedthief.livejournal.com]

Me? I'd never.

[/insert innocent smile here.

And he thinks it's time for a subject change now.]

Do you remember anything about the time that you were gone?

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

[Suspiciioouuusss.]

Not really. It's all blank.

[redcloakedthief.livejournal.com]

Huh. I was just wondering, really.

[:D]