Ashlyn

[undread]

Comments

[killies]

[ she can't quite articulate it. ]

Not great. What about you?

[undread]

Everyone is very upset.

[which is extremely uncomfortable to be around.]

I don't care for it. [she feels not great herself, but the way she experiences those feelings seems. different.]

[killies]

Bad moods are contagious. But I'd be worried if anyone wasn't upset right now.

[ she says this completely earnestly, unable to fully differentiate how laudna handles things from how other people do. she does not fit in the 'concerning' category, apparently! ]

[undread]

...Yes. He lost control. It's upsetting to see.

[someone who isn't really always like that.]

[killies]

And something like this could happen again any time. Whenever the cultists feel like summoning another monster.

[undread]

...Does that notion frighten you?

[she thinks for a second.]

You have more courage than a lot of people here do, I think. But it's natural to worry.

[killies]

We were unprepared last time. Now we know what can happen. Worrying isn't the important part, trying to come up with preventative measures is.

[undread]

So much courage...

[she means it sincerely, at least?]

[killies]

[ she has no idea whether to take it as sincerity or condescension. ]

It's just being realistic.

[undread]

[that's very fair. she means it sincerely but it's so impossible to tell.]

You're quite right. We don't have a choice but to find a better option if we want to survive.

[killies]

We still don't totally understand what the spread of powers we're dealing with looks like. Barricading seemed like a good idea but now I'm not so sure.

[undread]

Barricading?

[hmm...]

It seems as though they have an ability to amplify our powers. I wonder what happens if they choose a partnered pair?

[killies]

Like if the doors unlock after we fall asleep or something, a barricade might help deter someone. If... they aren't strong enough to just knock it all down.

[ which now feels more likely. ]

Both of them kill? Or only one kills, and then we catch them, and then...

[ ... ]

"Chosen for the pyre" doesn't sound great.

[undread]

But if the power we're granted is powerful enough, it's hard to predict.

[maybe it could override the ritual in some way.]

[killies]

It's still such a big gamble.

Whether you think the added power could protect you. Or whether you think you'll just die when someone else does, now that we know how this can go.

[undread]

Yes.

[plus you might get tied to a little boy who is trying to get scapegoated every damn day.]

But in a place like this, I think power is nicer to have than powerlessness.

[killies]

[ imagine the stress. jesus christ. ]

... So are you going to look for your partner?

[undread]

I think so. I want the power that comes with it, so I'll have to accept the risk. I won't last here without it, anyway.

[she seems very certain about that.]

[killies]

... Do you want to trade monsters? If you still can.

[ she doesn't know how fast laudna got on that and started telling people. also, a kind of separate thought, because ashlyn is stupid so she immediately guesses the most logical explanation (to her). ]

I can also teach you some basic self-defense, if you need.

[undread]

[she nods...]

I'll trade with you. [she has shared a little, but she has room to tell another person. but she smiles at the other suggestion.]

I'm not sure it will do much good. I've been in quite a few combats, dear. But this body is very frail. Nothing it can do will compete with magic and monsters.

[killies]

But you have to at least try. You can work on being faster, or... Or something.

[ ... ]

I doubt we have the same monster. [ she'll still tell her, but she's just throwing that out there so hopes aren't too high. ] But if I hear someone else has yours I can at least send them to you. What's yours?

[undread]

Why do you say that? Have you already found your match?

[curious... but she'll just tell her.]

Qilin. [and then a slightly mischievous smile.] Cloud and Pickles swapping places was mine.

[killies]

[ her mouth twitches up a little. that's. kind of funny. okay. but ahem. anyway. ]

I haven't. I'm still not sure if I even want to look. [ but if someone she likes is looking, she'll at least tell them. help narrow down their search, or just - take the risk. ]

Mine's manticore. Haven't used its power.

[undread]

What does it do?

[she gets it, though.]

If I find someone with the matching power, I'll tell you to talk to them and let you decide.

[killies]

It lets me spy on someone. Maybe I'll even overhear someone's monster.