Shiraishi;

[foxweddings]

Mean girls style

Comments

[felinguistic]

Again — I’m aware of that.

[ there’s a pause, and a thoughtful look. but then he just smiles. ]

Are you going to elaborate? On your methods, rather than the cosmic temper tantrum you’d throw if they failed.

[foxweddings]

Hmmm hmm. I could.

But that is a secret for me alone. You should know, yes -- I don't like sharing when it comes to Master.

Though if you're sniffing for information, I have other things worth trading, Boar-san~♥

[felinguistic]

You made that rather clear in the first week, if I remember rightly.

[ hm. he leans forward on the bar, just a little. ]

Oh? You've been diligent in your information gathering then.

[foxweddings]

A fox has her ways.

Though you know I don't offer information for free.

[felinguistic]

Information deals aren’t foreign to me. Are you looking to make one?

[foxweddings]

But of course. Otherwise we'll both just leave here bored and dissatisfied.

[felinguistic]

I’m all ears.

[ he’s even leaning forwards a little. look at that. ]

[foxweddings]

Well then.

How many roles have you tracked down?

... Assuming you are not one yourself.

[felinguistic]

No one’s been particularly eager to share, unfortunately. [ he sounds. not surprised. it is him after all. ]

I wouldn’t be surprised if your detective or his vigilante friend were involved or know one of them — they’ve both mentioned a “contact”.

[foxweddings]

One of them is, though I'm not at liberty to say which.

[felinguistic]

Hmm, that helps me narrow things down.

[foxweddings]

See? Never say I've never done anything for you now~

Here, I'll even give you another hint-- Escha-chan was also in possession of a role, assuming you did not already know.

[felinguistic]

I’ve never said anything of the sort.

[ SMILE ]

That would explain some of that determination to keep her safe. And the whole working together part.

But they’re missing one, aren’t they?

[foxweddings]

Oh, you mean those with roles?

[...]

I do not know if Escha-san's death will affect them or no, but her role was to protect one person per week at her discretion.

[felinguistic]

[ ... ]

Who was she protecting that week?

[foxweddings]

...

It was me.

[felinguistic]

Was she working with Junpei on who to protect and when?

[ ... ]

...

You are aware it's not your fault?

[foxweddings]

She did not verify.

[but it's possible]

And I'm aware.

[even still, her expression is a little worn. Someone had a rougher week than she let on]

... regardless, there will be no protection offered to any of us in the upcoming weeks.

[felinguistic]

[ there's a pause. ]

...

What do we know about roles so far, really?

[foxweddings]

I personally know very little besides that they are meant to help us, though in what ways, it's difficult to say.

[felinguistic]

Do you?

[ hm. ]

Might as well clear something up -- humour me: you have a role, yes?

[ there's a pause and then he adds. ]

But here's another thought for you: how many roles, or people with a single role, do you think there are out there?

[foxweddings]

Not at all. I'd consider myself a poor candidate for one, anyway.

[...]

The number I heard tossed around was thirteen -- twelve, now that Escha-san is no longer with us.

[felinguistic]

[ he just hums. ]

And you think none of those roles overlap.

[foxweddings]

... I will admit, I had not considered that possibility.

[Folding her hands against themselves]

That could potentially complicate matters if true, but for now let us say there are at least twelve among us with a role. It's easier to assume we'd need to hunt down a larger number and overcompensate, than narrow our scope prematurely.

[felinguistic]

Yes, but going up to everyone and asking if they have a role wouldn't be a good way to go about it.

... And there's the chance that a number of those roles have already died.