#B91600

[heartsteals]

My companions in kidnapping,

I've yet to see anyone make note of it in this most public forum, so I will do it myself: I would recommend you don't undertake the Quest requiring you to steal color from others. Firstly I do not know how you would accomplish this. But that is not the problem - recall that some have lost color in the past, and it is most often the result of a grievous Injury or temporary Death or some other type of curse from the town. Based on this we should assume for the moment that losing color is a bad thing, and to be avoided.

This begs the question of why such a Quest would be given to us in the first place. Indeed when I look back I see little benefit we have gained from fulfilling even those quests that are harmless outside of food or clothing. I have been here since the Start, and was willing to play along with these little games, but it has been many months with little results. As it is Winter, we should focus simply on surviving for the moment, but I would also like us to brainstorm how to move forward with our escape.

I am considering a sturdier Boat in which a small amount of us could travel across the lake. If anyone has experience in building these things your assistance would be appreciated in the future.

I am also considering trying to contact whatever lives here or watches over us here directly.

Your thoughts?

PS: I am feeling as of late a terrible chill in my bones and think that there is perhaps a sickness spreading around town. Do be careful.

Yours,
Lupin

Comments

[appraiser]

There's a whole forest full of trees.

Are you so ill that you need to see a doctor? Do you have a fever? Your writing is very coherent even when you're ill; I'm impressed.

[crowsigliere]

Oh? Well, I suppose it IS best to be careful. I would hate to hear that your efforts had gone to waste over some silly prank.

[ Good call, Lupin. ]

Do you still have the coin provided some time ago, or know of anyone willing to spare their own? You might attempt to wish for a response.

[pursestrings]

yeah i guess so
i can make stuff disappear

[heartsteals]

[ wow. Even Okuyasu has superpowers. Lupin is truly feeling like he was dealt a bad hand in life now. ]

How have I known you for this long and yet this has never come up? That you know magic! I can hardly believe it.

[heartsteals]

If you are twin brothers then should he not share that same immunity?

[heartsteals]

[ did kyrie just give him advice that's actually good... he's shocked. ]

As a matter of fact I do, and had been wondering what to use it for - this is not a bad suggestion in the least.

[pursestrings]

it's not like i'm a wizard or something
it's just a thing i can do, no big

[heartsteals]

Yes, in a sense - monsieurs Dextera and Guren interacted with a woman of some kind in the forest who gave them some information, albeit with tests and riddles between. But I urge you not to run off into the forest to find her yourself; they were protected from danger by the strength of their relationship.

[heartsteals]

Yes, a forest of cursed trees and monsters. I fear the results should we decide to take an axe to more than a handful of them.

I am not very ill but we lack a reliable doctor in this town and such a person would be good to have around.

[appraiser]

What about planting our own trees? I believe Dave was able to help their growth along, as he does with other plants.

Have you asked Minato?

[flinty]

monsiwhat
what is that
some fancy word for monsters??

ive been to the forest before im not just gonna run straight in there
especially since that lady could be gone for all we know
unless you can confirm shes still out there

but hey loop
what do you mean by "temporary death" ?

[crowsigliere]

[ Well, this is what he's best at. And besides, he's gotta keep people on their toes! Can't be contentious all the time--gotta sprinkle some sound advice in, earn their trust, all that jazz. ]

Of course it's not. I do generally dislike doing things for others, but it is still my job to advise idiots. Doing this much is only fitting.

Really, Lupin, do I seem like the type of person who would offer you poor advice?

[heartsteals]

My friend, don't despair. Though the solution may not be clear to us right now that does not mean it doesn't exist. I ask only that you persevere, and hold onto hope until we find the way out of here.

[heartsteals]

Your suggestion may work as well, of course -- but I am inclined to believe their intentions weren't so kind.

In any case, I am going to write a letter, and leave it in a certain location.

[heartsteals]

[ neither has Lupin. Chills by themselves aren't all that strange when it's this cold out. ]

As careful as can be! It's not my style to rush into things without planning ahead. If nothing else I will notify a friend before I do anything particularly dangerous.

[ except for that mirror thing, but he told Cairngorm afterwards, so it's fine in case something happens...?! ]

[heartsteals]

It's certainly not impossible. If that is the case, then abstaining would remain the correct option, as much as it frustrates me to obey their whims.

[heartsteals]

[ someone else who writes in an insufferable oldtimey fashion, thank god. he likes this luxanna immediately. ]

Yes - in fact! Though it is only recently these Quests have taken a darker turn; last month (October if my assumptions are correct) we were asked to sacrifice something precious to us, and the month prior we were instructed to ruin someone else's day.

You are not the first to suggest it may be a test but regardless I feel that it would be best ignored. I do not care for these silly and inscrutable tests.

As for my perspective, you are welcome, and may ask for my help at any time - simply call upon Arsène Lupin and he will rush to your aid. I have been here since the very beginning and so know a thing or two.

[heartsteals]

You're closer to a wizard than I am.

[ and he does magic tricks ]

Do the things you disappear ever reappear?

[heartsteals]

Yes, without hesitation.

[heartsteals]

It is French for "mister."

[ so why didn't he just say mister?? french is sexier, that's why. ]

Rather than monsieur, I am more concerned that you just called me "Loop."

I mean just what I said - a death that is impermanent, though that flies in the very face of Death. Those who pass away here return some time later. There are those here who died at home and awoke here, as well.

[heartsteals]

Certainly that could be done. However, as you said, using the boats we already have here is more sensible.

Minato's healing magic will not work on disease, will it?

[flinty]

then just say mister
and get over it loop

so what youre tellin me is that no matter how a person dies here theyll be brought back
thats actually pretty beneficial....
but theres gotta be consequences to it right??
i mean ya cant just die and not lose somethin in the process
thatd be too easy

#248BF2

[teradaya]

[Color!]

Quests that turn out to have negative consequences seem like some sort of test to me. As if we're being studied on how well we work together or not or if we are easily manipulated. If this is the case, or something similar is the motive, then it's honestly disgusting.

But you have my full and undivided attention when it comes to this Boat you have in mind. I'm a navy man, you see, and while I never built a ship myself, I've sailed enough of them to have a fair enough idea of their construction. I fear that however well-constructed a vessel may be, though, the ocean here is just not normal and could tear whatever we build to splinters. Still, we won't know until we try!

[pursestrings]

nope, i dunno where they go but they sure as shit don't come back
so like don't get in the way if i'm doing my thing

[crowsigliere]

Well, I can't say you're wrong.

You ought to have some faith in me! If you decide to go through with it, I'd like to hear whether or not it was of any use.