#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

[interlucere]

[ Funny, that was the exact thought she had about him the moment she saw his original posting. ]

Then it seems that there has been quite a jump in severity over the last few months. This hardly seems gradual, or unintentional on our dear Mister F's behalf. One has to wonder if he is attempting to see what he can get away with before showing his true colors—or lack thereof, as the case may be.

But I for one do not like the idea of being toyed with, though I do worry that if we do not acquiesce to his "requests" eventually, there may be repercussions. I have heard stories of what it is like to lose one's color, and I am loath to believe that this is the only tool our captor has at his disposal, to keep us compliant.

There is a saying where I am from, that misery loves company. Since it seems the both of us are under the weather, it might be nice to pool our resources and help each other keep warm with conversation. I would not wish this illness on anyone, and I, at least, would enjoy the company. It seems we have much that we could talk about, in person.

L

[ Translation: She doesn't like speaking candidly when she knows she's being watched. ]

[heartsteals]

[ yeah, he gets that - but he's also fairly certain at this point that they're always being watched. She said she was new, though; she might not be as aware of that as he is. And, like she said, there's nothing wrong with some company. ]

If that is your wish, then so be it, for I am in the business of granting them. You're in Flavo, I assume?

[ based on that eye-searing font color... ]

[interlucere]

That would be correct. Are you feeling well enough to move around? I would not want you to push yourself. If you would prefer, I could meet you somewhere in town.

L

[ Some people just want to blind others with their brilliance. And font color, as the case may be. ]

[heartsteals]

There is no need for such concern. It's nothing more than the occasional cold chill; I'm in fighting shape. Of course if you would be more comfortable meeting elsewhere I haven't any problems with that.

I thought I had responded to this for some reason?

[interlucere]

That is a relief. It seems as if this place likes to keep us on our toes, so do take care of yourself nonetheless. I do not mind meeting at our house, but it might be difficult to explain which one it is. I could come find you somewhere in town, and direct you from there.

L

IT'S OK

[heartsteals]

Very well - why not meet in the church? It is as good a landmark as any and should prove convenient enough to reach for both of us.

[1/2]

[interlucere]

That should work well enough. Look for a blond woman in a brown-colored capelet and hood. I will be headed to the church within the hour.

L

[2/2]

[interlucere]

[ True to her word, Lux arrives not too long after she messaged him, wrapped up in whatever warm-weather clothing she was able to find in the storeroom—a long wool dress, hastily made gloves, and capelet. As she stands dutifully outside of the church, Lux cups her hands to her lips, as she huffs a few breaths to try to keep them warm. Hopefully this Arsène gentleman won't keep her waiting too long. ]

[heartsteals]

[ she will not! Lupin's a man of his word, at least when it suits hiim; unlike her, he's had the time and the good fortune to be returned some clothing from his home, and is thus dressed the same way any self-respecting dapper Victorian gentleman might dress in winter. It's a pleasant surprise to see a beautiful girl waiting for him - he'd assumed as much from her name, but couldn't be sure - and when he approaches, he tips his hat at her, grinning widely and easily. ]

Yo! Miss Crownguard, I presume? [ once he's in range, he gives her a short, theatrical bow before straightening up and popping that hat back on his head properly. ] Arsène Lupin, at your service. You could've waited inside, you know. I'll feel terrible if you catch a cold because of me.

[interlucere]

[ She notices his dress first, and that it's clearly not anything like the clothing they have been left with here. It isn't anything like what they wear back home either, but she likes the look of it quite a bit. Crisp and respectable, with a bit of flair. Hm.

The bow immediately makes her think of some of the other nobles she's encountered in Demacia, and while it's easy for her to fall into a rhythm, Lux fights hard against it. It helps that his smile is positively infectious, and she can't help but return it to him. ]

That's right. But please, call me Lux. And I don't mind. I doubt anything I would get from standing outside is worse than what I already have. [ Does she really believe that's reassuring? ] Shall we, then?

[heartsteals]

That doesn't really make me feel better.

[ he responds dryly, arching a brow at her, but nods, going ahead and opening the door before gesturing for her to go ahead first. ]

Oh. I should tell you that I'm pretty sure they can listen to us anywhere, whether we're writing to each other or not... Not to be a downer, but it's good to know.

[interlucere]

[ She isn't saying it to make him feel any better or worse, but simply stating a fact. Whether she shrugs at his displeasure or his comment about their captor is hard to say, and as she leads him toward Flavo, Lux glances back at Lupin from over her shoulder. ]

I figured as much. I'm used to the walls having ears, but that doesn't mean I'll make it any easier for him to keep track of what's been said by whom.

[heartsteals]

Fair enough. I'm the last person who'd tell you to be less careful.

[ he takes off his hat as they enter, tucking it under one arm, and moves to sit on the edge of one of the pews - a little disrespectful, maybe, but if there's a god watching over this town, Lupin's pretty sure they don't have his best interests in mind. ]

I did find out something interesting before I left to come see you, though. Did you happen to break your mirror, by any chance?

[interlucere]

[ She might not be overly religious herself, but Lux still winces a smile as he sits on the edge of the pew. Quick to brush that transgression under the rug, however, she steps past him, taking a seat on the same pew. Hands in lap, ankles crossed—the picture of poise and elegance. ]

Ah, well...

[ She hasn't told anyone yet, but... ]

Accidentally, yes. It slipped out of my hands.

[heartsteals]

[ definitely some kind of noble, he notes... although the way she wrote suggested as much already. ]

That might be the root of our problems. [ gesturing idly with one hand. ] I was speaking to someone else feeling under the weather - fine, save for the fact that he's a demon who's never gotten sick in his life. Both of us had broken our mirrors. Now, three people is a small number to draw a conclusion from, so I'll just call it a guess... but it's about as reasonable as the other things that have happened to us here.

[interlucere]

[ She frowns deeply, lips drawn together in a fine line. That is a problem, but there's something else that tugs at her. ]

What do you mean "other things"? Has something like this happened before?

[heartsteals]

Of a sort. There was a time when we were all followed around by birds that spoke to us, and those of us who failed to heed their warnings were punished, for example.

[ probably more, too, but that one's the most similar to this one - so far, anyway. ]