WEEK SEVEN

[lockdownmods]

[Week seven is here. Surely the course is drawing to a close soon? There are more places to explore, and there can't be that much more going on but...

The wall is actually very ominous now, like something has been awakened. The field is almost impossible to be near, that's how oppressive the wall is around it. There are also physical signs of darkness dotting the wall.

Welcome, you're almost near the end.]

LOCATIONS | PROFILES | HAN OFFICE HOURS | MEGUMI OFFICE HOURS

SUNDAY | MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY

Comments

[blackcatintheruemorgue]

That's... true... but this one is supposed to be realistic.

[sendintheclown]

In a world where this is what a koto sounds like.

[It's called suspension of disbelief or something.]

[blackcatintheruemorgue]

Where in the text does it say the koto sounds like that?

[sendintheclown]

Where does it say it doesn't?

[blackcatintheruemorgue]

I.... I'm going to continue reading now.

[Gogol won that argument. Poe continues reading. The sound of a koto plays out in the night. Later, the bodies of the newly weds are found stabbed to death with a sword inside a locked house. It's a locked room mystery.]

[sendintheclown]

[GREAT someone's been stabbed! Gogol even mimes the action as he makes the sounds of flesh being pierced. It's pretty accurate.]

[blackcatintheruemorgue]

.... At least you're actually accurate this time.

[sendintheclown]

Thank you.

[He prides himself on that.]

[blackcatintheruemorgue]

[He continues reading. The father calls in a detective who starts interrogating the rural people. The detective investigating takes up most of the rest of the book. Besides things being opened and people being talked too, there isn't much more room for sound effects as he unravels the tricks behind the locked room mystery. Also because the summaries I found stopped being useful at this point.]

[sendintheclown]

[Gogol flattens on the table, unsatisfied.]

That wasn't a fault on my special effects abilities, you know. The book just wasn't good for it.

[He tried his best.]

[blackcatintheruemorgue]

I'm aware.

[He puts it down and seems to think for a bit. That... wasn't as bad as he thought it would be and ragging on Gogol for his sound effects was actually pretty amusing.]

.... That wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. If... there is a book more suited to your tastes... I won't mind reading it while yo do your ah.... sound effects.

[sendintheclown]

Really?

[Gogol brightens, and bolts straight back up.]

We could start our own collaborative storytelling theater!

[blackcatintheruemorgue]

I'm... not fond of audiences.

[That many eyes on him... he shivers.]

Can this just ah... be... between the two of us?

[sendintheclown]

Alright then.

[Gogol loves an audience but there was something nice about this, too. Something between friends.]

[blackcatintheruemorgue]

Thank you for understanding.

[His shoulders relax and he releases a breath he wasn't aware he was holding. The waves of relief radiating off of Poe right now are almost palpable.]

[sendintheclown]

You sure you don't want to make it into a radio show?

[Or a podcast, as the kids like to do these days.]

[blackcatintheruemorgue]

..... That would be acceptable if it was anonymous.

[As long as his name isn't attached to it.... he thinks he might be able to live with that.]

[sendintheclown]

[Gogol tilts his head.]

Why? Don't you want to claim ownership of it?

[Though if he's embarrassed of associating with Gogol he could understand that.]

[blackcatintheruemorgue]

It's how I usually publish my works. I... um... find it easier to do so under the veil of anonymity.

[At first it was shyness at putting his work out there. There's still some of that reasoning now, but he mostly doesn't want to deal with the fame, popularity, and tail coat riders that come with renown of being a successful author. Not again after what happened when he lost to Ranpo. Reputations are so easily ruined... and he'd rather not disappoint his readers with who the author really is.]

[sendintheclown]

Hm.

[Gogol considers it for a moment. It's different than putting on a new persona or a role, it's a complete erasure of the self. There's something enticing and awful about it at once.]

I can't say I don't see the appeal.

[blackcatintheruemorgue]

I'm not surprised you do.

[There is a large amount of freedom that comes with anonymity. It's not who you are or what you do that people care about. It's your work they care about.]

[sendintheclown]

[Gogol hums in thought.]

Maybe I should try embracing it a little. Get a full face mask.

[He's done well on their agreement so far, though, both eyes visible.]

[blackcatintheruemorgue]

[Poe's keeping up his end of the agreement as well with his new hairstyle. His purple-gray eyes are fully visible and narrowed slightly in thought.]

I... suppose that's one way to do it.

[It's... his decision he guesses?]

I'm unsure as to where you would acquire one here though... or why it would be necessary to do that when you are perfectly capable of just disguising yourself.

[sendintheclown]

For a fully anonymous persona!


With disguises you can't just have a blank slate! You need to build a personality, a person whose shoes you're stepping into! [Like dear, sweet Goldyadkin-kun.] But a blank mask, then you're no-one, and nothing at all!

[blackcatintheruemorgue]

If you're not in person, yes.... but would that really suit you? I... would have thought that you'd enjoy the spotlight.