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

[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.

[sendintheclown]

I can find a way to appreciate both sides of it.

[He'd last about 10 minutes before doing a dramatic reveal of who he really is.]

[blackcatintheruemorgue]

.... Meaning you'd only last a few minutes before a dramatic reveal and gloating.

[sendintheclown]

You've got me there, Detective!

[Saw RIGHT through him.]

[blackcatintheruemorgue]

I know you very well by now... you wouldn't be able to resist a dramatic reveal.

[He hums in thought.]

I... can't say I don't understand the appeal of a good dramatic reveal though...

[He's a person of theatrics himself, even if he's too self-conscious to really let it out most of the time.]

[sendintheclown]

You're a writer, you wouldn't be any good if you didn't have a flair for the dramatic.

[And he is a good one.]

[blackcatintheruemorgue]

Clown..... are you publicly admitting my skill as writer?

[Poe's eyes light up. He can't help but look extremely pleased and just a tiny bit smug at the implied compliment.]

[sendintheclown]

[Well at least now he can actually see those eyes light up. He grins.]

I might be.

[blackcatintheruemorgue]

Well... I'm flattered to hear that.

[It's a massive opinion change from telling him to stop writing. He feels extremely vindicated in having caused that opinion change.]

Perhaps I'll have to show you some of the other things I've written sometime. You've only ever gotten to read two of my works.

[sendintheclown]

Maybe we could come up with another one together!

[Because that was pretty fun.]