Week Two

[stagemanagers]

[Last week, no murder happened! Instead, a lot of students started work on Salieri's school play, which sounds pretty cool even though it's gonna be short, several people destroyed Bigfoot and got a few mysterious clues, and Orpheus started a fire in the kitchen! All in all, not a bad first week!

Though some people might have gone to talk to Hester, she hasn't made any more public announcements. There's some new papers posted up around the cafeteria, but it looks like it's just your upcoming lunch schedule. Seems like nothing's driving you towards Rule Five except, perhaps, all of the kidnapping and how criminally boring some of you are finding the school. Maybe the Balladeer is right, and you really can just wait this out? Only time will tell!]


Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday

(( No new locations this week, since y'all haven't paid in blood! Hester's office hours are still open, as are regains! Make sure to complete your first activity check by Tuesday! ))

Comments

[violentenvies]

[Salieri once again sets about braving the vending machine. He does so slowly and cautiously, setting each item aside as it comes out before carefully putting in another coin. He stands comically half to the side of it as he does so, though perhaps his purpose becomes clear as the first trombone comes flying out, causing him to jump back with a startled yelp before stumbling a bit--and then sighing as he watches the other 75 start to pour out of the machine, safely out of the way]

Well, it was bound to happen at some point, I suppose.

[Once all the regains are...regained, he'll wind up in the cafeteria, sorting through all of the items and seems to be organizing them into different piles. Most are on the table, but there's a few things on the other seats, next to him, including a set of Barber's tools, a rope, and a green bottle.]

Cafeteria

[barberic]

[Benjamin comes in to get something to eat, and sees his good friend busy at work sorting out a million different items into orderly piles.]

Quite a bounty you've found, sir. All of this from the vending machine I've heard so much about?

[violentenvies]

[Salieri is in the middle of nudging another one of those bittersweet chocolate pies into the pile that he's going to put into the refrigerator for later when Benjamin comes over, and he glances up, expression immediately softening into pleased, clearly happy to see him]

Indeed. I had to dodge some brass instruments, but sometimes there are useful things that come out of there.

In fact...

[and he's turning, reaching down for that set of barber's tools, reaching to pick them up, presenting to them Benjamin with just maybe a hint of eagerness, laying them out on the table]

It seems like something of a repeat considering what I gave you last week, but I received these today.

[barberic]

[Benjamin hadn't looked too closely at the spread of items just yet, but his attention is pulled to the item that Salieri reaches for.

And indeed, the assortment of items, some bound in a leather sleeve and the rest separate, elicits an excited gasp of recognition. He reaches out and touches the leather strop, unrolls the sleeve, and his smile only grows when he sees the tools laid out there.]

These are-

No offense to your last gift, sir, I've been putting them to good use. But these are my tools. The ones that I use, back in London.

[Literally! There's a little "B. Barker" burned into the leather on the inside of the roll of combs and scissors.

He offers his hand for a grateful handshake (gentlemen, is it gay to hug?).]

You've done so much for me, my friend. I don't know how I can repay you.

[violentenvies]

[Salieri reaches out to shake his hand at that, as close to a beaming smile as he's ever gotten. He grips it tightly, something warm tightening in his chest]

Please, think nothing of it. [Really...what was he thinking? He let Hester get to him, but...he should rectify that. Benjamin is a good man, and moreover a good friend. A true one, and honest, and when was the last time Salieri could say he had a friend like that]

If I could beg a small favor...perhaps would you call me Antonio? [his smile goes a little shy, but there's a tentative earnestness to it] I have not had anyone call me that for a long time, and I would consider it quite the privilege if you would. [Tomorrow. He'll give Benjamin those last few items he's been holding on to tomorrow.]

[barberic]

[Benjamin clasps his hand tightly, presses it in both of his.

The request moves him, something warm swelling in his chest. Salieri- Antonio has been the truest friend he's found in this place. He's fond of everyone, has learned a lot just from being around them, but... This is different. He gives Antonio's hand a final, meaningful press, and then lets him withdraw. His voice is tender, friendly and intimate, when he replies:]

Of course, Antonio. It would be my pleasure.

Will you... call me Benjamin, as well?

[violentenvies]

[there's something that feels warm and soft in his chest as Benjamin presses his hand and releases it, then agrees. There's relief there, too--and all of those together bring a warm smile to his face as he looks up at him]

Benjamin. [there is very much a softer, pleased tone to his voice] It would be a pleasure for me as well.

[barberic]

Thank you.

[He means it.]

You've been a true companion to me, Antonio. Where our morale would be without you, I haven't a clue.

[violentenvies]

[when Benjamin calls him Antonio, it almost feels strange to be called such. It has been quite a while since anyone has called him by his first name, and it warms him even in its strangeness]

You as well, Benjamin. I admit, I do not know where my morale would be without your steadfast companionship.

[barberic]

[Benjamin chuckles.]

What a pair we make, then, both of us lost without the other. Nothing to be done but remain close compatriots. [It's teasing. He's teasing.

He looks at the dozens of items in piles all over the table.]

Do you need some help sorting through all of this, my friend? It's the least I can do for returning my tools to me.

[violentenvies]

[Salieri can't help but smile a little sheepishly at the teasing, feeling his cheeks go a little hot with it, but nevertheless he's...pleased]

How could we do otherwise?

[ah but yes, subject change]

Ah...to be honest, I could use some assistance, if you're offering. I've been making an attempt to sort through it all, but it's becoming a trial. Much of it I've ended up putting in the Costume Room, simply because they seem like items that belong there, but...[he huffs out a sigh]

[barberic]

I'd be happy to.

[Looking over the piles on the table, he notices a black notebook and carefully uncovers it, turning it over. His eyebrows shoot up when he sees the words on the front.]

A 'Death Note?' What on earth is this?

[He opens the front of it, skims, and goes pale.]

[violentenvies]

Hm? [Salieri glances over as Benjamin mentions it]

I beg your pardon? [he's going to lean in to see what he's found, frowning at the expression on Benjamin's face] What is it?

[barberic]

Possibly a kind of cruel joke.

[He passes it to him, almost reluctantly.]

Call me superstitious, but I don't think it's quite worth the risk.

[violentenvies]

[Salieri accepts the notebook, frowning, opening it slowly and reading through the instructions. As he does so, he pales, setting the thing down]

I--no, no, you're quite right. It's not worth the risk at all.

Cafeteria

[sugarlumps]

Ugh, if they're gonna make a magic vending machine why bother putting so much junk in it?

[She's got her own haul, here.]

Cafeteria

[violentenvies]

[Salieri huffs, shoving away another stuffed cat toy.]

I am very much inclined to agree. Most of it seems absolutely useless.

[sugarlumps]

Right? Like who needs an entire lion skin.

[violentenvies]

[...what]

...I must admit that I have not had the displeasure of encountering such a thing, and hope that my luck continues to hold on that count.

[he moves one of the bottles of sprite, before he pauses, blinking, pulling out a set of papers stappled together]

I Wrote A Book. [that'll get an arched eyebrow] So I see.