trust you've got a game plan

[isawallflower]

[ At noon on Wednesday, Riley's standing ready in the dining hall, with a clipboard and a big smile to anyone who shows up. She's set blank stacks of paper on the table, but we'll get to that. As promised, there's some basic snacks as well as some tasty banana bread. Snacks for everyone! ]

Welcome everyoooone~! Thank you so much for showing up. This is a new and confusing experience for all of us, but I'm sure if we strive to stick together and cooperate, it'll help us foster the most productive environment that we can. [ Bright, bright smile. ] So! I've gathered all of you so we can share any discoveries and compare basic information that might give us any idea of why we've been brought here. Good? Okaaaay!

[ That smile never leaves her face. She sets something down from her clipboard and starts passing out that blank paper. ]

Sooo, following my example, if you could fill this out, that...can be a good starting discussion!

[ Her example is essentially a survey. Wonderful penmanship, again. ]

Comments

[etincelledefierte]

That’s a pretty common interpretation of the Phantom, yes. There’s a whole song in the musical about him getting inside the heroine’s head. That said, I do think there’s something to what you’re saying.

[revelfree]

Ah, of course. I forget that some of you are more familiar with his legend than myself.

How intimate is his knowledge though -- is it simply knowing her well enough to foretell her actions, or is there a true psychic link in play?

[etincelledefierte]

It's more knowing her well enough to foretell her actions. He was in love with her and watched her enough to know just how she'd think.

[revelfree]

[He makes a face.]

Unless he's deeply in love with me, or perhaps all of us -- [He hopes Christine didn't hear that.] I don't think that explains how he knows some of our secrets.

[etincelledefierte]

No, it doesn't. It's possible we were being watched at home before we were brought here, though that still doesn't explain everything.

[revelfree]

That is.... an even more unnerving prospect. That this was entirely premeditated, carefully planned and surveyed.

[And he hadn't noticed a damn thing. He suppresses the urge to shudder.]

[etincelledefierte]

I don’t like it, not one bit. I can’t think of another plausible explanation, though, much as I hate the idea of having been watched.

[She shudders.]

[revelfree]

That then raises the question -- how have we been watched? It seems incredibly unlikely that he could watch so many of us without being spotted at least once. And to consider our temporal differences...

It's unnerving, to think of what power he may have.

[etincelledefierte]

That’s a good point. I -

[Give her a second. A lightbulb just went off in her head.]

...you know the mirror room? The one Angus mentioned just now. What if there’s more to it.

[revelfree]

[Ariel leans in. His curiosity is piqued!]

How do you mean?

[etincelledefierte]

I mean, what if he’s been using the mirrors to watch us. It wouldn’t necessarily be hard to - what’s the word I’m looking for? Enchant isn’t quite right, but it’s close enough - in order to keep an eye on us. A mirror is a common enough thing that I’d imagine we would all have one.

[revelfree]

[He's quiet. He needs to ponder this.]

It is no more outlandish than the concept of being whisked away from another world or place in time. And you are correct, the object is innocuous enough that one wouldn't think to be suspicious over.

[All told... he looks uncomfortable.]

[etincelledefierte]

[Claudine also looks uncomfortable.]

You’re right. I had dance classes in front of mirrors almost every day at home, and practiced every day in front of one even on the days I didn’t have class. I wouldn’t have ever thought to check them for anything suspicious.

I think I’m on to something with that, as much as I hate the idea.

[revelfree]

And we already know the mirrors here are not to be trusted. [He shifts.] I am starting to think I may need to steal some more clothes from the dressing room and cover my mirror.

[It won't do much, but at least he'll feel better???]

[etincelledefierte]

I think I am going to have to do the same thing. The idea of having the mirror in my room being watched has given me the creeps.

[revelfree]

Let me know if you need any assistance in the matter. I am happy to lend a hand if it means keeping this blasted Phantom from spying on us any further.

[etincelledefierte]

I may just have to take you up on that. At least bringing up stuff from the costume room. I appreciate it very much.

[revelfree]

Of course. Anything to help the bulk of us feel at ease.

[Claudine you're going to be real disappointed when you realize nerd man can't lift much.]

If you are too uncomfortable to sleep tonight, find me once this meeting is over and I will gladly assist you. If not, I'll be glad to lend a hand in the morn.

[etincelledefierte]

[More than she can, probably.]

I think I’m going to run down there after the meeting’s done. I’ll let you know in the morning if I do wind up needing that hand.