hotel: harrow

[shaft]

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week 7, tuesday

[shaft]

[ hi harrow, claude is here. still a ghost.

he's standing outside one of the shadow rooms. ]

This looks more ominous in person.

[outsidebones]

It is a bit unpleasant, yes. I wouldn't advise going in there, even in your current state.

[shaft]

I went into one of the doors earlier, it had no effect. But you're right, whatever this is, it isn't physical.

[ ... ]

Thanks for bringing me back, Harrow. Even if you really wanted Souji.

[outsidebones]

...That's interesting. I wonder why that would be.

[she will nod and, with a twist of her mouth, maybe be slightly more sincere.]

A lot of us did want to see you again.

[shaft]

[ is it a smile

is harrow smiling ]

I'm going to cherish these tender feelings... And pay them back by helping. We're not particularly close to finding out how where all the others are is connected to the rest of the hotel.

[outsidebones]

[no sorry it was an uncomfortable twist of the mouth because she's talking about feelings.]

...Can you talk about what it was like there? Or is that dangerous?

[shaft]

My memory is in tact, so I'd take that as a good sign.

But in an effort to be cautious... Do you remember the dream that Shinobu mentioned when she awoke in the grave?

[outsidebones]

...Yes, I remember. Like that?

[shaft]

Last week, we lived it.

We had to hand hold our way out of the mausoleum. I don't know if it has greater significance than just giving you a glimpse of what's happening on the other side.

[outsidebones]

In my dream, I was wandering through the labyrinth. Did anything like that happen?

[shaft]

No, though the mausoleum was difficult to navigate.

The excursion I went on with Tsuru and Molly had a labyrinth. Perhaps these are references to trials experienced by the staff?

[outsidebones]

Perhaps so. This was before an actual labyrinth appeared here, mind.

[shaft]

That it did.

Has anyone tried their luck wandering into these shadows?

[outsidebones]

I haven't ventured far in there. It is quite unpleasant.

What were you trying to get at? The fairy tales and the like?

[shaft]

Fairy tales?

I just meant that... well, without the uniform, a staff member is quite ordinary, aren't they? It seems they're only able to do staff-like things while appropriately dressed.

[outsidebones]

Sylvain wrote me about fairy tales, but I thought it had the same gist. That's what I thought you meant, but I'm still uncertain about the point of it.

[shaft]

I think Sylvain and I had the same point.

The staff are afforded certain privileges—access to powers—due to their station, but it's only in effect when their on duty and dressed.

I'm hoping that means the more dangerous surprise friends will be powerless.

[outsidebones]

Ah. I see. The dangerous surprise friends. That's what it was about?

[shaft]

Yes, we were treated to the sound of their lovely voices when each entered into their agreement, and it was stated that their powers hinged on wearing their uniform.

If I were them, I'd be keen to get my hands back on mine.

[outsidebones]

But...

[she frowns.]

There are surprise friends who aren't - [she chews on her lip, trailing off before starting again.] On some documents recently, I saw a name that was familiar. Someone who I trust.

[shaft]

[ he thinks about it for a bit ]

... It is a bit complicated. Especially since one of them is also another person's hostage.

[outsidebones]

Yes. I saw that, too. It seemed like bullshit. If they're a hostage it must mean that they're able to be guaranteed safe...

[shaft]

You mean they're not a real hostage?

[outsidebones]

I don't know what it means. But...say whoever this mystery person who put it in a letter that was read out publicly is, they had killed someone. The contract would require that person be safe. Which says something about the status of these special friends to me.

[shaft]

That one contract outweighs the other perhaps?

[ do they need a lawyer ]

I don't know. It feels like there's little to do but wait.