She's told me over and over that she wants to help everyone, and I believe her. She's much stronger than she believes she is, but I can also see this place eroding her slowly.
[Cantarella looks sincerely a little pained, not trying to obscure that yes, she does in fact care.]
I would hate to put her in danger and would despise it more if she went into it alone.
I can speak with her...or, perhaps, since you brought us all here in the first place, you would want to?
[It's his house. She may have been the one to float the idea about seeing if Nozomi wanted to help, but Ludger has been leading admirably. Cantarella is nothing if not encouraging.
Cantarella's gaze turns to Wazy, too, to see if he has anything to add about expanding the circle in their little infirmary club.]
[He catches that gaze, reclining back against the wall and crossing his arms.]
I don't have any objections to that. I haven't spoken to her much myself, but I trust your judgments. Besides, she's seen firsthand what this infection can do--I'd be interested in hearing her viewpoint, too.
I may need to find a supply of Velvet Dream more urgently than I thought...
[She is speaking in her usual tone, very mellow, perhaps even with a bit of cheer and humor in it. She crosses her legs like your teacher about to trap you into admitting you cheated on the exam.]
Have we or have we not spent considerable time discussing the cost of wishing and the demands of receiving something for which you haven't paid? I'm beginning to think I hallucinated it.
If you wanted to ensnare me in a dream, you don't need to look any further than this room. Being in your company already makes this a vision of paradise.
[His own smile doesn't drop for a second, though, even when Cantarella has clearly entered Lecture Mode.]
But don't worry, I didn't forget something as important as that. I just decided to go ahead and try it anyway, so I could see what the results were for myself.
Edited (idk what I’m doing tbh) 2025-11-27 07:58 (UTC)
She laces her fingers together, leaning forward over her forearms.] You would find paradise very boring after a few hours, I'm sure. I'm well aware you both know the risks. You're just banking on the reward being worth the gain.
[A soft hum, before she averts her gaze from him and back to the plant.] I'm half-tempted to ask you to take a picture of yourself.
[Unsurprisingly, he still doesn't look remotely repentant at all.]
Knowledge doesn't come free, after all.
[He follows her gaze and cants his head slightly.]
If you have a reason to suspect that anyone who uses the well gets infected, I wouldn't be opposed to it. But there's probably better candidates to photograph if that's the angle we're taking.
[No, of course he doesn't. The three of them came together to discuss the findings in the chapel, but they might have other things in common...such as rather strong wills and hard heads.]
You can wait, for now. It's been in use well before, more frequently and completely. We'd be better off worrying about anyone who might have been deteriorating over their time here.
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Although I dropped mine in the well, first.
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[ take THAT setting text, the plants can live. ]
I think Nozomi wanted to set it up in the boarding house lobby. It hasn't tried to eat us yet, so it's probably fine.
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... Yes?
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[Why are you afraid, Ludger? She's got her negotiating voice on, just like a good Matriarch.]
But she didn't go anywhere near the water herself, did she?
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It was in a bottle! It didn't touch her!
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She's so eager to help others... Such a sweet girl. [Unspoken: Cantarella is worried that willingness could end up making her vulnerable.]
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... We're all in danger, Cantarella. But I wouldn't deliberately hurt her like that.
[ jeez ]
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Cantarella gentles.]
Ludger, that's not what I mean. Accidents happen, that's all I fear. You care for her, too; I understand.
[She touches his shoulder, unworried about the contact.]
Have you thought about telling her about our little gatherings?
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[Cantarella looks sincerely a little pained, not trying to obscure that yes, she does in fact care.]
I would hate to put her in danger and would despise it more if she went into it alone.
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... If you think this would help her, then I'm alright with it. More hands is always good.
[ eventually this will expand to encompass everyone. probably.
not in my journal please-]what was that i heard? more book clubs in ludger's journal???
[It's his house. She may have been the one to float the idea about seeing if Nozomi wanted to help, but Ludger has been leading admirably. Cantarella is nothing if not encouraging.
Cantarella's gaze turns to Wazy, too, to see if he has anything to add about expanding the circle in their little infirmary club.]
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I don't have any objections to that. I haven't spoken to her much myself, but I trust your judgments. Besides, she's seen firsthand what this infection can do--I'd be interested in hearing her viewpoint, too.
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I can talk to Nozomi, sure. Julius will probably join us at some point-
[ it's a conversation that's a work in progress. ]
-so is there anyone else either of you want to bring in?
[ he huffs a little laugh ]
I didn't mean for this to be an exclusive thing or anything - it's just easier to talk to a smaller group at times.
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[She is speaking in her usual tone, very mellow, perhaps even with a bit of cheer and humor in it. She crosses her legs like your teacher about to trap you into admitting you cheated on the exam.]
Have we or have we not spent considerable time discussing the cost of wishing and the demands of receiving something for which you haven't paid? I'm beginning to think I hallucinated it.
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[His own smile doesn't drop for a second, though, even when Cantarella has clearly entered Lecture Mode.]
But don't worry, I didn't forget something as important as that. I just decided to go ahead and try it anyway, so I could see what the results were for myself.
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She laces her fingers together, leaning forward over her forearms.] You would find paradise very boring after a few hours, I'm sure. I'm well aware you both know the risks. You're just banking on the reward being worth the gain.
[A soft hum, before she averts her gaze from him and back to the plant.] I'm half-tempted to ask you to take a picture of yourself.
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Knowledge doesn't come free, after all.
[He follows her gaze and cants his head slightly.]
If you have a reason to suspect that anyone who uses the well gets infected, I wouldn't be opposed to it. But there's probably better candidates to photograph if that's the angle we're taking.
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You can wait, for now. It's been in use well before, more frequently and completely. We'd be better off worrying about anyone who might have been deteriorating over their time here.