Alpha Complex Day 1 - The Worst Besties

[murimurimuri]

[We meet up once again in Horace's room for some scheming.]

I totally passed out last night... I don't even mean I fell asleep; I think I literally passed out.

Comments

[staunton]

I... think that happened to me too. I got all drowsy all of a sudden and then I just blacked out until morning.

I wouldn't be surprised if our kidnapper drugged us to ensure that the Communists can meet without getting caught.

[murimurimuri]

Or built something right into these clone bodies.

[staunton]

...I'm not a clone.

[murimurimuri]

Think about it, Horace. We all have six clones. Why would you assume that any one of them is the original?

[staunton]

Those six clones are for if we're killed outside of the rules. I haven't died. Ergo, this body should be the original.

[murimurimuri]

[Nope. Not even touching that one.]

...Anyway, I take it that means you're a citizen, too?

[staunton]

Yep. No special role or powers here.

[murimurimuri]

Ah well. Maybe we'll be less of targets this way.

[staunton]

I hope so. The special roles are the rooks and queens in this game, so I'm sure the Communists want them gone before going after us pawns.

[murimurimuri]

Yeah...

I wonder what "Johnny" is supposed to mean.

[staunton]

It's probably a red herring.

[murimurimuri]

Sure, but you'd think they could at least put the name of someone actually here.

[staunton]

They're either not very bright, or they're just fucking with us.

[murimurimuri]

They're probably assuming we'll all want to get rid of Moge-ko as quickly as possible...

Well, I can't say they'd be wrong.

[staunton]

She wanted to eat the damn corpse. I'm all for getting rid of her.

[murimurimuri]

She's scarier than any communist, that's for sure.

[staunton]

She'll probably get eliminated today. I don't think anyone here wants her around.

[murimurimuri]

Unless the Loyalty Officer comes up with something, probably.

What do you think about our communists so far?

[staunton]

I dunno, yet. I wonder why they chose little Miss Justice.

[murimurimuri]

I'm more interested in the fact that they converted immediately. If it were me, I would have waited a round.

[staunton]

Why?

[murimurimuri]

In our specific case, I'd want to see if you had a role first. It might have been more useful to play both ends against the middle, at least for a few rounds.

But in general, it's not a huge risk to wait a night or two, especially when you have someone like Moge-ko who's just begging to be eliminated. The longer you wait, the better chance you have of getting someone who's considered safe.

[staunton]

Good point. That's probably what I would have done.

[murimurimuri]

So we have an Indoctrinator, and possibly a whole Communist group, who's impatient or impulsive. It's not much, but it's something.

[staunton]

A poor opening doesn't decide the outcome... but if they play too fast, their precipitation will cost them the game eventually.

[murimurimuri]

They are at their strongest right now, as the only ones who're organized and can murder freely. I can see how it might go to their heads.

[staunton]

[ Knightley nods in agreement and is quiet for a few seconds, tracing a finger along the snowflake insignia of his ring. ]

Sorry for changing the subject, but there's one thing I want to get out of the way.

[ Pause. ]

If anything happens to me, I want you to have this ring.

[murimurimuri]

...Your ring?

[Not the most eloquent of responses, but this is catching him completely off-guard.]

[staunton]

Yeah. I know it's not much, but I'd really like you to have it. You can have the chessboard too, but this ring is one of a kind.

[murimurimuri]

. . .

Y'know. I've always seen you wearing that ring, but I don't think you've ever told me where it comes from.

[Conceal, don't feel, don't let him knoooooow]

[staunton]

The snowflake is a signet crest that belonged to my late father. A while back the police returned my inheritance to me, and I decided to have the it made into a ring. I still don't remember the man, but I wanted to carry something of his with me wherever I go.

[murimurimuri]

...You're a really sentimental guy, aren't you, Horace?

[staunton]

...Maybe a little. Geez, here I am, talking about a man I don't even remember.

[murimurimuri]

Well, either way I'm honored. I'm sorry I don't have anything good to leave you! Though you're free to take Money, if you want him.

[staunton]

You know I'm not that good with animals. But I'll return the little guy to the circus for you.

[murimurimuri]

I think it would be fine — nobody's good with Money to begin with. But you're right, though. The circus is where he belongs.

[staunton]

By the way, I noticed that Money's acting differently. Is he sick?

[murimurimuri]

No, nothing like that. We just got into a little fight, is all.