PC Post for Ripley

[justfists]

stuff will happen?

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TUESDAY, post announcement

[justfists]

Ripley-san, do you have a moment?

[xenoqueen]

[Ripley glances towards Makoto, raising an eyebrow.]

What's up?

[justfists]

[she'll keep it brief, it makes sense.]

I mentioned earlier that the strategy I'd recommend would be in deciding who or who not to trust. I think it'd be a good idea to understand who other's trust, as well.

[also, she's the kind of tough, hardass woman that Makoto wishes she were but that's neither here nor there]

I want to try and work together as much as possible.

[xenoqueen]

[Ripley nods, crossing her arms.]

You're also aware of how people could use this to their advantage, yes? [Said in a calm tone.] Of course, that's not saying I don't trust you. I just want you to be aware of this fact.

[...]

I want your assurance that you have everyone's best interests in mind.

[justfists]

I am. But we have to start somewhere, and it wouldn't be the first time someone's tried to take advantage of me.

[said simply, curt, but the second part, she's got zero reservations on.]

I promise, I want to survive, yes. But I want to make sure that the others do as well, and, if possible, we save the people who've been taken over by the monsters.

[xenoqueen]

...Alright. Let's get started, then.

[Hmmmmmmm.]

As...non-contributing as the other adults are, I'd say that it's safe to trust them. You heard that Bennings was a town person, and Phil is...relatively harmless, as far as I'm concerned.

[She puts a hand on her hip, shifting her weight to the side.] As for Snake, I'm not willing to see him die until we figure out what's going on with him. I don't believe that he's part of the mafia--if he was he could've lied about falling asleep around the same time I did.

[justfists]

I believe there is certainly something more to Snake, yes. The rest, I'm not certain of, even from what I've heard.

For now, I am inclined to believe that Yoshi-san is a town person, or an effective means of throwing us off of the scent of the true mafia. [she shifts her weight onto one side, and then places a hand to her chin in thought.]

But I think it is safe to say he's in the greatest danger, or at least... he should be? Unless they'll opt to continually block him from investigating. In either case, we should try to pre-empt what their next move would be.

[xenoqueen]

But Yoshi has been blocked from using his abilities, as of late. Or at least, he seems to be suffering from using them. I don't think he would pose any actual threat to the mafia, unless they let their imaginations get carried away.

[...]

...Snake brought up the fact that Inaba was suspiciously nonchalant about the whole situation, but I don't think that a feeling is enough to go on. For now, we should try and keep an eye on her, see what happens.

[justfists]

[she considers that, and then pauses.]

Were you one of the votes on her this weekend?

Week 3, Thursday

[xenoqueen]

[Ripley can be found standing in the doorway of her room, leaning against the door frame and staring towards Akira's door. There's a notebook in her hand as she watches the people walking down the hallways, occasionally scribbling something down. Ever since the ski area stopped...existing, though, not many people pass through anymore.

When she sees Makoto approaching, she inclines her head towards her.]

Good to see you.

[justfists]

[Makoto looks a little surprised to see her outside her door. She just stops, holding her pillow closely.]

Hi Ripley-san.

[a pause]

Are you... keeping watch for us?

[it's a little late-- Makoto knows she's pushing it but she wanted to test the oil for her trap one last time. in fact, there's a straight rod that's partially obscured by the pillow.]

[xenoqueen]

[Ripley pauses, taking a moment to close her notebook and tuck her pencil behind her ear.]

Maybe. [Though her voice definitely sounds affirmative.] You having a sleepover with Akira tonight?

[She tilts her head to the side, looking towards the pillow.]

What've you got there?

[justfists]

It's a tradition on Fridays at this point, and it's our best chance of surviving... [she sounds a little uncertain, and it flashes across her face. But only a flash, as Ripley's next question provides her a good pivot.]

Oh-- I asked the Staff to give me a UV stick. We're going to set up a trap and hope that that lets us catch the culprits. [she's pauses, and worries at her lip a bit.]

It should be only visible by UV light, so...

[xenoqueen]

[Ripley nods, raising an eyebrow. She gets that. Safety in numbers and all.]

Smart. So the culprit doesn't even know that they've been marked until later, when it's revealed via UV light.

[...] You think it'll work? What with, um, the Staff acting strangely this week. They gave Snake a knock-off gun the other day.

[justfists]

I tested it in my room, and it seemed to work. Tomorrow, we'll find out for sure.

[she looks a little frustrated at that, if it worked in her room and not tomorrow, her plans would be ruined.]

It should also provide trails and clues.

[xenoqueen]

[Ripley nods, tucking her notebook into her jacket pocket.]

Let's hope that we won't actually need it tonight. [But both she and Makoto know that won't be true.] If you don't mind me asking--did you set them up in Akira's room?

[If so, then maybe she can rest a little more easy tonight.]

[justfists]

I did. Or, well, I will. Before midnight, I'll set it up.

[they both know that the trap is probably going to be important for tomorrow. No matter of what they'd rather see, there's a high chance that, well...

Obviously, Ripley's keeping watch for a reason.]

after trial 3

[xenoqueen]

[Sometime after the...trial...has ended, Makoto will hear a loud pounding at her door.]

OPEN UP, YOU GODDAMN BASTARD!

[Christ. Makoto (or the barghest) probably has never heard Ripley shouting like this before.]

[justfists]

The door is open.

[she isn't opening any doors, honestly.

But when Ripley comes in, the first thing she'll see is, well, Makoto bleeding profusely from her face. Her white turtleneck is completely ruined.

But she's not making any attempt to heal it, even though she could.]

[xenoqueen]

[Ripley comes in fuming, but then when she sees Makoto's bloodied face--

Oh. Oh, no. She freezes for a moment, unsure of how to proceed. The past few days have been wearing her down, and this....]

What the hell did you do?! [She spits, teeth bared in rage.] This is the goddamn barghest's fault, isn't it?

[justfists]

No, my goddess didn't do this to me. Atsushi did.

[said quite cheerfully]

[xenoqueen]

Atushi--

[Ah. Because of what she did to Inaba. Ripley clenches her hands into fists, exhaling sharply. Today was an intense day, and normally, she'd be able to understand if the others were in a particular rough patch. But for it to manifest into physical violence--

She closes her eyes, her voice level as it can be while she simmers with anger and frustration.]

I'm not here to yell at you. [but like. she was going to.] I'm here to ask questions.

[justfists]

[she laughs a little.]

Are you sure, Ripley-san? Obviously, if you want to attack me, take out your anger on me, now is the time.

[xenoqueen]

[As much as she'd like to scream, to break down and accuse her of betraying her trust...the Barghest is untouchable. For now. She'd only be hurting Makoto in the process, too. Her expression hardens as she stares at Makoto--no, the Barghest, placing as much fury behind her gaze as possible.]

No. [Her voice is a low growl.] I said I'm here to talk. Are you just going to stand there taunting me, or are you going to answer my goddamn questions?

[justfists]

You haven't asked a question. I was simply making sure.

[her smile is a little unnatural, but... man. she's. very very pale.]