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[as_you_command]

[PUBLIC]
What superstitions do you hold?

Is there aught in this place that reminds you of them?

Please excuse my curiosity, but it may be of some import.

--Guilford
[/PUBLIC]

[PRIVATE :: The Watch]
I was given advice on where Lady Cornelia might be found. This discovery might lead to other missing individuals as well, but first I require

Comments

[Audio]

[rattrash]

Um... Well, there used to be one back home that was something like, if a black cat crosses your path it's some kind of luck, but I can't remember if it was good or bad.

Either way, sometimes I see a cat around here, I don't know if that helps any at all.

[Audio]

[as_you_command]

[ While he appreciates that response, there's some blandness to his tone. ] That is a rather common superstition from our world, as well, and is often taken as a sign of ill fortune.

I... shall not discount the possibility. Given how little I know of how this world, and how the beings here function, no information is completely useless. [ Honestly, he's just glad to hear people had things to say.

Clearing his throat. ] A cat, you say? Can you recall where it was sighted, and when?

[Audio]

[rattrash]

I think I remember Suzaku playing with it... I'm sorry I don't know when. It's often about though, and there was one at the fae ball as well. A black one actually, now that I think about it, different from the usual cat.

[Audio]

[as_you_command]

[ ...and Suzaku was gone now. Curious coincidence, or insidious plot? ] The fact that he is no longer available to question directly, your testimony shall have to suffice. [ Guilford scratches down some notes, hastily. ] They did not appear... domestic?

[Watch filter - Audio]

[north_skie]

I heard something in the inn once, some voice telling me I should go to bed because I was up late or something. It was pretty creepy.

There's the mansion too, there was something there calling itself 'sifty sifty san' or something like that.

What's up Mr, what do you know?

[Watch filter - Audio]

[as_you_command]

Did you determine that it was not some other denizen playing a trick on you? [ It didn't exactly sound like the sort of thing that would bother Cornelia, after all; but a curious story all the same. ]

At this time, I know... very little. [ And he sounds none too happy about this. ] Could you tell me more about the mansion, and that creature or spirit you mentioned?

[Watch filter - Audio]

[north_skie]

I was alone, so it wasn't a citizen. I'll tell you about the mansion, but seriously Mr, with the amount of things going on around here, you're just going to go around in circles unless you tell us what little you do know.

Anyway, that stupid guy went into the mansion, and the 'Sifty sifty' thing chased him out. Me and Nel had to help him get rid of it...

[Watch filter - Audio]

[as_you_command]

What "stup-- [ Sigh. ] Who went into the mansion, and how was he retrieved?

[ And the young man had a point. ] I spoke to one of the merchants, a few days ago. She appeared as a fortune teller, and gave me some... insight as to where I might find Lady Cornelia. Though her tale was vague and hard to grasp, I have no other leads to go by.

She mentioned that Cornelia crossed into the realm of some ghost or another, but could not see further -- or so she claimed to.

[audio // watch filter] PINGED BY UNDEAD

[bloodforlight]

[There is an audible frown in Aureln's voice. This isn't unusual for her, but it's laced with urgency, perhaps even concern.]

This place harbours many of the undead, human. Were you given any guidance at all?

[audio // watch filter]

[as_you_command]

[ There's a moment where he contemplates recoiling at the method of addressing him; but then he recalls his place, and to whom the voice belongs to, and calms himself. ] Not nearly enough guidance could prepare me for this task, and I find myself woefully lacking in knowledge, Ms. Aureln.

Re: [audio // watch filter]

[bloodforlight]

[She finds herself relating to those words quite well, but such feelings matter little. Cornelia may be human, but she was a partner of Aureln's, and that counts for something. Besides, they need each other here.]

What advice were you given? She will not be left alone in the grip of the dead.

[audio // watch filter]

[as_you_command]

[ The way that was phrased chilled him to the bone, but he collected himself before speaking. He will not think of her as being close to death. Not a second -- no, third -- time. ]

I... was told that Cornelia had crossed into the boundaries of a ghost. Few other details were given, save for that the fortune teller referred to the ghost as having the heart of a man, and that there is a way to elude his grasp.

"Keep your hand at the level of your eyes," she said. I demonstrated this gesture to her, and was met with approval, though I admit the act itself befuddles me. I cannot fathom its purpose.

[audio//watch filter]

[tenshinoyobou]

I have to admit, I still have a few superstitions from back home. Things like throwing salt over my shoulder or making sure there's a hole in the bottom of my eggshells. I don't know if those are common where you're from, Mr Guilford?

As for your other question, I have to admit that I've not being overly bothered by spirits since arriving here. I think there are some in the graveyard, though. I'll look around some more.

If you find out anything else about the missing people, please let me know. I'll do what I can to help.

[audio//watch filter]

[as_you_command]

I am a firm believer that fortune is what one makes of it, but do you believe following these patterns influences your luck, Mr. Hewley? [ This seemed less directly tied to his investigation, but given the circumstances he might soon face, it was best to gauge the beliefs and faiths of those he is to work with. ]

A logical gathering place, if obvious. Though some have ventured forth into the graveyard and come back safely, have they not? [ He could have sworn there were some reports on that, but for once, recalling such details was difficult. ]

I expect nothing less, and neither should you. [ In other words, he trusted that information and teamwork will make the difference, here. ]

[audio//watch filter]

[tenshinoyobou]

I'm not sure that I do. I'm afraid it's mostly just habit. My father was extremely superstitious, but my mother and I were less so. [Too much time being poked and prodded by scientists to worry that something would steal his soul if he didn't crush the eggs. He thinks of that in silence for a moment, and then answers Guilford's question.]

Yes, as far as I know. Miss Aureln Dawnstrike may know more; I do intend to talk to her before I make my own investigation of the place.

[audio//watch filter]

[as_you_command]

A common root of superstitions -- if not their very nature --, being passed down from person to person. Even the fae do not seem immune to such behavior. [ Not being able to cross running water, for example... ]

That sounds wise. I shall have to speak with her, as well.

[audio/watch filter]

[andallforone]

I'm a little skeevy about crossroads, I gotta admit. Never really been able to get over them, especially at night.

Uh... about ghosts... there's always that weird thing under the stairs. Only a few people can see it, though...

[audio/watch filter]

[as_you_command]

When faced with such a convergence of paths, what do you do to 'get over it'? [ That's the right phrase, right? ]

What manner of creature is it -- and under which stairs? [ Few buildings have multiple levels, after all. ]