WEEK ONE: MONDAY, 8PM, THE POOL

[parodeity]

[ for the record, dave actually shows up at the dinner served by the motel for some reason on monday, drifting over to sit with velvet, so he. kind of ate? she probably glared at him until he ate. why is she terrifying.

he's been probably a wreck most of the day but what else is new and he kind of slides onto the opposite side of the picnic table if that's where dirk is, looking anywhere but dirk for a minute or two before focusing and saying: ]

Yo.

[ he has to find a better way to start these things. ]

Comments

[parodeity]

You don't trust me.

[ THAT ARGUMENT ASIDE, he's still being restless as shit and runs a hand through his hair. he...usually stays still so there's probably something going on, but whatever. ]

So you like Emily.

[ still not thrilled about that apparently so why is he bringing it up again ]

[splinten]

[He kinda frowns because that's a stupid argument.] You don't get to decide whether or not I trust you. That's a thing I choose.

[So don't be an ass. But.]

Yeah, I do. She's a sweet kid and liked my ocean adventure stories. Am I not allowed to?

[parodeity]

I didn't say that. [ about not being allowed to. ] But fine, that's easier. If I turn up dead in the next few days, just keep an eye on her or...whatever.

[splinten]

If you turn up dead in the next few days, I'm going to make a deal with the Lovecraftian devil to bring you back and then call you an idiot.

[Thanks, Dirk. He gives a little shrug, though, and nods.] She doesn't seem... I don't know. When shit hit, we were ready for it, or at least we'd been raised to deal with it.

[And Emily wanted adventure stories about monsters. It's sad.]

[parodeity]

Don't.

[ just. don't. pretend he'd do that? dave doesn't even know if it's pretending, or whatever, but it's not the point. ]

There's shit I have to do and I'm gonna have to do it alone and it might kill me. So just...make sure she doesn't fuckin' die if it does.

[splinten]

Do what. [There's a flatness to his tone.] You don't have to do crap alone.

[parodeity]

Somethin' stupid.

[ that is apparently the explanation dirk is getting. this is what dave wanted to discuss. "hey there's a good chance i'm gonna get myself killed, so if i do, watch em?"

jfc ]

[splinten]

[Eyes. Narrowed.]

What kind of stupid.

[parodeity]

The potentially lethal kind of stupid. Obviously.

[ this is 100% enough detail. ]

[splinten]

[Okay that's it the shades are coming off. What's behind them are very concerned eyes, definitely frowning—

—and maybe scared. Very scared, if Dave looks close, and sees what's really happening there.]

Like what.

[parodeity]

[ dirk still doesn't know dave's actual eye color, does he. ]

Just a thing. It's kind of gonna be russian roulette.

[splinten]

[Nope but Dave can see more of Dirk's as they go wide.]

You mean where you have a six in seven chance of dying.

[parodeity]

I mean, yes, but I do not know how many rounds are chambered in the gun actually. Possibly all of them??? So...heads up.

[ WHAT THE FUCK IS HE DOING apparently he's not going to explain that but dirk gets a vague warning solely because dave is worried about a ten year old girl, and maybe out of some sense of obligation or something. ]

[splinten]

Dave! [He reaches to grab Dave's arm and if he hits, the tightness of his grip will match the tightness of his voice and expression.] Don't—holy shit, don't do this. Whatever this is. Don't—you can't—

[Yeah he doesn't have an argument, just deep alarm and fear.]

Please.

[parodeity]

[ well he can't say he'll be fine because he seems Unsure of whether or not that is actually the case.

dave didn't actually expect dirk to touch him - he's pretty sure it's actually the first time dirk has - so it hits and he freezes but: ]

No one else can. Probably.

[ fuck if he knows but he has a mission and dave...well, he's always been willing to throw his life down for that. ]

What did your rules say, exactly? [ topic change like the other one is clearly done with, obviously, completely.

he isn't trying to get away still. ]

[splinten]

[Dirk doesn't let go and the look on his face doesn't really change, just sinks a little more hopeless and a little more afraid. His voice is quiet but taut with his fears.

Reciting, word-for-word, the instructions does not seem to actually calm him. Obviously the topic is not done for him.]

1. The following rules are for your eyes only. The ink is invisible to those who surround you.
2. You have been granted a gift: an instant camera. You will find this item underneath your bed, primed and ready for use. It will be visible only to you and those who you willingly reveal your role to.
3. Just as the eyes are the window to the soul, photography is the gateway to this realm's secrets. Use your gift wisely, and you may catch a glimpse of that which is hidden to the naked eye.
4. Though you will have no need to hunt for film, the Innsmouth Motel and its staff must warn you there is a limit to how many photographs you may take. You may take up to five pictures per week.
5. This number will reset on Monday, after midnight. Nonetheless, we hope you are able to enjoy this gift.

[parodeity]

Huh. Okay.

[ that answers some specific question he didn't want to ask, apparently. ]

So yeah, russian roulette. You'll watch Emily if I hit a chambered bullet?

[splinten]

Don't hit a chambered bullet.

[He's begging with everything in him, eyes and voice and body. His teeth are biting into his lower lip.

But he gives a quiet nod, because he isn't going to abandon that kid. He just can't, can't accept Dave being gone.]

[parodeity]

[ there is a shrug, although dirk is still holding his arm, apparently. ]

I'm not intendin' to try to hit one. But my luck is not always stellar, and I know there have to be several. So if I die - yeah.

[ if he dies, that's it, but at least that's one thing off his list. ]

Did you try takin' pictures of any people.

[splinten]

[He shakes his head.] Other than Craftly, no. I have intentions on that front that I was going to warn you about when it was time.

[Meaning so Dave could get out of the photograph.]

[parodeity]

What intentions - wait, how'd his photo turn out?

[splinten]

[He takes out another picture? It shows him..... Craftly. Looking like a Craftly.] Jukebox and toy machines were similarly duds.

[parodeity]

Sorry they didn't pan out. [ he tried. ] What are your photo intentions.

[ APPARENTLY CAN'T LET THAT ONE GO. ]

[splinten]

What are your Russian roulette intentions? [Okay apparently this is where we are. With Dirk holding Dave still? At least it isn't quite a deathgrip anymore.

He adds, as a concession,]

I'm gonna make sure you aren't in the shot.

[parodeity]

Are you gonna make sure people don't realize there is a shot.

[ ignores completely dirk's question. ]

Is this how you're spendin' all five of your pictures this week?