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

[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?

[splinten]

You are not answerin' my question, dude.

[parodeity]

You haven't answered mine.

[splinten]

I've answered basically all of yours so far. [So that's not exactly fair grounds.] But I'm hopin' to only take one shot on it. No one should notice.

[parodeity]

So you have some plan so they don't notice. [ IT'S TOTALLY NOT FAIR GROUNDS. ]

[splinten]

No, I'm gonna shout 'I have a magic camera!' at everyone and snap a shot right in front of their faces.

[parodeity]

Yeah ok asshole, so what's your plan???

[ BECAUSE HE APPARENTLY THINKS DIRK WOULD HAVE A DUMB PLAN christ ]

[splinten]

Not until you tell me yours.

[This is so stupid]

[parodeity]

...Guess that's that, then. Forget the other favor I was gonna ask. I should get back to whatever.

[ oh, wait: ]

Do you know what the fuck your "itch" is.

[splinten]

[Goddammit. His teeth grit.

Then he breathes out hard.]

The trial. Everyone would be gathered for the trial and busy focusing on the corpse. I can take a shot one-handed from a corner and get basically everyone in one go. If I can get you or Jake to help block me no one will even notice what I'm going.

[parodeity]

Better be me. I don't think any of them would know subtle if it walked up and knocked them the fuck out.

[ the harleyberts, he means.

...

harleybertglishes????

that's not as catchy. ]

At least you're assumin' there'll be one. You didn't say what all you think your itch is.

[splinten]

I'll tell you. Will you at least let me know your other favour to ask?

[A beat.] It's—building. Construction generally, I think. I keep wantin' to take things and put them together.

It would super help if I could have my mechanical crap right now, but obviously that ain't an option.

[parodeity]

I want to investigate shit.

[ that is potentially tied to whatever the fuck he has suddenly decided to do. ]

- uh, you could try takin' apart one of the...things. If...you used somethin' not a screwdriver. A fork? I don't know. [ vague. ] I was goin' to ask you to keep a photo or two in reserve for a few days. If I die obviously that doesn't matter, but just in case it...becomes relevant.

[splinten]

I'll keep a few. [BUT] You could probably do with a camera man whatever you've decided to investigate.

[parodeity]

You don't really have a thing that can be risked.

[splinten]

Do you? You're just—whatever your role is, you're—[Someone Dirk doesn't want to see dead]