GUEST SERVICES - TOI

[cluedin]

Comments

[cluedin]

Well, then I can assure you we left it entirely up to chance. Did you think there was another reason?

[soba]

More like I was really hoping there wasn't?

[cluedin]

I see. I hope this gives you some relief, then. [ she pauses ] There is also no need to concern yourself about your wounds.

[ was he. concerned. ]

[soba]

You mean I'm not going to turn into a werefish?

[cluedin]

You will not.

[ she confirms. and then, after a beat: ]

Or a wereanything else in relation to the wounds inflicted on you.

[ in case this turns stupider ]

[soba]

[ hmmm ]

What was the difference then?

[cluedin]

As you saw, his affliction was still only partial. We believe it is only contagious once the transformation has fully set in.

[soba]

That's... good.

[ that's pretty low on the list of things he wants ]

Why did Kaioh die? She broke a rule, right? Did she not vote?

[cluedin]

You are correct. She broke a rule and was punished accordingly.

[soba]

So not voting is more severe than voting for yourself?

[cluedin]

There was no official written rule about not voting for yourself. It is more of a ... misdemeanor, I assume. [ she shrugs a little

like losing fingers to misdemeanors is fine ]

[soba]

... that was a misdemeanor? What is this, the yakuza?

[cluedin]

[ pensive; ]

Perhaps it would be simpler if it was.

[soba]

It really wouldn't.

[ that comes out more sharply than he meant it to. there's a pause, and toi sighs. ]

Well. Maybe you're right.

[cluedin]

[ ah ]

You are personally familiar with them, then?

[soba]

[ hnn... oh well ]

It's not that uncommon. Their reach is pretty big.

[cluedin]

I suppose I will take your word for it. [ she brushes her skirt ] I can't say I'm all too familiar with them myself.

[soba]

... usually it's just things like owing them money. People take loans, or get into debt other ways, and end up owing them way more money than they can ever pay. A lot of the time people don't even realize the people they're borrowing money from are gangs.

[cluedin]

I see... And since they owe so much money, they have no choice but to work for them in some ways, I assume?

[soba]

More or less. Usually they add on interest, so even if you're able to pay off the original amount, you're still going to end up stuck with 'em in the end. It's pretty brutal.

[cluedin]

[ she looks around the room a bit ]

And so then you owe a debt to a dangerous entity for the rest of your life. I wonder how many would believe death the only escape.

[ that's dark, bunny. ]

[soba]

A lot.

[ ... ]

Is it familiar?

[cluedin]

Somewhat, I suppose. It is certainly a concept I have heard of before, at the very least.

[soba]

[ hmm. ]

Well, it's not that unusual for people to end up taking their life over it.

[cluedin]

How terrible. [ she tilts her head ] Has it happened to someone you know?