GUEST SERVICES - HUNTER

[cluedin]

Comments

[counterclocked]

[He hesitates for a long moment, but - then he steps into that darkness, squinting slightly.]

Hey. Any chance we could turn a light on...?

[cluedin]

... Yes. [ It's the same echo-y tone and once Hunter enters the room, the lights will flicker on to reveal a room. Seated cross legged on the floor in this room is a figure who seems to be watching Hunter curiously. ]

Better?

[ don't @ me, they're wearing pants. ]

[counterclocked]

...Yeah, that's better.

[He's trying not to stare even as he walks further in, though he does look their way.]

Nice digs that you've got. Has this always been your room? I heard you used to be a guest here.

[cluedin]

[ They watch him walk around but make no move to get up from their spot, frowning lightly at his question before they look around the room. The vine that comes from the flower in their eye curls a little. ]

I was... invited. [ so. yes? they don't seem too fond of it themselves, though. ]

[counterclocked]

... Right. And you’ve been stuck here since then, but you’ve been trying to find a way to get everybody out.

[After a moment of hesitation:]

Can I sit?

[cluedin]

Yes.

[ ... it's apparently an answer to both questions, since they just seem to be waiting for hunter to sit down now. ]

[counterclocked]

[As he does so:]

Is Blue your real name? Either way, it’s nice to meet you.

[cluedin]

Nice to meet you. [ they echo. though they seem to be pondering how to answer that first question, vine curling and uncurling, before settling on: ] Blue is the name you can use.

[counterclocked]

Okay. Blue it is, then.

[After a moment:]

Not that it's bad or anything, but - have you always looked like this, too?

[cluedin]

[ they look down at themselves blankly for a second ]

Like what?

[counterclocked]

Oh, just - the flower, and... You know what, never mind, it doesn't really matter. I was just curious.

[cluedin]

Curiosity is fine.

[ they don't seem offended? but they tilt their head ]

I am not human.

[ ... obviously, blue... ]

[counterclocked]

Right, yeah. I kind of got that... But, um, what are you? If that's not completely rude, please ignore me if it is.

[cluedin]

[ they're... obviously thinking about how to respond. ]

Different. [ is a word they settle on. they gesture at the wall with one hand, and the vines on their chest and eye both follow to help point. ] We are similar.

[ ... so not much of an answer. ]

[counterclocked]

Yeah, I think so too.

[After a moment:]

It's good to finally get to talk to you. I didn't think I'd really get the chance before we got out of here.

[cluedin]

The girls are better with guests. But you did not like the letters.

[ they seem a little bummed out about it??? ]

[counterclocked]

[He looks towards the ground for a moment, rubbing at his neck.]

Sorry. I should have written back, I just - it's not an excuse. I wasn't sure we could trust you, but... Now I get that you've been trying to help us the entire time.

[cluedin]

[ they shake their head lightly. ]

Understandable to be wary. Information in this place can be... [ what's a non pissed off way to say it? ] treacherous. And you have been through a lot.

[ hunter specifically or the gang in general? they do not expand ]

[counterclocked]

[He's not sure which way to take it, either, so after a moment:]

Yeah. It hasn't been easy for anyone. But... It's not like you brought us here just to mess with us.

[cluedin]

No. But I knew it would happen.

[ they might not want any of this but they share the blame? they're fine admitting that. ]

[counterclocked]

Right, but... What would have happened if you didn't bring us here?

[...]

If we do fuck up and all of us die, though, I would definitely recommend an age limit for the next time you do this. The part where there's an 11 year old here is kind of messed up.

[cluedin]

[ oh. they blink their one eye ]

Eleven is... young.

[ this sounds like they're trying to confirm it more than agreeing. ]

[counterclocked]

[He nods.]

Yeah. Like, really young. Nobody's ever told you that before...?

[cluedin]

Previous guests said they were not children.

[ sometimes the youngest people are ... stubborn. ]

[counterclocked]

[He sighs.]

Well, they were. And, I mean, most of us are, too. Usually the cut off age is around 18, but I'd definitely put it higher for something like this.