[ oof, he's tempted to do a big 180 and walk right back out when he sees scien at the observation deck, but then he thinks about how fondly dahut had talked about him, and how maybe he really is just another socially incompetent dark-aura loser like ichimatsu-niisan, so. he doesn't. ]

Hey...

[ he's still kind of in shock himself, and the emotions are sort of a sad, confused static, because what the fuck. ]

[todomatsu deserves so much better than this he's being so nice and scien's out here being a freak

because he's in the middle of checking every nook and cranny in the observation deck, as if it's going to give him any clues because he doesn't know how murdergames work. also in his emotions there's this odd, strange feeling of anger coming from him. it's still not exactly the right manifestation of the emotion, but it becomes more and more recognizable the stronger it gets. and it is building slowly - until it stops. disappears. and then... builds again. like a constant cycle in the background, grinding at the nerves.

his eyes narrow for a moment before his brain supplies Dahut's roommate]

Did you notice anything?

[ yikes... not like he can blame him. ]

No... He wasn't in the room when I left last night.

[ goes over to the window and looks out, like he's half expecting dahut to come cartwheeling by in a space suit on the other side again. that's what's supposed to happen, right? this isn't supposed to be some heavy, dramatic atmosphere. it's too early. ]

He was with me, and half the ship. Observation Deck. Luke also died there.

[said in that sense of like

'in case that's relevant to you']

Did he report anything strange to you in the days prior? Aches in his chest? A cough?

[ well, now he's turning to look back toward the center of the room. ]

Eh-? So, right here...?

[ fuck. though at the same time, it's a little reassuring to know dahut hadn't been alone that night. he really would have felt like shit if he'd left him in the room by himself.

he tries to think back to their conversations, but if anything like that had come up before, it's not coming to mind now. he shakes his head. ]

...Mm, nothing like that. [ ... ] I know he was... having a hard time, feeling so many strong emotions from everyone, but...

Closer to there.

[he just points toward where the locked door was. help.

but scien just frowns at the mention of fucking emotionshare knocking out his stupid lil dahut]

That wouldn't have been enough to kill him. At least, likely not. Disorient, perhaps, but he was still fully conscious and responsive before we passed out even though everyone was falling apart.

[ looks over toward the door... ]

Well, yeah, I didn't think it would... that was just the only trouble I knew about.

[ a memory of dahut being huddled up under the blankets radiating anxiety probably comes through vaguely in his thoughts, which just makes the vibes sadder... man. there's a little blip of curiosity as he processes the rest of that response, though. ]

Falling apart...? Because of the lockdown?

[ most of his own group hadn't been freaking out that badly. (just him.) ]

[ . . .

the vague echo of a memory is still processed poorly in scien's, but there is a flicker of something almost briefly, sort of pitifully fond. like the feeling you get when you ruffle a loser's head and go 'oh, you.' it disappears quickly though]

I don't care to explain myself too many times. I'll bring it up tomorrow if anyone has any concerns about what it had to do with Dahut's state of existence.

But yes. The fact that Luke's poor health was broadcasted to everyone didn't help ease anxiety. Everyone was in shambles.

[ his "state of existence"...? he doesn't know exactly what that's supposed to mean, but he guesses there isn't much point in pressing it now if it's going to come up later.

but at the revelation about luke he blinks. huh? poor health? ]

Wait, he was sick? He seemed fine at the party to me.

His profile lists 'lying' as a skill.

[scien thinks it's so funny what people choose to miss]

I mean, I lie all the time too, but that doesn't usually equate to successfully hiding a dire illness!

I wouldn't say with confidence that it was a 'dire illness' or perhaps something else exacerbated by stress and environment.

Still, people hide things well. It's for the best if all of you stop taking things at face value just because it's what you'd like to hear.

It'd also be pretty great for everybody if you tried being straightforward about things you want us to see the truth about instead of the dramatic cryptic bullshit.

And why would I do that disservice to Dahut?

You tell me!! If you want to let him keep his secrets then stop hinting that they existed and we should have figured them out! God, you're annoying.

Dahut enjoyed getting in my business, trying to tell me to make friends, even as he happily deceived others. I'm not above retaliation, but I also think that people should own up to their own mistruths.

[so he'll like plant the seed of doubt but won't doxx, like an asshole]

Admit your frustration that you missed plenty of obvious things despite my warning and do better next time. Maybe you won't be so easily tricked.