tellthestory | THE BOX OFFICE

THE BOX OFFICE

This is where you can meet privately with the Balladeer! The Balladeer is almost always around during the day; just knock.

(Secretly, the door's usually not locked if he's inside. But you wouldn't want to be rude, would you?)

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[So. That was a shitshow. But you know what you do after a shitshow? You check on your crew. Or well, you try to. Some of these people are weirdly resistant to being his crew?? Why. Why would you do this.

The Pirate King knocks on the door later in the day, when the others are busy elsewhere. It's not like he's being secretive about visiting the Balladeer, but he'd rather not deal with questions about why he's talking to the guy, so!]

Come in!

[He calls this from inside, apparently not feeling like actually getting the door today. He doesn't sound any happier than earlier.]

[He didn't think the Balladeer would, but in he comes anyway!! Has your place been spruced up any since the last time he was here?]

Good afternoon! Well, it's not very good at all, is it? How are you holding up?

[Well, there's a few loose pieces of paper on his desk now, as well as a steaming mug of something. The Balladeer's seated there, reading from that large book he carried through the announcement. His expression is resigned at first, but morphs quickly into surprise.]

Oh! Hey! I - kinda thought you were Hans.

Hans? Oh, does he come to pester you frequently?

[well damn, hans, just befriend the balladeer first why don't you???]

Pretty often. Also can't imagine he's too pleased with me right now.

[Having just called him out in front of everyone]

But I really wish he'd watch what he says closer, so it evens out.

I've no doubt he'll be more careful from now on. It truly is unfortunate he said such a thing and gave your boss - bosses? - an idea like that.

[The Balladeer sighs and inclines his head.]

I know he didn't mean for it to really happen. Just - this is going to make it harder for you.

Indeed, it is. However! I don't believe we have any reason to worry! Our little group is much stronger than the promise of a wish! I doubt there are many who would even take that seriously, much less consider murder for a chance like that. There is no guarantee that the wish could even be granted in the first place!

[YEP WE WILL TOTALLY NOT BE IN TEARS IN A FEW DAYS, NOPE.]

[IT'LL BE FIIIIIIINE]

I mean, if management says they can do it, I'd believe them myself. But I'm...probably not gonna spread that around. If you guys don't believe them, that's just better for everyone right now.

[He doesn't really mind telling the Pirate King that, at least. He's probably not going to kill anyone so easily.]

I'm not supposed to interfere if anyone attempts murder, but there's no rules that I have to talk you into it.

Hmm... I do appreciate that warning, but I appreciate that you won't tell the others that more. Thank you for not trying to push us any further than you must; I can only imagine that there are some people willing to go to such lengths if it were in their best interests to do so.

[It's a nasty thought, but not one he's naive enough to dismiss entirely.]

You've been a very accommodating host, actually. I ought to thank you for that as well!

You're welcome! I figure it's the least I can do - the more comfortable you are here, the less likely you are to kill someone to get out, right?

[It's not quite as simple as that, but it's one thing he has a little control over.]

I've enjoyed my time living here, so I didn't really expect you all to dislike it so much. Not at first. But some plants and cards and things, that's no problem.

It would seem that many of the people here find this too small a place to be trapped in. I don't see it, but I suppose that's because I've spent the past thirteen years on a ship.

[It's been a wild ride.]

You're an interesting man to talk to, Balladeer! ...Do you have a name I should call you or is the title fine?

That would do it. Though you've got the whole ocean if you're out on a ship, don't you?

[That's small and huge all at the same time.]

No, I'm like you, it's just the title. [...wait] Do you have an actual name?

True! The space within the ship is confined, but the open ocean...

[Dreamy sigh!! Anyway.]

I do have a name! I haven't used it in so long, though. It really isn't worth picking it up again. Billy the First [billy flynn] is trying to find a name that suits me, but I doubt he'll ever have any luck with it.

I should've figured. [Why would he just be named the Pirate King? But it's what he goes by now, so that's fun.] What's he come up with so far?

...At one point he tried to call me Arthur.

[Apparently that one is the gravest insult.]

I will let you know if he finds something particularly ill-fitting or something plausible, but I doubt he'll manage anything I actually like!

That doesn't seem very pirate-y.

[He gets it, man]

He probably won't. Big difference between a fancy lawyer and a pirate king.

That's very true! He'll certainly have a difficult time of finding something worthy of the Pirate King!

[i'm sorry about him]

It's a challenge! But I won't hold my breath. It'd be a pain to re-do the signs anyway.

[And, truth be told, it's way too entertaining the way it is now.]

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THE BOX OFFICE

Tuesday, after the motive

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man i'm sorry it took so long for me to get back to this

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