THE BOX OFFICE

[tellthestory]

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?)

Comments are screened for privacy!

Comments

[tellthestory]

...why?

[lifegoalsorwifegoals]

Because I know from this [the hand] that wishing for anything isn't always without a price and being able to evaluate the situation fully is something I'd like to do.

[Her voice is low and serious.]

Aside from the...conditions to get out of here. Do these wishes your management promises come with something like that? Can they create 1 from 0? Do they unleash karma upon you for each wish?

[tellthestory]

You're gonna get a ton of karma if you get caught killing someone.

[fuck off, he knows why you ask]

[lifegoalsorwifegoals]

[alright so we're doing it this way then]

I know that much, Balladeer-san. I just want to know if the wishes are real or if they have to take something to give it.

[tellthestory]

Like nineteen lives?

[yeah we're 100% doing this the hard way]

[lifegoalsorwifegoals]

[That gives her pause.]

...You did say, only if the culprit is caught is everyone else safe...

[She grinds her teeth for a moment.]

Why...are you trying to keep me from considering this? Why do you work for this...place, if you so strongly push back?

[tellthestory]

[He bristles.]

Just because you can murder people here doesn't mean you should. You can murder people for gain practically anywhere! And yet, lots of people don't ever kill anybody!

[lifegoalsorwifegoals]

Most people aren't put in a situation like this, Balladeer-san, and that's not what I- why are you saying this, why- a-are you just another captive, the opera house's puppet? Why would they use someone opposed as their mouthpiece?

[tellthestory]

I think you're all being tempted enough without me dancing around playing devil's advocate! I'm not -

[Whatever he was about to say, he cuts it off, looking frustrated.]

I'm not supposed to interfere with any murder attempts. But that doesn't mean I can't give you my opinion.

[lifegoalsorwifegoals]

[She is sillent for a long moment. Her fingers run down the clenched knuckles of the Money's Paw.]

I misjudged your position here, sir, and for that I apologize. [She turns away, facing the door.] I, ah, can see p-pressing this won't do either of us any g-good.

[tellthestory]

I'm not gonna help you with pros and cons, no. The only way I'll get involved is to oversee the execution, if you do it and get caught.

[Is that a threat? It's not like he hasn't made a convicted killer's fate clear already.]

There's nothing waiting for you that's worth this.

[lifegoalsorwifegoals]

[...]

I think, maybe, your role in this little play is even more cruel than ours.

[tellthestory]

This...isn't about me.

[lifegoalsorwifegoals]

I know. It's about me...and everyone else here. I'm not blind enough to forget that. [She sighs] Thank you for your words, Balladeer-san. I have...much to consider.

[tellthestory]

I guess you do.

[Maybe if he could say something to change her mind...but he doesn't know what that would be. Isn't the nineteen other people out there the best reason?]