WEEK 5

[grimgrinningghosts]

[It's been a month now, and even more people keep dying. Even more, one of the beloved (if.... very weird) guests killed two people just because it was "funny", and while there seems to be other people they don't seem too interested in helping out or even being seen.

This week a new land opens to the public which, depending on the last trial might be a blessing or a curse.]

17 Guests Remain

[SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY]

Comments

[in4apounding]

Oh.

[She is in no way equipped to handle this kind of thing.]

Well- you're worrying now? Or worried about not worrying. That. Probably counts for something? That you at least want to care?

[studentbody]

[It's okay, Penny. Cleo's just trying to work through some shit here. She gives Penny a weak smile.]

I guess that's true. Maybe I should just, like, try to be more like you. Everyone likes you, after all...

[in4apounding]

But then you wouldn't be you- wait, everyone, really?

[Genuine concern is briefly overcome by confusion.]

[studentbody]

Uh, yeah. Nobody's killed you yet, and you're nice to pretty much everyone. Even Gandhi, who's an idiot.

[in4apounding]

I don't think he's that bad.

[Mostly. When he's not stoned out of his gourd.]

...And no one's tried to kill you, either. ...They haven't, have they?! Who tried something?!

[studentbody]

W-what! No, nobody's tried to kill me. But I also don't think any of them really....like or respect me? It's weird. I never cared about that crap before. I just assumed everyone loved me, because it seemed like that was all that mattered....

[Amazing how much more coherent she sounds when she's not trying to sound vapid and dumb!]

[in4apounding]

I- don't think it's bad, to want to be liked.

["You called me 'friend'. Am I really your friend?"]

And I like you, at least.

[studentbody]

You...do?

[Cleo blinks up at Penny in surprise, trying to squish down the weird, warm feeling that wants to burble up in her stomach and out of her mouth.]

In, like....a friend way, right? Like, as friends?

[If she just plays it down then she doesn't have to have her feelings hurt. How is she all of a sudden concerned about having her feelings hurt???]

[in4apounding]

Yes? ...And. Yes? You said we were friends, of course I like you as a friend. I mean- if you were an enemy or something I'm not even sure how that would work unless we stopped being enemies first.

[Comforting hand on shoulder? This seems like a hand on shoulder situation.]

But- you're really sensational. Really. I promise I'll keep thinking that even if you kind of don't.

[studentbody]

[Every fiber of Cleo's being is straining against explaining what she meant. This is painful. This must have been what the real Cleopatra felt like when Marc Antony broke her heart. She gives Penny a weak smile.]

Don't worry about, I'm just being weird. Thanks, Penny. You're...I think you're that, too. Sensational.

[in4apounding]

...Thanks. And I think you're a better friend than you think you are.

[Yeah, she's just gonna pull Cleo into a hug before she goes. Seems like the time.]

[studentbody]

[oh no this is So Much right now. Cleo hugs Penny back, feeling her cheeks burn. What is happening. Is her face on fire? She's literally never blushed before in her entire life.]

Guess I'll just have to take your word for it.