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[clockingout]

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text; sep 13

[gleamstone]

[ There are three things Lessia has gathered so far. One, there is theoretically a four-digit phone number corresponding to every non-native student in the school. Two, if your name is known to a specific person, it will appear as a 'contact' on their phone. And three... the number '23' branded on her stomach is supposed to mean something.

Of course, she's not certain about any of the above. And in hindsight, contacting a random four-digit stranger as a means to answers may be a dangerous idea. But without risk, there's no reward. ]

23

[ That's it. That's the text. ]

[clockingout]

[He doesn't get it at all. He doesn't know what it means. Maybe it's referring to the number that he has heard is tattooed on all who are kidnapped here (his is on his right upper back, above the scapula), but he really doesn't know. Well, no fault in trying to figure it out, no?]

23 what? The writing on our bodies?

[gleamstone]

[ 'Our'? Lessia stares at the phone for a good moment, mind whirring. Of course. That strange, red-eyed girl had mentioned something about the 'hallucinations' of the school affecting everyone. It shouldn't be too much of a surprise, really, considering everyone looked so similar. Even their phones were identical. ]

23. do you know why?

[ Have a not-answer. ]

[clockingout]

[This is far more than a hallucination. If it was, Cheriour would be sure he'd get rid of it easily. But no amount of scrubbing or anything could remove the thing.]

No I am afraid not! So far there is no rhyme or reason to this number. From what I know it is present on every single person who has been brought to this place.

[gleamstone]

[ Another pause. Longer, this time. In fact, it takes her a whole minute to reply, but when she does: ]

23. i know why.

[ If he suspects even a little that her heart is RACING LIKE CRAZY because of how risky this is, he would be correct! She has no idea what she's doing. No idea what her purpose her is, even if she knows (or think she knows) why she's here. But that's what this is all about, isn't it? A trial. She's not exactly new to trials; it just so happens that this time, there are no guidelines. ]

[clockingout]

[Well, that's not something he's expecting to see. Cheriour blinks at the message, dumbfounded, before quickly moving to reply. If this person knows, then it could be important.]

Really?? What does it mean?

[gleamstone]

23. do you consider yourself loyal?

[ He's not going to get any answers from her, unfortunately. ]

[clockingout]

[...Okay??? This is strange. No answers, just a question. A rather personal question.]

Yes, I believe I am very loyal.

What does 23 mean?

[gleamstone]

[ Personal is the best way of getting someone's attention. (That said, Lessia still has no idea what she's doing.) ]

patience, 23. if you are truly loyal, you will know in time.

[ Now for another pause. Really, Lessia half-expects to be struck dead any second now. ]

remember this. andra and thildra are your enemies.

[ Thank Sierbel that the stranger can't hear her heartbeat (or so she thinks). At its current rate, she could run around the school twice and still have energy to spare. ]

[clockingout]

[What in the world? What are these names? Is he 23? But isn't everyone else 23? HE'S SO CONFUSED.]

What? Who are they? Who are you? Please answer me!

[gleamstone]

[ ... Well, she hasn't been struck dead yet. Maybe she really is under Sierbel's protection, after all. ]

your enemies, 23. they seek to keep you here.

i'm not safe, 23. [ She can't tell you who she is. ]

but you can be.

[clockingout]

My enemies??

Who are you? Tell me who you are and I can keep you safe! I would rather not be safe if it meant that you were safe from harm.

[gleamstone]

do you wish to leave this place, 23?

[ Sorry, stranger, you're playing right into her hands here. ]

time is running out.