>>6342222“You mean these?” Crossbill appears… with all the three beanies in hand! Yours (Celia’s), Beanie Hedgehog’s (Celia’s), and Liu’s (Liu’s)! “Hehe, what is up here?” it’s dawning on her the nonsense presented. She passes all the hats back.
“There you are, Crossbill! I was waiting for you.” You pump your fist. “Hold on, how did you get in here? You didn’t ask for the password!”
“You already know.” Crossbill winks, she lockpicked it. “Vera, good to see you having fun! Here to finish the job as well?”
“Do I look like I’m having fun?” Vera grumbles. “Liu, point at us for dramatic effect.”
“…!” Liu uses her large unwieldy hands to do so. She’s getting a hang of it.
“Hey there as well, Liu. Looking cutesy as always.” Crossbill finds it funny.
“I-I hope I can be of help!” Liu doesn’t want to let anyone down.
“And a new face…” Crossbill looks at Lydie with some reservations.
“Salutations, Ms. Senator! The name is Lydie, and I’m an example to all my peers and allies! I have unrivaled athletics, and a never-say-never attitude!” Lydie presents herself with pride, despite the fact she’s the bottom of the tower of madness.
“You look to be quite the character.” Crossbill doesn’t know if this is a good thing.
“I’m easily endeared to those around me, just like my love; I’m Johnny’s girlfriend!” Lydie smiles.
“Pretend-to-be.” Vera clarifies. She already knows the gist about that, huh?
“By the way, nice thinking on the mind games bit during the Rock Papers Scissors game, Lydie.” You add.
“I’m starting to puzzle together what may have happened.” Crossbill is trying to deduce it instead of asking. Not only it’d be faster if she does ask, but it’d be accurate — ‘cause there’s no way in hell she learns the truth otherwise. “You aren’t the one deeply involved in this criminal affair, Lydie. That much I can tell.”
“Indeed, I’m an upstanding member of society! My crimes are always greatly exaggerated!” Lydie gives her iconic haughty laugh. Vera grumbles at the latent contradiction of what she hears.
“No Vortexia today? Is she busy with her idol work?” Crossbill wonders.
“Yeah… Too many days off the road...” You lament that the Clumsy Idol has a bunch of stuff to do… It’s not like you’re her boss or manager. Hold on a minute...
“Where are Rora and the *actual* new girl?” Crossbill wonders.
“In the back, talking. They have a lot of things to get straight.” You won’t get into the details.
