Vitcity

“I suppose I’m just curious is all. Ever since you mentioned yesterday how it would have been even worse if you had warned anyone, I haven’t been able to stop wondering exactly how much worse.”

Dewey

"Ah.  A fair question.  That depends on your point of view and what your goals are, to be fair.  For one, it's not as if I was exactly keeping secrets about things.  Everyone knew - or should have heard from someone or another - that monsters are attracted to strong emotions, and that keys react to the user's wishes.  If they have some strong, subconscious desire... even a strongly negative one... ah, I suppose you saw the results.  Making everyone too scared to use their key is the worst possible outcome, for everyone..." Mareena pauses, then looks up at the sky.  "Neither of the worlds could be saved without them.  As for why I didn't warn anyone specifically about what would happen... there is a lot more grey there.  Honestly?  I'm well aware some people might not agree with my decisions given all the information about the possibilities, but it was my choice and I made it and I stick to it.  Had they been warned, many of the others close to the victims would have rushed to try to aid them.  In some cases, they would have slowed the progression.  Perhaps even stopped it.  On the other hand, they may have made things worse and sped the process alone.  In the 2nd worst case, they may have been close by when the transformation took place and been grievously injured... or worse.  And were that to occur, the ones who transformed... two of them, anyway, would have blamed themselves and been inconsolable for their actions.  Admittedly, having all three at once caused much more spread-out damage, even if we managed to prevent any casualties, and it was the more risky option in terms of injuries.  But I trusted everyone would be fine with fighting by now.  Or else what will come later would be... far too much.  Ah, and it was enough of a disaster that it forced certain individuals to take action..."

Mareena shrugs dramatically.  "It was a greater risk of minor injury or property damage, and a lower risk of serious injury.  That was my decision."

Nora pauses for a moment, caught off guard. "This is where Mercia gave me my key... And told me to use it to protect you."

Nora tightens her grip around Alice, practically half carrying her at this point. She stoops down, letting Alice lean against her, supporting her. "Come on, dear. I've got you. You can do this."

Dewey

"It's a gag order," Mareena explains. "The newspapers can't cover it.  The few people who saw anything through the fog during the shelter at home order can't go around talking about monsters, it's just being explained as paranoid hallucinations.  Though, some people know what's going on.  There is some physical evidence, after all.  The truth will come out.  Sooner or later.  But for now...  Hello."

Mareena turns to wave at the new figure arriving.  You recognize that new arrival that helped out yesterday, the one dressed like a swordfighter from a classic swashbuckler story.  He seems to be muttering something angrily to himself until he spots you and stops.


Nora

Alice manages to slink out of the elevator. "If you can't walk... crawl... or get someone to drag you..." she mutters quietly. Once she's on stable ground, she takes a deep breath and shakes herself. She takes a few unsteady steps on her own, then pauses for another breath. She snaps around and smiles. "See? E-easy. Easy as pushing a button."

You look around the room and find, other than a lot of things being missing and probably downstairs, it's very clean.  Alice wanders a bit, checking the refrigerator - empty - and a few other spots.  As she approaches the window she starts breathing faster and quickly steps back, but shrugs it off after a few seconds.

She reaches into her bag and pulls out her chess set.  "Now, where were-"

The elevator dings again and Marin comes rushing out.  She takes a moment to lock on before rushing over to grab Alice.  After a few seconds she grabs you, too.  After another awkward few seconds she takes a step back.  "I'll... let you two have some privacy, but... well, I know there's no food here, so how about I whip up something special for dinner, hm?"

"That's... That sounds nice, Mom," Alice says.

Dewey

The masked student looks between you and Mareena exectantly for a moment, hands behind his back, clearly unhappy with his circumstances as he sniffs the air.  "Pleasant greetings, Mareena! How are you? I wasn't expecting a see a guest here as well.  What's the occasion? This is hardly the place one goes to for a casual get-together."

Mareena goes back to scanning the piles of trash.  "Monster hunting. Need to make sure nothing slipped out around here."

"I see. How exciting! Glad I came dressed for adventure." The swordsman looks to Dewey. "What of you, stranger? Surely you don't mean to investigate this rotten place in plainclothes."


Nora

"Yes.  She is."  Marin stares knowingly at Nora grabbing Alice's hand as she turns on her heel.  "I'll take my time cooking, I think."

Alice, bright red, doesn't move until she disappears into the elevator.  As soon as it dings and her mother disappears, Alice gently bumps her shoulder into you.  "N-not in front of my mom, you... charming... charmer."  She turns her back and stares out the window.  "...But I'm glad you're here."

Nora chuckles. "And here I was, taking it easy on you, too... I could have kissed you in front of her instead. God, but you're adorable when you're embarassed..."

Nora wraps an arm around Alice's waist and looks out through the window with her, leaning slightly against her shoulder. "I'm glad I'm here, too. Speaking of embarassing, I might even have to thank my father for choosing to send me to this city... Ugh. He'd be so smug about it. But enough of that horrible thought. What shall we do now, hm?"