SERGEANT NPC CONTACT

[cartesio]

The Lodge is located on the hills near the town, large and strange. It contrasts a lot when compared to the rest of the town -- its gray and white walls are quite the change from the vibrant and colorful Cartesio, the plants and bushes that are planted on the lower levels of the Lodge only make the contrast more obvious. There are many windows, but no matter how much you look you don't see anyone passing behind them. If you didn't know better you'd think it was completely empty.

But it isn't empty. The Sergeant is there.

You won't get too far into the Lodge before you encounter the Sergeant. There he is in the lobby, standing in front of a door that leads deeper into the building. No matter at what time you come or what you do, he'll always be there, reading self-help books, or with a mirror, practicing his next speech/confrontation. When he's not facing all of you at once, he seems to be easier to talk with.

Want to bother him?

Comments

[robitussin]

Something like that...?

[cartesio]

It was given to me. [It actually takes him a moment to add:] By my superior. Of course. It wasn't explained to me what it was or why you would want it back, all I know is that it's important to you.

Or...is that incorrect?

[It sounds like he's walking on eggshells and isn't sure what he should say and what isn't -- but unlike other times, there's this thick sensation he's trying to hide something intentionally.

The Sergeant has many traits, but being a good liar isn't one of them]

[robitussin]

...You don't know if it was important to me? And you don't trust that whoever gave it to you knows for sure, either?

[cartesio]

I trust enough to believe there's a reason why this dress was given to me. Look, it's not like I got it and thought 'I bet this is Natalie's dress when she got seven cavities filled' or whatever passes as a memorable event, all I knew when I got it was that it had some sort of meaning to you.

[robitussin]

Yeah, well, he was wrong. It's just something that's been hanging in my closet for ages.

[Which isn't true in the slightest, but it does bring memories that are just too raw to be comforting.]

...I don't want it. Can I exchange it for something else?

[cartesio]

[The Sergeant actually seems disappointed. He dawdles, shaking his head]

...no. One item per task done. Can't exchange it. Just keep it, okay?

[It's pretty obvious that, although he has made this entire mess about bringing people and telling them to kill each other, he's flying by the seat of his pants about many things.

This is once another moment added to the increasingly long list. It hasn't even been two weeks]

[robitussin]

[She sighs, glancing at the dress before she looks his way.]

Can I make a request for the next time you have us all break shit for you, then?

[cartesio]

Say it. Whether I listen or not is something I'll decide myself.

[Well that sure isn't a no!]

[robitussin]

...I want a piano. It feels - weird without one here.

[cartesio]

Does a piano even fit in your room?

[Apparently that's his main concern here]

[robitussin]

Couldn't you leave it somewhere else?

[cartesio]

...I could... [He thinks it for a moment] Fine. You do your best and I'll see what I can do.

[He mumbles]

Of all things a piano...now where am I supposed to find one...

[Looks like you have convinced him, Natalie. Good luck proving you deserve it]

[robitussin]

[She looks surprised, like she wasn't expecting it to be so easy, but...]

Okay, just so we're on the same page. By saying do your best, you're not implying I have to kill someone or anything to get it, right? Because... no.

[cartesio]

Technically that'd earn you a piano too, yes -- and the right to leave the town. But if you're that picky...

[So much contempt towards all the visitors. Come on, guys, it's just a teensy tiny murder. The deadline is approaching!]

Next week I should have a new task for you all. Just do everything in your power to help, like you did at the cinema. That was admirable of you.

[Somehow he sounds genuinely appreciative, excited like he was on Wednesday night]

[robitussin]

...Okay.

[There's a small pause, before another question is on the way.]

Why did you want us to do that, anyways?

[cartesio]

I wanted the sign. It's a historical artifact, so I wanted it. It's attached right over there now.

[He points at the wall above the entrance to the Lodge, and indeed, there is the sign, glowing blue and green. Still pretty garish, really]

It'd look better if Katsuki Bakugou hadn't broken part of it, but beggars can't be choosers. Explosions shouldn't get in the way of future tasks, that I can ensure.

[robitussin]

[She wants to ask about it, but first—]

Ensure how? You're not going to do anything to him, are you?

[cartesio]

No, I'll simply assign tasks that won't involve anything fragile, although knowing him, he'd still break stuff out of spite. Stupid kid.

[Katsuki Bakugou is a horrible kid, in his opinion. Curse him]

[robitussin]

...I mean, you had to have realized that before you brought him here, right?

[cartesio]

I did. I simply understimated how hard to manage he'd be. Things don't go like you expect them to sometimes, and planning ahead can only do you so much good.

I have a lot of faith on what I'm capable of, and what I can do, but the basic tenet of sociology is that people don't fit the expectations you have sometimes. Unpredictability is part of human nature.

I just am unlucky some of you are particularly unpredictable and infuriating.

[robitussin]

[A small smirk.]

I'm gonna guess this is your first time doing this, then.

[cartesio]

That obvious, isn't it? Sociology is my field. That field of study doesn't prepare you for this.

[He shrugs]

But orders are orders.

[robitussin]

Wait. You're telling me that you, like, went to college?

[cartesio]

You don't get anywhere in this field unless you're taught and filled with knowledge. How else do you think it happened?

[Pretty roundabout way to answer, but seems to be a yes]

[robitussin]

I don't know. It's just hard to picture. How'd you get mixed up in all this, then?