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

[cartesio]

I cannot answer that. Secret.

[It's one of those things that is very sensitive information, you see]

[robitussin]

...Can I get a hint, or get a yes or no answer for three people?

[cartesio]

...okay, maybe the yes or no should work. Three people.

[Sounds like a compromise]

[robitussin]

Okay.

[She takes a few moments to think about it, deciding on the best way to decide which three people. Eventually:]

Keith, me, Dabi.

[cartesio]

I see...

[It takes him a moment to answer, but he does, he doesn't hesitate]

You and Keith are of more interest than Dabi.

[robitussin]

...Okay.

[A pause, considering that, before:]

And how are we defining interest, here?

[cartesio]

Those who are vital for the completion of our plans.

[Not that Dabi is superfluous, it's more like in terms of priority he's not on the same level than Keith and Natalie]

[robitussin]

...What?

[She pauses, clearly growing distressed.]

What do you mean, vital? I'm not - helping you or anything, now that the grave thing is done with!

[cartesio]

Natalie, did you know you once almost got your ticket out of the town? You almost earned a medal.

[Well that sure is a wild change of topic, but if it's the direct response...then it must be related]

[robitussin]

What? But I... I didn't kill anyone, I thought that was the whole point. The way to get a medal, or whatever.

[cartesio]

That's part of it, but it's not the only way to earn the right to depart, remember?

[The tasks he has given you all, he means]

[robitussin]

...You mean the thing with the sign.

[cartesio]

Yes. Do you think you did anything special back then?

[robitussin]

...No, I just grabbed the stupid thing and brought it back! That's not...

[cartesio]

[He shrugs. He seems rather proud, in a twisted way]

Yes. As far as you know, you didn't do anything outstanding, yet you almost earned it. Even if I ended giving it to someone else, that fact doesn't change. To be frank, you and everyone else are being a lot of help. There's barely anything during these weeks that haven't fit in some manner in our plans.

I'm afraid resistance is futile, Natalie. I designed this entire exercise to be successful. Barring specific circumstances I doubt will happen, there's no "wrong answer" to our plans -- and even if those circumstances happen, it'll be a pyrrhic victory and trust me, you don't want them.

You all have no option but to play under our rules even if you don't realize it

[robitussin]

...No. That's not true. You're - lying, that's not true.

[As if to punctuate that, she shakes her head.]

Next time I'll just stay outside and not go along on your stupid field trip. Then you won't get what you want.

[cartesio]

Do you think that will work?

[He almost sounds eager to see how that goes]

[robitussin]

Why wouldn't it? Sakura and Gant stayed outside last time, and they didn't break anything or ruin anything, or... They didn't make anyone hate us any more than they already do! They were fine!

[cartesio]

We'll see. I wish you good luck -- because you're supposing it'll be that simple.

[It won't be. A certain mod is looking forward to the future events, haha!]

[robitussin]

What are you even... Why am I vital or whatever? What did I do, or what do you think I'm going to do, or...

[She sounds frantic, but she takes a breath.]

Is it all the questions? Is it the mausoleum thing? I...

[cartesio]

[He mimes zipping his lips. Somehow despite having no face. Welp]

[robitussin]

Come on, just...

[A pause, frowning.]

What if one of the people you thought was vital gets killed? You can't predict the future.

[cartesio]

...it already happened.

[That seems to deflate him a little]

It was 100% unavoidable, from a numbers standpoint, but it's something we knew we had to deal with. That's just how this goes.

[Not telling which one or which ones among the dead he's referring to, though]

[robitussin]

...Wait.

[She pauses, forming another thought.]

Is that why... You sounded different after Bakugou died?

[cartesio]

[The shadows over his face flare up, like they're threatening to extend further]

That complete idiot was more bark than bite!

[...hum...he calms down, fearing he had shown too much of his feelings]

...also no, it wasn't that.

[He had his reasons to be upset, but not really because of that, it seems]