holyspirits | W5 CYOA - Zhongli, Akihiko, Laurence, Ali Zoph

[Yikes.

Ali does his best to look annoyed, like in the way a teenager would pout.]

They're not answering their texts...I can't believe we skipped school for this.

I can't believe they convinced us to let them come alone in the first place.

[Akihiko mutters, like he's upset and in disbelief, and then raises his head]

Wait, did they already came here today...? They better not have come here before us to eat and then leave us abandoned.

[He's really, really trying to make his annoyance convincing. Is it working? He doesn't know. He's never really tried acting as a hobby!]

[ I only have two icons, but his expression drops a bit. Becomes more... skeptical. He doesn't necessarily think you're trying to run a scam here, but he does think it's possible you got SUPER DITCHED by your friend. And have no money.

Especially because, now that he thinks about it... ]

They... were in here earlier, yeah... So why would they come meet you here again?

[ He believes you that The Idol is your friend. Probably... But maybe you're two broke bitches trying to dine and dash. ]

[Well. They didn't order at least.]

C'mon Aki, let's go find them.

[Maybe if they scoot now they won't get in trouble. Ali scoots out of his spot and gives the biggest lost puppydog face as he asks Chance a question.]

Do you know which way they went? We'll go grab 'em and come back.

[When Akihiko hears the Idol was here earlier, his face sours]

Damn it!

[That's easier to fake -- because it's genuine. It's easier to figure out where someone will come to. Since the Idol already was here, they won't come back, probably]

They better not have spent all of our money. I didn't come all the way to this ship to be ditched.

[ WELL. Akihiko's reaction makes them INCREASINGLY DOUBTFUL you guys are actually friends. Other girls are starting to glance over from their own tables, wondering what is going ON over there. ]

Haven't left my post all day, so I'm not sure exactly where they are. Don't exactly keep the security cameras by the grill. I hear they're a big spender in the casino, but they can't spend all of their time there... No one can.

... But for pretty obvious privacy reasons we can't go around letting anyone into the Security room to go spying on other guests.

Never know who could be dangerous, right?

Yeah yeah, c'mon. Let's get going then.

[They're BROKE and their info doesn't help much, other than knowing that Idol is here today. They'll have to look on their own.

But before they leave, Ali stops and looks at Chance for a moment.]

Give your dad a hug when you get home, ok? Dad's love that stuff.

[Ali misses being able to hug his kids.]

Security room? What?

[Akihiko shakes his head like he's dismissing the thought of trying to use the camera is a ludicruously excessive thing to do to find a presumed friend. The casinos...Ray and Zhongli probably have that under control, he hopes. No need to hurry to get down to the bottom deck.

Still, he pats Ali on the back, comfortingly]

...you sure you're okay? You have been distracted for a while.

What dad?

[ He isn't even being passive aggressive here he's just kind of like. Sorry. My what. Who are you.

Anyway he looks a little bewildered by Akihiko being unfamiliar with... the concept of security rooms? With cruise ships having security rooms? But he is NOT GONNA LET THAT RUIN HIS DAY and kind of just ushers you out of your seats and then brushes past you a little rudely to go greet some new customers.

You have been ushered out of the cafe and giftshop area, and have already checked the pools... But hey, you do know that if nothing else, the security rooms EXIST? Could be a good place to find out where The Idol is. Or something to sabotage to get eyes off of you.

Alternatively, there are other decks and other areas to check. ]

[ow ow OW OW

Yeah time to walk away from the restaurant. His heart can only handle so much.

Once they're out of earshot Ali will whisper something to Akihiko.]

I think it's time to put the maid uniforms on.

[Time to go 'clean' the security room!]

It is. We'll need our own supplies. They must be somewhere...

[If they appeared in such a sensitive place without at least a cleaning rag some may suspect!]

I know places. Change first.

[Honestly his can go right over his other outfit for a rapid change later. He steps into a stall in the bathroom, slips the maid outfit on, then goes out to wait for Akihiko.

While waiting, he's keeping an eye out for cleaning carts. Are there any around?]

[ You suspect that cleaning supplies are probably available somewhere on any deck. Any business should have their own closet full of them, and there may even be more closets full of supplies just... along most hallways.

You'll also want somewhere private to get changed. Probably not on the same deck where you just got poor-shamed. ]

[There are bathrooms available in the lower deck, so Akihiko finds one and gets in there. Soon enough, he comes out dressed like a maid again. He's still not used to this...]

I'm ready. [Akihiko informs, making sure his gun of choice is ready just in case.

Getting a couple rags and a bottle of cleaning for surfaces should be easy enough. Nobody should question a pair of maids getting such things from any supply closet! So before long, they're both ready to go on]

The maps didn't say where the security room is. Did you notice where it might be?

[Any unmarked doors, or hallways that don't feature in the maps?]

[ Akihiko's cruise ship logic mind palace tells him that they probably don't put the Security room on a Guest Deck.

He also gets a text from Laurence: ]

there's a show in the theater here later
have you guys heard anything about it? maybe the idol's in it?

[That's such a specific mind palace to have. Clearly I, Nick, don't have it, oops.

Oh, a text from Laurence]

Didn't hear about it. We know the Idol came to one of the restaurants up here today, so I doubt they'll be back to this part soon.

Zoph and I are looking for the security room, just so you know where we're going.

[There we go, message sent. Time to descend to the casino deck and look there for the security room, then]

Edited 2025-03-19 18:51 (UTC)

[ he gets a response: ]

okay be careful
Zhongli and I got separated but he's coming back I think
We'll have to take a detour before we can do much in the casino
Chrono and Lucas are both here, too? so keep an eye out

[Oh, great. More people they know. This isn't very great]

How did they react to seeing you?

[It'd be great if they had more hands working on finding the Idol...]

he said Lucas was "assimilated"
Chrono recognized me but didn't want to leave the game
Zhongli said he set off some alarm and disappeared

there's a movie theater up there, right? can you check that for any sign of the idol?
i don't see anything for down here

[ also i will say there is indeed a movie theater up here even though it is not on the exact deck plan image im sorry iT'S JUST ALSO THERE THERE'S ALSO AN OUTDOOR MOVIE THEATER OK you are not being tricked about this ]

[suddenly a post-it note with 'outdoor theater' appears attached to the map (nah)]

It makes sense an idol would want to be near a stage. We'll try to get behind the scenes]

[Cleaning people are needed in such places too, after all!]

[ After a little bit both Ali and Akihiko also get this message. How does that work timeline wise! Don't worry about it! ]

The Idol last spotted on the Promenade using the elevators to possibly go towards a stateroom.
Security on the ship believes there is an imposter for The Idol running around, but there is only the target, no second individual. If you need to send them on a goose chase you might be able to use this.

[Welp. Things just got complicated.

After reading all of the messages, he will send a quick response:]

On it. You'll know if we run into trouble.

[And then he takes one of the random carts and starts pushing it towards the elevators. He gives a quick nod to Akihiko to follow along. To the stateroom floor they go!]

[ are you splitting up with akihiko heading to the theater while ali goes to the staterooms?

or are you both headed to the staterooms now? ]

[There's way too much to do, so...]

We're going each our own way. Take care.

[Splitting up in dangerous places you're exploring is a natural action for a team, hell yeah.

Akihiko steps away a little, and three seconds later comes back for a cleaning cart, and hurries with it in direction of the Theater. The Idol is supposed to get there for the show, after all! Better go for the more guaranteed place, than going on a wild goose chase -- possibly.

If Ali goes to the stateroom, then great! If he decides to tag along to the Theater, that's fine too, yup. Works either way!]

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