#maybe feeding delulu visions but shh

[sharpsuite]

Ann isn't surprised by the chaos that erupts in the wake of the Hatter's death, but it is rather DISAPPOINTING. Yet who would expect otherwise when the militants are involved? Twice so when Chishiya's favorite past time seems to be messing with one of the most volatile. ( She dislikes him for both THAT and the ever present cunning look. ) BUT THERE'S SOMETHING SUSPICIOUS ABOUT ALL OF THIS. Something lurking under the surface that has the investigator in her itching to claw out. The timing is too perfect and and the motive too unclear. If it was simple murder, this could have been done DAYS, WEEKS AGO. So why now?

" Here at The Beach? Or here in these lands? " Ann lifts an eyebrow inquisitively as she lets her gaze shift away from Takeru's corpse towards the other executive member. " I suppose in the wake of events, now IS a natural time for such topics to be brought up. You have a fair point. " ANN CONCEDES THAT POINT. She's been working with death so long both in the other world and here that she wasn't quite sure when the best time would be. But death was bound to bring up thought of the afterlife. It just felt disrespectful to do so in front of someone whose death she believes LESS AND LESS to be from a game. Her eyes narrow slightly as the thought prowls around her mind again.

" No. " Mira's smile and calm may be almost permanent etched but so is Ann's matter-of-fact nature, ice cold facts that make others uncertain until they know more about her. She blinks - then cracks a faint smile. " Oh? We should have gotten dinner. " She replies with a faint tone of amusement. SHOULD because she doubts peace will remain long with Hatter's death. EXCEPT . . . A look of confusion forms on the diamond specialist's face at Mira's comment. " Number one? " She repeats, dark eyes flicking over the other's unchanging expression. " I'm NOT INTERESTED in being number one. " She shakes her head at the thought. It doesn't matter that she's one of the most liked executives here, with players knowing if they're in HER TEAM they're likely to survive because she rarely loses people. " I don't have any desire for such a role, despite my personal unease with Aguni in charge. I don't much care who is number one so long as they're competent and capable. "

@sharpsuite sent: ❝ 𝙸 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚍𝚒𝚜𝚌𝚞𝚜𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜. ❞ 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐀𝐧𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐢𝐫𝐚

Chaos ensued. Whispers of a fallen leader ran rampant with fear. What would they do? Who would lead? What would happen to the sacred utopia that sheltered and provided an escape? It was difficult to conceal the Cheshire smile Mira wore from widening with glee as she stared down at Hatter’s lifeless body with curiosity, strings pulling her puppet now limp. How disappointing their fun ended so soon. No more luring poor Takeru down the rabbit hole to nothing, blindly gathering players to her future game venue The Beach as soldiers for collecting the cards to go home. His journey had come to an end.

Just like the Queen of Hearts had planned.

Emotions heightened, the air was thick with tension, and Mira naturally felt the desire to stir the pot further, casually asking Ann if the hunt for the cards was truly worth it if this was the end result. ‘Wouldn’t you prefer to stay here~?’ was answered with a swift and cold reply similar to a cutting breeze on a clear winter day. “Isn’t it the best time to discuss life after death, Ann~? I thought the setting to be perfect~” A sinister coy smile decorated her lips, so signature it seemed almost frozen on her features. With Hatter gone, Mira’s pawns were in place. The game was set. Execution at the tips of her porcelain, perfectly manicured fingers. One by one by one. Oh she was practically salivating with giddy anticipation.

“Don’t tell me you cared for him? Oh Ann~ were you the best of friends? Confidants? Lovers~?” The latter filled the Queen’s heart with malice, memories locked away threatening to scratch at the surface. “I might be the teensiest bit jealous, I thought that was us~” Which pair or label she was referring to between herself, Takeru, and Ann, Mira gave away no trace. “It could be your spot at the top now, Ann.” Wasn’t that what everyone craved? To be Number One?