[Video] Clearly the most important thing right now.

[marvelous_murderbot]

[She waves gently as the feed comes on. Behind her there is a large sheet, divided into three categories: 'Heard of', 'Not heard of', and 'Variance'.]

[Her name and Della's are written, in perfect letters, in the first column.]

So I was reading, earlier in the month and had a conversation with Della. Interestingly, despite our different universal backgrounds, we had both heard the trope 'The Butler Did It' - though the books on the train have, thus far, not revealed why this trope is a thing in either of our universes.

As a result, I am curious: in how many of your universes in this something known as well, and are there any variants? For those unaware, the trope refers to fictive mysteries, specifically, wherein the murder taking place in a manor house is presupposed to have been committed by the butler, or head servant.

[Because it wouldn't be Guri if she didn't break it down.]

Oh, and I am unsure what to vote for in terms of room. Perhaps something for the arts? Would that not benefit everyone most?

[Later, she adds a text updated:]

My official vote is for 'pool'.

Comments

[irrationally]

[ Alice is quiet in the face of that knowledge. Because she's stunned by it, yes - but there's a more powerful undercurrent to it. One that makes her hands that are lying on top of the table slowly form into fists as she can feel the familiar anger boil in her stomach. ]

I'm going to murder him.

[ Not.. that he isn't already most likely gone, considering what Guri told him before, but does that matter when the sentiment is there all the same?

Because there's way too many of these people out there, who'd exploit others in such a way. And it hurts even more to know that it happened to yet another person who's important to her. ]

I will absolutely kill him in every single world out there in which he exists.

[marvelous_murderbot]

[The gesture is of incredible meaning, regardless. She reaches out a hand, giving Alice's a squeeze, eyes warm, and thankful.]

[It's a moment that encompasses...a lot. Acknowledgement as a person, as someone cared for - and coming from a universe that treats beings like her, at best, as chattel or closer to family pets as a rule...]

It would be a race, but...thank you. So much.

[irrationally]

[ There's plenty of things she could say here. That they can just murder him multiple times, it's fine.

But rather than focusing on how much he deserves that, she'd rather focus on how much Guri doesn't deserve what happened to her. No wonder the other seems so uncertain about these things. Alice allows her hand to be taken without any resistance whatsoever, and she stares at the other. ]

You're free here, Guri. Please.. always remember that, at least.

[marvelous_murderbot]

[she closes her eyes, nodding.]

Here, I am, and I know others will keep it so, even if I myself cannot. And that...means a lot.