That's correct, [ Keita says. ] Many have either turned to statues or vanished entirely, seemingly by no choice of their own, but to the best of my knowledge no one has ever won the game and made their escape.
[ If such a thing had happened, while it may have escaped his own clairvoyance—as many things about the resort and its workings tend to do—Keita is sure that someone would have known, and that the information would have made its way around the guests as such things are wont to do.
The follow-up questions earn a thoughtful sound. ]
Are you familiar with gambling terms? [ Keita himself hadn't been, upon his arrival. ] It seems that what we call "the House" is in fact some manner of... parasitic entity that occupies the resort itself and perhaps draws its energy from our... activities. My understanding is that the House would cease to exist without its host, but it isn't clear whether the resort would be able to function without the House.
[ It's strange to think of them in those terms. The House not unlike a tapeworm, consuming energy deep in its host's bowels... Yuck. He shakes his head briefly to dispel the image. ]
What I mean is that most, although perhaps not all, want for those who wish to leave this place to have the freedom to do so, and for those who don't wish to leave—or who can't, like myself—to be able to stay without so many demands made of us.
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[ If such a thing had happened, while it may have escaped his own clairvoyance—as many things about the resort and its workings tend to do—Keita is sure that someone would have known, and that the information would have made its way around the guests as such things are wont to do.
The follow-up questions earn a thoughtful sound. ]
Are you familiar with gambling terms? [ Keita himself hadn't been, upon his arrival. ] It seems that what we call "the House" is in fact some manner of... parasitic entity that occupies the resort itself and perhaps draws its energy from our... activities. My understanding is that the House would cease to exist without its host, but it isn't clear whether the resort would be able to function without the House.
[ It's strange to think of them in those terms. The House not unlike a tapeworm, consuming energy deep in its host's bowels... Yuck. He shakes his head briefly to dispel the image. ]
What I mean is that most, although perhaps not all, want for those who wish to leave this place to have the freedom to do so, and for those who don't wish to leave—or who can't, like myself—to be able to stay without so many demands made of us.