"I don't know," Claude said quietly, his hand clenching into a fist. It could have been all sorts of things. Heraldry, or maybe they'd all been implanted with something that knocked them out whenever it suited Landel. Maybe that was how the gap between nightshift and the mornings could be explained. Regardless, he didn't blame Asch for feeling angry. It was really horrible, the mess they were all in.

Crazier than anyone in here could possibly be. That was a good way to word it. There had to be some kind of purpose behind all this -- why else go through all the trouble? -- but Claude sure as hell couldn't figure out what it was.

"I can't say for sure," he answered when Asch brought up the town. "I wouldn't be surprised if it fell under its sphere of influence somehow, but I don't think the townspeople know about this place's true nature. I don't think most of the staff here do, either."