FINAL TRIAL

[strangerpeople]

FINAL TRIAL

[Soon after the final clue it found, the large set of double doors at the end of the hall finally open.

And beyond is what Nyaf-ya calls the Room of Reckoning. And this room is...]





[...rather impressive. Large, for certain. Maybe a bit too large for the space it would have to occupy beneath the mall, or to have light streaming from the windows, all things considered. But given everything else that the surviving strangers have encountered, this might not be the strangest thing with this situation overall.

There is a wooden throne at the top of the staircase, and at the bottom of the staircase are four large, comfortable-looking sitting pillows - one green, one orchid, one gold, and one pink. The red pillars surrounding the staircase are also decorated with markings that definitely don't look like they fit the aesthetic of the room.

There are also two low hot pot induction cooker tables in the great hall area before the staircase. One table has six spots, all with sitting pillows, each with a name written onto a paper placed carefully on a plate. When everyone sits at their place, they will find that the stove in the center is already heated and ready to go, and every imaginable ingredient for a proper barbecue and hot pot meal is available to them for cooking. A pitcher of their favorite drink is also next to each respective cup.

And, once everyone finds their place, their phone pings with a message.]

Once you've figured everything out, the Boss....wants to talk to you. She doesn't want to fight. Not this time. Please, take your time, but please be careful, ok? The rules of the Game are still in effect.

We're rooting for you. I know you'll find a way!

[So it's time, then. The objectives are simple in this trial.

It's time to finally answer the questions the Titled have about why they are here - and face the Masterminds behind the Game.

Good luck, Titled.]

Comments

THE MASTERMINDS COMETH

[bendwiththewind]

I believe that is quite enough.

[The voice is new but echos within the chamber. There's a strange calmness to the tone but a bite of staying on guard. The clacking of wooden geta is the next to be heard followed by a swishing of long garments come close as they make their way closer to the Titled. With pipe in hand, her stance is high, as if she radiates her authority among the scenery. Given her clothing, it's a perfect fit. But she looks at them as inspecting, almost as if to 'size them up' so to say but her expression is a perfect mask of emotionless. She's watching carefully just in case if things were to go awry.]

I must commend you for coming this far, Titled. And being such a stubborn lot you are, I have to wonder what we have gotten ourselves into.

[Furthermore...she's not alone.]

[cyclicalconcept]

...Ah, Boss!!

[A lightness in the air.]

Please, give us warning when--oh.

[R i g h t.

And just like that, a young girl suddenly appears on the gold pillow, sitting seiza style.]

I...hello, everyone! Yes, you're...you're really doing wonderful...

[THIS IS ABRUPT AND AWKWARD.]

[flaming_sovereign]

[ A cat pads in after the woman. Before he speaks, he takes a moment to stretch his back a little as he stares at the Titled with a wide, intense stare. Plopping himself down into a sitting position, he continues the stare, before speaking with a hollow echo, his mouth not moving at all. ]

Really, even I am a little impressed, a feat which is not easily obtained.

[7_0_7]

[Last but (probably) not least, a man with bright red hair is bending down to scratch the cat boss's ears.]

Hmhm~ The elite four, finally out from the shadows! But I bet they're not as impressed with us.

[At least this nerd is the last one from the look of things.]

[thegreenhornet]

Great! Hello, thank you for being here, etcetera.

[So these are the masterminds...well this is unlike anything Britt had imagined, that's for sure]

What are we supposed to do now? Come on, tell us.

[Also he turns to Karma]

I'd say I can't believe the cat really did turn out to be one of the masterminds, but somehow I actually can believe it.

[incrediblystressedout]

[Why is everyone so attractive or a cat? This was the worst possible day to admit to liking girls.]

So! Thank you for uh...showing yourselves. I guess you were already here the whole time, huh?

Anyway, first question...what the heck? We've read your orders now, and they have nothing to do with what you guys actually did.

[7_0_7]

The Composer has the freedom to carry out the orders in whatever way she wants to. We ended up with a setup like this in the end because that's her personality.

[incrediblystressedout]

...you don't sound to thrilled with that. She's the boss and you guys don't get any input, then?

[7_0_7]

Eh, Yoyo's not my boss, but it's still my job to supply her with whatever she needs to run the game, so it may as well be true!

[theirmagic]

[ ... Staring at Yotsuyu. She is... really fucking pretty, uh--then to Madoka. She's super cute. WAIT. That face... ]

Wait... we found your card! Um... you're... you're... I forgot your name. I'm sorry... and... the pink-haired girl--you must be Miss Kana, right?

[cyclicalconcept]

That's right. That's the name I use here, Callistis-san. Or...du Nord-san?

[theirmagic]

Um... whichever would be easier for you to use. You could just call me Chariot, or Ursula, if you prefer...

[ An awkward wringing of her hands. She is very nervous!! ]

There is so much I wanted to ask you! I don't even know where to begin... but... I guess... maybe about Nyaf-ya, mainly... would it be okay if we built her a new body?

[ CHARIOT IS NOW REALLY THE TIME--well, it is in her mind. ]

[cyclicalconcept]

!

You...you really want to??

[cyclicalconcept]

That would make her so happy!

[flaming_sovereign]

Of course I am a mastermind, though I am hardly just a cat. [ Japhet's trying to make his tone as ominous as possible. ] As for what you ought to do, figure that out for yourself. You've been smart so far, continue that pattern.

[incrediblystressedout]

Can I ask one dumb question? Your ID card said you were a bird?

Actually I guess that wasn't a question, which makes it even dumber. But an explanation would still be nice, I guess.

[theirmagic]

Adding to that... I'm guessing you're similar to a familiar? A magical animal with great capabilities all your own?

[ Chariot is likely the person in the room to find Japhet the least odd, one of the teachers at Luna Nova is a fucking FISH. ]

And yes, now that she mentions it, we did find your ID card...

[flaming_sovereign]

I am a bird. I can show you my true identity, if you like.

[ He smirks widely, though without showing his teeth. His mouth stays completely closed. The effect is rather odd on his face, and his skin stretches oddly from the fact he's making the effort. ]

I am no familiar. I am a Guardian, I am a Sovereign, I am a powerful being all of my own!

[beguiledcard]

[ Er... he feels strangely honored? ]

... Thanks. We'll get right on that.

[thegreenhornet]

[Well the cat said to figure out what to do, so may as well ask the big question to everyone else:]

So...uh, we going to be Composers or what? The worlds are in danger and what not, but I'm not sure I'm into making people kill each other.

[Although if he understands this all correctly, setting people to kill each other may not be a requirement. Who knows]

[scienceofmagic]

Honestly, if they make anyone Composer of mine and Chariot's world it should be Professor Woodward. With Yggdrasil back in bloom, and the Claiomh Solais gone, she doesn't have much to do besides float around in the Forest of Arcturus.

[ SHRUG. ]

She did well enough by us... And if we're powerful, she'd be even more so... But really... I just want to end this game for good. Or at least end the death.

[scienceofmagic]

I'd say it's nice to meet you, but I assume you're all here for a reason and it's not anything fun.

[ Croix is an ex-supervillain. Let her have this. ]

So what's going on?

[beguiledcard]

[ DEADPAN as he's looking right at the people (and... cat?) who've just showed up. ]

Considering they apparently already know everything about us, they've technically already met us. We just don't remember it.

[theirmagic]

... He's got a point. We also signed those contracts, probably in their presence...

[bendwiththewind]

You would be correct.

[There might be a slight smirk on her end as she bring the kiseru to her lips and takes a puff. I mean, be lucky she's not blowing the smoke in anyone's face.]

Anyone whom we see any potential must consent to the Game. We are unable to trick or manipulate Players into it.