15strangers | FINAL TRIAL

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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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. ]

!

You...you really want to??

That would make her so happy!

[PERPLEXED]

Why didn't she just ask me??

Maybe she thought you were busy, Seven-san?

Well, she has become much more independent lately.

... If you were her creator, the one running those awful tests on her that we read about... to be honest, I'm not sure she likes you much.

[ Blunt. ]

Whoaaaa, are you filing for custody already? You're so fast!

But, you know, I think you read those files in backwards order.

... Don't make that kind of joke. That would imply I wanted to own her, or something, and she's her own person.

[ Chariot is a firm believer in equal robo rights! ]

If they were backwards, then maybe you should explain it better? Either way, it seemed... pretty awful.

I meant it more like a kid, BL. But I guess you didn't figure out who she based her self image on, huh? It's fine if you're a little slow.

[Red hair. Glasses. Are you sure she does not like him?]

Nephilix was a robot for execution, but we couldn't be allowed to control her. That's why she needed a Soul, which the Conductor offered. It was after her Soul was infused with her that she took on some of her personality. That included her kindness and creating that Nyaf-ya identity for herself. But the Conductor has understood the whole time what we are working towards, and Nyaf-ya is helping us in the same way. Her own way, as merciful as can be allowed. But it's also important she protects herself.

... Wha--BL? Why can't you just use my name?

[ Now that she thinks about it, maybe. LOOK. SHE JUST REMEMBERS READING THOSE PAPERS AND THEY SOUNDED VERY CRUEL, OK? ]

Yes, but didn't you do experiments on her? The papers seemed to suggest it... look, I want to be frank. I just want her not to have to do any of that anymore. You shouldn't have to make someone have to kill others! That's a horrible thing to make a person so kind like her go through!

She's a robot. I'd first have to do experiments just to make sure she was working properly... the rest was a test of her personality, don't you think that would be important to know?

That's our job while we're here. If she actually wants to leave, I won't stop her.

Edited 2017-12-23 05:31 (UTC)

I... I'll admit I'm out of my depth. I don't know hardly anything about technology... all I know is magic. I'm quite bad with it, actually...

[ She looks embarrassed. ]

In fact, I only fixed her body by dumping a repair potion on it, because it was all I knew how to do. But... what I do know is that she's someone who wants to be a girl, and her own person. So if you're okay with that, and letting us help her... I'm sorry. If it feels like we're trying to overstep your boundaries, but...

[ Always too polite, Chariot. Such a teacher. Such a mom. ]

Yes, I know, I asked her about it, if it was all right. And she seemed excited! I know Croix would be able to build her one, certainly, and Croix agrees she could do it, she'd just need the tools and parts. I saw what her soul looked like when she was injured--I used a repair potion to repair her current body, so I put her back together, but...

[ She takes a moment to chew on her bottom lip, thoughtful. ]

It's obvious to me she doesn't like it much. So I really... would like to help, in any capacity that we can. We... found the lab where she was made. She's been through as much as us... it doesn't seem fair she has to suffer that way, so if there's... I mean, if it's allowable...

...I understand. I really do, du Nord-san.

I'm glad that you do. It figures you would, since she came from you. Anything I can do to help her... I'd feel terrible leaving her out of things, at this point. I'd consider her and Coco both part of our friend group.

That reminds me, uh...Kana? I had a question about Nyaf-ya's power source. There was something about souls?

Mm.

Her soul is a piece of me that I broke off for her.

That's...I don't know how that works, but it sounds like an incredible sacrifice.

So she's kind of like your daughter then, or...?

I guess in a sense!

It's why we call her Nephilix. Well, officially. It's...an in-joke.

Edited 2017-12-23 04:33 (UTC)

A Nephilim is...

[Ugh, does she knows this? There was some weird pottery or scroll or something piled around the house, right?]

...a giant that's half-angel, right?

[Gadzooks.]

So does that make you an angel?

Of the two of us? Yeah.

The other have being the..."devil".

[Her eyes might be trailing over to Seven, a flicker of a shadow across her face as she says tat last word.]

Edited 2017-12-23 04:47 (UTC)

[Seven is whistling innocently and texting on his phone like an asshole.]

[Asshole Club members unite?]

[UNITE!!! He's not saving you from the friendship pile though.]

(no subject)

bendwiththewind - 2017-12-23 05:54 (UTC) - Expand