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

[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.

[scienceofmagic]

We don't remember, so we're meeting you for the first time, it feels. But for now, I have a question or two. Who was it in the office with us the other day? And what now?

[ She's not going to ask if you heard what she said after that memory, Yotsuyu. ]

[bendwiththewind]

What other person?

[She seriously looks confused at that but then she focuses her eyes on the other female mastermind in the area.]

Oi Pinkie! Were you in there?

[cyclicalconcept]

Mm?

Oh...yes, I was.

[scienceofmagic]

So that was you. Were you watching over us?

[ ...At least her face softens on Kana. ]

[cyclicalconcept]

Well...yes.

[She's a terrible liar, can you tell. She can't really lie.]

[scienceofmagic]

...Thank you. For giving me that pep talk when you did. I don't... Break down like that often. It was nice to have someone there to catch me.

[cyclicalconcept]

...Anytime, Croix-san.

[incrediblystressedout]

Okay, let's go back to that though. I read a copy of my contract, and nothing about the nature of this game was mentioned. All of it was covered by vague wording.

Assuming for a second I was in my right mind when I signed it, how is that not a trick?

[bendwiththewind]

You read the documents, did you not? Unless you just decided to sign them without reading it all in which that is your own undoing. And let me quote:

"I, blankity blank, do hereby consent to participate in the Game, and accept all burdens and responsibilities which are carried with participation in the Game. I hereby concede to all conditions that may be inherent in accepting to participate in the Game, as they may pertain to the Game, both stated and unstated in this legal document."

[Kami help her, does no one read agreements anymore?]

In other words: you agreed.

[theirmagic]

I think it's more that even if we read all of it, we weren't expecting those conditions to be including murder.

[cyclicalconcept]

That would...be one of the unstated conditions you agreed to in the agreement and signature clause...

[theirmagic]

I suspected as much. At least now. I... that kind of thing never happens in my life, so why would I expect a "game" to include it? I admit, you might legally be covering yourselves, but it is a dirty trick.

Lying through obfuscation or omission is still lying.

[cyclicalconcept]

..................................I know............

[Three guesses who wasn't sent out to recruit people and have them sign the documents.]

[theirmagic]

I'm guessing you weren't behind this, Miss Kana...

[ You seem too sweet. ]

Was our Producer friend, then?

[bendwiththewind]

[Look at this face. Look at all the fucks she gives.]

I was a former spy, I need no lectures on lies.

[incrediblystressedout]

It seems to me like not specifying it was a trick, but you've caught me here without legal representation.

Why is this the Game you chose to make, though? How is all this killing and dying supposed to help us help you fight this Noise stuff?

[bendwiththewind]

Tell me then: what have you learned?

[incrediblystressedout]

I...

[Hm. That's a good question.]

Well, the answer you're probably looking for is there's always some way to motivate someone to hurt someone else. And yeah, that's true.

I've also learned that some people will support you no matter what, or how crazy your ideas are. That there's a lot of other people out there with bigger problems than mine that I want to help. That magic is real.

I guess I've learned a lot.

[beguiledcard]

[ OKAY JOEY THAT IS SUCH A GOOD ANSWER IN HIS OPINION??

He's gonna just... move over next to her and rest a hand on her shoulder. ]

Exactly. No matter how big or how impossible something looks, none of us are giving up. We've all got each other's backs here.

[theirmagic]

I think each of us learned something different, but... for me?

That when pushed to the brink, people do really cruel and unforgiving things. But... by that same token... strife can forge people into something more than they otherwise would have been, together. We were hurt at every turn. We lost people we cared about. We lost Loewe to get into this place...

[ Chariot sounds firm in her belief, also sorry Joey if she's stealing your thunder but she's been wanting to shout at this woman for awhile. ]

Alone, you are weak. But together, you are stronger. If your will is strong enough, you can endure. And... if enough people believe, then maybe they can fight something impossible.

But I'm an idealist. I've made no attempt to hide it. I believe in my friends. Dead, alive.

[scienceofmagic]

...That beating yourself up over the things you regret won't solve anything. And I'm guessing I threw myself at this recklessly in an attempt to atone for my own actions. I have to forgive myself because others will do the brow-beating for me. And that... No matter what, I'll have support and that I won't have to fight alone anymore. I've met so many people here that, even though I betrayed them, they still consider me one of them. And I'm not going to let that go.

[ She'll smile. And then, finally, she'll bring it up. ]

...You heard me when I was in your room, right? After the memory. ...I don't expect an answer. But I hope I gave you something to think about, with all of my actions in this game. Believing in yourself with all your heart is everyone's magic, after all.

[cyclicalconcept]

[SHE JUST IS OVER HERE


LOOKING LEFT AND RIGHT


YEAH THIS DOESN'T SOUND FAMILIAR]

[incrediblystressedout]

...now that I think about it, how did you get involved in all of this? It really doesn't seem like your style, now that we've met face-to-face.

[cyclicalconcept]

Ah it's...complicated.

[She admittedly looks reluctant to explain. Because it's Joey.]

Are you sure you want to know?