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

[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?

[cyclicalconcept]

I've had too much experience with contracts that are much worse than these are. But...it would likely be between Seven-san and the Boss to create that document.

[beguiledcard]

What kind of experiences would those be, if you don't mind me asking?

[ Well... getting to know these people is a step forward, right? ]

[cyclicalconcept]

The contracts...well, they were verbal, but with similar consequences. The ones granting them...left a lot out.

[7_0_7]

Any angel could have written that document. What matters is we get results!

[so probably yeah]

[theirmagic]

So... are you really an angel?

[7_0_7]

Yeah. I'm Luciel.

[theirmagic]

... I expected... more wings, somehow? And less of tech-wizard using a phone?

[ She seems... vaguely amused. ]

I'm surprised. You... remind me a lot of Croix.

[comesaround]

Well Angels come in all forms so I think he's fine as he is.

[ Just the most casual shrug of his shoulders here. He thinks you're a good Angel, Seven. ]

[bendwiththewind]

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

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

[theirmagic]

Then you should probably know it's probably not the best thing to do, to go around tricking innocent people. They might not work out too great in your game then, you know.

[bendwiththewind]

Assuming any are innocent.

[theirmagic]

You have a pretty terrible definition of innocence to begin with. I think we both know you're the kind of person that doesn't believe in others.

But even if someone isn't innocent, that doesn't make it right to trick them.

... But it's okay. Because if you hadn't done that... I never would have met Goro, and Akira, and all of my friends. Or Miss Kana, or Miss Nyaf. So thank you.

[bendwiththewind]

[Wat]

I-what?!

[Look she was sure she had a snarky retort but someone just...THANKED her. Right? What the hell??]

NOT ACTUALLY HUGGING BUT THIS IS HER THOUGHT

[cyclicalconcept]

ew spit hiss

[bendwiththewind]

[theirmagic]

... Yes. It's true. I... really should hate you, but seeing what you're up against, and why you'd go to such extremes... and, even then, reading what you wrote personally... and then the fact it was you who helped bring us all together, I, well... no matter how I look at it, I can't bring myself to hate you. Any of you really. There's... no reason to.

[ Sure, it hurts her friends died, but... ]

There's already so much anger and hate in the world... worlds? Um, whichever, I guess. My world alone has enough hate for people like us. Women who are strong and magical. And I don't really believe in treating people poorly, anyway.

Don't mistake me. I'm... upset, that my friends were hurt. But... if I hadn't come here, how would I have befriended any of them in the first place?

[bendwiththewind]

You are supposed to hate me! I am not supposed to recieve gratitude nor sympathy for what I have done!

[She's...used to it. It's what she's always known. So kindness from anyone is very hard for her to comprehend.]

[beguiledcard]

I've said it a few times... I can't bring myself to hate this game, either. Or... you.

[ BUT HE DOESN'T LIKE YOU? ]

You've given me new people, as well... and memories I'd like to keep.

[ DEEP BREATH. ]

So... I'll thank you, as well. And ask that you please work with us.

[bendwiththewind]

[FACEPALMING SO MUCH.]

[incrediblystressedout]

I said it to Ursula before. This has been probably the worst experience of my entire life, but I've made more friends here than I ever expected to. The scenario sucks, but I wouldn't trade the people you introduced me to for the world.

[Shrug. Deal with it, Boss.]