FINAL TRIAL

[strangerpeople]

FINAL TRIAL


[Once everyone has managed to gather every piece of evidence they can get their hands on, there is, at last, a sense that they can go up to the top on the elevator that works. Granted, with access now granted, they probably could have gone up at any time, but it they would have been ill-prepared for what might be up there.

In any case, they might not have needed to worry.]



[Barbara will no doubt recognize this place as where Marie brought her just the previous week. It is a master control room, filled with buttons and levers that line the walls. However, the dome also allows for a view of what's outside - of the skies, the stars, the planets. The alpine valley the Base is situated, with its bubbling waterfall, and the crystal-clear blue lake it empties into, surrounded by flowers below the Base's base. The lake itself empties into a crystal clear river that looks to be narrow, but deep and rapid.

In the center of the room, near where the elevator rises out of the floor, is a chair, with a giant plush of that cheeky raccoon snuggled into it. Once everyone has come into the room, the elevator melts into the floor with a slurping sound. Now, everyone is here - and there's only one seat, meaning almost everyone will be standing for the duration of this discussion. There's no food or drink here, either - the Titled will have to make do with whatever they brought with them.

There's is a rumble below, as the Titled, together with Bottson and their menagerie of animals - gather together for one last trial. Everyone and everything in this universe may be at stake, and ultimately, either they all go home - or no one will.]


[It's time! 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 Mastermind of the Base.

Most importantly, though - who's got dibs on that chair? It's the only one in the room!

In any case, good luck, Titled!]

Comments

[losergod]

You know, that's a pretty apt comparison.

[ Rapunzel was also sheltered and had a cute pet and wanted to just go see the lanterns, and if that doesn't sound like Halley he doesn't know what would. ]

[backuphero]

If it's that thing that's made you suffer?

No problem.

[beguiledcard]

[ HE WILL GLADLY TAKE ONE, AND EVEN DO ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE HE SPINS HER AROUND TBH... ]

I was so worried about you... [ that they'd find her in that river, too ] You did great, Barbara.

[mementodagger]

Agreed. Whatever this god did to you and plans to do to mankind, it deserves punishment.

[backuphero]

It's for the best... I did a pretty bad job looking out for everyone, in the end.

[It's like getting his memories back. He's laughing and crying all at once, and he practically throws himself at Akira, pulling him into a tight hug.]

Welcome back.

[beguiledcard]

[ He's going to return that wave, and then eventually make his way over. ]

... Gotta admit, now that I'm not about to die... I always had this feeling you were planning something big.

[crouching_sin]

Good. ... Heh. Who would have thought that the so-called original murderer would have allies like these?

[mementodagger]

Yes. And I'm the one who should be sorry. I thought it would be a minor task, a small price to pay for remembering what I'd forgotten. I didn't care about any of you at first, but... that quickly changed.

[Knowing Akira isn't angry with him helps a little. But it doesn't change what he did or the bitter irony of his memories.]

It was all for nothing, anyway. The memory I worked so hard for... it... I don't know if I can bring myself to go home now.

[beguiledcard]

[ IMMEDIATELY SHAKING HIS HEAD?? ]

I just... wanted to give you some kind of goal, because having a goal - something to focus on... keeps you alive. And that, alone, felt like one of the most important things, for me, at the time...

[ He's just gonna latch onto him, okay? HE... KEPT THINKING YOU'D JOIN THEM??? ]

So... I'm proud of you, Jonathan. Really proud of you...

[vividsins]

[ AND THERE'S BAKU SPEWING HIS GODDAMN DRINK AT THE COUNTER BECAUSE WHAT THE FUCK!? ]

[vividsins]

Here? Oh, I would have sold every single one of you for the right motive. But the lack of memories reduced the urgency to get home. It's quite fortunate for all of you!

[ .........Baku is not a good person. ]

...My Princess is worth too much to me. I'm sure you understand.

[losergod]

[ Hi, guess who else overheard you-- ]

The perfect fairytale prince, aren't you, Mister Baku?

[earietale]

[PROBABLY A GOOD THING CAUSE HE PROBABLY DIDN'T WANT TO GET KNOCKED ONTO THE FLOOR.]

I-I can't believe it...you're actually okay...

[She squeezes him just a little bit tighter, trying to confirm he's real just out of fear she's losing her mind. It's supposed to be impossible, but...she's grateful it isn't.]

Thanks. I just...tried to be smart, you know?

[losergod]

... For what it's worth, I'm willing to help as well. If she restores my original power, there will be plenty I can do.

[ He smiles. ]

[vividsins]

I'm more a monster, Sir C. I won't hide that.

[theserpentsmiles]

For that kind of situation? I'm willing. Sensei didn't want me to get more blood on my hands, but...it's a little late for that.

[And there's still good he can do with a knife instead of a book. He'll have to apologize to Sakura, too...]

Original...? Should I be calling you sensei, too?

[losergod]

What a shame it is, then, that our view on the definition of the word is different. "Monstrosity" is relative. If it were for someone I loved, I would purge the world white without any remorse.

[beguiledcard]

[ Soap

drinkers






ok. ]

... Well, them being important to you is... all that matters, right?

[ ALSO...

... A MACHINE, YOU SAY? He can have... his memories back. Some part of him was starting to think they were just... gone. This is the longest he's been without regaining a single thing. ]

You can?

[theserpentsmiles]

Going against family....is hard. [...] My mother.

[That's an explanation, right?]

[vividsins]

I suppose that's fair. But I'm not going to hide my nature here. There's not really a point.

[crouching_sin]

[Oh, hey there.]

Apparently he didn't tell you. Well, then.

[beguiledcard]

[ His brow tenses, and then he looks down. Several emotions flicker over his face at that. He fights to ignore the ache in his own chest. ]

... I outright killed someone for nothing, in the end. [ HA HA ... ha ... yeah, guess what Naoya told him ] But, that's...

[ Oh boy... He's running a hand over his face for a moment. ]

You don't have to tell me, of course... but... [ definite, genuine concern is here ] Why?

[crouching_sin]

That would be helpful. I'll make sure you get back to where you belong, though.

[crouching_sin]

Well... these things happen.

[He snickers a bit.]

No, it's fine. Naoya is the name I have in this life, and it suits me well enough.

[crouching_sin]

... You don't have to say anything you don't want to or feel the need to, Nagisa.

Just know that I've... dealt with things, as well.