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

[illusionarymelody]

[Vita is going to climb out as well. She's dressed much like Naoya and also holding a bo staff.]

That's for us to know and you to figure out.

[losergod]

... Miss Clotilde?

[illusionarymelody]

A pleasure to see you again. It's quite good to still be alive.

[losergod]

I see you're in good health, somehow. That's... good, I suppose. How are your memories? And the rest of everyone's?

[illusionarymelody]

I haven't remembered anything new, but never knew all of what I forgot.

[losergod]

Well, I have good news on that front: everyone here has fully recovered their memories if they desired to. I can show you all how later, if you'd all like.

[illusionarymelody]

I'd like that. Once I've seen everyone again at least. So you're not upset about what I did?

[losergod]

Cross, yes, but it would be wrong of me to hate you for it. My daughter is much worse, if I'm being honest. She's got a bodycount that's... very high.

She put someone in a blender once and played the "will it blend?" game.

[crouching_sin]

[DON'T MIND HIM HE'S JUST CRACKING THE FUCK UP AT THAT.]

[losergod]

She also fed someone clorox-enriched cookie dough. Actually, if I weren't the God of the House, I would be worrying I needed to pray for her immortal soul or something.

[illusionarymelody]

I am aware though that Akira was tricked. He told me himself. I wouldn't be surprised if I was as well and Marie truly had no power to stop what needs to happen in my world.

[losergod]

Marie tricked everyone. She was a liar to the end, for the most part.

[illusionarymelody]

Yes, I realize she's not to blame and forgave Akira for all but the state he left me in. But even that is mostly me teasing him.

[She's smiling actually. The others have become good friends to her in the time they were away and she's had some good times even with Akira.]

[losergod]

... Where is he, by the way? Is he with all of you?

[illusionarymelody]

Yes, we brought everyone. That includes the priest who brought us out of the river and let us stay with her. We wouldn't leave her alone with an army surrounding the temple.

[backuphero]

VITA!

[You know what? The whip damn near joined that gun on the floor just now. It's only on his belt because of fourteen years' training, and he's already running towards her as he's making sure it's secure there.

She's alive. Vita is alive, and radiant and alive and -]

I'm not dreaming, am I?

[His voice is doing that Marlene Dietrich as a man thing again, gone all husky instead of going strangled. He's stopped in front of her with one hand raised, stopped just short of touching her cheek, as though he's afraid she'll vanish if he does.]

[illusionarymelody]

[She seems a bit nervous. After all, she's not sure if he's going to be upset for what she tried to do or if he would still want to be with her. But the fact that he's asking that gives her hope and she tries to smile.]

Not dreaming at all. I'm fine and I've missed you.

[backuphero]

I missed you too. I... your letters, I read both, I was hurt at first but I understand, and... if you're alive, then we can actually see where this goes, right?

[Jonathan leaves "if we make it out of here" unsaid. She's alive. For now that's enough.

He closes the now-tiny gap between his fingertips and her cheek. Her skin is warm. She really is real, she really is here, alive, alive, that sweet voice is coming from an intact throat -

He's kissing her before he knows he's doing it, almost, and it's quick and clumsy but it's the final proof he needed that this is all real.]

I, uh. I'm sorry if I should've asked first, I just... God, I missed you.

[illusionarymelody]

[Vita seems to grow less hesitant looking as she listens to what Jonathan says and her smile actually grows warmer and more of a show of her real feelings. She'd just been so afraid that she ruined it all and now he's here and real and not just a dream that keeps repeating over and over again.

She doesn't shy away from his touch, but the moment he kisses her she can feel tears in her eyes. Not because she's sad, but because she's so happy that she didn't ruin this.]

I told you that you can never disappoint me. I want to see where this goes and I won't hide things from you any more. And I'm so glad to see you are doing all right. I was so worried.

[And for now she's just going to wrap her arms around him and hold him. She just needs to know he's real and he doesn't hate her and she's really back here and with him and this isn't another of her dreams either.]