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

[mementodagger]

[He hasn't even told Nagisa or Jonathan. He knows how they'll react, maybe approaching smothering levels of pity. Akira will offer sympathy, but maybe it will be the kind Yurick can handle. Still, forcing the words out is so difficult, as if saying them makes it more real, hammers in the last nails.]

I remembered Zael, my best friend. We fought together in the same mercenary band for the last few years, and he was always kind to me. If I'd let him in sooner, then maybe....

[He shakes his head, feeling his living eye stinging with tears.]

By the time I opened up... when I realized I'd fallen for him, he... his heart belonged to another. They're... they've already been wed.

[beguiledcard]

[ ... Shit. Shit.

Akira could say a lot - that he's sorry, that he's sure Yurick will find love again, that sometimes this is just how life goes... None of that feels right, at all.

So, instead of any of that, he holds a blink, quietly placing his hand on Yurick's upper arm. ]

[mementodagger]

[That small gesture almost crumbles him, but he's had so much practice holding in his feelings. It's a testament to how strong those feelings are that even a few tears slip past his guard.]

I never told him. The oblivious idiot has no idea, and it's probably better that way. At least he can be happy after he struggled for so long.

[Yurick struggled, too. They all did. But when you love someone you put their happiness above your own, right? No matter how much it hurts.]

Still, I can't face him. I know he'll be worried if I disappear, but if I'm near him I know I'll only make selfish wishes.

[beguiledcard]

[ His lips draw together for a moment... ]

I think you should take whatever time you need. [ holding a blink for a moment ] You definitely deserve happiness, too... So, maybe... give yourself time to hurt over this.

[mementodagger]

I know. But I don't think this will fade anytime soon. I've never been drawn to anyone before, closeness and intimacy meant nothing to me. Maybe it's because I lost my family so young. But even as a child, I never had the same silly crushes the others did. This might've been my one chance, and it's gone.

[This poor boy doesn't understand the concept of demisexuality. One of the perils of growing up in a medieval society.]

[beguiledcard]

[ He's quiet for a little while... thinking it over, gaze resting on the floor. ]

That sounds... a lot like something I learned about, back home. Some people... are what's called demisexual. It basically just means that they need to be emotionally connected to a person, before they want to do anything else with them.

[ Just going to gently nudge him. ]

I don't- believe that was your one chance. The first, yeah... but not the only.

[mementodagger]

[Not a term he knows, but he supposes it describes how he feels. It doesn't make the loss any easier, though.]

I don't think I can let anyone else into my heart again, not like that. I'm... too afraid.

[Because wounds on the battlefield have nothing on this pain.]

[beguiledcard]

[ He holds a blink... ]

You're definitely not obligated to. Either way, though... I'm here for you, all right? I know we- didn't get much time together, but I'd like to get to know you better. [ glancing down for a moment ] ... If that's in the cards for this group.

[ After all, they don't know what's going to happen, now. ]