15strangers | THE SECOND PROSCRIPTION

THE SECOND PROSCRIPTION
(CW: Coffins, claustrophobia in general, skeleton bones)

Most interesting.

[Suddenly, a bright light from above lights up, same as last week, from the bone chandelier. Once more, the light only seems to shine on one individual, as the Elder Steward appears, looking pleased as punch.]

Excellent, excellent. You have condemned The Noodles to die by quite the majority, so certain you were of her guilt!

[There is a long, long pause. Finally, though, the Elder Steward does something unexpected. First, he throws his hood off to reveal--huh. A rather young-looking and handsome figure. Odd.]

But...

[A slow, fanged smile appears on his face, before he turns to Eric, raising a toast with a glass of something that might be red wine-or something else.]

You were wrong. Congratulations, Fast. You have exceeded my and Our Lady's expectations. You have damned an innocent woman to the cruel death you deserve for your crime, and your fellow shall be forced to watch. For this you shall be rewarded protection for that special person, as promised.

Now.

How does it feel to know what you've done, hm?

Threaded | Flat

[Well. Does Zelda have any last words for everyone after this?]

All right, now. I think it's been long enough.

The lamb must go to the slaughter.

[The Elder Steward snaps his claw-like fingers. Instantly, everyone's shackles-except Zelda's-pull them back into their coffins, shutting on them. All they have is the small window with which to see in the dim, dank darkness. Zelda's chains merely fall, letting her go free as the ground begins to shake once more.

The golem lumbers out again, holding what's recognizable as a saw. Zelda is standing there, a regal princess awaiting her fate with dignity. The horrible thing leans closer and closer to her face - until instead it closes in with the saw to cleanly amputate her left foot at the ankle. The metal sheet presses up against the side of her leg, smearing blood on the line of her dress as a result. She cannot hold herself up for long like this, not with all the pain, and with a cry Zelda topples to her side on the ground.

The metal of the saw remains close though and suddenly turns into a set of chains. They bind her legs completely together and then spiral up her torso to wrap around her throat and mouth. She is muzzled completely, but her eyes and nose make it clear: She can still breathe. Still conscious. The chains tighten in the grip of the golem. Involuntarily, Zelda thrashes in the face of the pressure.

The golem turns away, slinking off as if bored. It's taking the chains with it, and Zelda falls down flat in her back - at the last moment that the last link slips away, and a sort of wire casket appears, made of tightly woven thorny vines that prick various places on her body. Two of the larger thorns press into her throat, and blood begins to flow out in thin streams. Another in her heart - off to the side. More in the femoral arteries. Not to mention the amputated foot was never going to do her any favors. Hemorrhagic shock takes over her body, and after a convulsion, her eyes fall closed, as if she's falling asleep. But then a minute after that, it's clear she will never wake up as her face pales.

Then, suddenly, she dissolves into foam, leaving behind a blue egg.]

LAST WORDS

EXECUTION. (CW: maiming, constriction, claustrophobia, impalement)