FINAL TRIAL

[strangerpeople]

FINAL TRIAL

[The Strangers manage to escape. By the time anyone has realized they have left, the Analemma is already on a course to a new destination, one not intended by their Conductor-who was certainly surprised to find their ride gone, hours later.

Cardia has turned off radar and other equipment that would allow anyone to find the train easily. There is no barrier around this train, so everyone can see the Clockwork Sun as it gets closer and closer.

They aren't going to London, obviously. Cardia manages to explain that, originally, the Throne of Hours was located there, but after Victoria became Twice-Renewed, the Throne was ordered moved closer to the Sun. Now, it is connected to the station called Sunspur-a desolate place, formerly an exhibition hall, where only the Sun's engineers and wayward captains now go. No one dares to cross the bridge that connects the Throne to it, when they are there.

That will change, but not immediately. Even at top speed, it will take several hours for the train to reach its destination. Cardia suggests everyone relax in the Lounge of this new train. Apparently, this one was going to pick up its newest passengers very shortly, and so the bar and kitchens are stocked with food and drink, at least.

There is much to talk about. Much to look through, and much to consider. The past four weeks have been difficult to process, but the evidence from Perdurance has been especially daunting. It only shows just how stark the situation is-and it's up to the Strangers to figure out just what they will do when they do, at last, confront Her Enduring Majesty.
After all.

Whatever happens, a reckoning cannot be postponed. Not indefinitely. And the bill is almost due...]





[It's time! The objectives are simple in this trial: untangle the story of this place and decide what to ultimately do when they finally confront Victoria, the Mastermind of the Little Courtesy! It will not be easy and the truth, as ever, will not be a light one.

Will they triumph? Will they go home? What else might happen? What else could be in store? There's only way to find out!

Have fun, and good luck! And remember-

All shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.]

Comments

[eternaldivide]

How unfortunate. She sounds like a very nice cat. He didn't seem to be tearing up the place. How far does she normally wander?

[ ... Yeah we're just going to talk about the cat more. It's strangely more comforting than talking about things that make him feel like he's talking to a mirror sooo ]

[15unknowns]

No, she's not mine! She's Jumin's!

[this is why you pay attention during orientation bernie]

[eternaldivide]

[ wow McWood let them talk about the cat???? ]

[15unknowns]

Well, she's an indoor cat, so not far, I would think!...

[otherworldlyking]

[ But that doesn't involve stabbing or fighting things!! If he has to sit through one more minute of inane conversation he's going to stab the Empress, just you watch. ]

[biddentodance]

....these Suns....change whatever they touch.

[He walks forward, toward the light coming in through the window.]

They change, and consume... I'm sorry, but I-- I'm not sure he's still the same V-san you knew. Maybe he is, what do I know, but... Was V-san the kind of person who'd bind people to him, regardless of their wishes?

[eternaldivide]

Does he even take her to places with other people? Where he was seemed to have been some sort of party.

[15unknowns]

That again? I don't know what you are talking about!

[15unknowns]

What? What are you talking about?

[katzenpfote]

[Caleb is just... quietly stepping behind Minato. He's ready to pull the boy away if he does something stupid.]

[katzenpfote]

It's true, however. But I must ask...

Your Twice-Renewed Majesty... where is Misericordia?

[15unknowns]

Oh, of course! He's taken her on planes, and helicopters...she's not scared of those!

[otherworldlyking]

[ Wow why would he ever???? ]

Don't care. Maybe you'll never find the cat.

[ It might be best to just mercy kill her, honestly. He wasn't going to bother making it quick, but this woman...doesn't quite seem to be the one he's looking for. ]

[biddentodance]

[What's a little more transformation? He doesn't know how quickly it will happen, at this proximity, but....will she believe, if he doesn't?]

People exposed to his light directly....become unable to think of anything else, and eventually turn to glass. Would he-- have taken that, from friends and strangers alike?

[He's still heading - slowly - for the light. He's also toying with his own fingers. They're so brittle...]

Think it's possible....when he became a Sun, he lost some of himself.

[eternaldivide]

Hmm... well they were indoors. Would she have wandered to another part of the room, maybe?

[15unknowns]

...

[She looks mightily confused at this.]

Who?

[katzenpfote]

We've been told that there is a Thrice-Renewed Majesty.

[15unknowns]

V would neve-

[and then]

[unwittingking]

You...saw her recently?

[???]

Is this some “keep your friends close and your enemies closer” type situation or am I missing something here?

[2/2]

[friedwings]

omigod THERE YOU ARE!

[Have one MC zooming in, a platter of meatballs in one hand. In the other is Lilac, who is panting from all the running she's clearly being made to do in high heels.

MC, meanwhile, isn't out of breath.]

I can't believe you left!! The meatballs are getting so cold! Everyone was waiting for you and...and you were gone!

Why did you leave!?

[overworker]

Wha--

[The meat...balls...]

O-oh. I... I'm sorry...

[friedwings]

Luigi was so upset...he was so looking forward...!

[She lets Lilac go.]

Please do explain yourselves! I've very disappointed in all of you, you know! You only just arrived...!

[technicolourdifficulties]

[If he could make a record scratch noise on command, RGB would absolutely have used this time to do so. Instead, he just looks kind of bewildered.]

I dislike parties, and I have no ability to eat much of anything, meatballs included.

[biddentodance]

[He was just stepping into some sunlight - only his toes have made it in when Suddenly Meatballs.]

E-Eh?

[friedwings]

That--that doesn't mean you should just...leave!

[She looks utterly bewildered.]

Why don't you like parties? Was..was the Eternal Party too loud? I could always ask everyone to tone it down, or...