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

[15unknowns]

He sees me as beautiful not matter what...you couldn't understand our love...it bought us both here, didn't it?

[Would RGB care to see her 'beauty'?]

[overworker]

Even you can't survive like this-- not if your body continues to do this.

MYSTIC MESSENGER TRUE END SPOILERS and cw: ossification

[15unknowns]

I don't care. My foolishness...my pride...my evil nature killed V once before!

[She looks like she wants to stand. Instead her-and the throne-creak, and she stays seated.]

I want to stay with him. I love him, whether he's a human...or a Sun. I want to show him...I love him no matter what.

[overworker]

But... do you really think... he could possibly happy this way? Knowing that existing like this is hurting someone he loves?

If he loves you-- then whether you can be together or not, he'd want you to be safe.

[15unknowns]

But...I am safe...I'm the Empress...

[overworker]

Your face is already half gone. Maybe right now you're fine but you won't be able to keep living this way.

I'm sure... better than anyone... he knows.

MYSTIC MESSENGER SPOILERS

[15unknowns]

My...face?

[She goes to lift her hands. She can't. They, too, are glass.]

Oh...hm.

I...it's a good thing...I can't blind him again!

[She starts to laugh.]

[overworker]

No it's not! If you're gone then... he'll be alone. And it will have been his doing.

You said you killed him once... do you really want to leave him with those same feelings you had to endure if you die?

[15unknowns]

Why would you think I'd leave him again?

[biddentodance]

...Don't....know much about love, but... Don't know that I can believe this is it...

[15unknowns]

Our love...it's sublime. It changes history, it-

If you have that kind of love, why would you let it go?

[biddentodance]

...Because the happiness and wellbeing of the person important to me is more important than my own. Because if being around me causes them pain, then....I'd rather die, then let them suffer.

Highness - is that the proper address? - tell me about V-san?

MYSTIC MESSENGER SPOILERS

[15unknowns]

...He's an artist. Kind, and warm, and bright. Just like the sun. It's what brought me to him. It in an art gallery! He wanted to give me a piece he made for free. I wouldn't let him, so I bought him a coffee.

And so we were dating. Engaged. But...I'm not a good person. In reality...I'm a demon. I exist to hurt.

[Another tear starts to form.]

I hurt him terribly, and yet he still loved me. Begged to to anything for me so I wouldn't hurt others. But I didn't listen. I thought he was burning me up.

Then he died, and I came to an epiphany: V had been my sun, and I couldn't live without his light after all...

[biddentodance]

Sounds like an incredibly kind person...glad you got to meet him.

[Minato...isn't fully sure how to proceed with this. He cannot be angry with her, not someone who, like him, couldn't grieve properly. Someone who has so completely lost herself, to love and loss.]

Doesn't sound like the kind of person who'd hurt anyone, especially not you. Are you - absolutely sure it's him, up there? Not someone else lying to you...?

[This is reckless, but....god, it might be the only way. He doesn't want to. He glances around at his fellow survivors. They wouldn't want him to - well, McBurn might. But if it gets them out of here safely...]

[15unknowns]

Of course I'm certain-!

[A deep breath.]

I saw it myself, after God brought me here. I saw them bring him back. But not as a human. Not anymore! No...they made him perfect. They brought him here, where the Sun was dying...and in the core...his soul...

[Her eye brightens at the memory.]

I watched as the golden eye of the Sun turned mint. Just like his eyes. And I knew. He was alive again! He was alive and he'll be alive...forever!

[eternaldivide]

[ .... Honestly Mithos was possibly thinking the same thing Minato is thinking. It's reckless, and stupid, and will likely get Minato in trouble with the group again but ...

At the same time The Empress doesn't seem to understand, or acknowledge, what they mean about the glass. And Minato is their best bet in showing her proof that something is happening. Proof other than herself that she cannot deny.

So really ... he lowkey has Mithos' approval if he choose to go that route. If he catches it, Mithos will be giving him a understand look as he glances around. ]

[technicolourdifficulties]

...Is that truly what V wants though? If he is as devoted to you as you are to him, I would think that he would want you to live.

[This... hurts. It makes him think of someone who he would likely never see again, and it hurts.]

[1/2]

[15unknowns]

I...I am alive. And warm...and-

[2/2]

[strangerpeople]

[Suddenly, there is shouting coming from the bridge.]

[technicolourdifficulties]

[Welp. That sounds like it might be their cue to either get ready to fight or run.]

[overworker]

[Towa's eyes dart over in the direction the sounds are coming from. If she has to defend someone, she has her gun and knives-- she's ready if it comes down to it.]

[1/2]

[strangerpeople]

[The sound of running, sounding like a bumrush--and--]

[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...

[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.