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

[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...

[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...!

[overworker]

We didn't mean to ruin your event... I'm sure they were wonderful, really.

But we came here to have a meeting. It wasn't personal.

[friedwings]

A...a meeting?

What...what are you talking about? A meeting with who?

[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.

[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...

[technicolourdifficulties]

No, no, I just always expect something to go horribly wrong, like someone getting a shiv to the kidney or the like.

[biddentodance]

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

E-Eh?

[friedwings]

AH!

[She goes to grab Minato.]

Come on, you've already missed the contest and we're going to miss karaoke if we don't hurry!

[biddentodance]

[He might've been singing to Charlotte earlier, but-- in front of how many people?! His face goes pink at the thought--]

Kind of-- busy, right now....

[How hard is she trying to pull on him...]

[otherworldlyking]

[ He'd just taken out his sword, expecting a fight, so this is probably awkward. ]

Because staying there is a waste of time.

[friedwings]

A-A waste!?

[She brings a hand to her chest.]

I...I've worked so hard to make the party perfect for everyone! Surely there's something you'd like to do!

[otherworldlyking]

[ ... ]

Yeah, there's something I'd like to do. Just so happens not to be at your boring party.

[higanbana]

If your "party" doesn't give us back our powers and let me shut off half the voices in my head without leaving me a sun-praising maniac, I've no interest.

[unwittingking]

...and who are you??

[It’s one thing to deal with a ditzy empress, it’s another to deal with...whoever this lady is.]

[friedwings]

I'm the MC of Perdurance! I..I've been organizing the party, I...

Why did you leave? Did...did I make a faux pas of some kind? Please, I need to know so I might correct it!

[unwittingking]

MC? Like...the person that’s on the mic?

[That’s the only thing that comes to mind hearing that.]

We left because that place was freaky, to put it lightly. People were getting mind controlled, and I’d still like to know what happened to Chaesun!

[katzenpfote]

[That's... not what he expected. But he approaches Lilac, hands in his pockets, and attempts to transfer what's in his hands to her pocket.]

[Unfortunately, he's not as smooth as Nott, so he ends up fumbling at her coat a bit and instead just puts his hand on her back like he's trying to brace her while he puts the other hand against hers.]

[There's something... heavy in her hand.]

[disregartist]

?

[She looks down at it.]

[katzenpfote]

[It's something green and familiar...]