15strangers | FINAL TRIAL

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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

So...my family is safe? Not in space prison, not going to get killed by rapid aging, they're just...back at home, fine?

[Despite being nervous, Cheetah-King is relatively calm when seeing this. Godly beings sort of lose their edge when you've met several before, even if this one is kind of...different.]

{ Unnecessary harm serves no purpose outside of the Little Courtesy. They have been freed. }

...Wait, seriously?

[Ris was just going to let everyone else handle this, because like hell she knows what she's doing, but—]

You did exactly one thing right with my hostage, and now you've let that bastard go? You want to hold this place together, so you unleash a madman into a new world of horrible sciences he can dip his fingers into?!

Well. If we can find my group, we can take care of that problem very easily for you.

[He'll very gently (making sure he crosses her field of vision so as not to startle her) place a comforting hand on Ris's shoulder.]

After this, we will find him. We will make sure that he can do no more harm, to you or to anyone else. I may not participate, but I do believe I might enjoy watching whatever Caleb's group has in store for the bastard.

[Ris doesn't flinch away from the touch, but the shaking of her limbs is bad enough to be visible. If she's still holding Mithos' hand, she's squeezing it tightly in rage.]

No. None of you get to deliver that unto him!

Give us back what you had them take from us, now, and I might just let myself stop at ripping that man open stitch by stitch!

[Yeah, she's. She's not okay right now, at all. Her voice is cracking from raising it.]

[Mmmmm, that's not good. Understandable, but he's definitely concerned.]

In that case, we'll just secure the exits to prevent his escape then, shall we?

Yeah, definitely.

[Now Ris he's afraid of, even he doesn't fully understand what she's talking about.]

That will work just fine, thank you.

[Her voice comes too quick and too sharp.]

I wouldn't dare hurt any of you, anyway.

She still hasn't said where that freedom actually is, Ris.

[By which Charlotte means "if it is here, and he is on a piece of a world, we will find him". On second thought, perhaps it's best to voice that...]

If it's on land pulled through that lingers here, and he's allowed visitation... well. I doubt they'd deny us all the right to pay a nice, lingering social call with some pliers and... [God, what else is suggestive of torture without being too suggestive? Why does her mind blank now?] ...rock salt.

[You know, despite really wanting this to herself right now, she can't help but laugh a little at that, as bitter as it is.]

...Pliers and rock salt, hm? You'll... you'll have to tell me more once we're done with this monstrosity.

Once I've got my head on straight again I know I can suggest something better, but right now?

[She shrugs, and shakes her head, though it still aches.]

I'm not at my best.

Do any of us have our heads screwed on straight right about now? Worry not.

{ . . . Ah. That man is still in custody.

Fork incident. }

[Okay, that's enough to calm her a little, although she's still quivering a bit.]

Oh, good. You're not a complete idiot, after all...

[A deep breath.]

We maintain our request, however.

Good.

[He was willing to fight her for that if he had to, so hearing that that's already taken care of is a relief.

As for the other concern...]

Now, about ending these murder trains? Can you do that too?

FINAL TRIAL

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keywords are hysteriffyingly relevant in their original lyric context

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