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

[technicolourdifficulties]

[Okay, okay, he's calm, he's calm, he can at least ask questions-]

...And what, pray tell, would the cost be?

[15unknowns]

A very simple one. She will gain a Soul Gem, and she must fight Witches.

[eternaldivide]

And if she fails like the many other magical girls? The plan is flawed.

[15unknowns]

That part can’t be helped. In any case, what happens after she contracts is no concern of ours, so long as she becomes a witch as she is meant to be.

[eternaldivide]

Meant to be? I doubt it. With so many wefts I'm sure the one you're from isn't the only one with powers that could be taken into consideration.

[15unknowns]

Where we come from is irrelevant. Right now, Chaeson Moon is considering a contract with us. She promised herself to us, and eventually, she will realize that to save any of you, she will have little choice.

[technicolourdifficulties]

You are absolutely correct. Where is irrelevant. Why you want this contract so badly is what really matters.

[15unknowns]

Of course. We come from another universe. We too are refugees! It just happens some of us ended up here, in this universe.

[eternaldivide]

... And yet, I could've sworn I heard that not even a contract could stop the wefts. So how exactly will it be helping if she does choose your option.

[15unknowns]

Very simple. The Sun’s manipulation of time is exacerbating the situation. Doing something about the Sun could significantly reduce the wefts and give this universe the space and time it needs to rectify the situation.

Of course, they would have to deal with the Witch that results from the Empress’ wish, but that’s not any of our concern.

[otherworldlyking]

"Could".

Doesn't mean it'll work for sure after all.

[15unknowns]

That depends on how she wishes. It’s not on us if she wishes for the wrong thing, after all.

[technicolourdifficulties]

Oh, come now. You have the power to grant wishes, and yet you do not use it on yourselves to save this - and in the process your own - universe?

No, if you do not have some ulterior motive, you are like me - your very nature prevents you from doing such. So the question I pose is this: What are you that requires this course of action?

[15unknowns]

We can’t contract. We don’t have emotions. In any case our universe is doomed.

[Yet they don’t seem too broken up over it...]

[technicolourdifficulties]

[He mulls over this fact a moment. This is real dangerous territory he's about to tread into but he has to know...]

Speaking entirely in the hypothetical, what might a contract do to someone whose very blood is emotion?

[katzenpfote]

... That sounds like a steep price. And what would happen if the terms of the contract were broken?

[15unknowns]

...Our contracts can’t be broken. Others have tried but there are always loopholes that can be found.

[katzenpfote]

Ah. So you are a devil, then.

[15unknowns]

No. In fact, we fled from the tyranny of a demon. We aren’t evil.

[katzenpfote]

Demons and devils are very different. Devils make contracts. Demons just destroy.

... Devils do, too... but that's not what they're primarily known for.

[15unknowns]

We're neither. We are Messengers of Magic!

They call us Kyuubey.

[katzenpfote]

You don't look like any sort of arcane beast I know of.

[He looks to Frumpkin, who flicks his ears back. That's a negative from him, too.]

[charmingheroine]

"What happens to a message when the messenger is dead?"

[She's not moved in any fashion that could be construed as threatening, and she's plainly repeating something she heard a while ago.

It's a desperation move. If these things can be kept off balance, then maybe... well, she doesn't know what, but she's trying.]

[15unknowns]

You would try and kill us? That would be a waste of energy for everyone, wouldn't it?

[charmingheroine]

No. I'm wondering if you're even properly alive.