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

ONE LAST VOTE

[thricerenewed]

[The golem slowly releases herself from Caleb's grasp.

She doesn't need to breathe. But there is something like nervousness in her countenance.]

{ ...strangers.

Do...you trust me to do the right thing? }

[One last vote. Majority rules. This will decide things once and for all.]

[overworker]

[Having listened to everything thus far, she hasn't been any help at all. But she has to speak up here.]

...I owe you this much.

I do. I trust you will do what is right. I believe you've been trying all along. And if there's anything I can do to help, I'd want to do it.

TOWA: TRUST

[strangerpeople]

[biddentodance]

I do.

Feeling trapped, having the weight of the world on your shoulders.... I get it. Same thing I was facing, in my world. But...part of my own contract. Go forth without falter, with your heart as your guide.

MINATO: TRUST

[strangerpeople]

[technicolourdifficulties]

[It's a hard choice. One he doesn't think he can really trust himself to make. But...

He smiles.]

Hero would trust you, so I will put my faith in her.

RGB: TRUST

[strangerpeople]

Vote Discussion??

[otherworldlyking]

[ McBurn doesn't immediately vote—not like the other times.

He doesn't say immediately no for one reason and only that reason. But at the same time, it's hard for him to say yes. To just trust in this person who pulled them all together in that murder game—even if it was in desperation, in regret, in guilt. ]

...Hard to say either way. Especially when you haven't said when you'll be doing.

[ He doesn't expect a straight answer, but at the same time...it's probably at least worth discussing—if the others wish to. ]

[charmingheroine]

[She doesn't want to turn away from everyone. But the Bright - Charlotte Aulin has never been one to be easily led, no matter how easy it would be to fold and allow that. She has to remember that much of herself.]

Looking at the track record that led us here, how do we know this will be any different from every time before?

[higanbana]

I don't know if we do. It feels like here, all we really have to go in gut instinct.

[Ris sighs, troubled.]

And even between all of us, I'm not sure we have a solid answer.

[otherworldlyking]

...What a pain.

[ Like the biggest pain. Multiuniversal pain. ]

[charmingheroine]

Twenty-three years is more than I thought I'd get.

[She sighs, looking down, and then up at McBurn, and at Ris. Her eyes itch,her voice is rough and her throat hurts. But she is alive, for now.]

Gut instinct isn't enough. We need data, and what we have so far shows a pattern of behavior that... doesn't bode well for us if we trust her.

[katzenpfote]

... No. But I do know a friend of mine would be disappointed if I didn't go on faith.

Several friends, actually.

[Just. Tilts his head towards Minato.]

I think she's ready to try to change.

[katzenpfote]

[He releases her slowly, looking up at the red eyes around them. The little devils... but it's not their choice. He looks at the Empress - looks at Chaesun - and reaches into his pocket one last time.]

[He pulls out a small, sleeping cat and puts it on Chaesun's shoulder.]

... I think you both... need a friend.

But... yes. I will trust you.

[thricerenewed]

[There is an odd little sound that comes from the golem.



It might be delight. It might be sadness. It might be both. But she holds the cat close, burying her head into it.]

CALEB: TRUST

[strangerpeople]

DECISION

[otherworldlyking]

For now.

[ Part of it is because she saved Towa, and he supposed after his small chat with Caleb, he'll see what she has in store.

If she tries anything funny, he plans on struggling until the end anyway. ]

BERNIE: TRUST

[strangerpeople]

[unwittingking]

I’m...I’m not sure I can.

You and the people you work with put me on a train and made me watch people die after I started to care about them. You threatened my family, the people I care most about...trying to goad me into killing someone. The only reason I didn’t was because I tried to drown my sorrows about it. And when no one else did anything, it was a kid that killed someone, just to keep her brother from dying.

I...I don’t think I can trust you, no matter what anyone says.

[After knowing so many Godly beings that only really look out for themselves, or just help others for their own plans...he’s not sure this one will be much different.]

KING: DISTRUST

[strangerpeople]

[eternaldivide]

I don't trust you.

[ even after what he told charlotte he can't bring himself to say he has trust or faith in her. that's not the kind of person he is. and really, he never really was. there's only ever been a select few who have gained it. ]

But enough of us seem to. So whatever it is you plan on trying to do don't screw it up.

[ ... really that can be taken either way since trust seems to be majority regardless. ]

MITHOS: DISTRUST

[strangerpeople]

[higanbana]

...Personally, I don't trust you, either.

I can't. I've enough experience with beings in power to know that not a one of you can ever be trusted, formerly mortal or not.

But in the end, the others have made their decision. I will not act against them, therefore nor shall I hold you back from whatever it is you do.

[And with that, she just takes a deep breath. Whatever comes to pass from here, at least she finally said what she felt rather than lying down at letting things happen to her.]

RIS: DISTRUST

[strangerpeople]

FINAL VOTE: 6-3

[strangerpeople]