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

[biddentodance]

[She's not looking at him, and she's placing her trust in his....it's heavy. Especially when he isn't completely confident. He's made mistakes before - hopefully he won't come to on a cross this time. It's hard to get that man's laughter out of his ears.

Live or die, they'll do it together, right? He - it's hesitant, careful of boundaries, because he isn't sure it's okay - approaches. And wraps his arms around her gently. Minato is steady, and breathes slowly. He isn't certain. But certainty is the opposite of trust, isn't it? And the opposite of faith.

Right now, he wants to shut everything else out. Let her be weak, let her be broken, let her be - he wants to protect Charlotte. He says nothing. But he is here.]

[charmingheroine]

[All she can ask for is... this. He isn't pushing for anything else, he'd just wanted an answer.

Charlotte wraps her arms around Minato, and hides her face against his shoulder, and wonders if she gave the right one. Wonders if she's doing the right thing, giving in to what she wanted to be true instead of standing aside. She wonders, and worries, and - doesn't give voice to any of it.

If she tries hard, she can ignore everything except his arms around her. She wants to do that, right now. She may not know what's about to happen, she may not be able to trust herself or her heart, but there is a young man from the future holding her and asking for nothing else. For a few perfect moments, she can just exist, and that's enough.]