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

[charmingheroine]

[This cannot be real.

It is, of course, but there is a perfect gentleman of a cowardly television singing that Vera Lynn song she's heard enough times to know it backwards. How is this real? Dracula is real, though. Was real. Will be again. Maybe she'll be there to kick his ass back into the coffin one last time, maybe she will live to be older than forty.

Charlotte looks at Minato, and places one of her hands over his, even as she can't - doesn't want to - banish thoughts of Jonathan from her mind. She's fickle, and probably crazy, but she does have reasons to live. More than one friend. Maybe a boyfriend, if she hasn't ruined things.

She just has to force her voice to cooperate....]

Don't know where... don't know when....

[biddentodance]

[Music.

The only thing he never lost his passion for.

It's fitting, isn't it? If this is how he dies...well, he'll be fighting to the last, true to his word. People he cares about are here with him, he's not alone anymore. And apparently they're going down singing. He doesn't pull away or twitch at Charlotte's touch.

....He's still so....singing intimidates him. For all he enjoys music, for all he's done private karaoke sessions trying to get up the nerve...it colors his cheeks, but he does add his voice, quietly.]

...some sunny day...