AND THE PEOPLE WHO GAIN THE WORLD

[strangerpeople]

AND LOSE THEIR SǪ͞UL̨̡͢


[The time goes down to zero. Vyce's fists clenched.]

. . .You fools.

[He raises a hand, and suddenly, Lala lets out a gasp as she begins to grab at her throat. Green lines begin to glow from within her body as she starts to writhe, before falling to the ground into convulsions.]

For all of your claims and bravado, you still voted to condemn her! You claim to care, you claim she is innocent, you claim to want to take her place, but in the end it never mattered!

THIS is why I cannot trust anyone with my mission! THIS is why YOU would fail in MY shoes! THIS IS WHY I ALONE MUST--



[Suddenly, everyone is thrown to the side as something violently jostles the whole house, Vyce included. Immediately, Lala collapses to the floor, and the glowing lines disappear.]

WHAT THE-

[It actually felt like the house was rammed just then.]

Comments

[whatsmytalentagain]

[And so the mastermind is shot down.

Funny. In all the murdergames Rantaro's been dragged through, he never really experienced a sense of closure quite like this one. Can't remember the first time, didn't live the second... No idea what's happening in the Fayflower world right now...

But it's gonna be okay.

He leans against the wall, one hand clinging to the strap of his bag, staring wistfully at the screen. Finally, he sighs as if a weight had been lifted off his weary shoulders.]

[thiscomicsucks]

[Linkara, likewise, slumps in his seat.]

...Is everyone ok?

[He sounds tired.]

[whatsmytalentagain]

[That's a feeling all right.

Rantaro looks around... Well. There is one thing. His throat still feels sore, so guess he's back to dragging the notebook out of his bag and writing stuff.

So enjoy seeing this guy walking up to you and holding this message up for you.]

I'm fine. Worried about Inaba-san, though. Think there's anything that can be done for her?

[thiscomicsucks]

...Not sure. How long has she been dead?

[whatsmytalentagain]

...

Found her body this morning.

[thiscomicsucks]

Good couple of hours...Nimue?

SCANNING. . .

[clickclickclickclick]

THIS UNIT CAN CONFIRM THAT THE PHYSICAL BODY OF THE DECEASED INDIVIDUAL HAS SHUT DOWN BEYOND ACCEPTABLE PARAMETERS OF REVIVAL. BRAIN DEATH HAS LONG SET IN, AND AS WE ARE NOT IN CONTACT WITH THE ZERO STONE'S MULTIVERSE, YOU WOULD BE UNABLE TO MANIPULATE REALITY TO REVIVE HER BACK IN THAT BODY WITHOUT ILL EFFECTS OR EVEN FURTHER DEGRADATION.

[nightmareofdivinity]

'In that body'.

... Find another one?

[thiscomicsucks]

THIS UNIT WOULD BE REMISS IN REVIVING A DEAD BRAIN, INSIDE ANOTHER BODY, WITHOUT FEAR OF ORGAN REJECTION AND OTHER UNFORESEEN CONSEQUENCES.

[nightmareofdivinity]

Then one without a brain for the time being. We hath known someone who possessed armor.

[whatsmytalentagain]

[When you put it that way, it sounds like a disservice to a smart girl like Inaba.]

[thiscomicsucks]

SUCH A SOLUTION MAY BE POSSIBLE IN OTHER UNIVERSES WITH CORRESPONDING EXPERTISE.

HOWEVER, AT PRESENT, THIS UNIT MUST CONFORM TO THE PARAMETERS OF THIS UNIVERSE's UNDERSTANDING AND ABILITY. BARRING A GUARANTEED MAGICAL SOLUTION WHICH CAN PRESENT ITSELF WITHOUT SIDE EFFECTS TO THE INDIVIDUAL IT WAS BEING CAST ON OR ON OTHER INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN THE RITUAL, THERE IS NO REASONABLE WAY TO REVIVE THIS INDIVIDUAL IN A BODY THAT HAS LONG GONE THROUGH BRAIN DEATH. NOR WOULD TRANSFERRING THE BRAIN BE FEASIBLE DUE TO BRAIN DEATH.

[whatsmytalentagain]

...

[He frowns, lowering his head... Well. It was worth a shot...

Wait, there's still... He glances at Yoosung.]

What about reviving as a robot or something? That's what happened to my friend in the red glasses.

[starswink]

We were able to do that because of Vivienne's fitbits... but still, Vyce said I have "living data", so maybe... maybe that's a thing other people could have?

[thiscomicsucks]

SCANNING FRIEND WITH THE RED GLASSES...

[clicketyclickclickclick]

THIS UNIT HAS FORMED A HYPOTHESIS BASED ON THE SCANS OF THE DECEASED INDIVIDUAL AND THE FRIEND WITH THE RED GLASSES.

[starswink]

[ah, scans. welp, he'll just stay still for this then. it's For Inaba]

Oh, hey. Nimue, right? You can just call me Yoosung...

So what'd you figure out?

[whatsmytalentagain]

Hm?

[Okay, motioning for you to go on.]

[touchsensors]

Please tell us-lun!

[whatsmytalentagain]

[He's nodding. That's exactly what he was thinking of...

The living data thing, though. That's what gets a raised brow.]

[nolongerasleep]

I was able to create an artificial being from nothing. Perhaps I could do something to assist with this.

[whatsmytalentagain]

...

Anything helps

[starswink]

Wouldn't that just be your best estimation of Inaba's personality though? [it's a nice thought, but... from nothing sounds like it would have serious drawbacks.]

[touchsensors]

[...]

[touchsensors]

Since about midnight-lun.

[Oh, right, she's the "killer" so she knows that.]

[whatsmytalentagain]

[... There ya go. Nodding at that.]

[thiscomicsucks]

[aaaaah]