FINAL INVESTIGATION

[strangerpeople]

FINAL INVESTIGATION


[Fifteen X-Passes. Six weeks. Freedom at last.



But it's not the end. Of course it's not. There are questions to answer, and souls to save. And now that the group is outside, they can see where they are.

They are inside a massive cavern, illuminated in an eerie green light, standing on a stone path. On one side is the ship-or rather, a massive, ship-shaped tangle of bloody branches, the trunk-like roots snaking out and into the river its buoyed on, as well as into the ceiling of stalactites. Said river is wine dark, but it's clearly not water. No-it is blood.

And on the other side of their little pathway? A root-encrusted palace. It sits over a labyrinthine city, bathed in emerald, and all is eerily silent save for some sounds coming from within the castle. It's clear the infestation somehow started here. And it is here that answers are likely to be found.

The doors are right in front of the group-and they are already open, covered in branches. From the outside, it seems little more than a ruin. Once everyone goes in, though?




It's even worse. The tree has taken over. Whatever lives here is no longer in charge. There's no easy way to disentangle the Qilphoth from this place. But there is life here, somehow. You can see figures entangled within the roots as you explore. And-they are still, somehow, alive. More than alive. They are beings that bleed ichor instead of blood-beings of incredible divinity and power. They are gods. And they are hostage to the tree, forever and ever, trapped in induced ennui, unless something is done.


So welcome, Strangers, to the House of Hades.]







[Once you enter, the investigation shall begin.


Good luck.]



((OoC: And here are team assignments!))

Comments

[pegasinister]

[He chuckles in dark delight at the idea]

[exequte]

Tell the truth... you practiced that laugh until you thought it was menacing enough, didn't you?

1/2

[pegasinister]

[pegasinister]

...what a 15 year old Hubert did in the privacy of his quarters is no one's business but his, thank you very much.

[exequte]

[Her own laughter is bright and bell-like, and he will get a chance to hear it right now.]

[hatesdeerstalkers]

My dear, you can't just reveal a villain's secrets like that! There are rules!

[Wait nope he's popped his head back in to say that, though quieter this time.]

[pegasinister]

Her cruelty knows no bounds...

[hatesdeerstalkers]

Such a terrible taskmaster we both have, hm? Alas!

[pegasinister]

[he nods in agreement- but somehow there's an aura of anime sparkles and warmth coming off him at the idea regardless.]

[hatesdeerstalkers]

[Conversations to be had later, then, as Moriarty also gives off an aura of warmth and amusement, even as a shadowy robe with eyes.]

[exequte]

Hubert...! Daddy...!!

[she cannot believe they are ganging up on her like this OH, THE HUMANITY.]

[pegasinister]

So much bullying...

[exequte]

[You know what just for that she is going to bully him in the most efficient way she knows.

Namely--a little carefully, mindful of his ribs still being hurt--she reaches up, laughing, and pulls his head down before kissing him solidly on the cheek.]

[unpossibilities]

I think Akane is nice and I, for one, am grateful to have her.

[he's. a good boy. arf. arf.]

[exequte]

Thank you, Kaito! It's good to know somebody appreciates me.

[hatesdeerstalkers]

We say it with love, my dear.

[exequte]

[She gives him A Look for a moment and then, very dramatically, strikes an elegant pose, the back of one hand raised to her forehead, and holds the attitude for several beats.]

Alas.

[Even her voice is now More Dramatic, as though she is acting in a play. Poorly.]

My friends have joined mine enemies and surround me on all sides. Whatever shall I do?

[hatesdeerstalkers]

[...

There's a moment as he stares at her...and then shakes his head.]

Akane, I'm disappointed in you.

[...]

Put more emotion into it! Make me feel your sorrow and despair! Assaulted on all sides by those who you once called friends....show me the depths of agony one would feel during that moment!

[exequte]

[For a moment she looks surprised, perhaps slightly taken aback, pose faltering slightly, but then he continues and immediately her pose adjusts to be even more dramatic. Back further arched, head further thrown back, expression something that might approximate what one might call anguish.]

Alas! I fear! You are right!!

[There is a brief pause, and then, not quite sure what else to do in this moment, she...

Well it's more that she carefully lies down than falls over, but.

The attempt is there? Maybe?]

[hatesdeerstalkers]

[....no this is even worse.]

No! No! You needn't put that much into it!! The spirit is willing, but your execution lacking, my dear! Watch and learn!

[THE CAPE BILLOWS AROUND DRAMATICALLY as he leans over her prone form, his voice suddenly laden through with grief]

Ah, my dearest one! Who did this to you, that leaves you so pale upon the floor?!

[superstylishsquid]

Cut!

[Called from across the room, in disappointment.]

I think we need to take it from the top, give Akane a chance to start over.

[pegasinister]

[hubert watches all of this with quickly growing horror as more and more of the strangers show up to join in the chaos.

Eventually he breaks. Breaks into laughter that is. It's not even his usual sinister chuckle (though still creepy, between his naturally whispery voice and his wheezing thanks to his ribs), but instead loud almost hysterical guffaws. He even has to brace his hands on his knees due to nearly doubling over]

Flames... we're all going to die down here!

[even so, he sounds exceptionally fond]

[exequte]

[Akane breaks character to beam over at him.]

[somuchshipping]

Nawwwww, you like it! Go on, join in!

[hatesdeerstalkers]

Speak for yourself! Some of us are already dead!

[HEHEHEHEHEHE]