thefoundation | WEEK 1

Entry tags:

round 2

WEEK 1 - TRIAL

TRIAL

It's been a long night, with the knowledge burning in your brain that one of your number has died. Even if the victim wasn't known very well, this dangerous game of Mafia was still played, and that might be the worst of all. Not only that, but the Apprentice's warning still rings heavy in your minds - especially after seeing the state of Szayel's body.

The Lady appears for once when everyone is gathered, leading you all up the stairs to the third floor, past whatever glimpses of the upper floors you might get. The room she takes you to is, frankly, extravagant. There's snacks and drinks waiting inside, along with....a new person? It's a man, and as The Lady leaves and closes the doors behind her, the man tilts his head up and speaks.

"You can call me The Captain. Since one of you have died during the game, it's your responsibility to try and vote someone out. You have six hours to talk about it, but then-"

He taps on a box on the table in front of him, labeled 'VOTES'

"-you'll have to put in your vote so someone can be punished. Not voting, well...That's a lot like not playing. And trust me - you want to play."

The man sits down at the table, leaning back and placing his feet on the table while crossing his arms.

"So get to it."

As he says that, music begins to play in the room...

VICTIM: SZAYELAPPORO GRANZ

30 GUESTS REMAIN.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Granz-san technically told everyone. On the chat, when we were talking to Appy-kun.

[All of those were public, and all.]

Neither of them were shy about it.

The only one who seemed nervous about it to Granz-san specifically was, well. The Medic.

Do you think it was a mistake?

[It's starting to sound like abilities could be a liability. It's not like she has any stand-out ones of her own involving information or anything, but... this is going to be a pickle going forward.]

And why was the Medic nervous about it?

Yes, it was.

And I don't know, perhaps he could enlighten us?

[He huffs.]

I think I'm entitled to having my secrets, ja?

[Way to throw him under the bus, guys, that conversation was PRIVATE even though they were very obviously in public and everyone could probably see them talking together]

I think in this case, it would be better to clear your name, yes?

[Not when clearing your name will make you look worse!]

Much like him, I have worked with souls before in a medical context. However, my work is more of a secretive nature. I wanted to talk with him about his own ability without others listening in.

But you looked panicked. That doesn't sound like passive research interest.

[she is not going to let this go]

I wasn't panicked! Just concerned.

... Look. I may have done some experiments on my own soul in the past. The best research subject is yourself, ja? I wanted to explain the context behind them to avoid him reacting negatively at the sight of my soul situation.

[Everything he's said so far is true]

[hmmmm..... she looks. well, unconvinced is a word for it. But neutral.

that was more believable than the original line at least?]

I see.

... I think I understand less and less what kind of doctor you are.

[At least it's exasperated instead of judging, because Szayel has long ago surpassed this guy in terms of dubiousness. All the same.]

Does that mean you have soul abilities, like Nanashi and Granz-san?

Not innate soul abilities, no. Just ones that I've developed over time through my experiments and through technology, like any other abilities I had before coming here.

For example- my body is usually able to regenerate after receiving non-mortal wounds, but that appears to have been blocked by this place. I also have my Medigun, which can heal nearly any injury prior to death; though it's been tampered with, as well.

Does that help?

I think it does. Obviously, they wouldn't want anything to interfere with their little murder game, but I didn't know they could block abilities like that. Even in machines.

[There's a lot going on she doesn't know about, obviously, but she's starting to get a picture of what they're up against. In terms of the overseers, anyway.]

Do you think you have any soul abilities that would help with... all of this?

Unfortunately, no. I would need the devices I've built in order to see or manipulate a soul, and they didn't come with me. Given enough time and materials, I could conceivably build a new set, but I don't know what the use would be, unless most of these trials will involve souls.

I'd prefer to put more effort into fixing my Medigun, but I doubt the Staff will allow something so powerful to work here when killing is so important.

[He blinks a couple times as Medic describes all of that.]

Wait, so is your healing slower? Or not there at all?

Not there at all, so far as I can tell.

...

[Yeah, he's.

Just pulling a knife out (where did he get it from? WHO KNOWS) and stabbing himself in his left hand. To test his healing factor.

Spoilers: It's not as fast as it should be, nope.]

Ah. You're right.

[He does not sound so concerned about it, though he did flinch at the pain of stabbing himself.]