FINAL TRIAL

[foundationmods]

TRIAL

After a very, very long six weeks, it has finally come. The last time everyone will need to trudge up those stairs and meet in the master suite. It's do or die time, and hopefully everyone knows what needs to be done by now.

As soon as the guests walk into the room, they will be able to smell the food that the chef has provided: duck l'orange, served up on a nice platter. Eat up everyone!

There are a few unexpected guests this time. A large group of the rats is here, and they show up in a swarm as they carry Gabe into the room, much like how they had carted him off to the Child Daycare last night. Once he is deposited in the room, Gabe will also stand up and remain there, crossing his arm and looking a bit standoffish.

They're not the only unexpected faces around here, though...

VICTIMS: ICHIGO KUROSAKI and THE RESORT THE HOTEL

10 11 GUESTS REMAIN

Comments

THE TRUTH

[foundationmods]

[The Lady and The Captain are both here, along with a wide swath of Staff Members. As everyone files in - everyone including the dead - and the doors close, The Lady steps forward, clearing her throat - pausing just a moment as the Rat on her shoulder gently licks her cheek to smile.]

...Thank you, dear Guests. We apologize for what you have been through - and the injustices you have suffered at our hands. We would have never allowed such a game to happen if it was not absolutely necessary for our survival, and for that, you have our most sincere apologies.

[At once, The Lady, The Captain, and The Staff bow in one motion, deeply.]

And despite our reluctance to make you sit through this yet again, we ask you for your judgement and guidance on one last matter.

[She glares at Gabe - and so does the rest of the group. Even the rats are glaring.]

Gabriel Reyes has been the cause of so much pain - not just for breaking our original rule about not hurting other Guests, but also for even injuring us to the point that, had you not removed him - and if the dead guests had not fought off our own immune response - we would have most certainly died. Our own judgement on him, of course, is death - complete and total, where even his soul may not be allowed to escape.

[She pauses.]

....However, we are aware that the other victim in this trial would not want that, and so - we are washing our hands of this, and we will allow you to decide his punishment. Whatever you decide, we will listen to - it is our penance, for allowing all of you to come to such harm. You will have the standard six hours, of course.

[Finally, she sighs.]

One more thing, Guests, before I allow you to get into the trial. We incorrectly introduced ourselves for this meeting, and every other one since. We had - memory issues, and went back to what we first called ourself after just becoming an adult. But we have a proper name, chosen ourselves, and we ask that you refer to us by it.

[She opens her arms, and a song filters in...]

Welcome, dear Guests. Welcome to The Hotel California.

[resortghosts]

[SUDDEN

SLAM OF THE DESK IN A ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME MANNER]

[resortghosts]

[That caused another ghost to bump into the table in surprise]

[whirlingmace]

[ !!! ]

Hey! You guys can touch things again!

[latebluemer]

[Blinks! Oh, the ghosts are back. In a manner of speaking.]

Wow. How many of you were with us, anyway?

[enter_the_darkness]

Agreed.

[ With a sigh!!! Since them being back has already been acknowledged, he just goes quiet for a moment. ]

Told you so.

[ That's after glancing around a bit...

What the heck is that supposed to mean...?? ]

[rosebridled]

The Hotel California was in Canada?

[latebluemer]

... I guess it was on vacation.

[The most deadpan.]

[dolleyed]

Seems like false advertising to me.

[foundationmods]

We travel.

[Yyyyep.]

[justfists]

[sorry, punishment cop outfit is on. Makoto is Tired. But she doesn't have anything to add to this except,] I guess California is really more of a state of mind.

[resortghosts]

[. . . . . . . .]

[a ghost is stealing her punishment cop hat]

[foundationmods]

[There's a gentle smile from The Lady at that, though it appears tired.]

[whirlingmace]

[ She had fear, until The Lady said that they will let them decide the punishment.

Then her knees are going to feel like jelly and she'll just sink on to the floor. ]

I'm so glad... Thank you.

[ Oh yeah, she's wearing Akira's school uniform. ]

[justfists]

[she gives a thumbs up.]

[latebluemer]

[...]

[Have a headpat, Cinqueling.]

[foundationmods]

No, thank you - our dear Guests.

[She looks...sad, as she speaks.]

We're so sorry that we forced you to participate in this. We know that we can never make up for it, but....please, accept our apologies.

[She bows, again.]

[dolleyed]

[ Kohaku has not become very pop-culture savvy in the one year he spent in this world, so this doesn't phase him. Neither does anything else happening here. He'll just lean back and cross his arms behind his head. ]

Well, I don't give a shit one way or another, so wake me up when you decided this.

[whirlingmace]

[ Hehe. Yes, sleep :) ]

[latebluemer]

[Kohaku has the right idea here, honestly.]

[resortghosts]

[ Yeah but you still get a ghostly hug, sorry Kohaku. ]

[13thpromise]

[ ........

Roxas at least listens to what she has to say, but any words at the moment aren't forthcoming on his end, though his gaze does flicker over to Gabriel. ]

[latebluemer]

... I'm tired of executions. Can't we just make him do community service for a year or something?

[She is not an officer of the law she's just an officer of being Done With His Shit.]

[enter_the_darkness]

You really expect everyone to just go along with this...

[wrongtiming]

—Holy shit, I actually called it!

[PRIORITIES, HUNTER]