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

[dolleyed]

... well, isn't that a good question?

[ He looks downright helpless here. ]

Alone and bored out of my head or eternally tormented. Such great options.

[rosebridled]

I'd personally advise against the latter so long as it's a choice for you.

[ AT LEAST IT'S OPTIONAL FOR ONE OF THEM ]

But then, I've never really had to worry about being alone, either.

[ Pats Chu-Chu's head as he sits on her shoulder. ]

[dolleyed]

You would, wouldn't you?

[ He still wonders what her story there is, but it seems like that will never get shared. It's fine, too. ]

What are your plans?

[rosebridled]

I don't know. I don't like any of the options much either.

I'm also not really used to having many.

[dolleyed]

[ Yay, solidarity...? ]

Staying here would keep you out of harm's way at least.

[ Which is always a good priority. ]

[rosebridled]

For however much that's worth, yes.

[ Not that she doesn't value her life to some extent, but it's not like she'd actually die either way, and "harm" and "suffering" aren't interchangeable. ]

[dolleyed]

What kind of missions did they make you do back before we came?

[ He's trying to gauge just how awful returning with the others would play out for Anthy. ]

[rosebridled]

[ There's not much point in dancing around it when those in the room who'd been on missions with her before already know. ]

I was there for others to use the swords inside me, mostly; or if they just needed a passive presence who wouldn't die.

[ There were other things occasionally, but she'd gotten the impression that they didn't like having her play an active role that they couldn't readily control. Which was nothing new, really. In a way, it had been nice to know that they were afraid of her. ]

[dolleyed]

The swords in--

[ Kohaku starts saying this in surprise, but then he catches himself and just shrugs. ]

I guess we've seen weirder. Does it hurt you?

[rosebridled]

[ A slight shrug. ]

Not much more than leaving them in.