thefoundation | FINAL TRIAL

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Aoi is at least greeting most of the people coming off the cart, and she's still here for the stragglers, quiet and resolute and wearing the slightest smile throughout -- there's something peaceful in it, just watching the life flow back into the Resort like a slow-moving river.

Like the tide coming in softly, after the game had tried to drown them entirely.

It would absolutely be awkward otherwise, if it weren't for some of the atmosphere of celebration and gladness, because if her relationship with Gerome (and Minerva) was an interesting one before, well... She looks thoughtful for a moment when she comes to him.]

Welcome back, Gerome-san. [...] Thank you for the duck, by the way.

[Yes, that was an important thing to get out of the way. Absolutely.]

FINAL TRIAL

I couldn't... resist......