FINAL TRIAL

[faentasy]

Final Trial

investigation

profiles

This Friday morning you've investigated as has become commonplace, even if the circumstances have shifted. And now it's time to take stock of what you've found, what options you have, what options you don't, in the lull of action you have left.

The abyss in the fountain beckons, but doesn't demand quite yet. Who knows when that will change, though.

[OOC NOTE: You'll have the first hour of trial to discuss what you found in final investigation yesterday, and then we'll get this show on the road! ]

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Comments

[ideismo]

Only insofar as you have business with us. You're the reason we're here, are you not?

[sans_merci]

That's right. We did talk before your arrival here. Perhaps you don't remember by now.

[Yeah, she's the one who talked to everyone about their wishes.]

[ideismo]

Why us specifically? If you don't mind my asking.

[sans_merci]

It was mostly out of opportunity -- but there's something about you all that got my attention. I think the answer to that one is obvious, isn't it?

[Looks like the Beldam is prodding them to see how much they know about the things she does]

[ideismo]

...I have to wonder if it's the fact that none of us were content with our lives.

Were we children, I would say that we were brought here so you could give us what we want. So you could make us happy. Perhaps so you could love us. But we're all older than you normally like, aren't we?

[sans_merci]

Correct! That's mostly it -- just because one grows up doesn't mean you think everything is nice and satisfactory. It'd have been much harder to convince anyone here to kill if they were content with their lives.

[Looks like she approves of the response. That seems to be a good sign]

You are. I'm not used to taking adults here to be consumed. Let's ask it this way:

Why was this all set this way? The whole murder mystery charade, full of mostly adults. Any ideas?

[ideismo]

[Again, he considers for a moment.]

Perhaps adults are better able to thrive than the children - perhaps we don't die as quickly, so we're capable of being here with you longer before you're required to devour us. Meanwhile, the murder mystery is a game, we've all been referring to it as such - and games tend to bring out traits often found in the children you care for so much. Curiosity, determination, resilience, a desire to do things that most reasonable adults would not - those are all traits the game has brought out of us.

It allows you to affect our behavior and mold it into something you like, can experience for longer, and can care for from a distance, without running any risk to you.

If I had to wager a guess, that is.

[sans_merci]

[The Beldam claps a little. There's no way that was a sincere clap]

Impressive. I suppose if there's one thing I like about adults is that they think things through.

[Seems like Alexei has some rather good points there]

I'm pretty fond of games, too. Me crafting all this was a little guilty pleasure for me -- seeing people compete for the prize I was offering. You all getting here wasn't part of the game, but that's fine.

[Even though she says that, perhaps they all will realize there's stuff she's not saying. Looks like she's trying to keep something under covers on that regard.

Perhaps that's why she tries to distract from that particular part with something else]

There's one last, big reason, though.

[ideismo]

If the two reasons I've given you so far are "you wanted to" and "we were amenable", then the last reason is logically "you had to."

You're not at your full strength right now, but after today you will be. Something happened and now the children aren't enough.

[sans_merci]

...yes. That's it. I had to.

[She shrugs, a little morose]

Survival is like that.

[incompletely]

It is.

[ Ironic, that. ]

So that means you understand why we're not okay with what's been going on, right?

[sans_merci]

Oh, something about attachments. Trust me, I get it: I get attached to my children and to Hamelin!

[Not remotely the same, Beldam]

[ideismo]

It is.

[He has no argument with that, really.]

And yet we're here now, despite the fact that we shouldn't be. You haven't eaten us yet, and you've verified that you have no plans to consume us here.

So if survival is of the utmost, am I correct in assuming that you can't consume us at the moment?

Decision Ahoy

[sans_merci]

More like I can call my losses. I'd have liked to have all of your lives, but perhaps I should take what I have now.

[It's time for her offer:]

I'll make a compromise. It pains me to leave so much of my sustenance leave, but I'll live and that's what matters. I'll fulfill all of your wishes and then let you leave -- but to make it sweeter, I'll add a few things more to the offer. Like another ball of ice cream for your cone:

Yuri, McGillis, and...Hamelin, by extension: accept it and I won’t tear Hamelin apart. He still is one of my creations, after all. I could stash him away with the rest of the used puppets, but I won’t. Accept, and he will be allowed to live and spend his time freely here. I’ll even allow you all to be here with him if you want to!

[But she won’t allow him to ever leave. Satisfied with that, she faced everyone else]

I’ll give all of you back some of the people who died [She goes pointing at people] Your twin [Tenn] The girl you executed [Edelgard] The one you trust [Huaisang] Your subordinate [Alexei. Satisfied, she points at Yeager] I'll see what I can do about the woman you loved. I can bring her back too, just like I did with Hamelin. [Koto] You'll get a family -- not just your mother, anyone you can want. [Phil and Marcus] And to you two, I'll add to that a happier life with each other. You both think you can do it with no issues, but I can make it sweeter with some effort.

I will even teach a select few of you the life skills you need so this tall blond man here won’t be so disappointed in you all! You won’t leave this place without knowing how to make a bed competently! There’s no way anyone can say no to my generosity! All it’ll require is to leave with me some of the people who died during the last few weeks. It’s not a bad offer..

[This is it. The Beldam has made her offer -- and she tried her best to make it compelling. Now...what do you say, survivors?]

[vogelfrei]

[ He'll just sit back in his chair to wait and see, because as far as he's concerned that's an okay enough deal, really. The only thing that is missing from it is Jack, but Jack told him to reach for his wish no matter what...

So, let's just see how the others spin it. ]

[crimson_flamel]

[To be completely fair... fuck Jack.]

[vogelfrei]

[ While this is indeed fair, some of us are biased parties. ]

1/2

[biqe]

[ first to the Beldam ]

...Well, this is a major decision, so if you wouldn't mind giving us a moment to get on the same page.

2/2

[biqe]

[ OK GUYS GET OVER HERE, GROUP HUDDLE, WHAT ARE WE DOING ]

I assume we're widely in agreement that we're not going to do this, yes? We were given the suggestion to make this a challenge — how should we do that?

[incompletely]

[ Also hushed: ]

Of course we're not. We don't even know if she'll make good on her word, anyway.

[ideismo]

Tempting... However, there's an issue with it on our end.

You offer us this, and yet you have shown us no proof that our wishes can be granted at all. We have been awaiting this proof for the entirety of the game; I don't believe it's unreasonable to ask you for that proof now.

We have three requests for you. Should they be carried out to our satisfaction, then we're willing to believe you and submit to your terms.

Guaranteed survival in exchange for mild favors. I don't think that's asking for too much.

[edamamepon]

[ Suddenly raising his voice, excuse you. ]

I think we'll need a minute to decide on our requests? Together?

[ideismo]

Don't worry, I wouldn't dream of offering on my own. I just wanted to make it plain that we aren't accepting without proof of skill.

[like ffs makoto breathe]

[sans_merci]

My...

[The Beldam smiles, a little harshly]

I had thought all the wonders you all had seen were proof enough of my skill, but if that's not enough...then tell me, what do you have in mind?

[Well at least she looks willing to listen, although she sure got interrupted by Edamame right there. She'll patiently wait for things to be squared up]

counter-offer

[crimson_flamel]

To start with, we'll need proof that the dead can actually be restored, and restored in a way you won't use to double cross us.

As a test of sorts, bring back the children you have locked in that fridge of yours. That's our first request. If you can't follow that request, then there's no point is there?