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]

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.

[biyishuangfei]

She definitely seems exactly like the type of creature who would say 'just kidding' and stab you in the back, so...

[crimson_flamel]

The offer as is would be appealing, but I am deeply suspicious. Everything we know about her relies on the idea that she lures people in using things that they want and doesn't let them go. I don't think she's actually desperate enough to give up this much this easily without a fight.

[biyishuangfei]

...Well, Alexei also brought up an idea for a challenge, so there's that...

I also noticed that there's a door. I have no idea what it leads to but it's there, and she really does seem to be weakened too, judging by how the room looks with one of the stones.

[scythegun]

[His reaction is immediate, but definitely still hushed.]

We are not agreeing to this.

[This is entirely for personal reasons, and anyone standing nearby probably saw him flinch when she mentioned the part of the deal directed at him, but it's fine. Don't worry about it.]

We have no reason to trust her and certainly no reason to believe that she can do any of that when her power seems to already be limited.

[edamamepon]

[ Makoto just harshly whispering, and holding up his hand. No way does he trust old button eyes over there not to read his lips or eavesdrop. ]

Of course we aren't. We need something we can win, or something that can make her waste some magic.

[kowashi]

Nope. But I have no clue how to make it a challenge. Like what, we don't need her to grant our wishes?

[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]

[edamamepon]

[ Nods, he's just a little on edge, okay? ]

[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?

[sans_merci]

...all of them? Really?

[She seems kind of disappointed, but after a moment she shrugs]

Fine. I'll start with a single one, just to prove it.

[The Beldam grabs thread out of thin air. Her hands transform, taking the appearance of hands made of metallic objects, the fingers being mostly sewing needles]

I'll need that lantern, Yeager. Give it to me.

[To make the kid, she means. Bodies need a base to be made from]