??? (Round 3)

[foundationmods]

[Once the trial begins, all of the dead will feel themselves being lifted out of their bodies. For a short while, they are able to watch the proceedings, including their own bodies as they continue to move and act on their own. But eventually the area starts to grow dim, fading into an inky black nothingness.

Then glowing sakura petals will start to trail by. A path in the darkness, perhaps?

If the dead follow the petals to their source, they will eventually find an enormous sakura tree, it's large branches hanging over the area and providing shelter from the darkness outside. Here, under the sakura tree's branches, the dead will feel 'whole' again. It is as if this is where they need to be to be themselves, with no influences from the witch outside. And indeed, the very air feels heavy with magic, a single point of calm in the storm of the void.

And there, at the base of the tree, sits someone familiar.]

Comments

[oceanicbutterfly]

[Karen is...

Well, Karen is Karen. Vinea feels like a memory, albeit an unusually clear one.]

...Watanuki-san?

What sort of place is this...?

[foundfate]

[When he hears his name, Watanuki lifts his head up and gives a small smile. He looks very tired, though, as if he has used up a lot of energy without sleeping for a few days.]

Technically? It's my dreams. It's the only place I could pull all of you at a moment's notice and without access to most of my powers.

[oceanicbutterfly]

[Karen opens her mouth to say something, then closes it and thinks for a moment. Actually, that's entirely consistent with her understanding of how the universe works.]

Nice dream.

[foundfate]

It will get flashier in a few hours, once I regain my powers.

I miss my shop. I think that's where I'm going to stick all of you, once I can. At least then you all will have a roof over your head, though I suppose there won't be much weather in here anyway.

[oceanicbutterfly]

Well, I won't stop you, but this is fine. It reminds me of home, somewhat.

[Being surrounded by sakura petals is, of course, the wild Karen's natural environment.]

[very_good_end]

[Erika, now free to be Erika, will take the moment to sneer at her]

Oh, what's this? Looks like someone now has reason to regret making an enemy.

[smiiiiles]

How did it feel? Were you bothered? Vexed? Terribly inconvenienced by that false 'guilty' conclusion? Please, do speak up. I'm most curious to know your mental state at the time.

[oceanicbutterfly]

I don't want to hear that from someone who thought calling herself a detective would keep her safe.

[So it turns out spending a week as Vinea has done exactly nothing for Karen's capacity for putting up with Erika's bullshit. It has, however, given her a very clear memory of what Erika looks like in a maid uniform.]

[very_good_end]

Keep me safe? ...When did I say that?

[oceanicbutterfly]

You didn't have to say it. Your entire duct tape plan was built on the premise that you, specifically, would be left alive.

[very_good_end]

... Geez, what a boring piece they made me into.

[tsk, tsks, in disapproval]

[foundfate]

I'll be sure to pass on your complaints.

[very_good_end]

I'll ask that you refrain.

[foundfate]

You don't want her to let you be as Extra as you normally are?

[very_good_end]

Extra? What on Earth is that?

I am the perfect piece. My concern is fulfilling the role I'm given, perfectly. Of course it stands to reason if you give me some stupid role like "ordinary maid who can't even acknowledge the goats for what they are," that's going to be what you get.

SUDDENLY

[foundationmods]

[So, when Watanuki is summoned, he will suddenly disappear from the tree area.

A few minutes later, the 'safe zone' around the tree will expand, eventually opening up to include a shop and its yard, though the 'safe area' stops at the fences on all four sides. The gate is open, but you get the feeling that you should not exit this area. Everything outside of the shop area is that same darkness as before.

Watanuki will be back later, but for now, feel free to check out your temporary home.]

[foundationmods]

[...also a new guest is here too.]

[chaoscontrol]

....


WATANUKI.

[it is a loud guest]

[foundfate]

[Someone is tossing a cherry down from high up in the cherry tree.

Don't ask how he got a cherry from a blossoming cherry tree.]

[chaoscontrol]

[bonk.

He looks up.

He points]

YOU! I... I'm not dead...!

[oceanicbutterfly]

Shadow-san!

[A blue-eyed Karen waves from the front doorway to the shop.]

[chaoscontrol]

Karen? Is that you?

[foundfate]

[And once things get settled on the other side, Watanuki is here too!]

This here is the shop I mentioned before. Since this exists only in my dreams, I can only come here when I sleep or when I'm meditating. I won't be able to be here all the time, but I'll check in as often as I can.

She hasn't realized that you are all here with me. As long as she remains ignorant of that, you should be safe here. I'll try to bring the others here too, when they die.

You're free to explore as you wish, though I do ask that you stay out of my bedroom. That's private.

If you have any questions for me, please let me know.

[chaoscontrol]

[Shadow makes his way back to the dream shop, seeming to be a lot calmer than before. He really did just need some time to cool off... though his tone is still detached and cold]

Right. So... brass tacks, Watanuki. I know now you're playing this game against the other witch for the title of the "Witch of Dimensions". Fair, such a broad domain in the hands of someone like her would be... troublesome. For everyone. But was there any other way to play this game? Did you have to involve innocent people?

[foundfate]

I didn't have to, no. I could have picked literally anyone from any world, so long as I stayed below my limit of 25.

I chose everyone from the same world because it's easier to pull multiple people from the same world. And given how most of you are agents, I thought you might understand the 'sudden mission' thing. It's not unlike a containment procedure, really.

The main reason why I didn't ask everyone individually, besides the time factor, is the black cloth people. I believe they're called shinigami? Well anyway, they run a lab in that world, and I'm pretty sure one of them Saw me. It made me feel very worried, so I grabbed people and ran instead of asking first.

[chaoscontrol]

Well, I meant... did you have to use people as pieces at all... [settle your scores like a REAL MAN, Watanuki!!

SETTLE IT

IN

SMASH!




no don't do that]

The... oh! Them.... ugh. The clown makeup one... the pink-haired scientist is also with them. [Shadow folds his arms, frowning deeply] You were right to be wary of them. But... the orange haired shinigami is not like the others.