??? (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

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...!

[foundfate]

Correct. You're not.

[chaoscontrol]

[Shadow is just gonna climb this tree, YOU STAY RIGHT THERE]

You could have killed me and turned me into your slave! Why didn't you?

[foundfate]

[He's too exhausted to move much, he's pretty much just laying on one of the branches. Though he does shift a little to give Shadow an incredulous look.]

I don't want to kill people! I don't want to turn someone into a slave! You think I like all the things these witches do? Well news flash: I don't!

The only reason I became a Witch is because the power of Dimensions is too great to leave in the hands of a madwoman! Especially one that already has the power of Misfortune!

[chaoscontrol]

[Shadow manages to get up to a reasonable height so he's not having to yell UP at Watanuki, at least]

Oh, so you can finally give me some straight answers! Great, we only had to all almost die!! Or worse! [he huffs, banging his fist on the branch and sending a bunch of blossoms raining down] ..... [but then he sighs. It seems like he really did wear himself out emotionally during the trial] .... I want you to know, I still don't believe you. But... you weren't lying about that one thing.... so now I can't just throw EVERYTHING you say in the trash. Why must you make everything so difficult?

[very_good_end]

Yes you are! Welcome to the after life.

[chaoscontrol]

Actually, I'm not. I was never executed. I was.... thumped. On the head.

[it was embarrassing]

But that doesn't explain how I'm here.

[very_good_end]

...And? People die from being thumped on the head all the time. I'm not sure you have room to argue.

[chaoscontrol]

[he grumbles and shakes his head]

You're as pleasant as ever. What a shame it would be if that shining personality of yours had escaped.

[oceanicbutterfly]

Shadow-san!

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

[chaoscontrol]

Karen? Is that you?

[oceanicbutterfly]

It's me! No demons here.

[chaoscontrol]

[Shadow runs up to her, and grabs her hands. He touches her arms... sorry for getting a little up close and personal, but--]

... You're safe. Your soul is safe... thank goodness...

[oceanicbutterfly]

[YEAH MAYBE NEXT TIME GIVE HER A LITTLE MORE WARNING FIRST???]

--yes. Yes, I...

I'm sorry about the rain.

[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.

[foundfate]

'Misfortune' is powerful in almost any game. If we played chess, she could use misfortune to affect the game outcome. With a game like this, the human element makes it unpredictable. It's easier to sneak my help in without getting found out that way, thanks to that chaotic element.

They all seemed pretty creepy to me. I didn't see the orange-haired one though, just the other two.

[chaoscontrol]

... I see. [he still doesn't like it, not one bit. But at least everything is starting to make sense] I think I am beginning to understand. It still infuriates me that you couldn't just be upfront from the start, but what's past is past. I won't turn back.

The one with the orange hair is called Ichigo. He has a kind heart, but he's very busy. When we get out of here, if you need help with the souls of the pieces, find him.

[foundfate]

Souls I should be able to handle. My power is similar to his. I had never tried collecting souls before like he had, but after observing him I think I can handle it.

Interestingly enough, the tiger-boy he hangs out with had been one of my choices. I decided against it at the last moment though.