??? (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

[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?

[foundfate]

Yes, I can. You are my furniture now, I can tell you anything I want. I'm not bound by rules of 'the pieces can't know these specific things or else it's a violation of game rules, and we have to call the game a wash and start over' when it comes to you. Or them either, since they're not in the game anymore.

[He says as he indicates to the three other girls here.]

...I'm going to try not to call you 'furniture' though, except when I'm required to as part of the game. Because it's a demeaning title.

[chaoscontrol]

.... W... well... I appreciate that.

[he clears his throat. There's so many things he wants to ask, so many questions he needs answered... but he did see everything Watanuki just went through.

And what Shadow himself had put him through....

The hedgehog can be merciless, but he isn't heartless. ]

... Hmph. You're exhausted now though, aren't you? Maybe now isn't the best time for me to give you the third degree. We'll have time later. For now... just tell me how to get back to the others.

[foundfate]

Since you are still alive, you won't get lost in 'this place'. Just walk out the front gate, and it will take you there. And should you want to come back here, find a quiet spot and either sleep or meditate. This place exists in the realm of dreams, so traveling in your sleep should be easiest.

...but I must caution you: this place is only safe as long as the Witch of Misfortune does not know about it. If you breathe a word of this to anyone while in the world of the living, you jeopardize the very souls of everyone staying here.

[chaoscontrol]

[Shadow looks down, then back up. His face is serious -- but for the first time today, it is earnest]

I will do everything I can to protect those who yet live, and the innocent souls you've given refuge to here. I will not fail them again.

-- If only so I can kick you in the family jewels without a guilty conscience after this is all over!

[foundfate]

[Ugh, that gets a grimace.]

You already shot me, isn't that enough?

[chaoscontrol]

I will have my nad-kicking vengeance.

[and with that he... slides back down the tree]