graveyard pt ii

[productions]

the theatre



You awaken in a darkened theatre.

In front of you is an enormous cinema screen. On it plays everything that's currently happening in the castle, accompanied by appropriate sound effects and background instrumentals when fitting. The seat you're sitting on is large and plush, and while there's many of them, there's enough room in the theatre for you to fully recline the seat into a comfortable bed if you wish. Under each seat is a sleeping mask and noise-cancelling headphones, in case you'd like to take a break from watching the show.

Follow the stairs up and you'll reach what should be the projection room. There are no projectors in here, however; it is simply a large and well-lit room above the main seating area, and a good place to hang out with your fellow eliminated contestants if shouting at each other across the aisles proves too much to handle.

If you leave the theatre through the door in the back, you'll find yourself in a hall. On one end is a concession stand. It's stocked with standard movie snacks - popcorn, candy and the like - but if you're feeling the urge for something else, you'll be able to find it stocked somewhere in the back. On the other end is a table with thirty wrapped bags and a placard reading 'A star for our stars! Please accept these lovely giftbags as a token of appreciation for your hard work, sponsored by [illegible smudge]'. Each bag has a tag bearing the name of someone in the mansion; you will only be able to open the bag with your name on it. As soon as you open it, any memories that have been taken from you, including those of the other people in the mansion that you may have forgotten, will be returned in their entirety. Within the bag are also objects from your home that you may want for your stay here, though you will find no weapons.

Past the hall is another door, this one wooden and seemingly decayed. If you go inside, you'll find a fairly simple, wooden room, that is empty except for a very large machine. It is difficult to tell what the machine is for; it has a touch screen that appears to be a control panel, as well as a large open space that seems to be part of the machine, but the machine is dead and won't turn on no matter what you do.

Still, at least you aren't alone here. You have your fellow players, as well as a few guests to keep you company.

Oh, and one more thing. At midnight following each execution, once all those who've died that week have woken up, a video will begin to play on screen.

Comments

[derepressed]

...I'm not glad that anyone was dragged into this - or that you all had to come back and go through this all over again, but... [She doesn't look unsure at all now.] I'm grateful for the chance to make things right with Kaoru. I'd rather be here myself, and be able to support him and all of you, than be anywhere else.

[It's surprising to her, but... it's true. They were right when they'd said there was more to life than returning to Okita, and she'll never not care about him, but this is so much bigger than just the fate of the Shinsengumi or her father's work with the ochimizu.]

At the first possible opportunity, I... I want to return to Kaoru's side. I promised I would be there for him, and... I haven't been able to do that. Not when he was suffering after I was gone, and - not when he was suffering in silence all along. He shouldn't ever have to hurt that way again.

...I hope you'll continue to be his friend. He's... been through a lot, but that makes him an even more admirable person.

And you are, too. You, and... Tanaka-san, and Rapture-san, Kanaya-san, and Annie-san, as well.

[humanic]

What? No, of course not, they would have recognized me in a heartbeat.

We just took out the intern they had hired. ['Took out'...though honestly, after the past three years, this really should not be a shock to Spain.]

1/2

[impheired]

[...]

[Kind of predictable. Kind of predictable?!]

[humanic]

[Wincing a little.] Yeah...that was us. We knew that if our plan worked, everyone in the graveyard would be saved, and if it didn't...well, the people who didn't die would just be put in the game all over again. But I owe that guy and his sister a serious apology. [WHICH KOUHA WILL NEVER GET BECAUSE SELF-TAGGING...]

[and then a long pause]




Gundam did what?!

[impheired]

...that fucking bastard. I'm gonna kick his goddamn teeth in once we get out of here.

[Despite...that entire everything he just said, he actually doesn't sound as angry as he could. Because it's almost touching in a weird way. After all, clearly this means Gundam knew who he could count on to get the job done, right? He could've written a note to anybody, but he didn't. THERE'S SOME KIND OF TRUST/CLASSMATE SOLIDARITY GOING ON THERE, SURELY.]

[And he probably has no intention of actually kicking Gundam's teeth in either not that he could reach, anyway. Though he can't promise he won't smack him BECAUSE DID YOU REALLY. YOU FUCKING SHITHEAD. HE IS BOTH APPRECIATIVE AND ANGRY WITH YOU RIGHT NOW it's a complicated feeling. As most emotions tend to be with Kuzuryuu.]

Damn right she didn't though. After everything she did for our class, this was the very last thing she deserved. Not that any of us really deserve this bullshit but...what they did to her was especially low. Makin' her think this was still the simulation so they could control her... Putting her in charge of people and makin' 'em do the exact opposite of what she was meant to do... It's fucking disgusting.

[humanic]

[when you have an alchemist with a tiny panda on your side, anything is possible

And he'll just take that hit without comment because...yeah he kind of does seriously deserve it.]

Yeah, sorry - sorry about that. If we hadn't already replaced his real body with the fake, I would have let them bend the rules enough to save him. But I couldn't risk the producers finding out we made the swap.

[ladyofthehouse]

[Austria had looked like she was about calmly reach down and rip Stiles' tongue out of his mouth-- but Feferi's interruption makes her pause. Her arm drops back at her side.]

[bloomnobly]

And another piece of the puzzle slips into place. Hm.

As for Kouha-san, I, erm, imagine he will be quite furious. He...has some anger issues. So perhaps it is best to keep distance for the time being. [ GOOD THING DISTANCE WILL BE KEPT FOREVER, STILES DON'T HAVE TO GET THE TAR BEATEN OUT OF HIM

staring at him blankly for the second part tho ]

Er...he acted as the host after you were taken down. At least, that is what I presume happened. [ ... ] I was going to ask if this was not, in fact, something you had planned in advance, but clearly one does not plan their own torture session... [ flinches ]

[humanic]

Then at least something good's come out of all this. As terrible as this game is - and there really aren't any words strong enough to describe it - I think...anyone who makes it through while still being able to believe in people is admirable. And that includes you too. [And he'll leave convincing Chizuru that Okita is a total dick who doesn't deserve her to Kaoru...]

And trust me, after all we've been through together, we're staying friends. Even if he probably regrets that decision every other week.

[humanic]

Yeah, I'll be sure to do that. But if he wants to beat the shit out of me, he can do it after we bring this game down and get out of here, it's only fair. [AND YEAH GOOD THING though honestly Kouha would totally understand and be fine with pragmatic murder situations haha]

He--what? No, he was supposed to get out while he had the chance, that idiot! [And Stiles will just flail his hands wildly in the air and storm around swearing under his breath for a few moments before calming himself back down.]

God. Okay, no, I can...I can see why he did it, it was a smart move. They would have never let the no-vote get away without executing everyone if zombie Doris had been in charge. And no, definitely didn't plan that. I didn't even know they were planning on killing all the hostages until after the first day of the trial, it was kind of a last-minute rescue.

[derepressed]

[he's really not... that bad........ god who am i kidding i'm playing her from the route where she's got the crappiest taste in men who the fuck falls for someone who threatens to kill them every five minutes. god.]

Ah..! Oh, no... [She looks flustered.] If it wasn't for Kaoru... and for Feferi-san, Nanami-san, Kuzuryuu-san, and all the other designated killers, and all the others who were trapped here, too, there's... no way I would still be able to believe in people. They all saved me so many times - I'm very lucky that it was this group that was brought together for this game.

[She's super not good at accepting compliments.]

...mm. We talked about friends from home during one of the trials, but... he must have been talking about all of you, during that conversation. It's nice to finally meet you.

[bloomnobly]

[ that is a lot of information to take in at once. zombie Doris, for one?? but there's one piece in particular that stands out to her ]

The hostages...were you the one that set them free?

[bloomnobly]

[ Yuyuko's coy smile dissolves into something a little more warm ]

There is...nothing I could be more grateful for. To be remembered despite dying in such a fashion, only halfway through this dreadful game.

[ settling her chin in her hands ] Yes, there's that, too. There are some complicated factors involving my 'death,' and what qualifies as 'life' for me, but...I am relieved those factors seem to have been skimmed over.

[humanic]

I think he'd probably take that as a challenge and enjoy engaging you in a fearsome battle between two foes who share the same desolate past. Or something like that. [Or maybe he would just completely brush Kazoo off it kind of depends.]

Yeah, even our mastermind at least still had free will, though what they threatened him into doing was terrible too. But what they did to her was just...all kinds of fucked up. Especially since she never thought she had a chance of surviving because of her role as the 'final boss'. [He shakes his head.] Chalk it up to just one more thing we'll make them pay for.

[humanic]

[He's rolling his eyes so hard, but that little rant seems to have simmered down his anger some.]

I don't care what you think. If you want to be best friends and hate me, that's totally cool. If you think our plan is total trash and that you could have come up with a better one yourselves, whatever.

But my friends are still out there risking their lives for it. For you. So if you can't believe in me, then believe in them, and keep your judgment to yourself.

[humanic]

Yeah, that was me. [He doesn't exactly sound too proud of himself though.] It...could have gone better. Obviously. But they're safe.

[bloomnobly]

[ for a moment, she doesn't speak

before plunging herself into a deep bow ]

R-Regardless of the outcome, I must thank you...thank you for saving Youmu. And the others. [ but it's obvious where her priorities lie, here ] I don't know what I would have done if I had to watch her die again.

[humanic]

[Yeah, he is very much aware that Kaoru's version of events are extremely biased but...man, even with that huge grain of salt, Okita sounds like a total jerk.]

Give yourself some credit. The thing about groups is that everyone helps out and draws strength from each other. That's kind of what we were banking on, acually.

[dryly] You mean the one about how we're all weirdos and some of us never shut up? Yeah, I heard that. Nice to meet you too even after all that.

[humanic]

[GOD PEOPLE KEEP BOWING TO HIM HE DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH THIS just turns bright red and coughs awkwardly] It's...it's not a big deal, I didn't even do anything other than cut some ropes.

Actually...you should know the whole truth. The thing is, I only had one shot to really abuse my backstage access before they'd shut it down and take control from me. We were going to use it to get all of you guys out of the graveyard, but when I heard that they were planning to execute all the hostages no matter how Kuzuryuu's trial turned out...I decided to use it on that instead. [He holds up a hand.] Which I don't regret at all, and if anyone has a problem with what I did, they can shove it up their - I mean they can keep it to themselves. But. Now you know.

It doesn't mean it's impossible to revive everyone here. But you should know that it's no longer a guarantee.

[derepressed]

[he is. worst route. kaoru is the only good thing about that route. i'm 100% serious right now.]

...well, I hope we lived up to your hopes for us.

[BUT THEY PROBABLY DID. She thinks. Considering Gundam is still there with the living and Stiles isn't screaming profanities at all of the dead.]

Um - yes. That... [She's just going to try and hide her laughter behind one hand again, sorry Stiles..!] ...it's probably just how he shows his affection for you. People can have very strange ways of doing that.

[speakveryclearly]

There are some... unexpected advantages to the liberal restrictions they place on a state of true undeath.

I'm really glad you didn't get lost in the shuffle of the mid-season finale. Sometimes [pause because this is an unpleasant and not uncomplicated memory] you would have been picked off on purpose and... not kept. What matters the most is that all of us will get to reunite with those people before too long... nothing could be sweeter.

[ladyofthehouse]

[Austria drops onto Stiles's chest with her full weight and her arms move of their own accord-- her spider fingers find their way around Stiles' throat.

If you were wondering if her legs being weak meant she was devoid of the strength Iceland and Spain exhibited-- you were mistaken. Her hands might even be more vice like after centuries of piano exercises.]

I think a plan where you've been shot in the head should be re-evaluated for flaws at some point, ja?

[She throws his head back against a theater seat.]

Three years? For little boys to run around playing the hero, while your companions here are baffled by your actions. Three years and you can't even be cohesive enough to communicate with one another? Who will be the next to end up with a bullet in their brain?

Three years for this? This is what you've promised will save us, disregarding our suffering in favor of your own and acting as though your misdeeds are just because you think of yourself as our saviors? Acting as if what we achieved on our own means nothing? [Her hands constrict even tighter.]

[tyrian]

From what I've seen, Kanaya and those two [gesturing to Annie and Rapture] seem to at least have some plan for getting us out, but they didn't even know you and Gundam were involved. You didn't know was Gundam was doing, I'm not sure if they knew about Kaoru or not, I don't have any idea what's going on with Spain, you guys didn't know Marlowe was going to host, and then you got shot in the head, and I know that wasn't part of the plan since basically everyone you know freaked out about that.

And then after doing all that killing interns and Kouha and I guess kind of Marlowe and doing the host stuff you come in here and tell Austria that what she did doesn't matter and totally not pay attention to why she did anything and say that you and your friends suffered a lot like she didn't and we didn't.

[psychup]

Um, your weird friend...

[Pointing at the screen. Where he's presumably doing something weird.]

[psychup]

No, we haven't been eating this week.

[They took away the food.]

I guess I'm a little hungry.