damedana | [UMINEKO SPOILERS] Heart (Scored)

For a moment, it's dark. You can't see anything around you but you know that you are in a room. A room with four walls, a ceiling, and a firm floor you stand atop. The sounds of a lock being thrown, of chains rustling through the space are really the only things that give you any hint as to how big the space is before a cold metal locks firmly around your throat. Reaching up to your neck, however, reveals nothing is actually there. You can't feel it with your hands, just by the weight of it settled right against the skin when you breathe or swallow. Only once that weight's in place does the room illuminate--

It's a bedroom. Or rather, a guestroom. A western styled guestroom with two beds, a nightstand, and wardrobe sitting out on the floor. There are windows on one of the walls, doors on two other walls. One leads to a bathroom with a toilet, sink, and tub with shower head. The other is the exit, locked as evident by the chain lock firmly in place on the door.

You know instinctively: <in order to get to your goal, you must find a way out of this room>.

Fortunately, it's a pretty comfortable room. The sun is streaming in through the window, illuminating it in a pretty cheerful atmosphere--if not for the ominous clouds in the distance. And the purple thorny vines pressing into the room through the cracks of the window's framing. But the room's so comfortable, surely there's no real problem or need to rush…

The moment the chain lock is removed, the door swings open without issue. The lights flicker. The sound of chains moving echo in the room again, and you can feel the weight on your throat get heavier, the pressure tightening. Reaching up to your neck still reveals nothing is physically there.

You exit the room. Whether you intend to just now or not, there's not really an option. There's a pull against your neck, the invisible collar attached to an invisible leash. The sound of chains is so loud as you're dragged forward--you made this choice to continue, you chose to go further and deeper, and it's getting difficult to breathe.

The lights go off again. You can't see anything. But you know you're now in another room.

[oh, this is so familiar and yet so unsettling]

... Rokkenjima?

[reaching up a hand to feel the weight around her neck and slowly looking around]

Where is this, then...?

It's Rokkenjima.

[her eyes widen slightly]

Then... this must be Battler or Beato?

[she idly touches her own neck]

... Onii-chan, probably.

[time to go look out the window]

The windows are firmly locked, but upon touching the windows, you get a feeling of optimism. You should be at the beach with the others right now while the weather's nice, but you're still stuck in this room... hm...

You also have the strong feeling you can usurp this truth with your own red or blue truth.

Is that how it is...? Fine, I'll give it a try.

It's possible the windows aren't locked, but simply stuck because they haven't been opened in a long time.

There's a brief moment where nothing appears to happen.

Then, with certainty,

The windows are purposefully locked to keep people from climbing out a second story window and hurting themselves.

A witch could safely float out without hurting herself.

But if that's not the red truth I'm supposed to usurp... It'll start to rain soon, it's easier to wait for everyone to get back from the beach and have fun here.

[time to throw blue spaghetti at the window]

[the blue smashes into the red--it's a hit.]

~~You should be at the beach with the others right now while the weather's nice.~~

It'll start to rain soon. You should stay here and wait where it's safe.

Hmm. I see how it is.

[please wait warmly, windows, she's checking the nightstand next]

The nightstand seems pretty bare with just an alarm clock radio that seems to not be working and a lamp. Still you get a kind of drowsy feeling of frustration just looking at it.

Waking up early is such a pain...

[to herself, mostly, but she's saying it out loud]

... Yeah, this is definitely Onii-chan.

[she yawns on reflex]

[WAIT DID MOM JUST GO AND OPEN THE DOOR??? guess we're going after her]

[she will go inspect the wardrobe then?]

It's quite ominous. Were there really chains?

... It's possible.

...I suppose you were very young.

What do you mean?

I was just thinking it's strange that you wouldn't know for sure.

I do know, but I don't know how to feel about the possibility of her being here.

Her..?

... Furudo Erika.

The detective.

Furudo Erika...

[

what am i supposed to do with that]

She's Bernkastel's piece.

...

I see.

I can tell you more about her if you want, but I assume you'd rather not know.

...perhaps some other time. For now we must save Battler, right?

Yes, that's our main priority.

It's just your average wardrobe where you can hang coats and jackets with just enough room to put other items at the bottom. Currently, it's empty with only a couple of wire hangers hanging inside them. Opening the wardrobe gives you a sense of composure. You don't have anything that goes in here. You're ready to face the day.

This would make an excellent hiding place if someone were to play hide-and-seek.

You also have the strong feeling you can usurp this truth with your own red or blue truth.

My own red or blue truth, is it...?

What an interesting game.

[she closes the wardrobe and goes to look at the bathroom]

It's a normal western styled bathroom with a toilet, a sink, tub with shower head... oh yeah, and a mirror. Almost forgot that. It's nice and clean and refreshing. You feel like you could relax in a hot shower or bath if you wanted.

It's a good place to get cleaned up if a mess happens.

Edited 2023-02-11 02:33 (UTC)

[I do not understand.

Well let's just try to leave via the door ig.

she does not know shit so she will in fact just. try to unlock the door]

Just unlock the door, 4head.

[Oh.

Well why would she waste time, she'll go right to the door to try just, y'know, unlocking it.]

[oh mom is here too. the simultaneous feeling of relief and concern]

Be careful...

Of course, don't worry. I'll be looking after you two.

We can look after each other.

Well, that's true. It will be useful to have a witch helping.

I.

[this is still deeply awkward]

I'll try my best.

[Oops she's suddenly gone-]

The chainlock unlocks easily. A wave of uncertainty washes over you. It would be better to stay here. It's safer here.

You also have the strong feeling you can usurp this truth with your own blue truth.

Edited 2023-02-11 02:12 (UTC)

[Gee it would be so easy to do something about that truth with her own, but. Ange.]

Staying here won't solve anything. I can look after myself just fine.

Edited 2023-02-11 02:24 (UTC)

For a moment, nothing seems to happen. Then,

~~It would be better to stay here. It's safer here.~~

Staying here won't solve anything. You can look after yourself just fine.

And then, the door opens.

[oop there she fuckin goes, bye]

It's a bedroom. Or rather, a guestroom. A western styled guestroom with two beds, a nightstand, and wardrobe sitting out on the floor. There are windows on one of the walls, doors on two other walls. One leads to a bathroom with a toilet, sink, and tub with shower head. The other is the exit, locked as evident by the chain lock firmly in place on the door.

You know instinctively: <in order to get to your goal, you must find a way out of this room>

Unlike the previous room, however, there seems to be a growing clutter of objects strewn around the room, as if quickly stashed into the space without real thought to their places. A pile of casserole dishes that seems to have claimed a corner, some swords propped against a wall, a lute next to the first bed, a sharpened stick with a wet tip on the floor, a notebook with a feather quill left on the nightstand, some tarot cards left strewn underneath the notebook, a flower crown dangling on the curtains' rod, a dragon plush that seems to be staring at you ready to spring to life at a moment's notice half under second bed, with a bird-like monster with a witch hat laying right next to it.

Probably there are more things under the beds but you might be distracted by what's on them, instead: a collar hanging on the bedframe of the first bed, a red dress crumpled and thrown carelessly onto the first bed, a gun's holster that's half on the nightstand and half falling onto a pillow of the second bed.

Fortunately, the room is still… fairly comfortable. The sun has been swallowed up by the dark clouds rolling in. Outside, the wind is picking up, causing trees and flowers to sway harshly in its grip. The low rumbles of thunder in the distance signals the arrival of the storm, reverberating throughout the room, bringing some unease and foreboding to the heart.

The purple thorny vines pressing into the room through the cracks of the window's framing have spread even further, creeping along the walls. You want to think everything will be fine, you'll fix things and get out of this intact and with no one the wiser that there was ever a problem, but steadily, the doubt creeps in…

The moment the chain lock is removed, the door swings open without issue. The lights flicker. The sound of chains moving echo in the room again, and you can feel the weight on your throat get heavier, the pressure tightening. Reaching up to your neck still reveals nothing is physically there.

You exit the room. Whether you intend to just now or not, there's not really an option. There's a harsh pull against your neck, the invisible collar attached to an invisible leash. The sound of chains is so deafening as you're dragged forward--you made this choice to continue, you chose to go further and deeper, you chose to lose those precious seconds to get air and start to choke. You're running out of time. At this rate....

The lights go off again. You can't see anything. But you know you're now in another room.

[Wow rude she wasn't done looking around in there! But. Okay fine, noted, this time don't try getting out until you're good and ready.

There's the obvious things, but what about inside the nightstand? Also while she's there that holster might come in handy to take...]

Enjoy witnessing your son get flustered about a handsome man and his wife talking about making him serve them when you pick up the gun hostler.

Except something about the memory seems... off. Distorted.

Ushiromiya Battler ~~is curious about Jesper Fahey's offers~~ expects Jesper Fahey to beg first.

Meanwhile, inside the nightstand is... uh. Listen. Battler is a grown adult, he is allowed to have toys for fun STOP LOOKING IN THERE.

[

Oh okay it's that kind of room. GOT IT. SHE'LL JUST SHUT THAT AND WALK AWAY.]

Sorry, Battler-kun...

[Which also means when she looks at the things on the bed, hm, yep just gonna leave those alone too. Not that she minds it herself, but probably, Battler would die. So.

If the toys are beside the bed though then surely under the bed is safe to check!]

There are the two plushies--the dragon and the bird-monster-witch and also an orb and some strings laying around under there. Mysterious.

[She wants to put her grubby little hands on everything,

But the orb and string is definitely more interesting on the surface than some plushies so she's reaching for those.]

The orb gets this new classic moment.

Ushiromiya Battler ~~will try not to cause trouble with Kaz Brekker~~ will not hesitate to beat Kaz Brekker down for what he did.

The strings get this bit of horror though.

Ushiromiya Battler ~~will try not to cause trouble with Zwei~~ will string Zwei up and see how she likes it.

[Ohhhh the boys are fighting!!!

But, hm. The purple seems awfully aggressive, huh. Even the Jesper one, maybe it's not violent, but add it to these and it's starting to paint a picture...]

Ushiromiya Battler is not a vengeful person. I'm sure he wants to stick up for his wife and look after her, but he knows violence isn't the right way to do that.

For a moment, nothing happens...

Then,

Ushiromiya Battler is not a vengeful person and knows violence isn't the right way to defend his wife [the words go wonky, a red period being stretched unnaturally out into more letters:] but Ushiromiya Battler thinks it would be nice to be the one making others hurt instead, for once.

Edited 2023-02-11 03:14 (UTC)

[Baby boy. Baby.]

Ushiromiya Battler does consider that kind of thing now and then, he's only human. But he hates having those thoughts, they don't make him feel good, so he wouldn't act on it.

A moment a nothing. Then,

Ushiromiya Battler has acted on it [again, the words go wonky, this time, the purple period being made to stretch:] even though he didn't want to.

In this memory of Kaz Brekker, Battler-kun was already affected by the something making him act like this. Otherwise he wouldn't have done that.

Ushiromiya Battler would not have done that to Kaz Brekker if he had not been affected by something.
But that doesn't change that he enjoyed it.

[She huffs.]

Isn't that just saying "of course he liked it because he was being affected by an outside influence"?

People like being in control and hurting others, it's easy to allow pettiness to take control. That's not unique to Battler-kun. But he isn't someone who's defined by those stray thoughts. But I suppose I'm going to have to find proper proof, huh.

That blue does not appear to change the text or their colors, alas.

[Wow fine. Once again, she could probably say something pretty easily, but...Ange. And it's just better to find some more evidence anyway! So she puts those things back and goes to look at something else instead. The sharpened stick, although she's definitely not touching that tip, pretty sure she recognises that...]

It sure is a poisoned weapon he fashions with Adora.

Ushiromiya Battler wants to help and protect Adora and will repay the favor toward anyone who hurts her.

[Well she doesn't know for sure, but...]

Battler didn't hurt anyone with this spear, and he didn't take revenge for anyone hurting Adora at that time.

A lack of opportunity does not mean a lack of ability.

There was opportunity, but he chose to flee instead. Furthermore, that scenario also caused participants to feel the need to harm others, among other mental effects which caused Battler's thinking to be wildly different than what is normal for him.

Ushiromiya Battler wants to help and protect Adora but does not have the strength to do so.

[Listen here you little shit?]

Ushiromiya Battler doesn't have combat skills to effectively protect people with, but that doesn't mean he can't help them. Ushiromiya Battler looks after people in his own way, by lightening the mood, fishing to feed them, helping them feel better and showing that he cares. He also has the intelligence to help them avoid danger. For these reasons, Ushiromiya Battler is an integral part of his team. There is no single thing that defines a person's worth.

Please wait warmly.

Ushiromiya Battler will help his teammates however he can.

[I'm gonna kill you.

Also can she use red if she tries hard enough. If so this is red, otherwise, guess it's blue.]

Ushiromiya Kyrie honestly likes very few people, respects even fewer, and trusts nearly no one, but Ushiromiya Battler is one of them because she knows that he is an earnest and reliable person. Anyone who knows him must see the same qualities.

Ushiromiya Kyrie has a funny way of showing her affection.

[She smiles a little.]

Ushiromiya Kyrie doesn't know how to show her affection properly in the first place. Sorry, Battler-kun.

[But more importantly, if this isn't the best way to spend her time, she's going to check the bathroom. Anything in the toilet tank??]

...

HOW DO YOU KEEP DOING THIS?

Anyway, there are bolt cutters in the toilet tank.

[Oh. That was a lot easier than she thought actually. She thought she'd at least have to MacGyver something! Okay cool, she'll just take those and go cut the lock!]

I'll go ahead, you two follow whenever you're ready.

[victory fanfare]

Is this the same room...?

[but then she notices all the stuff lying around... curiously picking up the notebook to examine it first]

Just normal nerds having normal nerd conversations!

Ushiromiya Battler appreciates there are more people to talk about literature with.

[oh no... warm fuzzies]

... I'm glad to see that.

[idly flips through the notebook, is there anything on it?

There's the list of the authors and titles they discussed but also a note written in... green???

If you hear this or distortion around him, be careful.

Green text...?

[that's new.

she glances around the objects... and she knows she's going to hate this, but she picks up the collar next]

RIP Ange, please note that in this moment Battler is in a sexy red dress and wearing all the makeup minus eyeliner plus queen crown while Kuroro has tamer collar...

Ushiromiya Battler ~~trusts Kuroro Lucifel with Beatrice.~~ will only trust Kuroro Lucifer with Beatrice if Kuroro Lucifer submits to him.

Edited 2023-02-11 03:19 (UTC)

[what,

what is going on here...]

[OH GOD IT'S THAT GAME, ISN'T IT. IT'S THAT GAME.]

[WAIT WAIT WAIT

ONII-CHAN? AND KURORO LUCIFER????]

[THEY KISSED.]

[help I don't know how to feel about this, right now is not the time to be concerned about this anyway ahhhhh.

just.

drops the collar and takes a minute to process all of that.]

The...

The problem is the purple?

Or is that normal...?

The dual-colored text remained unchanged.

[groans]

It's useless, it's all useless. I can't figure out something like this at all.

[let's forget about that for now and try the flower crown instead]

Did you know in Battler's first trauma game, he and his teammates had to touch a man's bare chest to keep him from dying? Now you know!

Ushiromiya Battler sometimes wonders if Zagreus couldn't stay because he kept dying if he wasn't touched.

[DROPS THE FLOWER CROWN]

Onii-chan, why!

[as if he could hear her.]

[but this time she pays more attention to the red...]

Zagreus might not have been able to stay because his ribbon malfunctioned or a plant got to him.

Ushiromiya Battler knows there are multiple possibilities as to why Zagreus was not able to stay.

Ushiromiya Battler's actions cannot have directly influenced whether Zagreus was able to stay or not.

Ushiromiya Battler knows whatever happened to Zagreus, there was nothing he could do to stop it.

Ushiromiya Battler shouldn't feel responsible or blame himself for something he truly had no hand in...

[this isn't so much a blue truth as... just her honest feelings about this]

It's okay, it doesn't affect the red text but seems to be noted just under it, in blue.

[sighs, but she'll let it be.

walking around the bed to check the dragon plush, surely this is safe??]

Just Sparrows communicating, mostly. Featuring: small pet dragon Battler nudges with foot in the memory.

Ushiromiya Battler appreciates Astrid's forward thinking and will ask her about training.

[well, that's a good red truth, so she'll let it be.]

I think I'm starting to understand...

[she glances at the collar again though, and makes this face]

Haaah.

[maybe she'll just go check out the purple vines on the window]

They look a little less vibrant than they were but still being pretty stubborn! Does she finangle with them?

[she will try to, as ill-advised as it probably is]

[just for Ange: a familiar voice speaking almost in her ear but there's the rattling of chains and a strange noise thrumming in her head, her chest might even feel a bit tight with something not unlike butterflies in the stomach but twisted and distorted,]

Watching the distractions play out this way really is entertaining.

[she'll feel as if she's being watched out the window, but it's getting too dark to tell.]

[oh great, she hates this]

Are you having fun? Maybe we should find a way to make things more entertaining.

[she doesn't wait for an answer, instead goes to try and unlock the door like Kyrie did earlier]

Door is locked. In fact, this time, it seems like the chainlock has been thoroughly nailed into the door and frame like someone's trying to keep a monster from escaping. Not so easy an unlock this time, alas.

Couldn't be that easy this time, right?

[is there anything different about this night stand, versus the previous room's? she's going to check]

On top of the nightstand is still that notebook, a feather quill, some tarot cards, and a gun's holster without the gun... so. ymmv.

Does she look into the drawer?

Edited 2023-02-11 04:50 (UTC)

[she looks into the drawer!]

Inside the nightstand is... uh. Listen. Battler is a grown adult, he is allowed to have toys for fun STOP LOOKING IN THERE.

[wait, just what is this.]

[the realization hits her as she reaches to pick one up and she lets go immediately, SLAMMING THE DRAWER CLOSED AGAIN]

—D-Don't just leave things like that laying around!

[quick what does the quill have for me]

Well, first, you have earned a [AHAHA.WAV] of your own.

But then, more Sparrow bonding times, aw.

Ushiromiya Battler enjoys bullying Korone and awaits her bullying.

[oh, it's Korone-san... she also smiles at that, though there's also some guilt.

But Sparrow is so good for Onii-chan...

let's try the tarot cards next]

It's a good purple-haired witch talking your brother through some stuff.

Ushiromiya Battler wishes he could have done more to help Rhiannon, too.

[oh that's not. well the memory is not bad, but the discussion in it...

sighs.]

Ushiromiya Battler did as much as he could for her, because he's a kind person with a big heart.

Ushiromiya Battler hopes Rhiannon is doing well.

[yes, she'll just leave that as is]

Did you two find anything back there? You might want to be careful what you're picking up.

Nothing useful, I don't think. But this is definitely Onii-chan's... subconscious? Something like it.

It seems like it, doesn't it? We'll have to be careful, breaking something or even rearranging things might be bad. Although we also need clues.

It's true. [sighs]

Have you found anything that could help us?

[She nods.]

It's just a theory, but from what I've seen so far, it seems as if something is trying to make Battler-kun more aggressive or cruel than he really is. Since I had to refute the idea that it would be dangerous to leave the other room, I think we might have to do the same with the purple so he won't believe he's like that?

He doesn't want to leave the room.

... But if it's something like blue and red truths, I think you'll manage easily.

If it's magic, I don't know about that... But the reasoning part of it, at least.

It's magic, but it's also logical. I feel like it's the kind of thought processes you're good at.

"Flipping over the chessboard".

I should never have taught him that, huh?

It helped him a lot, but it took him a while to get the hang of it properly.

...Is that so? I'm glad, then.

... Maybe I shouldn't say this... and maybe I'm biased... but I think you were a great influence in many ways.

[YEAH BUT NOW IT MAKES HIM THINK HE MIGHT BE JUST AS BAD?

But. Wheeze. That's really nice.]

You're definitely biased.

[she appears back into the room, startled and takes a moment to orient herself.

Then turns right back around and tries to go out the door again.]

Door is locked. In fact, this time, it seems like the chainlock has been thoroughly nailed into the door and frame like someone's trying to keep a monster from escaping. Not so easy an unlock this time, alas.

[hhmmm well ok time to go inspect teh collar hanging by the bed]

RIP Rika, please note that in this moment Battler is in a sexy red dress and wearing all the makeup minus eyeliner plus queen crown while Kuroro has tamer collar...

Ushiromiya Battler ~~trusts Kuroro Lucifel with Beatrice.~~ will only trust Kuroro Lucifer with Beatrice if Kuroro Lucifer submits to him.

Edited 2023-02-11 03:20 (UTC)

Oh my, Battler-san~

Ushiromiya Battler really enjoyed that.

A moment of nothing. Then,

Ushiromiya Battler really enjoyed that.

Added right under the purple text, yep.

Ahaha.

Battler trusts Beatrice, and because he trusts Beatrice, he trusts her decision to trust Kuroro Lucifer.

Ushiromiya Battler trusts Kuororo Lucifer because he trusts Beatrice.
Ushiromiya Battler really enjoyed that.

[nods in satisfaction, then curiously heads over to the bird monster with the witch hat]

Sometimes you bap baby witch on the nose.

Ushiromiya Battler thinks Yuzu's in over her head and it'll be entertaining to watch her struggle.

[she is silent for a long moment after that one, thinking]

Ushiromiya Battler cannot stop Yuzu, and does not have the right to stop Yuzu, but does not want to see her suffer.

Ushiromiya Battler cannot stop Yuzu from becoming a witch if she chooses [and for a moment it looks like there would be a red period but then it just... stretches out unnaturally into:] but suffering is inherent to becoming a witch and being a witch means boredom can kill, so why not find entertainment in it?

Because being a witch does not mean abandoning your humanity.

Please enjoy a [AHAHA.WAV] echoing around the room.

Ushiromiya Battler cannot stop Yuzu from becoming a witch if she chooses.
Ushiromiya Battler takes no joy in Yuzu's suffering to achieve that goal if she chooses.
Ushiromiya Battler wants to help Yuzu if she will allow it.

[nods

ok what still needs to be solved, looks around the room]

The door is still locked. But there are plenty of items still strewn around, and the thorned vines don't seem to be going anywhere.

[goes up to the thorned vines and inspects them]

[oh hey, just for Rika when she pokes at them: a familiar voice speaking almost in her ear but there's the rattling of chains and a strange noise thrumming in her head, her chest might even feel a bit tight with something not unlike butterflies in the stomach but twisted and distorted,]

Watching the distractions play out this way really is entertaining.

[she'll feel as if she's being watched out the window, but it's getting too dark to tell.]

....

It's more fun to join in than to just watch.

Edited 2023-02-11 04:53 (UTC)

Remember the goal and the players will play.

If the things in here are 'distractions', then we are not really impacting the true corruption.

[ahaha.wav]

Treating symptoms isn't without merit.

[Now those are interesting truths happening over there.]

So these are helpful, but we might not be making the best use of our time. Probably the deeper we go, the more important it will be, assuming there are more rooms like this to keep escaping. In fact, if we move on, we might find things that will make working on these ideas easier.

I agree, we should try to move on.

But how...?

The door is really locked up this time, huh? Going out the window would be easy enough, but maybe we can break the door open. Alternatively, there could be a hidden passage somewhere. Behind the wardrobe or under a rug or bed.

The door was easy enough before so...

[time to just grab one of these sword and try to smash a window]

Enjoy Elliot trying to use magic swords on someone magic can't lock onto.

Ushiromiya Battler knows he and Elliot Nightray are too damn similar.

But also, they just bounce off the windows. Because, again, magic working on dude who can't be locked onto by magic. Whups.

[Hey she found some bolt cutters in the toilet tank, gonna open the door,]

If you want to come this way, it's going to storm outside, Rika-chan.

Oh! Great job, Kyrie.

[following her, she sets the sword back down]

[it's the ahaha.wav that makes her turn around and see that]

Yuzu...?

Are you alright, Rika-chan?

[hmm, examines the door then turns back]

Of course, it seems harmless so far. Interesting, isn't it?

It certainly is...

Ah, I know it's tempting to investigate everything, but I think you should leave the things by the beds alone. For your own sake.

[to late she's already touching the collar]

Oh.

I see.

[

Oh no child]

...Well. Don't touch the end of that stick, either. It might be poisoned.

It's a bedroom. Or rather, a guestroom. A western styled guestroom with two beds, a nightstand where an old turn-style phone sits, a dresser, a table with a basket of candy sitting on it and a couple of chairs pushed under, and wardrobe sitting out on the floor. There are windows on one of the walls, doors on two other walls. One leads to a bathroom with a toilet, sink, and tub with shower head. The other is the exit, locked as evident by the chain lock firmly in place on the door.

You know instinctively: <in order to get to your goal, you must find a way out of this room>

That might prove to be a little difficult when the room you're standing in the middle of is covered in blood. Puddles of the red substance pooling in various locations throughout the room. It looks just like a crime scene of some mass murder--including a dried out corpse sitting cozily on a bed--y'know. If there wasn't streamers in black and orange spelling out HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

What a relief, it's just a Halloween party.

Except there are words written in that same red substance on the wall where the purple thorny vines have spread to, covering some of the words with loops and curls that seem to resemble letters of their own:

They owed their fortunes to the Golden Witch.
They were cursed by their own greed.
The culAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

It's uncomfortable. The darkness growing deeper outside as the wind howls and the rain can be heard beginning to fall, the backdrop to this scene that you don't want to believe is real, know is real, can't accept as real, forced to remember always as the reality--you don't want to be here, you don't want to be here! The feeling of someone, or something watching in through the windows, taking such delight in the scene before you, is oppressing and you know that the only way to escape it is to leave the room.

The moment the chain lock is removed, the door swings open without issue. The lights flicker. The sound of chains moving echo in the room again, and you can feel the weight on your throat get heavier, the pressure tightening. Reaching up to your neck still reveals nothing is physically there.

You exit the room. Whether you intend to just now or not, there's not really an option. There's a strangling pull against your neck, the invisible collar attached to an invisible leash. The sound of chains is a roar of noise--blood thrumming in your ears, as you're dragged forward.

You made this choice to continue.

You chose to go further and deeper.

You chose to lose those precious seconds to get air and start to choke.

You're running out of time. At this rate…

You're reaching, desperately grabbing hold--

You lose your grip.

You gasp for air even when you know you shouldn't.

You can't breathe.

Your eyes sting.

Your lungs and throat burn.

You're screaming her name.

There's no sound at all.

The lights go off again. You can't see anything. But you know you're now in another room. And you can breathe just fine.

[This is a personal attack?

She closes her eyes a moment after taking the room in, but then she's going to check the body on the bed. Who it is, if it's real or even a dummy made to look like someone.]

Oh, it's definitely a real corpse. Kinda hard to make out the who unless. Well, there's one way to ID this person.

How thoroughly is she checking over the body?

[She doesn't mind, she'll feel up this corpse. Or y'know, check for telling jewellery, look in their pockets, maybe Eva or Shannon's tattoos? Or she can look in their mouth, turn them over...]

Okay, so pretty thoroughly.

Spoilers: the corpse has six digit toesies.

[Well that'll do it. If there's nothing else to find on the body then, she's done with that, whatever. She'll go look at the nightstand then, anything in it this time? If not, how is phone?]

Nothing of note in the drawer this time!

But good news, the phone works!

There's also a voice on the phone if you put your ear to the phone. A familiar girl's even. She seems to be breathing kind of harshly into the receiver, like she's in terrible pain. Words coming out in a garbled mess as if she's having trouble speaking, "Hello? Hello? Please... is anyone there?"

Except that can't be possible, you saw Jessica's face.

There wasn't a face left for her to speak with.

[Haha......... Ahaha.wav even.]

Jessica-chan? It's alright, I'm here.

There's silence.

And then there's just a wounded kind of outraged wail before the line clicks and goes dead.

[ahaha.wavs increase

Look it doesn't feel great but. She still doesn't feel guilty. Instead she tries to dial other parts of the house, the servants' room and such.]

Nah, phone's dead. There's just the red substance sticking to your hand from touching it.

[That's really rude.

What about the candy then, something important could definitely be stashed in there.]

You like happy memories of Maria handing out candy to the family during her trick-or-treats, right--

Oh, no wait.

It's now this scene.

Ushiromiya Maria loved to hand out candy in the trick-or-treats during the family convention. Ushiromiya Battler ~~always thought it was cute.~~ would also like to shove candy down people's throats until they burst.

Edited 2023-02-11 06:19 (UTC)

This scene isn't real, it never happened. Battler-kun hates such grotesque and cruel displays.

This scene is very real in at least one of the many fragments of what occurred on Rokkenjima.

Maybe it could have happened in another world, but it didn't happen in the world we're from. Besides, if Battler-kun had to see this, he definitely cried.

Ushiromiya Battler cried terribly when he saw this.

Right, which means Ushiromiya Battler could never do this. If he wants to overstuff his family with candy, it's because he wants to spoil everyone with generosity and have a fun Hallowe'en party for Maria-chan.

Ushiromiya Maria loved to hand out candy in the trick-or-treats during the family convention. Ushiromiya Battler always thought it was cute.

The original red is restored.

[watching her do that from >>>> over there. HAVING SOME MIXED FEELINGS HERE but let's focus on the actionable stuff]

[Let's not worry about mom being super okay with being thorough with the corpse,]

Do you know if anyone else has an extra toe? Grandfather does, doesn't he?

[I CAN'T SAY ITTTT]

He... He does.

But that's the only one you know of?

[Actually you know what, just to be sure. Let's make sure those extra toes are actually attached for real and not like, glued or sewn on.]

"--GYAHAHA, YOU'VE FOUND ME OUT!"

Oh my god, crusty corpses should now laugh and squirm like they're being tickled. That's just obscene but also, that's what's happening.

Also, the toes are very attached, tyvm.

[

]

A BONY, DESECATED FINGER GETTING POINTED RIGHT AT KYRIE'S FACE. Probably seems a little terrible with the toothy laugh happens when there's literally no eyes in his skull.

"I should have known my no good son would have married someone so thorough! And yet, you've completely missed the right area to search a rotten corpse!"

[Gross...]

Under the tongue? Or inside your stomach? Could you please lower your voice a bit at least, you're frightening Ange.

"Ange?! Ange is here?! Where?!"

Listen, sometimes you're a terrible person but also you're a doting grandpa excited to see grandchild but also maybe he shouldn't do that without any eyes uhhhh...

[Please......]

Maybe if we found you a mask first.

"Pssssshhhh! What would such a thing be needed for? In any case, it's here!" He pounds a fist to his left breast. "Obviously, if you need to step over my corpse to progress, it's only right to tear out the heart, first!"

I haven't even checked how the lock looks this time, are you really telling me to tear out your heart? Desecrating the corpse of my honoured father-in-law would be a terrible thing to jump to.

"I should have figured a woman would get squeamish about it."

[Okay. Okay this is just Battler's mind thinking that's what Kinzo would say. But still, fuck you old man? She's had e-fucking-nough?]

...You know, I don't have to pretend to suck up to you right now when it won't cause problems for my husband. Don't speak to me like that.

"I will speak to you however it pleases me! I freely give you the answer to the clue and you don't even have the guts to do what is needed! It's no wonder that Battler turned out the way he did!"

[Holy shit. She wants to kill an old man so bad. Instead she's grabbing at him to see if his heart is actually easily accessible or if she's going to have to find something to cut him open with.]

Don't blame me for any complaints you have when I didn't raise him.

He is very crusty and crunchy and he does another one of those Kinzo laughs of derision.

"Oh, I won't put all the blame on you. That Asumu did what she could to manage it, but blood is blood, after all!"

Ugliest laughter from ugliest corpse but hey good news is that his chest cavity IS very accessible!

[She reaches right on in there then, searching for something that's not actually his heart, but failing that, guess she'll just rip out his actual heart too.]

Battler-kun turned out just fine. Be proud of your grandson. If you like Ange so much, then you can't say there's anything wrong with his blood.

"Ah, you shrewd witch of a woman. You keep figuring me out. I'm not sure I should allow for it. Kyaahahaha!"

Anyway, it's the whole ass heart. It's just as dried out and terrible, but embedded is a golden key.

You can be quiet now, thanks.

[God the Ushiromiyas suck. And no wonder, after putting up with this fucking guy. She pries the key out and then stuffs the heart back in him before stealing a blanket from the other bed to drape over him. Stay under there and don't bother anyone, old man. ....... she'll also go wash her hands because they have got to be nasty after that.]

Good news: the bathroom sink's fine.

Bad news: there sure is a lot of the red substance all over the bath tub, drip dripping out of it.

[Well when she's done washing her hands, she finally checks if that substance is actually blood, careful not to get it all over herself as she stoops to sniff it and take just a little between her fingers.]

You love a scene with Hideyoshi naked and dead in the bath with a giant spike going through his skull, right?

Ushiromiya Battler got really annoyed by this locked room.

[She watches that, just analyzing like you do.]

Really, did no one consider the servants were lying? No wonder you were annoyed, what a cliche.

RIGHT?!

But there's no answer since it's not really an argument.

[Understandable.

Well while she's here she'd better make sure there's nothing in this toilet or its tank, and grab whatever towels are around to take back to the other room.]

None items in sink or toilet or its tank! But sure, the towels are nice and not soiled, so that's great, really.

[Good, she needs these to clean up some of those pools of red.]

Good news! The big glob in the middle of the room has this fun memory with Battler screaming about how his parents don't have their faces!

Ushiromiya Battler should have realized what the lack of faces meant.

[Oh. Yeah she doesn't like that, seeing Battler cry that much over them... That bit he says about Rudolf being a bastard but not deserving to die or whatever...]

...I'm sorry we failed you.

[She just kind of whispers that as she moves on to any other puddles nearby, just as many as she can manage to clean up with the towels.]

The towels can get a couple more of the globs--against the wall, though, there's a smaller one that's really child sized.

Dealing with that is also dealing with the memory of Battler speaking with a blue-haired girl about how she can determine someone's dead without Detective Authority and it devolving into her explaining how Maria quietly played dead against the wall, even while Rosa was beheaded right in front of her. Didn't even put up a struggle when it was Maria's turn--Battler's screams of outrage probably echo the same way they did when he found Maria in the guesthouse.

Ushiromiya Maria was too young to die like that.

[Yeah imagine killing a child, who'd do something like that... But also wow this girl sucks?]

...Anyone can die like that no matter their age. It feels especially cruel, and she didn't deserve to, but unfortunately it's very much possible.

Ushiromiya Kyrie confuses "can" and "should" which explains so much, really.

[LISTEN HERE YOU LITTLE SHIT.]

I didn't say she should, I know the difference. She shouldn't die at all. So I guess we're just in agreement.

[But she doesn't want to argue about this? So once she's cleaned it, she's taking those towels to discard in the washroom and then looking in the wardrobe.]

Man, Natsuhi's been killed so many times in Beato's games. So. Many. Times. But then the montage just ends with the sight of her laying on the ground in the underground room with a bullet in her head. So, y'know.

Anyway, there's just gore in the wardrobe.

[Hey, I didn't do that one!

She'll just. Leave that one be. Don't dead open inside. Well, the other two are working on some things, and besides that it looks like they've got things pretty well covered, so she might as well go open that door.]

Edited 2023-02-11 09:14 (UTC)

The door has a big key lock keeping the chain lock in place. You put in the key and turn it. Unlock the door...

You continue.

I don't know of anyone else who—

[technically this is not a lie]

[BUT I GUESS WE'RE NOW JUST GETTING JUMPSCARED BY THE CORPSE, she actually shrieks]

Ugh!!

[She's quick to put an arm around Ange.]

It's alright, see, it's just grandfather pulling a prank.

[Why in the world he'd do that who knows!! But apparently! That's what's happening!]

[happy to move closer, burying her face away from the sight]

What an awful sense of humor.

[Shhh just hide in mom's tits now.]

I suppose if grandfather has any sense of humour, it would be an unsavoury one like this.

[bless you thank you]

I'm sure it's this place too... whatever is wrong with Onii-chan.

[she stays there for a moment longer before gently pulling back]

I'll let you keep looking around, I should do the same too.

[She nods, giving Ange's hair a little ruffle first.]

Let me know if you find anything. If we work together, we'll cover a lot of ground.

Mm. [nods] Thank you for dealing with... that, too.

I'll make sure he doesn't bother you...

[reaches up to her own throat, her breath going a bit shallow as the enforced panic tries to creep into her mind.]

This story...

[after taking some time to collect herself she will just respond to the red text from the start]

Ushiromiya Battler wouldn't laugh at this story.

Ushiromiya Battler has to laugh or else he'd never stop screaming.

[she was a little busy trying to loosen the invisible chain around her neck but I guess that can take the backseat to... this]

Why...?

[covers her mouth to keep herself from gagging]

Onii-chan...

[she'll need a moment to deal with this]

[ok, while Kyrie deals with the body, Ange is going to look at the phone... picking up the handset and putting it to her ear]

Good news, the phone works!

There's also a voice on the phone if you put your ear to the phone. A familiar girl's even. She seems to be breathing kind of harshly into the receiver, like she's in terrible pain. Words coming out in a garbled mess as if she's having trouble speaking, "Hello? Hello? Please... is anyone there?"

Except that can't be possible, you saw Jessica's face.

There wasn't a face left for her to speak with.

Edited 2023-02-11 05:54 (UTC)

[oh this is bad]

J... Jessica-oneechan...?

There's silence.

Then, a little frail, "W-who is this? I don't know this voice..."

[oh no oh no ohhh noooo]

I-It's me... Ange.

Where are you? What's going on?

"... Ange...? That... can't be right. Ange? Is this Ange? But--Ange is six years old! WHO ARE YOU?"

[she startles, suddenly overwhelmed with both a sense of guilt and sorrow]

It's me... I promise it's me, Ange.

But I'm older now... I'm from the future.

"Stop lying! I-it's a joke, right? This a--a sick joke she put you up to! I won't listen! Where's Battler? Where's Maria?! They need to--"

Unfortunately, the line clicks and goes dead before she can say what they need to do.

[don't cry Ange don't cry Ange don't cry Ange...

she takes a deep breath and hangs up.

time to look at the table with the basket of candy next]

Don't mind the red substance on your hand from that. Don't mind.

You like happy memories of Maria handing out candy to the family during her trick-or-treats, right--?

Oh, no wait.

It's now this scene.

Ushiromiya Maria loved to hand out candy in the trick-or-treats during the family convention. Ushiromiya Battler ~~always thought it was cute.~~ would also like to shove candy down people's throats until they burst.

[well the good news is this one is so blatantly offensive she bounces straight into anger]

Ushiromiya Battler would never do this to his family in his right mind! Stop trying to impersonate my brother!

Ushiromiya Ange isn't confident enough to say so in red, ergo it must be false in some way.

[the disrespect???]

Isn't blue what you use to—?

[ugh, right, this is CURSED PURPLE]

The real Ushiromiya Battler would never torture his family like this! Whoever did this is not the real Ushiromiya Battler or must be influencing him in some twisted way!

Ushiromiya Battler always thought it was cute.

The original red is back.

Much better.

[she still hates all of this, but now she angy so it's time to look at the dresser]

On top of the dresser are three photos, but they all seem to be smeared with that red substance--except for the picture with small six year old Ange in what appears to be a family portrait.

The rest of the dress is covered in more of that red...

[well, her hand was already covered in the red so who cares.

picks up one of the photos and starts trying to wipe the substance off with her sleeve]

Sorry about your fam, Ange, and that you have to experience the righteous fury of a 12 year old mourning his dead mother.

Once the red is wiped away, it's revealed to be a smol Battler along with Rudolf and Asumu smiling at the camera.

[oh.

this is something she was in fact not prepared for and she can't help but tear up as she experiences that memory.

and then once it's finished playing, all she can do is clutch the portrait in her hand and stare at it for a very long time]

... I'm sorry...

[after a bit longer, she swallows hard and picks up the other photo to wipe it clean as well]

I was too lazy to find the Ep4 moment that showed it, but...

Ange was probably too little to fully grasp the situation Battler was in after his grandparents died. From Rudolf showing up at the funeral, bowing down low with his head to the ground begging for him to return to the family, to the hassle of getting his name moved back into the family registry, to going to school at his grandparents' home and slowly moving things over to the other house little by little... over the course of a few months.

Spring with school being a pain, Summer and Ange and his birthdays, and then Fall... and that fateful day when Rudolf, Kyrie, and Battler were all not at all that surprised that Ange got sick before a big trip and reassured her that they'd see her again, soon.

Maybe there was a thought that he could have stayed behind to look out for her--the old man did say he didn't have to go, after all. But no, he wanted to get this over with, make the transition back to Ushiromiya complete.

So he went...

Once the red is fully wiped away, it's a candid moment of that small family trying to come together--Rudolf, Kyrie, Battler, and Ange who looks so so happy.

[well.

it's time to actually start crying for real this time. she tries to keep her sobs quiet because Rika and her mom are right there, but it's not like she can't help it either.

she holds the photo tightly to her chest]

At least there aren't any other memories coming from it at this moment.

[yes, that's appreciated. especially because it gives her the opportunity to try and get herself together while mom is busy in the bathroom.

she wipes her tears with the sleeve that isn't all covered in red and leaves the photo back where it was.

then moves to check the windows in this room]

Guess that last photo remains red.

But there IS a fun big splatter at the windows! Gosh golly!

[uh oh...

is it more of the red? and is it covering up the whole window, or just a section?]

It sure is! And the lower section of it, really. Like someone was slumped over there.

[mmmmm big dislike.

this is also... a lot, so after considering for a moment, she'll grab the bedspread from the bed that doesn't have a corpse and use it to try and clean up the splatter....... maybe]

Uh... about that bedspread. If it's not the one Kyrie put over Kinzo, there is more red on it.

And it's the second twilight of the first game where Eva has her head pierced with a stake. Sorry about that.

[YOU'RE NOT SORRY!!!

but she freezes up at the memory, clutching the bedspread in her hand]

Onii-chan... this is too much...

[glances back over at the bed, ARE THE BED SHEETS USABLE? or... are those also... red....?]

Unfortunately, it's all very red.

[well, there is a bathroom and there is a tub so... it's time to find out if there's also running water]

Bad news about the tub, it's also red but this time it's flashback to Hideyoshi stabbed dead through the head naked in the tub.

The sink's fine, though! Kyrie yoinked all the towels already, alas.

[a mix of a sigh and whine escapes her mouth at the image and once again she needs to take a moment before she can resume what she was doing, shaking her head to try and clear her mind.

she brought the bedspread though so she's try to rinse it in the sink... see if the red will come off at all]

You know... the surprising thing is actually how little Eva actually died in Beato's games, there's really not too much more than that one instance, or the guts full of candy, but as you try to wash out the red, a certain younger witch's laughter starts to echo in the bathroom.

"Careful, Ange. Don't you know? If you don't use cold water to rinse out the blood, the stain will be there fooooreeeeeevaaaaaa~!"

You are alone in the bathroom, for the record.

[logically, she knows she's alone in here, but this is EVA-Beatrice so SHE COULD JUST MANIFEST IN HERE IF SHE WANTED?

she spins around abruptly, fully expecting her to be there]

A-Aunt Eva?!

Could she? She's nowhere to be seen, but her laughter does echo in the space. Fades after a moment of that. Was that just you? Or...

[she sighs, almost a little... disappointed?

listen, it's complicated.

but she will in fact try and use cold water to see if the blood comes out...]

The blood does come out... it doesn't completely remove the stain, but the coloring is less vivid, the memory of the horrible deaths less intense, fading into just lingering horror as the red goes down, down, down the drain.

[wrings as much of the water as she can out so the fabric isn't as heavy and... heads out, back to the window, to try and clean the red there with her significantly less red but moist bed sheet.

did she do all of this just to try and wipe the splatter on the window? yes.]

Gosh, Rosa sure had a mixed bag of being murdered but some of the bigger moments really are...

Sometimes, you are thoroughly broken and discouraged, you even let yourself become furniture, get thrown to be eaten alive, and start to believe there really are witches and this one has killed everyone.

And then you hear the screams, the begging and pleading. Talk of human blood wine and faces on plates and baked apple Maria pie and somehow, somehow, you get just enough strength...

It's strange because, earlier, the woman crying now had accused you and left you to die in the mansion in the last game.

Or how about the time when EVA-Beatrice first went mad with power, watching this in the tea room with horror while Beato laughs and laughs and laughs--until you strike her across the cheek.

Rosa was put through it, wasn't she? For good reason, maybe. But of course, behind all that immediate red, there's the true stain of blood, the actual way Rosa died was...

You can feel the image start to take a stronger shape in your mind, slowly coming into focus...

Keep going?

[a lot of this isn't really anything new to Ange. both in terms of the cruelty and torture involved, but also in terms of being aware of how these games went. she's read all about it before, spectated it herself...

but there is something different now. something about reliving it from a first person perspective... even without being the direct victim. the full awareness that what your eyes are seeing is real, that these people are being murdered over and over again in the most grotesque ways and there is little you can do to stop it. the sheer rawness of it all.

the first memory alone is enough for Ange to end up crouching on the floor, emptying her stomach and crying. she barely has any time to recover, the rest of it continues to play in her mind and all she can do is cry at the horror of seeing her family hurt each other like this, both physically and emotionally. by the time the EVA-Beatrice memory comes into play there's really nothing left for her to throw up, but her body doesn't care. it's just water now... water coming out of her mouth, out of her eyes that won't stop crying, out of her pores that cannot stop sweating both because of the adrenaline and the physical exertion...

and then... finally, the impending awareness of her aunt's true death.

she has to keep going. she knows it's useless to stay here crying like a little girl, but she'll also need a few minutes to regain her strength, after this.

for now, she's going to remain crouched on the floor... trying to get her breathing back in control before she ends up hyperventilating as well.

she weakly reaches for the sheet again to wipe her face with it, which may or may not be a good idea, but she's too spent to care at the moment.]

[eventually, after a few long minutes have passed, she reaches for the wall to help herself up again. once she's back on her feet she takes a deep breath and looks around the room again... noticing the now open door.

but before that, there's one more red photo on the dresser so... she heavily walks over there and starts to clean it with her other sleeve. bracing herself for the inevitable memory again]

Wiping your face is a bad idea. The awareness of that True death... the way the image sharpens more and more, details that won't be easily forgotten--you know without a doubt, continuing to work at this stain will prove that the aftermath of that death was truly witnessed, and truly... lingering. As if unable to move away from the horror of it.

The reality is, for as terrible as the torment of the previous memories, you know without a doubt, it's that Truth that is the worst of it.

But leaving off there, moving on back to the dresser...

Wiping at that photo brings about bittersweet memories of a youth spent on an island with cousins and a servant who were very fun to play with. George, a bit awkward but mimicking the adults, in his teen years. Jessica, more tomboyish and loud than she even is--was before that day, getting the scolding along with Battler. Two peas in a pod of so-called crude and rude delinquency. Shannon, of course, standing back and watching it all with a bemused kind of smile, patiently waiting for the playful activities to start up again. Maria was too young, then, to play with everyone. So when the play on the beach resumes, Jessica runs toward the waves, George warns her to be careful, and Shannon laughs, but it's Battler who insists Shannon follow along with them, uncaring of the difference in statuses. George and Jessica quickly join in on the calls to Shannon. Shannon seems hesitant and shy, but then eventually comes over just in time to recoil from Battler splashing her in the shallows with a shriek of laughter and maybe something about how she should get her dress wet.

He just wanted to see her smile again.

It's a picture of the cousins and Shannon, presumably something taken by an adult who thought the image too cute not to take. They're all smiling. George trying to look older than he is, Jessica bright and cheerful, Battler in an open-mouth laugh, and Shannon with her shy and small upward turn of the lip as though she still wasn't sure how to smile for the image but a faint pink to her cheeks giving away her true happiness of being included.

It's a better picture than how [Jessica with her face beaten in on the floor of the dining hall] it all [George with bullet holes in his side and in his head, glasses barely on his face and out in the rain under a bush] ended--

"Please... don't go away. Don't leave me alone... Battler-san..."

[she is... at this point, genuinely too tired to manage to shed proper tears anymore. all she does is stand there by the dresser letting the bittersweetness of it all wash over her only to eventually be left with nothing but the bitterness. the all too vivid and undeniable sense of what truly happened and the hopelessness she's felt her whole life.

these are red truths that can't be challenged.

not by her.

not in this state.

she leaves the photograph back where it was and moves for the door. she could probably try to clean up more of this room, but is that even something she should keep doing? is it even helping anyone? certainly not her, at any rate.]

It's very possible that she should have paced herself a little.

It's a bedroom. Or rather, a guestroom. A western styled guestroom with purple thorny vines covering everything, making it impossible to really engage with any of it except for one of the beds and the wardrobe closet. It's all so difficult to make out, but what's impossible to mistaken is that this room is for a specific purpose, a specific reason, and those vines are digging into the walls, the floor, anywhere they can get to take root there. Twisting, distorting things to suit their needs. They're growing in from the window where it's pitch black out, the rain pounding hard against the glass while the wind howls and shrieks. Staring out for too long, you can almost swear there is a pair of eyes staring back at you from the deepest of the night.

There's a thrill of horror down your spine because you know instinctively: <the witch is out there, watching, waiting, grinning madly wondering what you'll do.>

You also know instinctively: <there is a murderer coming for this room in particular, and if you do not hide, you will die>.

((You have 10 comments from each person (minus runner) to pick a place to hide. Do what you will within that time frame or perish :) ))

There's the clattering sound of chains, more as though they're dropping to the ground.

Finally, the oppressing pressure at your throat is gone.

You can breathe again.

You're freed from whatever that nightmare was.

You vow to never go back to it.

But there is a metal collar and chains laying before you, the silver metal glittering in an unseen light, sending fragments of light into an otherwise empty space.

Do you take them with you? (Each individual running must make a choice.)

[The moral of the story is not to be so ready to hype yourself up to have to kill someone with your bare hands that you lose out on your perfect run...

Maybe this does say something about her?

No shut up it's not her heart therefore it can't tell her anything!!

She looks at the chains a moment, and takes them again. Please let her go back in, it's not done.]

It's not done.

You take them with you.

Their weight is familiar, after all. You won't go back to it, but you'll never forget it--not again. Not ever. You continue to the next room on your own feet.

((ooc: i blame not sleeping much but you're free to have the whole collar and chain sequence haunt her nightmares a bit. it's fine. :) ))

Edited 2023-02-12 00:11 (UTC)

[Nice. A little treat :)]

[she takes a couple of steps without thinking, frankly she wants nothing more to do with the collar and chains.

but then she remembers... they are here to help Onii-chan... she doesn't want to leave that just lying around.

she's scared, but she'll pick them up and take them with her]

You take them with you.

Their weight is familiar, after all. You won't go back to it, but you'll never forget it--not again. Not ever. You continue to the next room on your own feet.

((ooc: you're free to have the whole collar and chain sequence haunt her nightmares a for a few days after this. it's fine. :) ))

You climb into the closet just as the door is forced open, the sound of tape separating giving away the reason you could not leave this room on your own even if you wanted to, even if you tried everything within your own power.

Ah, that's right, you remember.

You chose this, too.

The footsteps draw closer and closer.

Even when you hold your breath, you worry that you've made the wrong choice.

The footsteps move away, but you know better than to make a sigh of relief. Especially as there's the sound of the bed being turned over and a cry coming from a distinctly feminine voice. One of frustration? One of triumphant?

It's hard to say.

And luckily, you won't have to find out as a hand lands on your shoulder from behind, from beyond what should have been just a wall, and pulls you backwards.

Right, you remember... magic was the solution.

Edited 2023-02-11 19:16 (UTC)

[Hiding sounds like a terrible idea when there's only two things accessible. Especially if the killer is uh, checks notes, herself? Or Battler, considering the theme of the purple. Kinda 50/50 on that one.

If she blocks the door, she might block Ange and Rika from coming in...but that's actually probably a good thing really, if they can't get in then they can't be hurt, and it's not like they would just be stuck out in the hall with the killer. So that's exactly what she's going to try. Is there a lock and chain on this door? Because first of all those need to be locked if they're not already.]

There is a lock and chain on the door! And they're already locked and secured. Mystery how you even got here, come to think about it!

[If she just appears inside the room, and it's already locked... Then the killer is probably just going to appear too and pushing the furniture against the door won't matter. Okay, scrap that. She grabs the blanket off the bed and touches the nearest vine to see if that gives any more purple to argue with.]

[AHAHA.WAV]

No.

Yes.

Ushiromiya Kyrie is the culprit, Ushiromiya Battler never killed anyone. No matter how you want to spin it to take some blame for setting things in motion, that's a fact. Ushiromiya Battler is not the culprit.

[Please let her at least force it to be herself so she can just kill that bitch,]

Ushiromiya Battler is not the culprit.
Nor is Ushiromiya Kyrie the culprit for this scenario.
Many people have been the culprit in these games.
But it's very like you to put yourself at the top of the list.

Is that supposed to mean I'm self-centred? Once again, I'm only speaking for the version of events that occured for us, you're just moving the goalposts.

[You're really rude, Battler's subconscious?

So that means it's Beatrice? But she's also not discounting that this is some technicality like "it's not Ushiromiya Battler because it's Sumadera Battler" or whatever he's come up with to worry about. Anyway, is it actually possible to get to the windows and if so, can she break it by throwing herself against it while using the blanket as some padding to hopefully avoid being cut by the glass.]

Is this how it feels when someone doesn't get the level differences?

... yeah, actually.

But unfortunately, the vines are keeping the window's glass together, preventing her from smashing through. Gotta be rough on the shoulder, though.

If you do not hide, you will die.

Oh, I understood.

[Right, then is there anything under the bed?]

There is not. There is just enough room for a person to hide under.

[Cool, then final answer is she's pulling the sheets down far enough to obscure the nothing under the bed, and getting in the wardrobe, closing the doors, and readying the blanket in both hands in front of her. At the least she can throw it over them like a net!!]

Well, the blanket's not really that necessary. It's fine. You're fine.

[she should have paced herself better but she had no idea what she was going to encounter and now she has so many regrets, so many... but there is no time that can be spent on regrets when she needs to hide right now.

time to get in the closet]

What a good girl who doesn't fuss and just hides.

At least it wasn't a hard choice.

It's a bedroom. Or rather, a guestroom. A western styled guestroom that is in utter disarray. Everything in the room has been torn apart. The beds, the nightstand, the bathroom, even the windows with shattered glass laying on the floor, letting the howling winds and rain of the typhoon into the room.

It's freezing. Far colder than it should be. Possibly because with the windows broken and the door is already open, the cold air from outside stabs inwards. The chain lock hangs freely, even swinging slowly back and forth as if someone had just unlocked it and left in a hurry.

There's the unmistakable sense that something is desperately, desperately wrong.

You enter a room with checker-patterned black and white flooring, a table sitting in front of a curved wall of tall windows. A chess board sits on top of the table, but it looks as if the game has had its pieces put away save for a black bishop, a black knight, and a black rook.

The windows themselves show nothing but a darkness outside. Unlike the other rooms, however, the darkness is almost a comfort, a relieving feeling.

Less relieving is probably how, on the other end of this room, near a lounge seating area, a man and a woman appear to be uneasily watching both the entrance and exit of the room. There's sweat on their brows and their clothes are mussed and torn, more as if they have just been in a fight than anything else.

The fact that some tiles on the floor aren't even and a hint of purple smears on the white tiles may give away just what they were fighting.

Edited 2023-02-11 09:53 (UTC)

[...Oh. This sure is different. She takes it in, and feels like she should bow to them? At least it seems like they're helpers here.]

...Hello.

The two individuals seem to pause, exchange a look, and then the man gives a proper servant bow. "Good evening. Please do excuse our presentations and any messes you may have encountered. Lord BATTLER is... how would you say... a little preoccupied at the moment."

Meanwhile, the woman seems to be watching her. Very carefully.

No, not at all. I - am concerned about him, so...I want to help, at least a bit.

[She eyes Virgilia right back, because shouldn't she be the one who's concerned, they know her but she doesn't know them!]

Once again, Ronove caught between enabling a potential catfight and being a good furniture. He coughs into a hand in a none too subtle nudge for his companion.

Virgilia takes a moment to compose herself and sigh. "That is a relief to hear. Allow me to introduce myself. I am called Virgilia. I am Lady BEATRICE's teacher of magic. This is Ronove, one of the 72 Great Demons in service of the Lord and Lady."

"Since they have both been away from their territory, it's rather difficult for either of them to summon us, but it seems the need was rather dire," adds Ronove with some bemusement.

[Ronove instantly seems very fun, would absolutely be lowkey catty with him. Too bad about the whole Garfield thing. She does give a little laugh though.]

I see, it's a pleasure to meet you.

I feel as if there's too much I don't know to be anywhere near as useful as I want to be. ...And that there are things he just doesn't want to hear from me. But it really is dire, you're right about that.

Virgilia seems to want to say something but then clearly shifts gears as she folds her hands in front of herself like a proper lady. "Have you considered that what Lord BATTLER may need from you isn't your words but simply your ears and understanding? A sorcerer can have the same difficulties as a witch in this area, after all."

"Lord BATTLER isn't normally someone who will shy away from voicing his opinion," says Ronove with an almost mischievous look, "however... things have been far from normal since he and Lady BEATRICE have left their territory."

"Certainly, they haven't called on us in some time, and even now when he has..." Virgilia looks uncomfortable admitting to it wasn't the best of work.

You say that as if I know anything about witches. If I just silently listen right now, that's not going to get rid of any of those vines anyway, is it? It's not like there's only a couple.

[But, no she has not considered, obviously she has to fix everything all the time, how do you just. Talk. Why would anyone just talk to her if she's not Useful?]

The demon and witch exchange glances again.

Virgilia then sighs and looks back to Kyrie. "Have you determined the source of those vines, then? Or do you just plan to uproot it entirely?"

It seems like some sort of anger... But at one point it seemed to confirm it isn't exactly his own thoughts - based in them, but exaggerated. So I imagine it's not that they need to be uprooted, but they certainly need to be sheared.

"... truly, the similarities are amusing enough to make one want to laugh their way into eternity." Ronove seems entirely too amused.

Even Virgilia's smile is a little more twisted, much more like a witch's. "Yes, I can really see the resemblance now that you mention it."

Edited 2023-02-13 00:36 (UTC)

[I said look here you little shit???]

...Why do you all keep saying that.

"Whyyy is thaaaat? I do wonder--is that as far as you've gotten despite how far you've gotten? So funny, so familiar!" Virgilia starts to giggle to herself as she taps her chin in thought.

Ronove, meanwhile, just smiles as if appreciating the moment for what it is. "Lord BATTLER did summon us to be a line of last defense. I wonder if we should allow for a bit of entertainment..."

"With the mood he's no doubt in from this board, truly it would be a bit of entertainment."

[AHAHA.WAV]

Witches and demons be like this.

[She crosses her arms, sighing as she turns over what she knows for a few moments.]

My tactics don't work on something like this, so I guess if that's what Battler-kun was trying to do too, then no wonder it's the same. It would be much easier if I was just talking to him directly. On top of that I feel like I'm expected to know all sorts of events and rules I've never experienced. If you want to make fun of me for that, go ahead, I can admit that I don't have the answer all the time.

"About speaking to Lord BATTLER..." There's almost a slyness to Virgilia's words, but they're honest enough even with this, "I believe he went rushing toward the gardens back when you all were in the first room."

"Yes, I do believe he said something about that, even." Ronove seems to join in with the sly tones, lifting a hand to hide his inelegant smile and a small "pukuku" kind of laugh.

"So if you would like to speak with him... that would be the way to go."

[Man. Don't like that. But okay.]

I've been wondering about that... Can I get there from here?

"Certainly, if you wish to reach the root of the issue." Ronove gives a bow, hand going out to indicate the direction of the gardens.

[AHAHA.WAV]

"As you've come this far, certainly you've permission to go without delay." Virgilia gives a nice little curtsy as though showing deference to her Lord's stepmother.

[AHAHA.WAV]

But in fact, she can continue forward. They won't stop her.

...Thanks.

[She doesn't like the possibilities even without their attitude!!!]

Edited 2023-02-13 02:13 (UTC)

... they will, however, wait until she leaves and is out of earshot before they straighten themselves.

"I believe Beato would be quite annoyed with us for being so permitting."

"That child has entertained her own poor choices from time to time. Really, even Battler has made some rather poor decisions, but I do feel a bit of pity that he keeps it to himself so much."

"Pukuku, it's true that he hasn't had much chance to really let loose, and when it comes to this..."

"When it comes to the solution to this board..."

"It's rather interesting, coming to the same conclusion he did once."

"But of course, that makes sense, doesn't it?"

""The story is the same: Without love, the truth cannot be seen.""

[well, she knows this room and those people, but why are they here...?]

What...?

Why wouldn't they be here?

But Ronove notices her first, reaching over to tap Virgilia on the shoulder. Virgilia, seemingly uncharacteristically, gives a small breath worth of a curse before she goes over to greet you.

"There you are. You've been taking your time reaching here."

Meanwhile, Ronove finding the tea cart...

Well, locked rooms aren't really my specialty.

[takes a quick glance around the room, noticing the splatters]

Do you two have any idea what's been happening here?

"A bit of an idea. Lord BATTLER didn't provide us too many details when he summoned us--"

"Rather poorly, actually," Ronove interrupts the explanation by offering a tray of cookies.

Virgilia heaves a sigh. "Yes. It does seem being outside of his territory means that we're not so easily called upon. Even here, our presence is barely enough to be a last defense."

[she does not feel like eating anything at all, but not eating one of Ronove's cookies at least would be rude, so she reaches for one]

I'll help you fight it... whatever that thing is.

Yes, good. Ronove is pleased. "Your assistance would be greatly appreciated. Lord BATTLER didn't provide us any instructions, other than being the last defense."

Virgilia looks a little... troubled. "Have you not determined what it is you're offering to fight against?"

Some kind of corruption, right...? And it was caused by the current game board we're in. It's messing with Onii-chan's perception of things...

"'Perception of things' is a little vague." But Virgilia seems to just be nodding along with Ange's assessment.

Meanwhile, Ronove is making tea.

... I didn't want to think too much about that certain memory.

[YOU KNOW THE ONE. WITH KURORO]

Virgilia seems a bit confused.

Ronove is Intrigued. "Oh? Well, surely it couldn't be the only clue you have on the matter."

Why do I feel like I'm being lectured for not paying better attention? A lot happened back there.

"Didn't your brother get lectured even when he was learning Lady BEATRICE's game? We can always go easier on you if you'd like." Virgilia at least seems pleasantly amused by this. Ah, young witches are cute, though.

"Pukuku, I do seem to remember Lord BATTLER also making similar complaints during that time also." Ronove chuckles and offers the cup of tea to Ange. "What was it again...? 'It's no good'?"

"'It's all useless'. Though I believe that 'It doesn't make sense' was another favorite."

[makes a grumpy noise, but takes the tea anyway]

I'm trying to help, so if you want me to help, you could at least offer a little more assistance?

[takes a sip]

The refreshments are good, at least.

"Why, thank you." Ronove sparkles.

Virgilia smiles. "We can offer some insights and even some hints but to give you the answers isn't how this works. You know that very well."

[sighs, staring at the cup of tea thoughtfully]

I know, I know.

I'll take a hint, at the very least.

Virgilia seems to take a moment to think, tapping her chin. "How many colors are there?"

Three. ... Four? There was green too, but that wasn't Onii-chan's, so I don't think it counts...

"The green does not belong to Lord BATTLER, I can confirm this much." Virgilia is very pleased with this answer, however. It's like having a student again. Nostalgic. "Now. Do you understand what each color is for? And how they are utilized?"

It's the same as usual, isn't it? Red is for truths and blue for theories that can be used to disprove the red.

Purple... is a mix of both, but also the corruption.

[tea sip]

"I'll confess to not being so familiar with a purple truth, so I can neither confirm nor deny your take on it." But Virgilia does seem a little thoughtful, tapping her chin. "But why would the corruption choose that color and not one of the others?"

No... I don't think the purple is for truths, but more...

[pauses, considering]

If purple is made up of both red and blue, are those feelings that got twisted and corrupted?

"It isn't a bad theory, all things considered." Ronove comes up with another cookie tray, offering them with a smile. "But surely Lord BATTLER wouldn't simply use something no one is aware of in a game of his?"

Virgilia drinks her own tea with a smile.

So it's not about his feelings?

... [nom cookie]

Or do you mean... something else?

Virgilia, very gently, asks, "Your brother likes his conventions, doesn't he? Every witch and sorcerer has their own way of presenting their truths, but with every game your brother's been the Master for, has he ever introduced a concept that hasn't been shown previously? Certainly, Lord BATTLER has never has his truth bared so openly for people, so why this way of doing it? The corruption has its influence, of course, but...?"

Edited 2023-02-14 06:05 (UTC)

... Is it... love?

Virgilia smiles, seems about to say something but then Ronove clears his throat.

"Pardon my interruption, but it seems Lord BATTLER is requesting his sister continue to the gardens. It seems Madame Kyrie has resolved the matter of corruption."

Here, Virgilia looks a bit surprised. "Really? Has she?"

"Yes, I was rather surprised, also."

—She did?!

[Ange is both surprised and not. but mostly. yes????]

"She did." Ronove is gathering up tea things! "He has also requested I bring some tea and cookies. If you'd follow me, it's not far."

Virgilia sits herself on one of the lounge area chairs. "I'll wait for the last guest here, should she arrive."

A-All right.

[starts following after him.

then stops, holding up the collar]

Um, what should I do with...?

"Hm? With what?" Ronove just looking back to her with clear confusion.

The... collar and chain?

[AM I HALLUCINATING THIS]

Are you? Ronove and Virgilia both are looking at you like you're talking nonsense.

... Never mind.

[GUESS SHE'S TAKING THIS WITH HER STILL]

See toplevel for garden stuff but vines are blackened and withering away to soot.

[Wait maybe she should still be ready for murder????

First thing's first, checking out the room. Interesting that the glass is inside, is there any evidence of something that was thrown through it from outside? She's also just gonna find a share that fits in her hand nicely to pocket thanks.]

It looks more like the damage was done from the inside, but the glass was shattered with enough force that pieces fell inside.

As it is, picking up a shard shows her the moment the window was broken. Battler, having been in this room for who knows how long, can't find a solution to this erroneous puzzle. Not on his own. But he tries anyway. He takes a chair and throws it at the window, he even goes as far as to shove his hand between the broken pieces of glass, desperately desperately trying to get the windows open.

And then something grabs his hand. Another hand. It's cold and it feels wrong and the laughter is ringing out, the witch is thoroughly amused by his attempts. He tries to pull his hand back but the grip's too strong. And then. Around his left hand's ring finger... the feeling of a mouth taking it in and teeth... biting down. It's painful. It hurts. It hurts--he can't pull it free and then the teeth bite through--

Anyway, fortunately, your fingers are fine. It's fine.

Edited 2023-02-11 22:09 (UTC)

[She does not like this. Funny how her own actions leading to so much trauma for her kids makes her feel bad. Who does that.

Anyway, guess the nightstand is next...]

It's turned over, a leg broken off, the drawer dismantled for its nails and hardware. It's barely more than a pile of wood and metal at this point and the memory floods in. Battler, having lost track of time--there's no point in keeping track of it anymore, not if he wants to stay somewhat sane--comes up with the idea to literally use whatever he can at his disposal to try to solve the puzzle on his own.

The hardware, he realizes after he breaks apart the furniture, are more than just useless. There's no reach like with the wire hangers--but even the wire hangers aren't permitted, not from the outside. So, then...

A wave of blankness, a terrible thought crossing his mind probably not even for the first time. He throws the pile of wood down onto the ground in a fit of anger and despair, refusing to turn around and look to the one option those witches supposedly left him with.

Anyway, the nightstand is no more. Alas.

[Cool, cool... So she can probably about guess the way the rest of this is going to go, but. She's started this, so might as well go for the bed next.]

Gosh, it's almost like trauma bad.

At first, sleep is difficult but even Battler knows it's necessary to keep the mind refreshed so he can keep thinking, keep looking for the solution to this broken puzzle and escape this damned room. But slowly, bit by bit, he can't even remember... what this room is even supposed to be. It had to have been some time before the first time he wakes up so disoriented. The room's familiar, but he can't understand why he's here. His mind refuses to provide him with the answer there. It's creepy, this room. He doesn't like it, or the darkness outside the window. It's scary. He wants to get out of here, he wants out--where is everyone? Are they just outside? He feels like a frightened kid as he slides out of the bed and clumsily fumbles the lock. The motion should have been familiar, but he's always so clumsy with these kinds of locks...

The door opens, there's a sense of relief and he tries to leave--but the metal collar and chains return. The words written in red on the wall outside and door tell him, remind him again what's permitted, what's not. It all comes crashing back but he still can't understand... why is this happening to him? What did he do that was so wrong? Why can't he leave? Why won't someone get him out? He's tried everything, everything!

Eventually, he tires again. He starts to knot the sheets thinking that if he tries the window again--has he tried them? They keep fixing themselves, it's hard to say if he just thought of it or if he's actually tried it--he'll need a length of rope to get him down from the height. His eyes blur, he's exhausted, he's lost track of time again and... really, he should rest. Even he knows that a tired mind can't figure out the solutions. So he'll rest and try again when he wakes up...

... he wakes up so disoriented. The room's familiar, but he can't understand why he's here. His mind refuses to provide him with the answer there. It's creepy, this room. He doesn't like it, or the darkness outside the window. It's scary. He wants to get out of here, he wants out--

It's fine.

Edited 2023-02-11 22:48 (UTC)

[Actually the worst thing about this might be the way it makes her want to look after Battler and comfort him so badly - but that she knows he very much does not want that from her. She really hates feeling so helpless.

But she moves on with just a breath to look at the bathroom.]

Nothing seems out of place here... well. Unless one looks into the tub where there's a spot of red near the drain along with the set of pinchers.

And, of course, the memory that follows.

Battler sits in the tub. It's empty. There's no point putting on the water because he hasn't made his decision yet. He's actually not thinking at all, really, numb and staring at the porcelain of the tub. There's the memory of the witches and their laughter, their "generosity"--they didn't make it completely hopeless for him, being stuck in this hell. They left him one way out if he couldn't figure out anything else on is own.

He's tried everything. He can't think of anything else. He doesn't... want to think anymore. He's tired, lonely, scared of this continuing to be how it is day after day again and again. Lambdadelta tried to warn him. She told him how it would be like and he still thought he could handle it because... there was a reason for it... right?

His eyes drift to the drain and the pinchers. Hand reaches for the tool--but then he freezes, breath catching in his throat. He trembles, and the tears well up along with the bitter despair. The room likes to put itself back into order, clean and unbroken even though he's torn it down to studs again and again--the bathroom is the same. But... but still...

Why is there already flesh and blood on the mouth of those pinchers?

The answer's immediate and obvious and he can't he can't there's absolutely no memory of it--how many times has it been, then?! The question has him curling in on himself, hands going to his head, over his ears, fingers pulling at his hair as he grits his teeth and cries, sobs, tries not to scream but what's the point in holding those back, there's no one here there's no one here.

The witches' laughter echoes in the bathroom, mocking words and sadistic grins egging him on. See, seeeee? Just turn on the water, start pinch, pinching away! Little by little! And maybe, we'll retrieve your hand when you're done! They laugh and their laughter distorts, start to sound like cries--or that's him, laying in the tub, screaming and crying and pleading to no one to anyone. He doesn't want to he doesn't want to so someone ANYONE, PLEASE, PLEASE, WHAT HAS HE DONE? WHAT CRIME DID HE COMMIT? HASN'T HE SERVED HIS TIME, THEN? JUST HOW BAD WAS IT? IS IT SO WRONG?

ALL HE WANTED... ALL HE WANTED WAS...!

The thought stops there. There's no more thinking.

There's also just you in the bathroom. The sound of dripping faucet and the water going down into the deep, dark drain.

[You know how when you have a torture basement growing up and your family loves using it as a threat you end up really, really not wanting your own children to ever come in contact with anything like that? No, that's just a Kyrie thing? Well she absolutely hates this. No matter how you look at it, it's just the worst and she feels so awful that it's crushing.

It's time to turn on the tap, take a hand towel, and start scrubbing at the red though. While quietly addressing the room.]

Ushiromiya Battler put up with all this torment and still figured out the solution in the end. That shows just how strong he is.

Ushiromiya Battler did not figure out the solution in the end.
Ushiromiya Battler could not escape this room on his own.

[Oh..... Oh no.]

Even so, needing help to escape doesn't detract from his strength for having endured this.

Assuming he is not still enduring this, or that he has escaped that room at all.

I'm sure there are many ways he is still suffering from this, these things don't just go away and trying to erase them is not only pointless but a disservice.

But he can interact with other things just fine, so he isn't trapped. It's just a foot in the door. If he needs help not slipping back in, then all of us will help.

... well, at least there's no additional colored text argument against that?

[Fuck off coloured text, she's had it up to here with you.]

What do I need to do, break the whole room?

[Y'know what, maybe just for good measure even. Fuck this room, it hurt her son? She picks up the lid of the toilet tank and throws it against the tub as hard as she can. Because she can.]

Now you're just making a mess. But the tub is pretty sturdy so the lid does nothing except maybe put a chip in it.

The lid, though... well. Good luck getting that back on the toilet.

But also, it's something Battler's done probably more than once, too. Hard to keep track of the room destruction, y'know.

[This tub sucks. At least she feels just a little better. It would be easy to just waste time kicking at the spout and breaking the sink too, but. Guess she'll actually try to be productive instead.

Is the wardrobe still in the room?]

It is, but it is in a similar state of definitely got torn up a bit. Still sturdy enough to provide that entrance earlier, though. So there's that.

[Then last is to take a better look at the door and decide whether to just...go ahead and leave.]

Inspecting the door does show that the chain is unlocked, of course, but also that there has been tape used to ensure that any breaking of the chain would have been impossible. Residue on the door shows that there had been tape sealing the outside of it, as well.

Interacting with these things... show that this was just one layer of the torment.

The rest was just as bad, if not worse. Remember that one time Battler said he didn't want to go into it? Remember that?

Edited 2023-02-12 02:23 (UTC)

[YEAH SHE REMEMBERS THAT. Holy shit she hates this. Where the fuck is Garfield, when can she kill this little nonexistent bitch??

And why did Battler come up with that!

She just stared in horror for that memory until it's finally over.]

Ushiromiya Battler is married to Beatrice. That girl lost in the end and Battler is free to leave this room.

[AHAHA.WAV]

But there's no rebuttal. That truth's acceptable.

Also, the door is open.

[SHE JUST WANTS TO MAKE SURE HE KNOWS THESE THINGS OKAY. Maybe it won't change anything but! Just to be sure!

But yes she'll leave this godforsaken room. Would wait for Ange and Rika but she'll just get more murderous the longer she stays here.]

Onward without the others!

[she continues to hate everything about this.

but she immediately walks towards the windows to see what's out there, even if she already has a good idea]

The shattered glass littering the floor under the window looks more like the damage was done from the inside, but the window was hit with enough force that pieces fell inside.

There's only the darkness and the rain out there, so largely she just sees nothing in the gaps and her own reflection on the broken glass--but looking past that... almost... it feels like... yes, she can definitely sense the witch out there. Watching. Waiting.

Stepping on the shards of glass, of course, brings forth the memory:

Battler, having been in this room for who knows how long, can't find a solution to this erroneous puzzle. Not on his own. But he tries anyway. He takes a chair and throws it at the window, he even goes as far as to shove his hand between the broken pieces of glass, desperately desperately trying to get the windows open.

And then something grabs his hand. Another hand. It's cold and it feels wrong and the laughter is ringing out, the witch is thoroughly amused by his attempts. He tries to pull his hand back but the grip's too strong. And then. Around his left hand's ring finger... the feeling of a mouth taking it in and teeth... biting down. It's painful. It hurts. It hurts--he can't pull it free and then the teeth bite through--

Anyway, fortunately, your fingers are fine. It's fine.

Edited 2023-02-13 02:58 (UTC)

[this is not!! fine!!! at all!!!

she recoils away from the window (the bite?) and that is probably enough for Ange to get a sense of things in here.

she doesn't inspect anything else, just walks over to the door to get the hell out of here (while still carrying the collar and chain)]

The door is already open, chain lock with tape keeping it together swinging as if someone has already done the unlocking part, and tape showing on the exterior of the door and door jam.

Pause or go through?

[GO THROUGH, she's leaving]

Probably for the best...

You find yourself at the entrance to a garden. The sky here is blue and calm, the weather warm with a nice breeze like it's the height of spring ready to bleed into summer. The garden is bursting with various flowers and colors, red roses, gold roses, blue forget-me-nots--or ordinarily it would be. Today, they all seem to be struggling under the weight of those purple vines with thorns which wrap and wind their way through the garden as if trying to strangle out every last flower there.

In the center of the garden are two identical individuals with red hair sitting at a wrought iron table in the arbor. They're even dressed the same--or rather, are mirrored--a nice fancy suit with a dark emerald vest and the design on the cape is actually in gold, a single eagle wing. One seems to be content, sipping at his tea and moving a chess piece along the board sitting atop the table as if this is all perfectly normal, nothing wrong. The other… is sweating hard, pale, struggling to breathe. The reason becomes apparent: there's a bloody hole in his chest where those very same thorny vines have stabbed into and pulled the flesh open wide, and his beating heart can be seen struggling in their grip.

Edited 2023-02-13 02:22 (UTC)

-- Battler-kun!

[She stops in her tracks when she's close enough to see the bared heart.]

[They both look up immediately, both looking blankly surprised to see you here.

Then the uninjured one shifts and the injured one grabs for his arm, holding fast to it despite the whole thorny heart thing.

The uninjured one just kind of gives a typical "ihihi" Battler kind of laugh.]

What? I'm just going over to say hello.

[injured!Battler seems to be having trouble keeping his breath, so his grip just tightens.]

[She doesn't want the injured one to strain himself, so she goes to the table herself. Wary of the uninjured one but not about to show it.]

It's fine, no need to get up. Hasn't your tea party gotten a bit out of hand?

[ahaha.wav

why so serious? uninjured Battler sits back in his seat, allowing for injured Battler to relax a little.]

Has it? I thought it was going pretty well. Weren't you all having fun poking around?

I wouldn't call it fun, no. But I meant out here, you're hurt.

I'm fine.

[... it's the uninjured one answering, of course]

Edited 2023-02-13 03:20 (UTC)

[Of course.]

I meant him, although that's good it's not affecting you too...

[Which, she can't just stand there and watch him struggle. It's not much, but she can at least take her tie off and use it to wipe the sweat from his face.]

[he seems to appreciate that, or at least is a little soothed by it.

uninjured Battler's expression goes flat.]

He's fine.

[oh, good. In that case, she puts an arm around his shoulder to try to be reassuring.]

His heart is exposed and being stabbed, he's hurt. I don't really care if you're angry with one another or want to say that only one is real - I just don't want to see you hurt yourself. Or silently allow yourself to suffer.

[the slightest pressure on his torso has him wincing and hissing in a breath but he's not protesting the action itself, just kind of watches the exchange warily, wearily.]

You don't want to see me hurt myself... [the uninjured one sounds incredulous before he gestures around them] What do you think you were doing this whole time? No one asked you to spy on my life. You ignored the actual goal purely for your own self-interest, prolonging the suffering. Liar!

I thought I would need to gather forms of evidence or find things to be fixed. I left things alone that seemed like they would only be prying. ...I don't want to argue with you, I just want to help. I'm sorry if I've misunderstood the right way to do that and accidentally hurt you more, Battler-kun.

I'll give you this much: you didn't have the wrong idea of it if you're wanting to engage in my game over whatever this place has done. The same way I got not real explanation for the rules in my game with Beato, you didn't either. So I'll make it clear.

Red is a witch's truth. It is a truth that is objective and cannot be refuted. There are limits to them, however.

Blue is a human truth. As long as it fits within the red truth's perimeters, it's permitted and will stand as a truth in its own right.

However... in a different game I've played, there was another color. Purple truth is a truth that works in place of a red truth so long as the individual in question is not a killer. If the person is a killer, they can tell whatever truth they'd like in purple.

So this is my game. If you can't disprove my purple truths, they will become just as real as my red truths.

Edited 2023-02-13 06:36 (UTC)

I see... I was thinking I would find supporting evidence, but I guess I can't use much more than my own knowledge of you, huh? You've certainly made it difficult.

To get it out of the way from the start: Ushiromiya Battler's hands have been used to kill, therefore he qualifies as a killer in this context.

And all the purple I've encountered, does it all come from you?

All of the purple comes from me.

Edited 2023-02-13 06:56 (UTC)

Come on, Battler-kun, do you really think I'm that stupid? Ushiromiya Battler qualifies as a killer, therefore his purple doesn't have to be true. You're just trying to pull a fast one on me because I'm new to this.

[ahaha.wav]

I have been the one speaking the words in purple. Whether there's an influence on me or not, that fact does not change.

So you agree you wouldn't be saying them otherwise. Got it.

Battler-kun, can I have something to make him feel a bit more comfortable? I'll feel bad if we sit here debating while this Battler is doing so badly. I can see that I'll need to do some hard work to get it to release his heart, but...

He's been through worse. He's still alive, right? I thought that's what mattered most to you.

[No now she's embarrassed?? Shut up??]

-- Ah, I knew it was a bad idea to tell you that. It's still not any good if you're just in pain.

Let's take a different approach, then.

Spot the lie.

I am Ushiromiya Battler.
I am born from the theories of what happened on Rokkenjima in the future after 1986.
I am also born from the mind of someone who knows Ushiromiya Battler.

Edited 2023-02-13 07:39 (UTC)

...Are you sure you want me to answer that?

If you can't disprove my purple truths, they will become just as real as my red truths.

The implication is that there's exactly one lie among those three, no more, no less - is that true?

Feeling so unconfident you need clarification?

Come on, if I missed some wordplay, you would gloat for days. For that matter, do you consider yourself "someone who knows Ushiromiya Battler"?

I'm not going to just hand you answers. I never had an easy time in those games, why should you?

Is it handing me answers if I happen to think of a good question?

[She shrugs.]

Then I think you still count as Battler, and you came into existence while thinking about the events of Rokkenjima. So the first two are true. I don't think your own mind, even if you have a different name or whatever else, would count as someone who knows Battler - after all, if that person knows Battler, he wouldn't have to think so hard about it.

On the other hand, you could definitely say that if the last two are true, then the first can't be. But that's not the way I see it, anyway.

[the injured Battler goes paler, flinches and looks to the uninjured one who doesn't react for a moment.

and then he laughs.]

Are they good questions? You didn't even ask what people would be saying after Rokkenjima.

Well, I guess they're not theories anymore if they're treated as truth.

I know what kind of things are being theorised. That doesn't make them the truth, and that doesn't mean you have to accept all of them as part of you either.

[But she hates the way the injured Battler reacted, so she crouches down to look at him, and to get a better look at his chest.]

Battler-kun... Do you want me to try to help? I think trying is better than leaving you like this, but if you think I'll only make things worse, if it's just hurting you more... Ange and Rika-chan should be coming soon.

Ange's not going to come here.

...I see. Then it does seem as if I have little choice. I'm sorry, I hope you don't mind it too much. ...And that Ange is still safe.

Ange will be safe.

But even with as little as you know, she can't know it.

Final answer, then. Since you kept going back and forth.

Which is the lie?

...Fine, you're trying to tell me to stop thinking so hard, to just be emotional instead, right? Then I hate the second, so that's the lie. I think it makes the most logical sense to be the third, or after that the first, but the second is the only one that's making me want to scream! I hate that anything uninvolved people have to say about it could affect how you think of yourself, they don't have any say in who you are - even though I'm playing this game, I don't either.

[injured Battler makes a terrible noise almost immediately after she finishes, but closer inspection shows that it's because a terrible thorn just pulled itself out of his heart.

meanwhile, the uninjured Battler... seems to actually settle a little, a tight coil unwinding just slightly.]

[She's terrified of what that noise means for a moment, searching him to see what damage she's done - but, oh. Oh she's so glad.]

Ahh, I think I get it, Battler-kun. I'm sorry, hang in there a little longer.

[She's still crouched beside the injured one, but looks between them when she says that.]

[uninjured Battler looks away.]

The corruption is starting to affect memories of what occurred on Rokkenjima in 1986.
There is no true way for someone like Ange to know how Ushiromiya Battler was actually like without something like this occurring.
My only regret is that I couldn't help more with making Rokkenjima the reality it was.
I took full advantage of my own weakened state because I was bored and needed people to engage with the truths distorted by the corruption.

Which is a lie?

I don't think it's your only regret, but I have much more of a problem with the second one again. Are you calling my cute daughter stubborn?

You're just frustrated by her stubbornness. But Ange loves you, so she would understand sooner or later. Rather, aren't you not giving her enough credit? If you're giving up on her, then you don't have any room to talk, and purposefully showing her lies isn't going to help. Understanding each other can be tough, but that doesn't mean it's not worth it.

[injured Battler makes another pained noise, this time gripping onto Kyrie white-knuckled because it's a few thorns pulling out from his heart this time. but when that's over, he just kind of wheezes a laugh and says a quiet ow... coping things, y'know. he HAS been through worse.

uninjured Battler is less relaxed but more openly showing the truth to the "anger" that's been everything--a confusion, a fear, a hurt. but he shakes his head and closes his eyes tightly, not disagreeing with what's said but it's painful, it hurts.]

... this is the last one, as it's the most relevant.

I will not love anyone else the way I love Beatrice.
Love is despair.
I will continue to love in spite of despair.
I've tried to hate you but can't.

[She takes the injured one's hand and squeezes it between both of hers, but looks up at the other.]

Come on, you put them in the wrong order, they just got easier. I know at least the last two for fact. But "love is despair"? Even I know that's not true, love isn't despair, loving someone hurts more than anything, but it's not because there's anything bad about love. It's being vulnerable that's painful. Loving someone means giving them the ability to hurt you because you've offered that trust. It's awful if they make a mistake, or even purposefully trample it. But that's not what love is. It's just love, it's a good thing, it will always be much more happy than sad, that's why the next point is true - you'll keep feeling it anyway, no matter what.

[probably a little alarming, but the Battler with the heart problems just kind of reaches into his chest to pull at the thorns--no longer that purple color, going black and withering. but thankfully it's fine. they snap, brittle, under his fingers and he gives the biggest sigh of relief.

similarly, the vines and thorns among the flowers seem to be steadily going the same way, dark and withering.]

I really wish... they'd stop targetting that...

It's a favourite theme, huh? Maybe you should do a better job of remembering it.

[She laughs a little, teasing.]

[injured Battler seems ready to laugh along with the teasing

but uninjured Battler slams a fist down on the table pretty firmly before getting up from his seat and just walking over to a flower bed.

the look on injured Battler's face is definitely an "oops" one.]

[Oh -

She pats his arm and gives an apologetic smile before getting up to go join uninjured Battler.]

Sorry, Battler-kun. That was an inappropriate joke. ...You seem like you feel a bit better though?

Edited 2023-02-14 06:00 (UTC)

[he doesn't look to her, shoulders defensively up and tense but it looks still even less like actual anger and more...]

I'm fine now. Thank you.

[uncharacteristically polite but also voice still coming out a little strangled, like there's a weight to it.]

Battler-kun... Don't you know you don't have to be so polite with me? I know it's not that easy, so if there's still something wrong, I hope you know you can ask for my help, if you want it.

...Or that we can just sit here and talk, or quietly have tea, since I doubt I can just leave.

... I can't--I can't say anything. There's no "talking about it" because of... stupid taboos or just because it-- [hurts too damn much.]

I won't lie, it's scary. Someone like you knowing even a little of it. I couldn't feel it at the time, but... you're really scary, you know that?

[now he looks over to her and actually, mad boy is a sad boi, actually.]

But even then, you still only have half of it. Not even, maybe. What I can say and what I can't--both are the truth. And Ange can't know, I have to confuse the issue with her, but I'm not... giving up on her. She just won't have the full picture...

[trails off, clearly unable to finish the sentence. oh no, this is actually the thing he's saddest about right now]

[Oh, that hurts a lot. She knows he's afraid of her, but still, hearing it really sucks?]

I know I am. Although I didn't think I managed to do anything to be frightening this time...

[She puts a hand on his arm though, a bit tentative so he can easily reject it.]

I know you're not giving up on her, Battler-kun. And that it's not easy to navigate all this. But I do think it will work out, because you both care, you're both going to try. That's what really matters, isn't it? Even if she's frustrating.

[when communication occurs but there are still errors in translation and you can't correct because taboos and aaaaaaa so just. a very brittle smile.]

... I can have Virgilia bring Ange here. And Ronove can bring some tea.

[also since when was this Battler the one with the chest wound? well, it's fine. it's all Battler anyway.]

If you'd like --

[She looks back when she notices his chest, to see if the other one is even still there??]

[he sure ain't! one Battler now.

and he just waits.]

[Well she can at least accept this easily, sighing.]

Oh good, now I don't have to feel like I'm always neglecting one of you.

...How does it feel? It's not like I can fix it, but still, maybe we can wrap something around it?

It'll heal, with enough time. Really, I could probably heal it now, but I figure Ange wouldn't like me acting like nothing was wrong, so...

[and yet he's more tired than traumatized but probably that's the Used To A Lot Of Trauma thing.]

[God you're really her kid. Stop that.]

Ah, good point. ...That reminds me, she said you used things I taught you during those games - that was nice to hear, I hope they helped and didn't just get in the way like they did for me just now.

[make him.]

Oh. Yeah. Actually... I did struggle with it for a bit, but... there were a lot of factors in that. But in the end, yeah. It. Really helped. I just wish I could have gotten the hang of it sooner.

Mm, like you said, I only know half of it, or not even. But it sounds like you've been through a lot...so to make it, I'm sure you must have learned a lot, and come up with your own ideas too. That's pretty amazing, you know.

... not really. A lot of it was retreading things I... should have already known.

That's just how life always is, isn't it? There's nothing wrong with that.

I mean... there is if it has to too late for some things.

... anyway, yeah, I still learned a lot of new things, too.

I don't like these circumstances, but otherwise, I can tell that I would really enjoy debating with you like this. You would make a good opponent.

You say that but I think even you'd start getting my case about my "small bombs".

Small bombs? It sounds a bit silly, but I don't know, there's no reason that can't be an argument. You might sound more credible if you just call them "explosives", though.

[this should not be funny but in fact, he's snerk-laughing because yeah.]

I don't know how "they ate an explosive small enough that their stomachs exploded" sounds any more reasonable than "the candy had small bombs inside them", but probably.

[Wow Battler. It's cute though? She laughs, anyway!]

Using even slightly more technical phrasing immediately improves the perception of anything you say. Although there's not much helping that, I admit.

Sometimes finding an argument that works means going with an option too ridiculous to discount.

"Throw things at the wall and see what sticks", right? Or negotiating by starting with an absurd demand, knowing it's going to be rejected. It's not a bad tactic at all.

Kinda fun to play cards by losing a bunch of hands before pulling out a winning move when everyone's got their guard down.

[but okay. ... okay. he's. calmer now. just.

gestures back to the table and chairs. there are three chairs now, anyway.]

Ange should be here soon. How about a game while we wait?

[man. Yep that's definitely a Kyrie trait there. Quit being so her kid.]

That sounds like fun.

[GOOD THING ANGE DIDN'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH ANY OF THAT.

instead, there is just one single Battler sitting there with a bloody chest--heart no longer showing. he looks a little pale and definitely very tired, but he seems to be trying to smile despite this as he moves a chess piece on the board.

Kyrie sits across from him, probably considering her next move.]

Edited 2023-02-16 18:38 (UTC)

[well, that's still very concerning. running up to them]

—Onii-chan?! Mom!

[She's very deep in thought about her strategy, but just wearing that easy smile as her poker face!

Until she hears Ange and breaks out of that trance to get to her feet and go greet her daughter, smoothing Ange's hair out. Mom fuss.]

You made it! Sorry, I didn't mean to run so far ahead.

[Battler is staying seated for now but he gives a small wave from his seat nonetheless.

meanwhile Ronove just coming on in and setting up some tea and cookies at the table.]

[yesss, mom hugs good and she definitely needed those right now.]

It's okay... it turns out I was right after all and you were able to help, right?

[then, turning to Battler]

... Are you okay now?

[Yeah she. Figured Ange might be a little upset and in need of aggressive family softness.]

Mm, although I had to go about it a bit differently.

[awkward when once again your memories are the problem.]

... yeah, I'll be okay. It's already healing.

[you can't feel awkward if you don't even know what the problem was in the first place 4head]

A bit differently...?

[She nods.]

He's quite the opponent, going right for my blind spot. Right, Battler-kun?

If you're thinking you can make your move right now while I'm not looking and I'll be too distracted to notice what it was, don't be so sure.

No way I don't think most women have eyes in the back of their heads.

... Do you want to finish your game first?

[said with a tone that implies she'd also like to watch them play against each other. who knows why. weird.]

[She laughs at Battler's comment. Smart boy.]

What, isn't it boring to watch other people play something so slow?

[who knows why Ange would want to!]

Either way's fine. Something easier like chess isn't so bad.

[y'know. as opposed to like 10 rounds of this board at probably parallel times, can't stop him.]

... It can't be boring if it's you two.

Then I would be glad to keep playing. It would be a shame to just abandon our game.

[She's playing it cool but. Thanks Ange this makes her so happy actually... Tea party happen after all!]

We can keep playing.

[tea party happen, after all.

and it was actually a good time. y'know. if you pretend you didn't just wade through the shallow ends of all Battler's traumas and ignore his bloody chest.

it was a good time, and everything was fine when you wake up.]

[UMINEKO SPOILERS] Heart (Scored) - Kyrie, Rika, Ange

A Room

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