shslsmokeandmirrors

[shslsmokeandmirrors]

Spin the Wheel...

Welcome, subject, to the WonderDome…

You are one of a select group chosen for our revolutionary new experiment, a massive undertaking in a state-of-the-art facility! Isn’t that exciting? 

What’s that…? You want to know why you were chosen? Well, naturally we selected only the best test subjects for our work. A unique pool of candidates, pulled from the student body of the most prestigious school in the world! Anyway, you really don’t have anything to worry about. After all, you have wonderful odds of making it out alive!

In one piece, though… that’s a different matter.

[Dangan Suffering is a DR OC RP Group inspired by The Suffering Game arc in The Adventure Zone. 16-18 Hope’s Peak University Students are trapped in the WonderDome, exact location unknown, and must play a horrifying game of death and torment to have any hope of escape…]

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!

ABOUT || FAQ || RULES || APP || ARTIST APP || SUBMIT || NAV

[shslsmokeandmirrors]

Clear Skies | Ren Epilogue

After asking about the possibility, Ren recovered the memories that had been blocked prior to the killing game with the help of Kiku Sakaki’s machine and Tomo. And as soon as they were free of the Tower, they reunited with Mitsuko - their loyal guard, who had been anxiously waiting for an opportunity to contact them again. She expressed great relief and pride in her charge, and welcomed their new loved ones into her protection. With the help of her, their contacts, and Hoshimi, Ren was soon able to reclaim their family’s wealth and influence, rebuilding the Watanabe clan’s empire… though they did strive to legitimize most of the assets and practices.

Most.

This process was assisted through clever investments and support of the country’s damaged but recovering economy, particularly in areas of construction and reconstruction. It took a great deal of time and no little effort, but they found they enjoyed the work, and it certainly kept them busy - though not so much that they had no time for leisure. Ren’s head for business and their canny grasp of negotiations served them and their new family well. Yun, Seiichi, and Hoshimi live with them, as well as Mitsuko, and Lucian in his AI form. Tomokuma often resided with them too, for the sake of Yun, as did her Momo, and of course Sasaki, Yuki, Fran, and Matsuo (provided he was accompanying Fran) were welcome visitors and honorary family. All were well protected.

No one would be hurting any of Ren’s loved ones again, they made sure of it.

At last, Ren found their closure, and their peace. With their past finally put to rest, they moved forward into a happy life they never would have thought possible, surrounded by people they love.

[shslsmokeandmirrors]

Beyond the Sea | Sorrel Epilogue

In the end, it wasn’t sadness or despair or a desire to give up that motivated Sorrel’s decision. Unlike some of his predecessors and classmates, Sorrel had never wanted to die… but he had still chosen to do so. It had been the right choice, if he’d had any doubts about it before they were certainly put to rest now - after all, if he hadn’t pressed the button, if it had been Chikako instead, then who would have swept in at the last minute to save everyone? Sorrel was at peace with his fate, he was prepared to face it, to accept his death and all that it entailed.

However, he’d always been deeply connected with nature. The life cycle was a strong part of his beliefs, and the prospect of being trapped in a machine, forever disconnected from nature, ungrowing, unchanging… did not appeal to him at all. On the contrary, his contentment to explore an afterlife turned into an overwhelming discomfort with the situation. So he spent the time they were trapped with Tatsuo making his case clear, saying his final farewells to friends both old and new, reassuring them that this was right for him - and that they were equally right in following their own paths, living their own lives, whatever forms those may take. He was done though, he was ready to let go, to move on, to find out what truly lay beyond.

Perhaps he even hoped that he might actually reunite with his father in the real afterlife, and be able to meet his mother. But even if that weren’t the case, he knew his time here was done. And so Sorrel Weissen, who had not been a survivor for some time, requested his AI be deleted… and after that? Only he knows what came next.

[shslsmokeandmirrors]

Regrowth | Riku Epilogue

Riku Orikasa, also known as Riku Kondou, had dedicated themself fully to the war against Despair after their rescue from the Gardens killing game. With Tatsuo defeated at last, and the remainder of Despair being swept up, they found options suddenly opening up before them. There was still a lot to be done in the reconstruction efforts, but Riku struggled, unsure where or if they could fit in after the mental and emotional damage they’d sustained both during the game and during their work as a strategist for the Resistance. Reuniting with some of their lost friends as AI, Riku attempted to make peace where they could. They felt that they’d become a different person even in such a relatively short time, someone they weren’t sure they wanted their friends to know anymore, and so they mainly sought closure.

For a time they stayed on with the active remainder of the Resistance, continuing to combat any lingering cells of Despair and even consulting in some Defense work for the reconstructing government, but the work was continuing to take a toll. It wasn’t in their nature to show the effect it was having on them outwardly, but those they allowed close took notice all the same. Minako, the Resistance’s other top strategist, had become an good friend to them during their time working together. She was eager to distance herself from the war and government work as much as possible, and persuaded Riku to give themself a break and assist in the recovery… of Hope’s Peak Academy.

This proved to be a better path than they could have hoped, pun intended. Riku took to teaching quite well, it was something they’d noticed they enjoyed back when they’d first tried teaching Braille to Hanami during the first killing game, but they’d nearly forgotten about it what with the havoc of everything else. Focusing on teaching creative writing and English language courses, Riku found their niche in academia. Between their work with Hope’s Peak and furthering their own education, they had a positive focus and finally began to heal and rediscover themself. Their sister, Keiko, and her boyfriend Yuri (yes, that Yuri) were a staunch support system, as was Minako, though she developed a sort of wanderlust after the war and often took sabbaticals, especially when she decided to become a chess grandmaster. The two often play together, and Riku even wins… sometimes… occasionally… they’ve stopped asking if she’s letting them.

And eventually wounds became scars, and scars became faded, and several years down the line… Riku Kondou, the former Super High School Level Murder Mystery Party Host, became Riku Orikasa, the Headmaster of Hope’s Peak Academy.

More importantly, they became someone able to trust themself.

[shslsmokeandmirrors]

melancholic-cloud:

CW: Suicide

Well that explains… that, though it’s a lot to have thrust on him all of a sudden. Sorrel keeps tugging on the strings for a few minutes, thoughtful and conflicted. He was never the best with big speeches, either giving or listening, and it feels like there’s just a lot going on at once. This isn’t the kind of decision to be made lightly, and yet… it doesn’t feel like something that would be difficult if it was just for himself.

“Everyone talk like we choose between live or die… live or disappear… not so sure. Already dead. I made my choice when I pushed button back in other game. Was okay with that. Death is natural. Everything die, eventually. Age, disease, war… humanity going to tear itself apart sooner or later. If we choose delete, we maybe just move on to real afterlife? Sango, Vera, could still be together there. Would be nice to see it. Am curious. And ready. I not really like whole being in computer thing anyway. Not natural. Nothing real, nothing change, no animals. Nanako-san right. Is stagnant. Mn.” Sorrel shrugs, inputs his vote, then looks over at the others…

“Kotori-san… Kazu…” Sorrel may be, clearly, leaning towards a similar decision, but it still hurts to see his friends so ready to make it for the wrong reasons. The hug train already seems backed up at Kazu’s podium, so Sorrel moves around to Kotori’s first, enfolding her in a quick bear hug and murmuring something to her. When he pulls back he gives her a warm smile and a gentle pat on the head.

It looks like Kazu is getting hugged by Tomo now, which makes Sorrel let out a faint chuff, he doesn’t particularly approve of the white-haired boy if he is who it seems like he is. But at least he’s apologizing, and Kazu seems to need this right now… probably best not to interrupt. Sorrel curiously moves around the room partially just to see if he can, approaching one of the still living students he’d been watching on the screens for a while.

Seiichi.

“Hi, you have wolf ears, can I pet them?”

Listen this might be his last chance.

–

On the other side of the much larger trial room, Suu-Ren actually has a faint smile flicker across their face when Emiko approaches. As tense as the atmosphere is, and as charged as the decision before everyone might be, they can’t help feeling some relief that it’s… almost over. Whatever happens next, they made it. Yun made it. Seiichi and Hoshimi made it. For the first time in a long time, Ren thinks that maybe, just maybe, there’s a chance that the worst is finally behind them.

“Weirdly, I actually do feel kind of okay.” Ren admits in a wry tone. They look tired, but… stable. “And yeah, sure, just giving these things out like candy today.” They add, wrapping an arm around her and giving her an only slightly awkward hug. It’s fine. The fact she’d asked first made it… actually a bit nice. 

And then Reina starts talking, and Ren’s gaze is automatically drawn back to her. For a second they unconsciously give Emiko another light squeeze, as if instinctively drawing comfort. Why does this all… have to be so…

“Reina-san… I’m sorry that I couldn’t save you. You were the first person in years to show me kindness in a moment of vulnerability. And in a lot of ways you remind me of my little sister. We didn’t know each other long - well, not that we remember… but you were special to me. I wanted to protect you, so much, and I… I didn’t. If I thought that I could make up for that now, save you now, I would do it. In a heartbeat. But it isn’t the same, and I don’t want to make an empty gesture that you won’t want. So… whatever the ultimate decision turns out to be… I’ll find your parents, and I’ll tell them for you.”

This was so frustrating. This shouldn’t be something they had to decide, any of them, and while Ren can appreciate that Tomo is trying to let them all have a say in the outcome… it still feels wrong. They want Tatsuo to burn, part of them is still eager to slam that button, but… they’re still holding back. Waiting for something that will make the choice more clear. Waiting to see which way the majority of the dead swing, perhaps. Or just waiting to see what Hoshimi and Lucian want.

When Yun is brought over, Ren lets go of Emiko to take her, giving Tomo a nod as they hold Yun close. Safe. As long as they’re holding her, she’s safe, and that’s important.

“Given what I know about how your minds are computerized in the first place…” Ren starts, looking over towards Michi with undisguised distaste. Leave it to her to make inappropriate comments when people were suffering. “Going back into your bodies isn’t really an option. Apparently the process of scanning your brains in is pretty literal, and involves surgically removing and cutting them up. So your bodies don’t have brains in them anymore.”

God they are so tempted to remark that it wouldn’t be much of a change for Michi in that case, but they resist. Not the time or place. Besides, she has at least one good point.

“It… is fair to ask what will happen if the vote goes to save them. Why would Tatsuo have to be released? Couldn’t you just keep him here, with the rest of them? Or figure out a way to isolate him on the server or whatever?” Ren doesn’t know exactly how all this works, but it seems weird that they can select code for specific people to move them - like how Tatsuki was ‘copy pasted’ into Shirokuma - but not be able to just delete Tatsuo.

“Knowing whether saving them would allow them to actually have lives, be able to interact with the world in some way, probably makes a difference. Would they get robot bodies too, or just be stuck in the same program forever?”

Because if that was the case then even the ones who wanted to live now might change their minds after a few more months or years of that, and that would be a pretty big waste for the risk of Tatsuo getting out and wreaking havoc.

Lots of Hugging | Sorrel + Suu | Re: Addy - Vera - Emiko, Reina, Kotori - Katsumi, Keiko, Kazu, Tomo - Yun, Michi ATTN: Seiichi

[shslsmokeandmirrors]

melancholic-cloud:

One minute he’s comforting a justifiably upset hair stylist and the next, Sorrel is standing in a room both familiar and foreign. A trial room. Not like the one on the ship, of course, but strongly recognizable all the same, not least because he’d been seeing it on the screens semi-regularly.

“Uhhhh… what is happen? Why here? What is vote thing going on this for? Someone explain?” There sure are a lot of people around, and Sorrel absently tugs at the cords on his jacket, scanning the room for clues as to why they’re all suddenly here. Clearly this is… another trial? He’d watched enough of the Arch Nemesis trial a few moments ago to see that it had been solved, so what… what was going on now? What were with these options? ‘Save’ or 'Delete’? Hm. Hmmm. Komaka is shouting but after a cursory bit of attention Sorrel determines that it isn’t about anything relevant, as usual, so he looks towards some of the others for an explanation. Who are those people in the middle, anyway?

“…Not even know many of you people… ah, hello, am Sorrel Weissen, from second game thing, what the fuck is going on? I guess am in other computer program now? Not big fan of that. What that one lady mean by release criminal? Not like releasing criminals. Bad. Can we not do that?”

–

Meanwhile, Ren had (reluctantly) released an excitable Yun the moment she began making an effort to run to her brother. They aren’t sure how they feel about her being that far away from them, but at least they know Tomo isn’t going to let anything happen to her. So they just make good on their offer of a hug to Yuki, assuming she accepts it, and then, as for the rest of it… figures.

Ren makes their way back to their own podium, warily surveying the sudden crowd of newcomers. They recognize everyone, of course, either from their own class or from the files they’d found regarding the previous games, but that doesn’t have them any less on edge. This was supposed to be over already, but apparently that’s not the case, there has to be that much more drama involved.

“You couldn’t have ported them in before that whole speech?” Ren gives Tomo a sideways glance, then sighs, moving a hand over the 'Delete’ button and… pausing. Visibly hesitating. At first it had seemed like the obvious choice, but now their gaze is darting towards Lucian, then Hoshimi, then over to where Reina would be, and Emiko…

Hm.

“Okay so for those of you who weren’t present or watching or however that works, these three,” Ren gestures towards Kayo, Anon, and Tomo, “Are here to shut this whole thing down and get rid of that guy,” Ren points towards Kurokuma/Tatsuo, “Who happens to be the one responsible for these games and the war outside and basically all of this bullshit. Now personally I’m all for eradicating his existence, but apparently they can’t do that without erasing the saved consciousnesses of everyone who died in these games, so. Tomo over there is asking us to vote for whether or not to do that thing. There you go, that’s the gist, any further questions should be directed towards the ones who have more answers than I do.” Another gesture towards the three in the center.

“As for where I stand - I could go either way. Like I said, I’d like nothing better than to send Tatsuo over there straight to hell where he belongs, but frankly as I’m not one of the ones up for erasure I’m open to hearing you all out. Seems unfair otherwise.”

Quick Recap | Sorrel + Suu | Re: Trial 6.2 Start

[shslsmokeandmirrors]

melancholic-cloud:

The trial room brightened to the point of blinding as you heard odd noises about. Once the room was fully visible again, 27 new podiums had been added to the room. Lucian’s previous form in the center had disappeared.

A figure pixelates into one of the podiums.

“Wh-what? What happened? … Why am I here? Who are you people?!”

Her eyes widened as she scanned the surrounding area. She shrunk. Oh god. She was here. She knew about this, she’d heard about this, but why was she suddenly here? Why so many empty podiums? Her eyes watered up, and rapidly tears began to spill. She was afraid.

Following her, many other forms seemed to teleport into the trial. Person after person after person… The podiums beside you, the ones once empty, were filled by their former tenants. Reina, Katsumi, Keiko… All of them. They were here.

Confusion erupted. Suddenly, what had been such a small class became a lecture hall.

The screens on your podium shifted from the roster of people to vote for to two options. “Save” and “Delete.” What will you do?

Kayo held her finger up, a serious look in her eye. “This is fucking stupid, Takeda. Why is this even a question, hah?! Don’t forget. If ya make the wrong choice, ya release a criminal responsible for millions of lives to roam cyberspace fer eternity.”

Old Friends

[shslsmokeandmirrors]

melancholic-cloud:

Tatsuo seems… upset. “Don’t think it will be that easy you idiots. You may think you have me cornered, but this works both ways. The boy might be blocking me from getting out of here, but  now… I can ensure he stays in here with me. You take me down, Tomo, and all those brats he’s stored in his personal memory are as good as dead.”

Anon looked to Kayo. “I’m okay with that, you okay with that?” He looked back to Tatsuo. “Yeah, I think we’re okay with that.”

“Yep. They’re already dead anyway. His disappearance is worth more.” She confirmed. Wow, brutal.

Tomo sighed an patted Yun’s head, it seemed as comforting for him as it was for her. “I assumed you’d pull something like that… But this is the only way I could get in. I created a trojan and placed it in the code the button injected to start the end game. To be able to actively combat your defenses… the payload had to be me.”

He looked to Kayo and Anon. “I’m sorry, but… the decision isn’t yours to make. It’s not your lives on the line… It’s not my decision either. It’s theirs.” Tomo shook his head. “I’d hoped to protect them from this, but… This is their decision… We’ll have one last trial. All of his victims coming together to decide his fate.”

Out of Our Hands

[shslsmokeandmirrors]

melancholic-cloud:

A collection of blue pixels swarmed to the middle of the room to join them. A young man, hardly any older than any of you, Yun excluded, stands heroically, clad in green armor. His white hair, and red eyes signified him as kin of Tatsuo Tomomi. This must be the true form of Tomo, a thought which was confirmed by the excited cries of a nine year old girl as she pushed past everyone and her podium to run to him. “Tomo-nii! Tomo-nii! You’re here! Y-you’re actually here.”

The knight scooped the girl up and wrapped her into a long awaited hug. “Of course I’m here. I promised I’d save you didn’t I?”  After a moment, he shifted her to his hip. “Mori-san, I’m not going to apologize for stopping you from charging in here, and getting everyone killed. My father-“

“Uncle.” Yun croaked as she clung to Tomo.

“H-heh…. Right… He was more than capable of killing all of them… And while we may not have saved all of them, the fact that there’s even one left to save means it was worth the wait. Or do you not agree?”

Kayo clicked her tongue, glaring daggers. “We coulda gotten more of them out earlier if a raid succeeded. But nooooo, it’s toooo riiiissky. Kid. Risks need to be taken to get shit done in war, Takeda.” She crossed her arms and shifted her weight.

Anon quickly took over the subject. “Doesn’t matter, can’t change anything at this point anyway. What’s important now is that you all log out. I’ve taken the liberty of restricting Tatsuo’s access to the pods and the vents. You’re safe now, but we can’t finish this with you all in here.”

“I’m going to be frying his servers in a bit, and frankly we’re not sure how it’ll effect you being logged in at that point. But… this motherfucker…” Anon shook his head and chuckled to himself. “He went and killed himself so he could digitize his brain, and broadcast it to his Monokuma’s on the outside as soon as he realized we weren’t going to let him escape. Tomo and I cut him off from his network which means… We take out the servers, and he goes down with them.”

He seemed a little proud of himself. “So… Don’t worry, you’re getting your revenge, I just need you out of here before I can do it safely… That being said, I’m doing it whether you leaveor not… I’m not letting this bastard get away again.”

“I’d rather they do get out. If I gotta, I’ll pick ‘em up and log ‘em out myself.” Kayo smirked and pulled up her sleeves, showing off muscular arms. “I’m not keen on lettin’ them die, yanno? Have an idea on how to make it work. Anyway, I’m Kayo Mori. Nice to meet ya.”

No Time for Pleasantries

[shslsmokeandmirrors]

melancholic-cloud:

A crackle hit your eardrums. That didn’t seem right at all. It kind of… abruptly cut off what you were handling. Some sort of digital haze floated in and out of the trial room, dimming the lights. It was disorienting, as you almost felt like you lost your footing… until two holograms faded into view.

Who…? It was an adult woman with mid-length brown hair and a horrible scowl. She wore a nice beige sweater and a side cut pencil skirt, a bit on the short side. Standing at a measily 5’2, she was completely dwarfed by the man beside her. He sported rainbow hair and a black trenchcoat. He’d look pretty sleek if his hair wasn’t obviously dyed in a strange fashion.

“Fuckin’ FINALLY. God, do ya have ANY IDEA how long it took to break through yer damn firewalls from the outside?!” The woman spat at Tatsuo. “We’re lucky we got a little help. Doesn’t make me like the guy.” She frowned at Tatsuki, though her expression was much softer. Sorrowful, even.

“Mori-kun. Anon-kun.” Tatsuki returned the look, pained. “They didn’t mean any harm to you, they just wanted–”

“To fuckin’ stop us from doing our job, that’s what. This could have been WAY EASIER.” Mori, apparently, placed a hand to her forehead.

Unexpected Guests

[shslsmokeandmirrors]

melancholic-cloud:

Holding Yun close and murmuring softly to her, Ren can’t help another surge of anger towards anyone and everyone responsible for this stupid game. What kind of inane egotistical idiot took three quarters of the pieces out of a puzzle, mixed what was left with pieces from two other puzzles, dumped it all on the floor, and then gloated when people couldn’t form the full original picture? If there had ever been a chance of Ren having an ounce of respect for Nao (there had not) it would’ve been well and truly eradicated now. Did this guy ever shut up?

“What kind of effect on people, exactly? Profound annoyance? The deep urge to smash you against the ground until you shut up? Congratulations you have the same impact as a Kidz Bop album. You’re saying you ‘manipulated’ us into not liking you and not trusting you and considering you guilty by being genuinely unlikable and untrustworthy and actually guilty. Newsflash that’s not manipulation that’s just what happens when you’re a piece of garbage.”

Ren stands up, Yun still cradled in their arms, held safe and close against them as they roll their eyes at Nao.

“Did you seriously just brag about being able to manipulate a nine year old? And you think because you started this game with a massive advantage and the rest of us with an unbelievable handicap that you’re somehow clever for, what, screwing it up and getting caught eventually anyway? Morita, you are dragging yourself with every word out of your mouth so maybe do the actually smart thing for once in your life and stop talking. Nobody cares.”

They don’t look at him again as they move over to where Yuki is on her knees, and they slowly sink down again, careful not to drop Yun in the process, and reach out to her.

“Hey, Aisaka-san… Yuki-san… you’re too good for this crap. I’m… not much of a hugger, usually, but… you look like you could use one, so. Come here. You’re family now, alright?”

Adopting Another Small Girl | Ren | Re: Nao, Yuki

[shslsmokeandmirrors]

melancholic-cloud:

Phoenix Rising | Ren | Re: Kurokuma, Nao, Sasaki, Yun

“Fair enough.” Ren says simply at the warning, sounding fully prepared to go through with it and accept the consequences. They move away from Fran and Matsuo and for the first time since he first reappeared they look straight at Nao, directly into his eyes, and their expression is stony and merciless.

“That’s if we can get to him back in reality.” This could very well be the last opportunity.

They have a choice. They could move one of two ways, and regardless of actual direction those two options were Forward or Back. Ren holds Nao’s gaze for a moment… and turns away, moving towards Yun instead and scooping her into their arms.

“I’m here,” they tell her softly, their entire expression, entire demeanor shifting. And yet this warmer, gentle version of them is no less real. Suu and Ren, they’re both… but this time they have a purpose other than revenge, and they’re choosing that. “I’ve got you.”

Nao isn’t worth it, he doesn’t matter. He can burn alone. Ren is, finally, leaving the fire behind.

[shslsmokeandmirrors]

melancholic-cloud:

If objects could be destroyed through the force of sheer blinding rage alone, everything in the trial room would be obliterated. After setting Matsuo back on the ground with more care than they’d be inclined to take if Fran hadn’t requested it, they move to his side to prevent disaster. Not that they’d be upset to see Nao gunned down, but they aren’t interested in seeing Fran face the consequences, and anyway a bullet is too good for that piece of excrement. So they act quickly, grabbing Fran’s wrist with one hand and smacking the gun down with enough force to knock it to the floor. “Sorry, I like you too much to watch you die for that asshole.”

Ren kicks the gun out of reach and stares right at Tatsuo - never once at Nao - with their features in a carefully neutral expression. Except for their eyes. Storm clouds are brewing in those dark grey eyes. No, not clouds, it’s the billowing smoke of an oncoming inferno.

“He failed you, right?” Ren’s voice is smooth, all reserve, all diplomacy, and they gesture towards Nao with a dismissive, almost regal wave, still not sparing a glance in his direction. “That’s what happens when you hire amateurs, but still, you’re obviously frustrated, and with good reason. Didn’t he just admit he could’ve done more? He’s been quite stupid, actually, having to scramble to cover his own ass near the end when he realized how obvious he’d really been. But even his attempts to cheat didn’t work, he still failed you. I don’t know what you usually do to failures, but I can’t imagine he’ll need to be unharmed for what comes next. I won’t kill him, unlike your pathetic pet over there I’m no idiot, but if you let me kick him around a bit then, hey, that’s just what he gets for not playing to win, right?”

Ren taps one hand against their thigh lightly, brimming with restless energy, with carefully contained fury, and suddenly a grin splits their face. Or maybe grin isn’t the right word, it’s more vicious than that, utterly mirthless, an almost animalistic baring of teeth.

“Come on, Tatsuo, you said it yourself, you can still ‘fix’ this. I’m the Fixer, so I can figure about twenty different ways you’d be right, and none of them require that little pile of garbage to stay in one piece, so how about it?”

1-800-AREYOUSLAPPIN | Ren | Re: Fran, Nao, Tatsuo ATTN: Fran, Tatsuo

[shslsmokeandmirrors]

melancholic-cloud:

CW: Suicide

A sickening chuckle escaped Nao’s lips. “Not one of my cleanest jobs, admittedly. I’m used to just having people kill themselves through my poetry, and through the influence I had with my online following. Never did have to get my hands dirty. I can’t say I’m a fan of it, but… Hey, seeing the way she writhed in pain right in front of me… It was really quite amusing.”

Nao laughed. After all of that, he… laughed. What was this guy’s deal? “Oh, but don’t blame me. I wouldn’t have gone that far had Lucian not tried putting me to death first. You can blame him for that. I had to make a move, setting up the stage in that manner, pushing you all to vote for me… I had to because of him.” He gave a strangely charming wink. Or, at least, it would’ve been charming had it come from someone that wasn’t him, and that wasn’t trying to justify torturing someone into suicide.

Suddenly, Nao clasped his hands together. “Oh! Right! Here’s the kicker. You saw Sachiko in the middle of setting up that tripwire before I knocked her out, right? Well, she was preparing to kill someone. She was planning on killing Sasaki!” The poet pointed finger guns at his classmate. “I sent a letter to her signed by the arch nemesis, informing her of how Shinri was still alive, and the things I could do to Shinri and everyone else in the afterlife if she didn’t follow my commands. So, just as I instructed, she made preparations to lure Sasaki over to the Wedding Chapel, not knowing that I had her prepare a murder there just so I could take her to her death. She was going to use those messages she had on her to lure Sasaki over there somehow, I guess. I don’t know.”

“Of course, I didn’t want to take any risks, so I told her to burn my letter. Even if she didn’t, though, it’s not like it would’ve mattered too much. If she preserved that letter, she would’ve only been framing Sasaki.” Nao smiled sweetly. “How? Because I copied their handwriting. And how did I accomplish that? I had them write down a meaningless series of characters, and return the book they wrote in to the classroom they found it in. They removed the page they used for their own use, but I was able to obtain their handwriting by scribbling over the page behind that one. You know what I’m talking about, right, Sasaki? That whole time, you thought you were talking to some outsiders, but in reality, the only person you made contact with was me. Even since way back then, you were still being manipulated. Our captor being a female? That was me saying that. Good job.”

Nao sighed. “Anyway, I think that’s enough from me for now. Let’s hear what you all have to say. Any questions?”

Open Floor

[shslsmokeandmirrors]

melancholic-cloud:

CW: Suicide

He sighs, and shakes his head. “In any case, in asking that, I can see that you haven’t entirely lost the will to live. I’m sorry it has to end this way.” With a deep breath, Nao pulls his arm back again, and attacks Sachiko on various parts of her body with a series of whips before he drops the item to the floor.

The torture escalates with Nao switching to inflicting damage with a knife. He seems to be avoiding vital spots. He slashes at Sachiko for about two minutes, and with Sachiko still holding on, he gives up on that approach. He resorts to taking a blender from behind him, full of water, and throwing some of that water on her. After investigating Sachiko’s death, everyone would know that the water was salty…

Even during all of this physical torture, Nao taunts Sachiko, reminding her of how hopeless the situation is, how meaningless her life was, and just… He’s not pulling any punches.

Finally, Sachiko has had enough, and she cuts the vine beside her, causing the shot put ball above her to drop on her head. The impact has her drop to the floor, dead. A ‘suicide’ by technicality.

After that, the scene ends, and everyone is back in the trial room.

Finale

[shslsmokeandmirrors]

melancholic-cloud:

CW: Suicide

Xeno stands still and silent for a moment before he chuckles, and removes his mask, revealing himself as Nao. He wears a sweet, inviting smile, almost as if everything is okay. “Hey. No need to worry. I’m here. You’re safe with me.” He shrugs. “Though, if you don’t want to spend some time with me, you’re welcome to cut that rope beside you. It’ll allow the weight above your head to drop, killing you. I’d rather that not happen, though. It would hurt my feelings if you backed out so abruptly.” Not answering Sachiko’s question. Poor girl.

“I don’t know what the hell you mean by ‘backing out’, but I’m not really interested in killing myself. Really though. What the hell is all this about?”

Nao gives a monstrous smirk, his eyes glowing with a sadistic darkness. An expression like this never would have been seen by anyone since the very first trial where he intimidated Katsumi. Even then, though, this time, it’s taken to a whole new level. “I’m here to kill you. Sacrifices have to be made for this game to end. If you have any hopes of convincing me not to kill you, you can discard them right now. I wouldn’t go this far if I wasn’t committed.” He drops the knife and mask he was holding to the floor, and picks up a whip. "Just be glad I’m only planning on sacrificing you, and not another.”

“Then why don’t you cut the damn–” Suddenly, Nao pulls his arm back, and strikes Sachiko’s left cheek with the whip, cutting her off. Sachiko yelps. “I don’t… why not… anyone else?“

Nao shrugs. "I was given my target by the Arch Nemesis. Unfortunately, that target is you. I can’t say I’m a fan of the instructions I was given, but… If it helps this game end, I’m fine with it.” He tugs at the cloak he’s wearing, presumably to indicate that wearing that was part of the Arch Nemesis’ instructions. “Apparently, you were late, too. I was told to wait here from 10 PM, and that you’d be here at around 10:20, but… 40 minutes late?” He’s playing clueless, like he’s just some pawn of the Arch Nemesis, but… the class knowing what he is now… Even while doing this to Sachiko, he was lying to her.

Ultimatum

[shslsmokeandmirrors]

Remnants

With a wave of Tatsuo’s hand, he distorted the survivor’s vision, giving them a hallucination not too unlike the first motive, though this time, it was real… This really happened…

They see the Wedding Chapel, empty for a few seconds, until Sachiko warps in. In her hands is a fishing line, which she begins setting up in the corner as a tripwire. While in the process of doing so, someone wearing a black cloak and a dented plague doctor’s mask approaches her from behind, wielding a shovel. This person, identifiable as Xeno, strikes at Sachiko’s head, knocking her out. Sachiko is dragged over to one of the jail rooms.

While Sachiko is unconscious, her entire body, save for her right forearm and lower, are tied up with vines. Then, Xeno ties one end of another vine to a shot put ball, and slings it over one of the ceiling girders, using the bed available in the room as a boost. The ball dangles above Sachiko’s head, and the other end of the vine is taped to the floor, by Sachiko’s right hand. Once set up, Xeno places a knife in Sachiko’s right hand, and waits for her to wake up.

A few minutes later, Sachiko awakens, and after regaining her bearings, she makes a poor attempt to point her knife at Xeno. She’s unable to move her hand very far before her restraints hold her back. “What the hell’s going on here?!” She’s trying to maintain her composure, but she’s not doing a very good job at it.