graveyard.

[foxhounds]

You remember dying. In fact, you remember the exact feeling and fear of how you died, and yet in the next moment, you're suddenly standing in a cold room. You're not sure how you got here at all, but it's as if you were suddenly put here the moment after you died. As you look around, the first thing you'll notice is that you're standing in front of an open casket. And you're inside. The corpse inside the casket is definitely you, and it's also definitely dead, which certainly makes this confusing. Luckily, here's someone here to explain. When you wake up, there's footsteps walking closer, and then a familiar face appears. Iván is here, or someone that looks very much like her is. All she starts off with is two simple words— "You're dead." Which would seem obvious, but she explains that you have been before you ever arrived to the island. The shipwreck and the island are't real, after all. This is purgatory, and the Hunt is a way to judge the souls of the living. People show their true nature when they're put in a stressful situation, so it was deemed that this was the way that these judgements would be passed. She explains that you'll know your fate when the game ends, but if you really can't wait that long, you could always ask, but hope isn't lost. After all, the "killers" are on your side. If they can win the game, then everyone can come back to life. They know this, and it's why they're fighting so hard to win. It's a shame that the odds don't seem to be in their favor, but that's also part of the Hunt. — Exploring your new surroundings, you'll realize that you're likely at the bottom of that giant sinkhole, at least if that light far above you is any indication. You no longer feel the need to eat or sleep anymore (technically, you never did, but the habits of being alive are hard to break), so it's a good thing there's enough to do while the game continues. You can watch the proceedings of the Hunt in one room where there's plenty of comfortable couches to sit in and lounge, as well as a fully stocked bar, if you feel like indulging. Another room offers a game room with cards, billiards, and any other games you'd like to play in a group. If you ask your host nicely, she might provide more, but for now, there's not much to do other than to watch and wait for the Hunt to end.

Comments

[meatery]

Ah- Horikawa!

[!!! She needs to talk to you!]

I need to talk to you! About Hijikata!

[jyoshu]

Huh? Me?

[Obviously surprised to get such an urgent greeting!!]

I don't mind...

[meatery]

Yes! He's really sorry!

[... Okay, that probably doesn't cut it.]

He's been really sad this whole time! Even at night when it was just us, he wanted to apologise to you!

[jyoshu]

Ah...

[He freezes, and his expression sours immediately. Though, it's not necessarily anger? More so than that, he looks hesitant, and hurt. Goodbye, pleasantries, it was nice knowing you.]

I... appreciate you passing this on to me. [He seems to be measuring his words carefully.] But, with all due respect, I don't know if I can necessarily accept that. I know Hijikata-san, and he isn't one to make mistakes in regards to this. I've been a broken sword since the first night, after all. I was unnecessary, so he got rid of me, and he replaced me. If there were any room for regret in his actions, I'm certain that my death wouldn't have been as painful as it had at the hands of Tsurumaru.

That isn't to say that I don't understand his goal or why it happened the way it did. He doesn't hold back, regardless of who it is, you know? But I won't gain anything from denying the truth, and Hijikata-san isn't normally one to be insincere.

[meatery]

... I'm sorry about Tsurumaru. We didn't know he was going to act like that and... Well, I told them to behave themselves before they left.

[Trust her, they gave them both a serious telling off that night.]

I think Hijikata really does regret what happened. I can't speak about his relationship with Tsurumaru but... We didn't pick you because you were broken or anything like that. [...] But it's up to you what you think.

[jyoshu]

Tsurumaru isn't the kind of sword who deserves to be apologized for. [Is it obvious who he blames yet.] Mm. I heard that you agreed to make the deaths painless ー in that case, there's a difference between misbehaving, and the torture of a comrade without reason.

[In any case, he shakes his head.] I appreciate your saying this, I really do, but the circumstances were... [Closes eyes.] I'm sorry.

[meatery]

I'm sorry.

[And she is. Seeing Horikawa's remains made it really hard to not punch Hijikata who found them with her.]

There's not much I can do here but... I really do think Hijikata regrets it. He'll tell you himself when he sees you again. But you don't have to forgive him.

[jyoshu]

[He's not inclined to press the subject any longer. It's really tiring for him, being thrown away so violently, and it's more sensitive a topic than he'd like to address with someone he only knows so well. Rather, he shakes his head at her apology.]

You have nothing to be sorry for. If it was you, you were just trying to win for everybody here, right? There's no reason you should have to apologize for the others, too, when you were doing your best.

[The people killed by Gi-ne are really lucky!! As... strange as that sounds?]

[meatery]

[WELL depends who you ask. She should probably try to catch up with Stocking while she's here.]

... Yeah. Don't worry, the others will win for sure, even without me there.