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

[unrecked]

[For a moment, he stares at them; six new ones. He stares in silence. Coffins put a bad taste in his mouth. He looks back at the woman.]

What number was he to die?

[foxhounds]

[ She looks up towards him finally, then smiles. ]

Last night, you mean? He was the second to go. Someone was busy last night.

[unrecked]

[Jason returns the smile with a tight frown. Without answering, he departs to collect Royce's body and put it away in the second coffin.]

don't act like you're surprised

[unrecked]

Let Royce out of the deal.

ivan-2 greatly disapproves

[foxhounds]

No.

laughing

[unrecked]

Yes.

I'll make a trade. You like deals, right? I'll play the game again if you let him go. I don't even have to be alive again. I'll play without going back.

[foxhounds]

How cute.

[ Her voice is scathing and mocking. ]

What, did you fall for him? People in these games have a bad habit of that, you know. Matt will be crushed.

[unrecked]

Ha, ha. [He's obviously not laughing. It's funny, but he's too mad to find the humor in it right now.] I want him to have a Lord of the Rings wedding so I can laugh at him for how stupid it is when a nicely dressed girl has to push his veil off to kiss him after the I-Dos.

So if you cut him out of the deal, I'll take his place. [Can he give up his revenge? For a second, he looks away, grits his teeth. He wants to sock it to the Joker so bad. Make the freak hurt like he did. But... ah well.] I'll do it.

[foxhounds]

The answer's still no, sweetheart.

[ She cants her head a little. ]

Make me a better offer.

[unrecked]

Then you pick. [Is that better enough?] If you're the Judge, then you judge a better offer.

The deal has to be Royce gets out and doesn't ever come back. When he dies, he's dead.

[bywolves]

[ he seES YOU MOTHERFUCKER. Royce ain't having this. He'll just be standing right behind Jason with an angry expression. ]

Are you stupid? What are you doing?

[foxhounds]

[ Idly: ] A lover's tiff. See? It's cute.

[unrecked]

I thought I said to go ask Shijima about her little trick? We're just having a conversation. [He doesn't even bother looking back at Royce, instead holds the Judge's gaze. His eyes narrow. IT'S NOT A LOVER'S TIFF SHHH.]

Decide.

[foxhounds]

[ She looks between them, and then holds up three fingers as she looks to Jason. ]

I pick three people you know to play this game when they pass. You won't know who. But they'll show up in your games, Jason. I can promise you that.

[unrecked]

[Okay, now that he has sucker punched poor Royce, he straightens back up, wringing his hand once or twice. His jaw is tight, his lips together. He doesn't look happy about the deal. Three people he knows. They'll be in the games.

But that's okay, right? It's okay so long as the Generals win. If he can help them win, or try to make sure whatever happens goes according to plan. He can save them too--maybe. Has a high percentage. Right?] Fine.

Three people. I'll play. Royce gets out without ever coming back. I accept.

[bywolves]

[ omfg Jason you piece of garbage. ] Don't make deals you don't understand the consequences of. [ He snaps. ] I don't need your pity.

[unrecked]

[Without warning, Jason spins around and clocks Royce right in the jaw. If it doesn't knock the guy out, it will at least by some time by sending him to the ground. Jason's about as big and heavy as Hadrian. It'll just be like getting hit by his best friend, okay.

Jason just needs a moment to think about this without having Royce interfere with his ~*logic*~..]

[photoshoot]

.. What if I became a Zaroff, too? [ Max no what are you doing ] There's only a couple of things I need to do back home, so if you'd let me just do that, i'd be your Zaroff for life. Well, for afterlife, but you know what I mean.

Two's better than one, right? [ plus, this would benefit her in the case of the generals not winning.. but she won't say that. ]

[foxhounds]

[ She doesn't have to say it, because the Judge already knows. She looks at Max, unimpressed. ]

I know what game you're trying to play, and it's not going to work. You'll have to do better than that.

[photoshoot]

Fine, I'll be any role you want. Anything. As long as Royce doesn't have to be the Zaroff and I can finish my business. I'll be your fucking servant if you want.

[ come on she's begging now ]

[foxhounds]

[ She laughs, though it's mockingly gently. She holds up three fingers, just as she had for Jason. ]

I pick three people you know to play this game when they pass. You won't know who. But they'll show up in your games for sure.

[photoshoot]

What? [ STUNNED ] Wait, so is it a deal? Do we shake on it?

[ if Chloe ended up here, and the generals won, then.. she would be fine. everything would be fine. and those are better chances than she had before. ]

[foxhounds]

[ She extends her hand. ]

We do.

[bywolves]

Don't you start.

[photoshoot]

This isn't just about you, Royce. It's about me, too.

[ but it's also partly about you Royce. let her be selfish!! ]