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

[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.

[foxhounds]

[ She extends her hand to shake. ]

I thought you'd know better than to make deals with the devil. But let's shake on it.

[unrecked]

Wouldn't be the first time. [Kinda. Talia isn't technically a devil, but she is a woman who makes shitty deals. There's a moment of hesitation, then he reaches out to shake her hand.]

[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*~..]

[bywolves]

[ Royce has decently quick reflexes - enough that he can move enough that it doesn't knock him out entirely. But he does hit the ground with an oof and a feeling of deja-vu. Ow.

He's dizzy enough to be distracted while Jason thinks, anyway. ]

[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]

[ Jason's already made his deal, and Royce is furious about it, but like hell is he going to let Max fuck herself over for this. He steps in the way of that hand and looks Max right in the face. ]

No. You don't understand, if you make this deal, there are going to be loopholes. I ended up in this situation because I didn't see the whole board. You make this deal, and I guarantee you she will find a way to twist it.

[photoshoot]

Still think I'm smart? [ she chuckles weakly. ]

None of that matters anymore. This is my only chance. I know it's not going to be a fun trip to Disneyworld, but — [ oh god tears are welling up again ] Royce, please. I know you don't want this for you, either. Let me help you. It'll be one of the only times I've ever been able to really help.

[bywolves]

[ Yeah, but the difference is Royce deserves this. This was his decision. ] I don't need your help. This was a decision I made and I will take responsibility for it. I don't need your pity and you don't need to look for every opportunity to jump on a sword for a world who does not care who you are or what you've done to save it. You are throwing your life away for absolutely no reason.

[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!! ]

[bywolves]

You're making a deal you don't understand the consequences of. You're young, and making a stupid decision based on some moronic idea that you need to be self-sacrificing.

You're going to end up having to kill someone you love.

[liven]

She's going to get stuck playing for a very long time, if she agrees.

[ There's absolute certainty from the ninja cat, here. Apparently she's sort of paying attention to these dealings going down after all. ]

Did anyone imagine I was joking when I said I'd never seen the Generals win? Chances are, she'll lose those games with those she knew. And they, too, will lose. Isn't that already something proven in this round alone? [ Her brother's right over there CARE TO SEE HOW THAT ENDS FOR HER? ]