foxhounds | graveyard.

graveyard.

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.

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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 ]

[ 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.

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. ]

[ She extends her hand. ]

We do.

[ 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.

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.

[ 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.

It's not — [ well, maybe there's some pity. but she feels so small, and weak. ] .. My help really does just screw things up more.

[ she looks at Royce from the corner of her eye with something that isn't exactly a smile, but is a rueful, crooked face. ]

Shut up. [ He doesn't want to hear that, either!! ] I won't have you pitying yourself, either. It doesn't help either of us.

Listen to Red. [ As angry as he is right now at the guy, Jason's better at this. ] Don't take wild risks like that. You can't rewind time, here.

[ Max winces. she doesn't like it when Royce yells at her!! but she doesn't speak for a few moments, ruminating on what her 'friends' told her. ]

.. I guess you're right. I'd gotten so used to being able to weigh out the consequences of — well, anything. But I can't so that here. I'm really locked in. [ a pause. ] I won't do it.

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bywolves - 2015-08-29 23:09 (UTC) - Expand

It's done. [To Max, of course, even if Royce fumes and throws a tantrum nearby.] I've already made the deal, so you don't have to take it. Just wait until the Generals win, then go back home and do what you're supposed to do.

Max. [To get her to look at him.] You'll help more if you go back. Down the road, your friends might need your help again. [It's okay if he doesn't go back. There's more bats and birds. Losing someone like him won't be a big deal.]

.. What if she goes back on the deal because I decided not to? She said she wanted something more, right?

[ she can't just screw over Royce after all that. ]

Possible, but I doubt it. [At least for the going back on it part. Now bringing people he cares about in, though...]

This is a trade, not a double win. Don't give her that, all right?

Edited 2015-08-29 19:37 (UTC)

[ she looks away. ] Does this mean I beat the devil at her own game, or I'm just dumb to the Nth degree?

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unrecked - 2015-08-29 20:19 (UTC) - Expand

Don't you start.

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

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

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.

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? ]

But that doesn't matter. Unless the generals win this time, which you said is almost definitely not going to happen, I'm going to lose everything anyway. I'll lose everyone. This is my only chance. This is the first time — the first time I'll ever be able to make a real decision about my life.

[ without rewinding, at least. ]

I've never seen the Innocents do this badly. [ So it might happen. ] And everyone you are trying to save will die eventually anyway. All you're doing is signing away an eternity to do this exact thing over and over again. You will kill and die a million times, unless you can manage to win - and you are guaranteed three people you know in those games.

There's no rule that says there won't be more than that, you know. It will break you, little girl. [ SHE'S A CRAZY OLD LADY IMMORTAL AND IT HASN'T DONE HER SANITY ANY GOOD she's pretty sure a normal human teenager will lose it faster than she could snap her fingers. ] You've already cried how many times in this round alone? And the game isn't even out to get you in specific as of yet.

I thought you of all people would get it, Shijima. [ talking about Kouichi, of course. ] Did you ever kill someone you loved?

I've killed many people. [ People she's known. People she hasn't. People she's liked. People she hasn't. People she's loved?

She isn't a person who loves much or often. ] You do not want to become me. Trust me.

[OKAY so Jason and Royce are adults and can do what they want but Max is a kid. She's stayed out of this until now but:]

Don't give up on them so fast. They're going to win.

[Well, it could go either way at this point. But Gi-ne believes in the power of positive thinking.]

Gi-ne.. [ she hadn't seen her yet, and it was a little weird seeing someone she knew for sure had plotted to kill a lot of people, but.. it's weirdly good to see her, and she seems like the Gi-ne she thought she knew. ] You're really sure.

[Gi-ne smiles and leans in, looking Max right in the eye.]

Yes. They're strong.

[It'll take worse odds than this for her to give up.]

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