DECEMBER EVENT PART THREE: WITH THE DAWN OF REDEEMING GRACE

[sailmods]

[the voice from the imaginary loudspeaker resounds again.]

I do believe that’s the best you all can do. Hopefully it will be enough… Gather in the lobby at your earliest convenience. There, you will find an elevator. It will take you to your next location. [pause] Mind the severed heads.

[the elevator they find in the lobby is not one that had been there before: it is strange, a bit too large and industrial for what is generally a Victorian manor. nothing will compel them to board it, but… hey. if you stay behind, you miss out on all the fun, right?

and the fun starts here. because, as soon as they board the elevator, and the door closes, it drops.

not that far. not enough to harm. certainly enough to startle, especially after it evens out, before plunging a few more feet. the effect likely wears off after the fifth time it does this.

eventually, the elevator stops completely, and opens to a large, mostly empty room. in the center is a large circular stage, ringed with enough podiums for everyone that went on the excursion - living and dead. some of the podiums are covered in white sheets; one might notice that the number of dead corresponds directly to the number of covered podiums.

the Captain is present, of course. he sits on a raised throne separate from the circle, dressed in a suit a tiny bit different than his normal one. he sits with one leg crossed over the other, looking down at them with a completely neutral expression.]

You may take your places. [he gestures magnanimously, then holds up his hand; please reserve the expected freakouts for after his announcements, thanks.] The game is very simple. You have the evidence; put it together, and decide on the guilty party. Only a unanimous decision will bring you the justice you seek. [a faint smile] The one you always seek, at least.

[another gesture]

Questions. Comments. Threats against my life. Concerns.

Comments

[konpeito_aji]

Four. You can count Teyrey and me out.

I don't see what an execution solves.

[To Teyrey.] I was wrong. Seems you were right on the money after all.

[astrogator]

[Ari Tayrey is here purely in case Nobunaga needs her. She's treating the proceedings with all the solemnity and dignity they deserve. That is to say, she's sitting on the floor, away from the stage, with a tartan blanket around her shoulders and a flask full of what is mostly coffee. She's folding bits of paper into tiny little stars and sticking them onto a larger, decorated sheet of paper. Interesting craft project.

She looks up as he says her name, and gives him a little nod. It's alright. No need to talk about it now.]

Yes. I'm with Oda.

[And then back to folding. She's already expressed her views to anyone who would listen, and she has no interest in staring at images of the dead.]