END OF CHAPTER 1 ; EXECUTION

[themodsgrimm]

The Story Continues... END OF CHAPTER 1 - WEEK 134 Narrators Remain ; It's execution day, naughty murder children. Breakfast is served in the dining hall, all the better to fortify you for what is to come. Wherever you might wander in the castle, you will find yourself drawn to the foyer when the clock strikes not twelve, but ten. In the distance, there is the sound of clanking armor. Ann Takamaki appears, flanked on either side by suits of armor, escorting her to her punishment. She stares straight ahead with each step closer to the group that they take. A moment later, the Tiger appears on the foyer's staircase. Her hand trails down the banister as she sashays down it, and she takes her place at the head of the group, standing in front of what appears to be a wall. "Come along, darlings," she says. "The execution awaits." You blink, and then it's there — a door leading to the outside. The Tiger steps through it. You have no choice but to follow. Welcome to your second execution post! Please see here for the results of yesterday's voting. In addition, make sure you fill out your CR Chart for Chapter 1! If you have any questions, please ask on our Discord server or ping us on plurk. Please direct pings for the NPC to Danielle (Discord DMs preferred, then entrappings), as she will be taking point for today's NPC, and the moderator team will be on deck for all other questions. full navigation. locations taken (statuses) stories (profiles) info & faq wishing well private conversations

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EXECUTION

[themodsgrimm]

ann takamaki ; happily ever after The group finds themselves just outside the castle, at the top of the steps. They are urged to step aside by the suits of armor that guard Ann and usher her forward. This time, the culprit's appearance does not change. Ann remains exactly as she is, and they come to a stop on the lawn in full view of the group. The Tiger moves next to join them, her movements graceful but her smile sharp. She looks back at those on the stairs, contemplative. Her eyes glitter as she beckons to someone in the crowd. "Eichi, darling," she purrs. "Why don't you join us?" Eichi will find his legs moving of their own accord to spur him on to the lawn, though everyone else remains frozen, powerless to stop him. When he comes to a stop, the Tiger speaks again. "Aren't you lucky? You get to bring this Narrator's story to a happy ending." She claps her hands together. "How delightful! Now, we'd never be so uncouth as to make you do it with your bare hands... so we'll give you a choice. But choose wisely - whatever you pick must be use to execute her. No takebacks!" With a wave of her hand, she procures a sheet of parchment with three lines written on it: Hansel and Gretel Jack and the Beanstalk The Little Mermaid What will Eichi use to send Ann Takamaki off to her happily ever after?

[finethanks]

Wait...

[He's not trying to move, but he's moving anyway, and clumsily, he tries to reach for someone close by as if they might anchor him in place, but it doesn't work. Soon enough, he's with Tiger, staring at the sheet with wide eyes.]

I don't want to choose something like this! Isn't this too much? [His eyes flick over to Ann, like she might help, but that's just as bad, isn't it?]

[varas]

[ Ann is still flanked by her armor guard and comes to a stop not far from Eichi. Her eyes are redrimmed, her cheeks a bit puffy - and, like yesterday, she continues to struggle for breath. By this point, however, it may be more accurate to say she's given up the struggle. She's certainly not hiding it anymore. ]

Whatever.

[ She doesn't look at Eichi, or anyone. ]

Just pick, okay?

LOOSE ENDS

[themodsgrimm]

[Following the execution of Ann, everyone will be led to the grand foyer. The ornate clock opens beneath the face, revealing a compartment in which a large glass container is revealed to the eyes of everyone present. Two spouts lead from the interiors of the clock into the glass container. From one side comes a stream of red ink and from the other the same amount of gold ink. Once it stops, there is a pause - and then a stream of purple ink comes from one of the spouts. When all three colors mix into the container, it appears to be black. The Tiger watches the ceremony with interest, a smile playing on her lips.

Magnus, Veronica, and Natsuo will find themselves overcome with a sudden burning sensation. Many phantoms feelings pass them all at the same time: their feet undergo a sensation like they're being ignited with flame, their heart is going to be pulled out of their chests, and there is the faintest feeling as though a blade is cutting across their necks - the roulette wheel spins for how their death is going to be carried out as partnerless until—

It stops.

They feel perfectly fine, like everything is slotting back into place, and a flicker of a red string is seen connecting Magnus and Veronica before it's gone - almost like a trick of the light. As for Natsuo, a straw doll escapes from his person, slicing to ribbons by unseen means before it hits the floor.

The Tiger, having watched them the way a cat watches a mouse, smiles slyly.]

Lucky you! They've come through for you once more. [She turns back to the rest of the Narrators and announces.] The partnerless have been spared.

[But that isn't quite all. She looks almost regretful as she beckons Natsuo forward once more. He will find himself compelled to walk forward to her, if he doesn't plan on doing so already; when he comes close enough, she cups his cheeks between her hands.]

Ah... I wish I didn't have to do this. But casting a vote for yourself? Such a thing will not move this story forward. This is the first time, so we won't be too severe...

[She pats him on the head fondly - and then waves her hand. Natsuo will find himself trapped in a set of stocks until nightfall.]

This will do for now. Try not to do this again, won't you? [This is directed at Natsuo and the rest of the group.] We won't be able to be so lenient, next time.

[And with nary an explanation as to anything, she claps her hands once more.]

Hmm... that's it, then. Run along now, darlings!

[The Tiger will remain for questions.]

[randori]

[ He can't exactly... run... but after he settles down a bit and before she leaves, Natsuo calls out to the Tiger. ]

Tiger, this is... [ highly inconvenient. he's going to starve like this until Rapunzel comes to his rescue. his legs will cramp. it's merciful, considering all else she could have done. ]

I guess I should say thank you? And I was wondering if I could ask for something else.

[themodsgrimm]

[The Tiger, for all her airs, crouches down to her knees so she can look at Natsuo in the face without him hurting his neck (farther) while they speak.]

It depends entirely on what you ask for, my darling.

[function]

... Two questions:

First, can you tell us Ann's role?

Second, what are the conditions to... winning this game?

[themodsgrimm]

Hmm...

[She looks thoughtful.]

It will have been removed from the list, so I suppose it's fine. She was The Giant. As for the win conditions, however, I'm afraid it's too early for me to be able to give you a concrete answer.

[She glances around, as if she's trying to determine if she's being listened in on, before she continues.]

I will tell you that there are multiple separate win conditions, though you'll likely prefer some to others. You should be able to earn more clues to determine what they are.

AFTERMATH

[themodsgrimm]

[For your reactions and subsequent threading for Sunday.]

[finethanks]

[He did it. He killed someone. He'd felt her struggling, but even if he tried to back off, it was like he couldn't. There was something strange about it, feeling her life drain from her. The struggling becoming weaker until she was gone, and his hand lingered for only a moment before he pulled it back.

Everything is gone now, and he's on his knees in the foyer with a wet sleeve, breathing heavy and trembling a little. Again, he's just a coward.

He drops his weight onto his hands, too, not sure what he should do after all of that. He's not sure he wants to look back and see the reactions, even if the sound of Tiger's voice saying the partnerless have been spared is reassuring.

He really killed someone.]

[doublecrows]

[when it's all over, Akechi (and his black eye) takes a step towards where Eichi stays knelt against the floor. he hesitates, like he isn't. . . really sure what he's supposed to be doing, here. like this is all so new to him. like he's stepping onto unexplored territory, trying to navigate his way through foreign emotions and gestures]

[but in the end, he crouches down, and touches Eichi's shoulder]

[axilium]

[...

everything about belph is empty—his face, his voice—as he approaches eichi. he's quiet for a moment, and then,]

... You should go get some rest.

[disclosures]

[It was bad to watch it, but it must have been even worse to hold her underwater like that. This game is cruel and nothing about it seems fair.]

I won't ask you if you're okay. [Who would be after all of that? After being forced into doing that?]

But it's best not to linger here.

[sanguinairy]

[That was a wildass ride from start to end... Souji's been quiet and somber, watching the entire thing unfold. He doesn't have much comfort to offer even when everything is finished and the pond dissolves into nothing along with Ann, but he'll at least stop by Eichi's side for a moment.]

...Will you be able to return on your own?

[To his room, to wherever it is he chooses to go, whenever he chooses to leave. Souji's not about to try rushing him from the scene, but he won't leave him sitting here if he wants to get away, either.]

[nivation]

[ Kyouka gives him a little time before she approaches him. She crouches down next to him and gently tugs on his sleeve, not necessarily to get his attention but more to say she's here. ]

... There is no mercy in being made to kill.

[resumed]

[Normally, he would have ignored this. There was no mercy in death, especially for those who killed...but this was kind of a messed up game that messed with the laws of life and death and magic in ways Nico isn't used to. It's also incredibly unfair to make someone so...normal experience the horror of taking someone's life.

He gives Eichi space but eventually he approaches, crouching in front of him and patiently waiting to see how he'll respond. After a short time though, he'll speak.]

Despite everything...I would say your hands are still clean.

[doublecrows]

[HEY GUYS GUESS WHO HAS A BLACK EYE WHILE AT THE EXECUTION, IF YOU GUESSED GORO AKECHI YOU WOULD BE CORRECT]

[there's uncertainty replacing Akech's usual dispassion and distance in his expression today, as he watches his partner hold Ann (Panther, one of Joker's, one of Kurusu's) under water until she stops moving, until her body dissolves into nothing. he can't really put a finger on what he's feeling here. it isn't guilt. . . maybe? it isn't regret. . . probably? it's. . .]

[it's something. it's something that keeps burrowing a hole deep into his gut, keeps making his fingers flex into fists and his eyes twitch with nervousness. he doesn't like it]

. . . and you think me cruel. I at least had the decency of choosing "to be continued."

[axilium]

... It does seem to be the better option.

[well, as curious (as distasteful as that word seems) as he was to what "happily ever after" entailed, he still chose "to be continued". it wasn't worth playing with someone's life.]

[okitactless]

You tried to get Reyna-kun killed.

[DON'T EVEN START, DUDE.]

[londonstar]

Do not try to shed light on yourself, boy.

[ akechi nearly had his partner killed, and waver couldn't sleep well because of it. however, he continues to treat akechi with some amount of courtesy-- he will gain nothing with rudeness, after all.

he's disappointed, sure, but this is just something that happens in life. it's deplorable, but he can't consider akechi a monster, or anything like that. ]

How is your curse? Can you breathe any better?

[function]

I'm surprised they just didn't finish the job.

[ referring to the black eye, of course ]

[spondulix]

Ah, as if that could erase everything you did! That means nothing.

[Fitzgerald chuckles - there's no disappointment, not a single iota of pity, not even a frown. Instead, he behaves as if they're at a show, and the curtain was just closed on it all.]

[He seems to be in a better mood than most.]

If I were you, I'd stay out of the public eye. I don't think a single person wants to see you besides your partner, now that his hands are red to.

[melancoffeea]

[Sandalphon, who has neither spoken to nor said anything about Akechi since the trial, approaches the statement in his usual tone of casualness]

Hm. I wonder if these options will remain so straightforward each week.

In any case, it was never a matter of cruelty . . was it?

[he turns his head to look at Akechi]

[nivation]

[ Kyouka was fine with not talking to him during the trial in the last hour or after (there were so many others who had so much more to say to him), but his words now make her stop. ]

One cruelty does not overshadow another. You still sentenced her to death.

[ That's the implication she hears. ]

[randori]

[ He'd watched the execution this time. It was Eichi up there on the stage, and he could never take his eyes off him then, even if it was a horrible, horrible thing they had him do. Watching that was numbing, so that the burning in his chest and throat when partnerships fell and reformed was almost welcome. Stray lies scattered at his feet, and they blow away in the wind.

And so he's alone.

He walks up to The Tiger on his own accord, leaning a bit into her touch when she pats him on the head, and kneels for his punishment. His hands are cuffed, head bent and made to look only at the ground— and maybe it's better this way, because his bangs block wet eyes, and nobody can see him cry. ]