END OF CHAPTER 3 ; EXECUTION

[themodsgrimm]

The Story Continues... END OF CHAPTER 3 - WEEK 329 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. Yamatonokami Yasusada appears, flanked on either side by suits of armor, escorting him to his punishment. His expression is one that may be difficult for anyone who isn't a sword spirit to read, but he seems to have accepted his fate. 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 third execution post! Please see here for the results of yesterday's voting. In addition, make sure you fill out your CR Chart for Chapter 3! 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]

yamatonokami yasusada ; t͞o̶ ͡b̕e c҉ơnt̨in̸ųed̵

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 Yasusada and usher him forward.

This is the part where, judging by the other two To Be Continued executions the group has witnessed, his appearance ought to change - but it does not. Instead, just as with Ann, Yasusada and his armor escort come to as top on the lawn, and the Tiger moves to join them, her gait graceful but her smile sharp. She looks back to those on the stairs, contemplative.

Then, eyes glittering, she beckons to someone in the crowd.

"We were going to go along with vote," she purrs. "But we heard a very convincing argument to do otherwise. Souji, darling, why don't you join us?"

Souji 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.

"Don't you feel lucky? You get to fulfill his dying wish." She claps her hands together. "How delightful! Now, don't worry... we'll provide what you need to carry this out. You simply have to make a choice. But choose wisely - whatever you pick must be used to execute him. No takebacks!"

With a wave of her hand, she procures a sheet of parchment with three lines written on it:

The Deer and the Heart
The Fox and the Woodsman
The Goat and the Vine
What will Souji use to send Yasusada off to his happily ever after?

[okitactless]

[When Yasusada appears, he looks different.

His sword, of course, is missing, as he'd given it to Okita before being led away in the aftermath of the trial. His hair is still down, whether by choice or forgetfulness. But most importantly, he's lacking the pale blue haori he'd only removed once before, these past three weeks--for the same purpose with which he's done everything. For Okita.

He looks apprehensive, understandably, but when Tiger speaks up, a seemingly out-of-place smile blossoms on his face. There's genuine gratitude when he looks at her, and he offers a small bow.]

Thank you, Tora-kun.

[Looking back at Okita, his smile turns bittersweet with melancholy--but it does not fade, and he does not tremble or tense with fear. Whatever Okita chooses, he will accept without protest.]

[sanguinairy]

[Souji, on the other hand, has tied his hair up for once today. It's pulled out of his face and held back with a thin strip of cloth, and over his shoulders is the haori that Yasusada is missing, the blade brought along with him too. If it weren't for how entirely exhausted he seems, it would almost be the way things were before - back in the days they'd spent time talking about over the night.

He may be propelled forward by some unknown source, but for Yasusada's sake, he moves with all the grace he can muster. His expression is soft but difficult to read; he can't quite manage a smile back just yet, but hopes that's enough to convey everything he doesn't have the words for.

To Tiger, he just nods a little, maybe in acknowledgment of her words. In any case:]

...The Deer and the Heart.

THE PARTNERLESS

[themodsgrimm]

2b & rapunzel ; the ties that bind

That isn't the end.

Souji is made to rejoin the group, but the rest of them find themselves unable to move - except, that is, for 2B and Rapunzel. Much like Souji, they find themselves heading down to join the Tiger on the lawn, their legs moving for their own accord.

When they arrive, they 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—

ŗ̕͟AP͢ų̷͠n̡Z͝E̵̛͠L̢̢
ţ͡͠O͜͢ ́ţ̛H͘e̕ G̢͢A͏l̨͝l͟҉O̷͟͏w̡S

2b҉
҉f̧̢̕A̛c̶̡E̷͢ ̶t͜H̸̛E̛ ͡s͏̨̕t͏Ơr̵̢̕M̡̛
The words echo in their minds, and in the minds of the onlookers.

There is nothing anyone can do.

They blink, and the gallows appears - a wooden contraption with steps leading up to where a noose awaits. The suits of armor that had escorted Yasusada to the lawn push her forward, urging her to climb. They help her place the noose around her neck. They tighten it just so. A moment passes, then two - Rapunzel will have just enough time to sweep her gaze over the crowd - and then one of the suits takes a wooden lever into its hand, and pulls. The floor falls out from under Rapunzel, and her bare feet dangle over the ground as she hangs.

Dark, tumultuous stormclouds roll in over the area, and 2B's head tilts upward to look at them. There's a sense of something almost electric in the air, making everyone's hair stand up on end - and then, in a flash of lightning, 2B is struck. The roll of thunder reaches their ears with only a second's delay, followed by another and another as lightning strikes not once but twice more. When the dust clears, 2B lies on the ground, her fingertips twitching as if something is misfiring - and then she goes still. Clouds still hang over the group, but no more lightning strikes.

Rapunzel and 2B have followed their partners into death.

LOOSE ENDS

[themodsgrimm]

[Following the execution of Yamatonokami Yasusada, Rapunzel, and 2B, 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 crimson ink and from another, a larger amount in purple. Finally, gold ink flows down to join in as well, more than the crimson but less than the purple. When all three colors mix into the container, it appears to be black. The Tiger watches the ceremony with her lips pulled tightly together. It's hard to tell exactly how she feels about it.

Souji and Ion 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 them together before it's gone - almost like a trick of the light.

The Tiger, having watched them with narrowed eyes, smiles thinly.]

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

[But that isn't quite all. Stephanie is beckoned forward. She will find herself compelled to walk toward her, if she doesn't plan on doing so already; when she comes close enough, Tiger looks her up and down.]

Unfortunate. I'd love to take it easy on you, but I don't give multiple warnings for the same broken rule. Voting for yourself will not move this story forward. Maybe this time, the lesson will stick.

[It happens quite quickly. Tiger's claws extend and retract in a slashing motion...and all at once, Stephanie's leg is gone, severed from the knee down. At least she...took the leg that was already broken.]

I'd encourage anyone with bandages to come forward quickly.

[The Tiger will remain for questions.]

[concasse]

[Yeah uh Tiger-sama he's got a question]

Take her down.

[Oh wait was that supposed to be a question--]

... Please. Rapunzel-chan is already dead.

[themodsgrimm]

[Tiger's eyes flash at Sanji's tone, but her expression smooths out in the same instant. She turns away from him and waves a hand, and the animated suits of armor that brought Rapunzel to the gallows gently free her body and lay her respectfully on the ground.]

[asswipe]

[jfc this whole execution is! a! lot!!!! but presumably as soon as stephanie is Safe and veronica isn't about to puke, she heads over to ask a question.]

Tiger, can... [nvm still a little queasy, but—] What were the gifts of the executed?

[for posterity... and also because she's curious, tbh.]

[themodsgrimm]

One had enhanced speed, another could control birds, and yet another could walk the castle freely without being constrained by curfew.

[axilium]

[belph's glancing in the direction of steph and co. every once in a while, because dear god, but too many cooks spoil the broth, so he'll leave them be.]

... So, can only two partners be spared, or is that something you can't answer?

[themodsgrimm]

[She looks toward the state of the execution.]

Unless you have such poor faith in your peers, I'd say that question may have already answered itself.

[fonlines]

[ Ion, still mildly dizzy, stumbles towards her before straightening himself out as best he can.

This is a long shot, but Belph has been throwing plenty of questions the Crafters' way. Why not. ]

Miss Tiger...

I thought I might ask. If any of the other parties involved in this game, such as the Historians, are lost... Would we be told their roles, afterward?

[ or only their titles, as they're erased from the list? ]

[themodsgrimm]

[She considers his question, regarding him with...worry?]

I...can reveal the additional roles of the deceased under certain circumstances. Only if the role will no longer play a part in any capacity for the remainder of the war.

AFTERMATH

[themodsgrimm]

[For your reactions and subsequent threading for Sunday.]

[vigilantics]

[ lmao remember when i said she went a week without getting injured what's up

she does step forward out of her own will, mostly because she knows that tiger is probably going to force her to walk to her anyway. stephanie does her best not look at the remaining narrators and instead focuses it on the crafter. this is fine? everything is fine. this is fine!!!

at least, it is fine until she realizes about two seconds before it happens what's actually going to occur. there goes the leggy!! stephanie screams, loud, before falling over. bye guys. ]

[psychedelica]

-- Shit.

[ he knew damn well this wasn't going to be as nice and clean as Stephanie getting put in the stocks like Natsuo was, but that doesn't mean he wasn't hoping vaguely in the back of his heart. Hikage looks absolutely exhausted, but he's clinging to life for the time being - and he's about to "bleed out" if they don't do something about Stephanie. He runs up to catch her before she can hit the ground and get even more injured. ]

Someone--!!

[alchemenace]

[ okay so. so there is a lot to react to, here. his eyes are stuck on rapunzel's swinging body, mouth open, in disbelief. he's riveted on it, really. his hands shake as he stands there, useless.

and then there's stephanie's scream and he turns to look and-- okay, admittedly, his first reaction is to go deathly pale himself at the blood. but then he mouths the word "ink" to himself, because if he thinks it's ink, it's fine. it's psychological.

and obviously it's not ink. he knows it isn't. but he-- she'll die too. she'll die too. she... she can't die too. ]

Someone, someone-- go get alcohol and bandages, I've--

[ they have to stop the bleeding. first. (it's ink.) so all of a sudden he's bolting to Rapunzel's body as it hangs there and he grabs the frying pan he knows she's always carrying around. he was there when she first took it. she's famous for it back home.

(what is corona going to say if she doesn't come back? oh god.)

he's running back with it in his bandaged hand and taking out the fire striker at the same time as a scroll and let's all pretend it makes a fire for long enough that he can heat up the pan in an amount of time that doesn't let steph bleed out because it takes like. uh. a few minutes for a leg amputation. WE ALSO COULD'VE DONE A TOURNIQUET :) FUN FACT? IT'S TOO LATE NOW I'M COMMITTED ]

It's going to, I'm sorry it's going to hurt it's going to hurt a lot--

[ he's babbling, and he has to wipe at his face with his shoulder because he can't see clearly? oh he's crying. that's fine. anyway.

let's put that heated pan on her leg to close the wound! science died today. this is extremely painful. sorry steph.

I'M NOT EDITING THIS A SECOND TIME!! ]

[randori]

[ Natsuo's just like. Hyperventilating in a corner somewhere, choking on his sobs, looking really fucking guilty but he can't help with anything, so??? every weekend I lose 10 years off my life, god ]

[fragileprophet]

[Ion steps forward to block Natsuo's vision, putting his hands on his partner's shoulders.]

You don't have to force yourself to watch.

[axilium]

[natsuo's... breakdown yesterday was hugely concerning, but still.

wordlessly, belph will just crouch down and place a hand on his shoulder. this is all he really can do, isn't it? it's not okay, but...]

[discardia]

[ There's a lot to take in. From Souji killing Yasusada - and she thinks, vaguely, horrified, this is probably the last thing the rest of them wanted for him - to Rapunzel hanging and 2B being struck down by lightning and Stephanie's scream as her leg is completely severed--

Normally, she can focus on one thing at a time. But today?

Cardia is absolutely frozen in horror where she stands, drawing in increasingly shallow breaths as her vision fills with tears. She needs to check on Souji and Ion, she needs to run to Stephanie even though she can tell faintly by the voices that she's being tended to, she needs to move.

But she can't. Instead, she very helpfully seems to be on the verge of hyperventilating. ]

[alchemenace]

[ anyway after steph is ok (thanks waver) varian is just going to go over in a corner and uh. vomit. sorry.

and also maybe he's crying a bit. a lot. it's fine ]

[sanguinairy]

[WELL THAT WAS just a lot of everything happening all at once!! Souji's a little bloody and Rapuzel and 2b are dead and Stephanie is now missing a leg and he's honestly dizzy from the phantom pains of very nearly dying, himself.

So for now, he'll just kind of be leaning against a wall off to the side of the foyer, trying to steady his wheezy breathing and process everything that just happened.]

[fonlines]

[ sure okay here's also a green for post near-death reactions; Ion's gathered himself together as much as he can, with possibly better results than if he hadn't already been so pessimistic going in.

Still, he's definitely still slightly dazed, or dizzy, or out of it from so many phantom deaths. Even if both he and Souji are actually fine, or some measure of it, it's hard to actually get your body to listen to that.

So after he lends the medical brigade attending to Steph some of the bandages he's been carrying, you'll find him either continuing to try to collect himself against some of the furniture in the foyer, or slipping outside into the gardens for fresh air. ]

[doublecrows]

[THERE'S. . . so much to take in at once. Yasusada's execution, that Akechi watches with calm indifference. then Rapunzel and 2B's; those take him off guard, cause him to stagger back in surprise, one hand pressed against the side of his head. and then there's Steph's punishment, and. . .]

[for a moment, he's just. frozen in place, watching the aftermath. watching Rapunzel hang from the gallows, and 2B's smoking form lie unmoving on the ground. watching Steph bleed out as others crowd around her, shouting commands, and he just. . .]

[decides]

[that he'd rather be anywhere but here]

[Akechi turns sharply on his heel, shoulders pulled taught, and immediately flounces]