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

Comments

[alttitude]

[Then that's a good enough reason for Jae-ha. He watches her nod and then moves to carefully scoop her right up into his arms, using the power of his dragon's leg to jump and take them away from the immediate situation. He probably aims to bring them further outside, far away enough that she won't be able to see everything.

Even as he lands on the ground and moves to set her back on her feet, his arms will be carefully around her to steady her.]

You can open your eyes here, Cardia. We're away from it.

[discardia]

[ She does stagger a little, still lightheaded from hyperventilating, but...

It's as he says. It's quieter here, and Cardia's breathing slows, evens out, even as her eyes remain focused on the ground.

This is... shameful, isn't it? ]

[alttitude]

[Jae-ha will keep a steadying hold on her, just to make sure that she doesn't stumble too much, and he watches her carefully. There's a furrowing of his brow as he tries to find the words that wouldn't be lies at the moment.]

... it'll be alright.

All of this - we'll find a way for it to be alright.

[discardia]

You don't have to... comfort me.

[ Not at this minute. It's hard to believe, even if she knows he's right. ]

But thank you... for your help.

[alttitude]

... I want to... Just know that.

[Because 'I care about you' runs the risk of stinging, because he knows he can't care about her in the way that she would've liked. He can't promise that much but -

He frowns.]

I'm not here because I feel obligated. I just - want you to be alright.

[discardia]

I know. It's just your kindness.

[ She's way too tired for this talk, but it's perhaps because she's too tired that she can continue. ]

I'm not angry at you. I don't hate you.

... It hurt, but I think no matter what you said, it would have hurt. Even you treating me as something fragile hurts now.

I can't be alright if you're too afraid of hurting me, Jae-ha. It just makes me feel worse-- like I lost something completely, just by saying something.

[alttitude]

[Jae-ha winces at that, and when he speaks again, it's softer.]

... I tried to give you space, since you asked for it. I just - don't know how much space is or isn't enough.

[It's not something he's dealt with before, having to be so careful around someone out of risk of bruising their heart worse. He sighs even as he gives her a warning - ] .... but I'm going to give you a hug now, because I'm rather afraid that it looks like you need one.

[At least he'll make good on his word, stepping forward again to wrap his arms around her and pull her close.]

... You're not fragile. You're one of the strongest people I know - I still just... want to take care of you, in the ways I can.

[discardia]

[ She's missed this. It... still hurts, but she's missed the support and as long as she continues to remind herself that this is all it is, it's kindness--

It's easier to accept, and it's why Cardia just slumps against him. ]

... What do we do from here?

[alttitude]

[Jae-ha accepts her weight and hums faintly, holding onto her carefully as he thinks about what to say.]

... we take a second, I suppose. To do whatever we need to make sure that we're okay, and then we'll see about what we can do about everyone around us.

[discardia]

... I promised, I'd look after Souji...

[ She definitely has to pull herself together. ]