wordsmithery: (Static)
The Wordsmith ([personal profile] wordsmithery) wrote in [community profile] trusthell2017-03-25 11:58 am

Taking Responsibility.

Despite the lack of a body, despite the fact that you've initiated the investigation today of your own volition rather than due to some sense of formality and obligation (to the dead, to the rules, to the session), it seems that the Wordsmith is aware of your activities regardless; as such, when you finally leave that hidden area on the seventh floor and move back toward the stairs, you'll find that the elevator is already waiting for you.

Perhaps it's unsettling, in its own way; perhaps it'll only serve to make you more determined.

Either way, the ride up is swift and smooth as always; when the door opens, however, it becomes immediately obvious that the courtroom itself has changed.

The podium circle is still standing in its spot toward the front of the room; three more have joined the ranks of the deceased since you were last here - Mikazuki, Watanuki, and Bruce Wayne's portraits have been set up on their podiums; however, theirs aren't the only ones that have been covered - all thirty podiums have been draped in black, the fabric spilling down over the wood, almost to the point of reaching the floor.

That isn't the only difference, either - Kageshirou is far more visibly present today, in a way that's impossible to ignore. The walls in here appear cracked, much like the one in the foyer, dark silt and shadow spilling down to pool on the floor like contaminated water, like blood. A fair amount of it seems to be emanating from the lectern high above, the one place in this room that doesn't seem to have taken damage like the walls have; regardless, the darkness of the shadow entity spills down heavily from there, constantly pouring down like some sort of waterfall, thick and ugly and thankfully dissipating into the floor before it can touch the circle where you'll be standing.

The circle is one of the few places in this room that's clear of it, actually.

As repulsive as this all may be, however, the lectern remains empty, standing cold and unaffected by any of this; once everyone has found their place in the circle, the Wordsmith's voice can be heard addressing everyone, as always.

"Welcome, Apprentices—I thought it likely you would want to find yourselves here today, and we have now gathered for what I am sure you need not be told may be one final time. Is there perhaps something you wished to discuss?"

There are only eight of you left, and it seems you've reached the end of the line. There isn't much else to do but try to win, in any way you can.

Best of luck to you.
sportadork: (blowing through the tree)

[personal profile] sportadork 2017-03-25 04:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Maybe it wasn't supposed to be useful! It could be art. [modern art, y'know]
matchbreaker: (Kenn Lobb)

[personal profile] matchbreaker 2017-03-25 04:34 pm (UTC)(link)
... Do you require a key ring?
oyashiromama: i see it all so clear (i can see it all so clear)

[personal profile] oyashiromama 2017-03-25 04:35 pm (UTC)(link)
...Tragedies are overrated. [Her voice is hard.] As is selling souls to demons.
firstaid: (failed)

[personal profile] firstaid 2017-03-25 04:36 pm (UTC)(link)
It's simply a theory right now based on what I've read. We have no way to be sure. [Or perhaps the Wordsmith wished for them to become.]

I don't know what it means when we become "self-actualized". I believe there are different theories involving that. Guzma and I discussed one part, actually. The need to feel safe and secure. The theory I read said that we needed safety and security to be self-actualized. Guzma argued the opposite.

Perhaps that's what the Wordsmith believes, too.
matchbreaker: (Speeches)

[personal profile] matchbreaker 2017-03-25 04:36 pm (UTC)(link)
What in all hells is that note?!

[ Once she gets a look at it. Holy shit bro. ]
firstaid: (Worried)

[personal profile] firstaid 2017-03-25 04:37 pm (UTC)(link)
He's had a run in with gods who aren't merciful, then. I can't say I really know since where I am from, there are no gods that we know of. I wish I could empathize.
sportadork: (when this road gets too rough)

[personal profile] sportadork 2017-03-25 04:37 pm (UTC)(link)
I am not sure what sort of thing can be powered by souls, but it's definitely something evil.
feistytrader: (sticker stars)

[personal profile] feistytrader 2017-03-25 04:37 pm (UTC)(link)
I think I'll be okay.
firstaid: (Books!)

[personal profile] firstaid 2017-03-25 04:37 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm not saying a god or anything like that. Faith in friends, faith in your situation.

Optimism and hope. Those are faith, are they not?
matchbreaker: (I sense this will be useful)

[personal profile] matchbreaker 2017-03-25 04:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Traditionally, men grow through conflict. But then, too much conflict and scar a soul. Tragedy can build character, but trauma can scar a man.

[ . . . But that's all sophistry. Right? ]
firstaid: (brood; sad; wishful)

[personal profile] firstaid 2017-03-25 04:38 pm (UTC)(link)
I rather like reading tragedies, however, living one... is awful.
matchbreaker: (You no longer live as cattle)

[personal profile] matchbreaker 2017-03-25 04:39 pm (UTC)(link)
[ . . .

Looking at Lusamine: ]


Perhaps, though again, I would not choose that word.
firstaid: (More concern)

[personal profile] firstaid 2017-03-25 04:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Tragedy can build a character.

Perhaps that's what the Wordsmith believed. His personal library would almost agree with that statement.
feistytrader: (listening in)

[personal profile] feistytrader 2017-03-25 04:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Neither would I.

[There's a difference between faith and trust, isn't here?]
oyashiromama: (but i'm okay with see-through skin)

[personal profile] oyashiromama 2017-03-25 04:40 pm (UTC)(link)
...You find them impressive. Hmm. Though you wouldn't tell me your standards for the trials, it seems overall we've pleased you.
firstaid: (think; princess; ponder)

[personal profile] firstaid 2017-03-25 04:40 pm (UTC)(link)
It likely would be.

[She ponders.]

Perhaps the Wordsmith believes in two kinds of a deaths. A physical one and a spiritual one. The death of the body and then... the death of the soul.
elepe: (FLIP ❇ Try calling me an old hag again)

[personal profile] elepe 2017-03-25 04:41 pm (UTC)(link)
[And that she shall! Lusamine brought many things with her. God, why does she do this to herself, but--

Lusamine brings out the three books she sought out in particular. One about cross universe travel, one about philosophy (which...isn't important in the long run but it held the note), and one about the philosophical nature of the soul.]


Indeed. I also found these among the books on his shelf--he had many books in there that were in absolutely abhorrent condition. [...this is a stupid thing to call him on, but--] Really, I would figure that someone who goes by your title would take better care of such things. You should be ashamed.

[Anyway, Priorities out of the way--]

The ones of particular interest...were about cross-dimensional travel, and the nature of the soul. I did not want to spend the entirety of my time reading, of course...but I found something very interesting among the books.

[Lusamine pulls out the note.]

It appears that he was looking for an energy source. It does not say what for, but...there are a few ideas.
oyashiromama: (but i'm already there‚ i'm already there)

[personal profile] oyashiromama 2017-03-25 04:41 pm (UTC)(link)
There was no indication of what it could be fueling?
matchbreaker: (MUSIC)

[personal profile] matchbreaker 2017-03-25 04:41 pm (UTC)(link)
[ . . . Wait a minute: ]

That's it, isn't it...?

Wordsmith, that's it! You've read far too many tragic vampires myths, and that's why you're so ill-informed!
sportadork: (what could I say)

[personal profile] sportadork 2017-03-25 04:41 pm (UTC)(link)
That would be why our friends are still here. He hasn't... used them. Not yet.
oyashiromama: we shared the same cold meal (a wolf‚ a wolf and i)

[personal profile] oyashiromama 2017-03-25 04:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Cryptic to the end, aren't you? Still carefully crafting your words.
iaspis: (✧ i can’t believe i didn’t)

[personal profile] iaspis 2017-03-25 04:43 pm (UTC)(link)
That... sounds likely at this point.

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