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.
matchbreaker: (POLKA DOT IT)

[personal profile] matchbreaker 2017-03-25 05:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Elda mutters: ]

Same soul...

[ The same theory she'd been working out for the last few months. ]
oyashiromama: for i will forsake you (so make all your last demands)

[personal profile] oyashiromama 2017-03-25 05:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Hardship can help people realize things about themselves. It can forge bonds...but it's not the only way. A balance is necessary, if we're speaking of true "actualization."
elepe: (STATE ❇ All eyes on me please)

[personal profile] elepe 2017-03-25 05:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Think about it for a moment. He has remained unimpeded throughout this entire process, and it is implied that he may have done this more than once.

I don't doubt that this world could have incompetent officers. [People who aren't as spirited as Judy.] But don't you think someone would have tried to stop him by now? Or that we may have seen someone else.

If something has happened to cause the population to decline rapidly, perhaps there is no one in this world left to sacrifice. And that is where we come in.
sportadork: (for all my life)

[personal profile] sportadork 2017-03-25 05:06 pm (UTC)(link)
That's too bad. The person that could make you feel a moment's happiness must be very remarkable!

... Could we ever meet them, though? Are they still around?
firstaid: (really; serious; unsure)

[personal profile] firstaid 2017-03-25 05:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Are you just a soul right now? Do you... have no physical being?
iaspis: (◇ instead of wondering why)

[personal profile] iaspis 2017-03-25 05:07 pm (UTC)(link)
That.... would make sense.
oyashiromama: to shore (this ship will carry our bodies safe)

[personal profile] oyashiromama 2017-03-25 05:07 pm (UTC)(link)
If we work out what you desire of us, will you tell me? One last curiosity, after all we've talked about.
feistytrader: (9)

[personal profile] feistytrader 2017-03-25 05:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[...Man, he's so damn tired of crazy old guys telling him what to feel.]

Living has nothing to do with tragedy or happiness. It has to do with freedom. When you're free to do what you want and get into your own messes, that's living.

[Being trapped in here and pushed to their limits... That part of it isn't living. Not by a long shot.]
matchbreaker: (Reluctant heroes)

[personal profile] matchbreaker 2017-03-25 05:08 pm (UTC)(link)
It seems to me this "trial" is to condemn you, Wordsmith. After all, weren't you past the point of being forgiven?

To know that, I must know you.
oyashiromama: (we're slowly sailing away)

[personal profile] oyashiromama 2017-03-25 05:09 pm (UTC)(link)
...I would say I agree. One has to make their own choices.
firstaid: (Huzzah!)

[personal profile] firstaid 2017-03-25 05:09 pm (UTC)(link)
I can concur with this. When I was trapped in the castle, it was awful. But when I was free, I felt alive. When I could do what I wanted with who I wanted, it was truly wonderful and I cherished every moment of it. I cherished the choices I made of my own accord. I cherished the friends I made on my own.

I cherished my freedom!
elepe: (GLANCE ❇ Did I leave the portal on)

[personal profile] elepe 2017-03-25 05:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[...huh. That...gets a bit of an odd look from her.]

Really, the world is far better when you feel so little. [She knows that much well enough.] But you have not done a good job at getting the balance correct, if you are trying to put your theory into practice.
matchbreaker: (You no longer live as cattle)

[personal profile] matchbreaker 2017-03-25 05:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Were they "Assentive?"

[ Might as well throw it out there. ]
firstaid: (Stubborn)

[personal profile] firstaid 2017-03-25 05:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Then how can you be so sure that you will be satisfied by achieving your goal? What if... what if like Faust you end up making a deal with a demon and find something else that would satisfy you?

[She pauses.]

Are you lonely right now? Is that it? Or were you scorned by people and by love before?
sportadork: (blowing through the tree)

[personal profile] sportadork 2017-03-25 05:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[well that's fucking intense]

That last part does not sound very true. Surely your [SWING] dead love is very important to who you are as a person!
firstaid: (worried some more)

[personal profile] firstaid 2017-03-25 05:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Is it the Kageshirou? Was that who you made a deal with?
oyashiromama: (but when it's over‚ i'm still awake)

[personal profile] oyashiromama 2017-03-25 05:12 pm (UTC)(link)
[...]

Is Kageshirou the one you've made a deal with?

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