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.
oyashiromama: on the weekends? (what are they talking about)

[personal profile] oyashiromama 2017-03-25 05:13 pm (UTC)(link)
[HEY YO MINDLINK]
iaspis: (✧ nothing to lose)

[personal profile] iaspis 2017-03-25 05:13 pm (UTC)(link)
I agree. This will never be living.
matchbreaker: (Storm King's Thunder)

[personal profile] matchbreaker 2017-03-25 05:14 pm (UTC)(link)
No it's not.

[ :T ]

No, he's done a terrible job making a balance, but the world's best enjoyed feeling everything, so it can be rewarding.
oyashiromama: (showered by the empty hopes)

[personal profile] oyashiromama 2017-03-25 05:15 pm (UTC)(link)
I know from experience demons can take many different forms. I did not always look like this. It can take different forms as well. We don't know what Kageshirou looks like, really.
matchbreaker: (Jokes it's not Zelda)

[personal profile] matchbreaker 2017-03-25 05:15 pm (UTC)(link)
... I'm not sure I've ever thought so much about what "living" is as all this, but I'm between you and Hanyuu.
firstaid: (Huzzah!)

[personal profile] firstaid 2017-03-25 05:15 pm (UTC)(link)
[Sup girl? They are on the same idea here. Let them combine their forces!]
sportadork: (you ain't a man)

[personal profile] sportadork 2017-03-25 05:15 pm (UTC)(link)
No. [and that's in answer to...? both? both.]

You say they were not involved in any of this, but maybe that is not so true. Maybe you did this for them.
matchbreaker: (tbh im not sure if the above is better)

[personal profile] matchbreaker 2017-03-25 05:16 pm (UTC)(link)
[ That... that is a truly horrifying idea, and Elda actually stumbles a bit, considering it ]

... But then why can't he just get gone himself?! Is sucking in that much harder than going out?!
firstaid: (Worried)

[personal profile] firstaid 2017-03-25 05:17 pm (UTC)(link)
I've actually gotten the chance to interact with the Kageshirou. It seems kind, even if its body is a poison. Does it also have something to gain from this if you succeed? Does it need the souls of those who have passed on?
feistytrader: (capes are totally cool)

[personal profile] feistytrader 2017-03-25 05:18 pm (UTC)(link)
And doing that is tough, which is why he wants to prime us up with all of this bullshit so our soul juice is more efficient.

[Or something like that.]
Edited 2017-03-25 17:18 (UTC)
elepe: (FLIP ❇ Try calling me an old hag again)

[personal profile] elepe 2017-03-25 05:20 pm (UTC)(link)
...I wonder if he's worried about ending up like us, when he wakes up. We were missing many memories, after all.
firstaid: (pic#1646293)

[personal profile] firstaid 2017-03-25 05:21 pm (UTC)(link)
It seemed more afraid of me than I was of it, to be honest. If its body weren't a poison, I would have gladly gotten close to it since it did not seem hostile.

[At least that's how she felt.]

What does the Kageshirou have to gain? What is its most important thing that it requires souls?
matchbreaker: (LIKE AN ANGEL)

[personal profile] matchbreaker 2017-03-25 05:21 pm (UTC)(link)
So what, Assentive was your old partner? One of your old victims?
sportadork: (and what could I say)

[personal profile] sportadork 2017-03-25 05:22 pm (UTC)(link)
You can dislike something and still do it. [but fine okay]
elepe: (GROWL ❇ How awful of you)

[personal profile] elepe 2017-03-25 05:22 pm (UTC)(link)
I would not put it past him, really.

[Then again, she's a spiteful sod.]

It's complete Tauros dung. He could have just killed us all and been done with it.
matchbreaker: (I refuse to be forgotten)

[personal profile] matchbreaker 2017-03-25 05:22 pm (UTC)(link)
Right now, he's claiming her never lies.

But back when this started, he seemed surprised that I'd lost memories? As if the profiles had to be perfect.
iaspis: (◇ another wave of tension)

[personal profile] iaspis 2017-03-25 05:23 pm (UTC)(link)
.....power.

Its source of power must be souls.
elepe: (SHOCK ❇ Mind repeating that slowly)

[personal profile] elepe 2017-03-25 05:25 pm (UTC)(link)
...Really?

[...she hadn't really spoken to the Wordsmith prior, so that's. Huh.]

Was it an unintentional side effect, then? Or...interference?

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