ACCOUNTABILITY.

[blackmass]

[The sound of footsteps is slow, but deliberate and without hesitation. And as they echo through the room he walks into view lacking fear, lacking hesitance, lacking...much of anything at all.]

[He's tall--perhaps taller than his profile had implied--wide-shouldered and built like an unbreakable fortress wall, wearing the solid black of a priest; the light catches a gold cross around his neck to confirm the fact. And as he steps forward, his long coat (the deep purple of poisons and nightshade itself) trails behind him before coming to a stop as he does.]

[A smile cut across his gaunt and pale face, but it was far from a pleasant one. It was the enigmatic smile of someone witnessing a joke only they found humorous, and yet it did not reach the dark and emotionless eyes that scanned the room briefly as though the priest was carefully calculating what course of action to take.]

At last we meet face to face, my Apprentices.

[The voice that leaves him is recognizable as the same one that was heard only moments before, but clearer in person. Now it seems to ring like the largest, deepest bells of Notre Dame itself, no louder than an ordinary speaking tone--the result sounds more like distant thunder heralding an oncoming hurricane.]

[The real difference lies not in how he speaks, but what he says. The short, impersonal sentences of the weeks prior are at last discarded, and the man before them speaks as a true preacher--a true wordsmith--would address his congregation.]

Rejoice and be proud of your accomplishments. Each and every last one of your number, dead or alive, has truly exceeded all expectations I had for this group. And now you have clawed and scratched your way here, on the backs of your fallen friends' struggles and failures. You have proven that their own accomplishments would not be in vain simply by standing here before me--I do not doubt that your success is the wish most of them held in their hearts, at the very end of their lives.

[He places a hand over his own heart, taking on a tone that nearly sounds genuinely proud...until a patronizing current begins to run through each syllable like a deadly undertow.]

Do you perhaps feel satisfied? You would be right to, for making it so far. Your sorrow, desperation, joy, determination...all of it has been a magnificent thing to behold as you fought to reach this point in time. Each second of it has served its purpose, and served it very well. I am one who believes such struggling and effort deserves to be rewarded, and so this alongside my own endless gratitude is what I will grant you in return for all that you have done for me.

My name is Kirei Kotomine.

[He holds his arms out slightly to his sides, a gesture that would almost seem welcoming if 'Kageshirou' did not react and coil--completely harmlessly--around his arms like a black serpent. The smile he wore turned to a razor-edged smirk, the challenge set before the remaining Apprentices clear even without his next words:]

And now that we have properly met, tell me: shall we continue our discussion?

Comments

[blackmass]

[The light faded as a scowl crossed Kirei's face, and he lowered the sword, tossing it to Hanyuu.]

Get out. All of you.

Your course of study at Chronos University is complete.

[sportadork]

... Now will you say where the door is?

[blackmass]

You've investigated this far. I am sure you can figure it out.

[sportadork]

... [okay fine asshole bye]

[oyashiromama]

[She braces herself, moves to try and- shield the others, whatever good that would do, to--

...But then there's a sword coming at her, and she grabs it out of the air, a little stunned. This...will take them home, if she thinks correctly, it can. But--]

What are you going to do, Kirei, from here on out?

[blackmass]

What does it matter to you? Without that sword, I don't have the means to continue these games.

[oyashiromama]

That's not what I'm asking. I want to know...what do you intend to do, in your time left?

It's a passing curiosity- no... It's my own concerns.

[blackmass]

...Nothing, I suppose. What is there left for me to do?

If I am going to die regardless, I may as well do it here.

[oyashiromama]

Do...you want to live? Or do you really want to die?

[blackmass]

I no longer know what I desire, and I have all of you to thank for that frustrating inconvenience.

[Avenger gradually trailed off of his arms, Kirei's hand raised to his 'heart' once more.]

Why should it matter, if the outcome is decided?

[oyashiromama]

Because... I think miracles can happen...to give you a new lease on life. Even for one such as you. And because leaving you here to suffer... That is not in my nature...you know?

[elepe]

...We're...we're free...

[...Lusamine's voice is incredibly small right now, and...she can't really believe this. How...on earth...]

We're finally free?

[blackmass]

I think I was quite clear, Lusamine.

[elepe]

[...right, let's. Regain some composure here. Ehem.]

...Very well. You have my gratitude for your judgement.

[...she's gonna head out, then, if Milotic and Bewear are anywhere in the building then they must be so lonely--]

[acherontiastyx]

...

[...he almost just peed a little. okay. um.]

...

So do you have my Golisopod and my Scizor somewhere, or...

[blackmass]

They may be somewhere, if you look. I'm sure you can do that without the fear of impending death.

[acherontiastyx]

Okay, yeah, that's cool. I'll... go ahead and look for 'em.

Thanks... for not murdering us all.

[firstaid]

You're... sparing us.

[Part of her is confused but also part of her...]

Thank you. I'm grateful.

[She gives him a bow, but it's clear her voice shakes. Yeah that fucking terrified her.]

[blackmass]

You're wasting your sentiment on me.

[firstaid]

I-I know. I... I suppose it's habit.

[Her breathing is still a little quick BUT WHAT DOES ONE EXPECT?

One final bow and she just... leaves. She has nothing more to say since she feels like she's said all that she could.

She needs to get out and/or find their friends.]

[matchbreaker]

[ Elda was all ready, claws drawn, to go out fighting, probably scoot in front of Hanyuu who would no doubt try to die first. But then he fails and they get a reprieve.

Honestly, don't need to tell her twice. She's collecting all her shit and her Gummy tails in her bag and putting that cloak she walked in with back on before looking around at everyone else. She kind of feels bad to no "defeat" her enemy, but if it looks like everyone else is content to just go, she's going to.

... Actually, no, a parting word: ]

I won't ask to hit you, My Wordsmith. After all, I don't want to die. [ It's at least a little sincere when she adds: ] Sorry it looks like you will without that answer.

[blackmass]

It's just as well. I think I'd rather not kill yet another vampire just for the sake of it.

[matchbreaker]

[ . . . ]

You know, if you ask me, eulogies are for the living, not the dead.

Maybe I'll write one for you too.

[feistytrader]

[...Get out? Did he really just... tell them to get out? Without a fight?

Silver reaches for the airhorn again and sets it on the podium, and then he's just. Backing away. He's cautious as he does so, because he's not sure he believes this is actually happening.]

[iaspis]

Sometimes the questions we ask will never have the answers we seek.

[And with that, she's going to be leaving the room as quickly as she can.]