(no subject)

[strangerpeople]

FINAL TRIAL

[When the doors open, the killed also find themselves allowed into the Room of Reckoning as well. And - similar to the living - they, too, have a table, with their own names and places and sitting pillows. They, too, receive the note on their phones with a ping.

The dead, however, have something else that the living do not have.

They can see that there is someone sitting on the gold pillow by the stairs.]

Comments

[foolishjustice]

[He gives a smile and a small wave. She might notice he's standing a little taller than the last time they spoke...]

It's nice to see you again, Kana-chan. Not that I'm at all surprised.

[strangerpeople]

It's nice to see you again as well, Akechi-san. You definitely seem to be doing better, too!

I'm so glad...

[The smile is legitimately happy, at least.]

[foolishjustice]

It's thanks to my friends. Their support has been incredibly valuable.

[Not just in recovering, but in changing.]

[strangerpeople]

Friends...they are wonderful, aren't they?

[She closes her eyes.]

Seeing everyone bond...it does almost make this worth it.

[foolishjustice]

They are. I was...a very different person, when I didn't have anyone standing by me.

[His smile falls.]

But...as much as I have changed for the better, I can't ignore the price for it. All of us have suffered, so...are you allowed to tell us why yet? Or do I need to guess based on what everyone else has entered into Xamine?

[strangerpeople]

Well, I can’t explain everything but...I can! Especially if you have questions about stuff on the app.

[foolishjustice]

I think I understand some of it. The Noise are dangerous when unchecked, and have been appearing in universes where they shouldn't exist due to the actions of an individual whose name has been redacted. Since they never existed before, there's no Game to Erase them, so their population increases until they Erase the entire world, right? We're here to learn how to run these Games so that we can recruit Players to fight the Noise, like we've been doing here, and most people have to die in order to develop the necessary power.

What I still want to know is, why these methods? You can't kill us directly, but I'm sure you could have found someone who would end it quickly. The rule about not killing more than two almost seems to be designed to draw it out. Or is that because of your boss?

[strangerpeople]

...My Boss made these rules. Because this is her Game.

[katsufemmefatale]

Your Composer, right? What the living Titled said we're being trained to do?

[strangerpeople]

That’s right. She’s the Composer.

[katsufemmefatale]

... did she really intend for this Game to involve us killing each other? Or did something go wrong?

[strangerpeople]

....Itsbeen this way since she started it, so...I have little doubt she meant it.

[katsufemmefatale]

And that's why I want to know what she was trying to accomplish. I don't fully understand any of this, but... if someone has to be dead to be part of the Game and from there become a Composer, why not just pick from the thousands of people who die on our worlds every day?

[foolishjustice]

I think I can answer that. It's because only a few people have the necessary potential, right?

[strangerpeople]

...I...I actually don’t know when it comes to this Game? I think Akechi-san is right, that is a big part, but that answer isn’t one I would have, I’m sorry.

[katsufemmefatale]

If that's true, then you'd think the Composer would want us to fight as hard as we can while knowing what the stakes are. Wiping important memories and giving them back one at a time feels... counterproductive.

[foolishjustice]

Given the contents of her diary, I wouldn't be surprised if the loss of our memories was just to torment us.

[...]

Though, I can't deny that in some cases, it might have fostered our bonds and ability to cooperate. My relationship with Akira might have gone...very differently, if I'd remembered everything from the start.

[foolishjustice]

I see.

[Then he knows who to blame for the prolonged suffering...and it isn't Kana-chan.]

I think I should tell you that you're not the one I'm mad at for how this has gone. You couldn't have changed these methods if you tried, right?

[strangerpeople]

[She quietly shakes her head.]

A Conductor is merely the messenger of the music the Composer creates. Just like in an orchestra.

[foolishjustice]

I understand.

[Is it okay if he gives her a comforting pat on the shoulder?]

You seem like a very sweet girl. I'm sorry you had to be implicit in so much suffering.

[strangerpeople]

....

Akechi-san....I’m used to despair...I accept it.

I have to.

[foolishjustice]

As am I.

[It's been part of his life for as long as he can remember...]

But that doesn't make it hurt less, does it? Especially with the potential that we would hold you accountable for your Composer's actions.

[strangerpeople]

No...it doesn’t. But I agreed to be apart of this, so I have to accept the consequences, as well.

[foolishjustice]

You heard my confession, right? So you should know how well I understand. Others have offered me forgiveness, so it only seems right to offer it to you in return. After all, I'm sure you wouldn't have agreed if you didn't think it was the only way, right?

[strangerpeople]

..No, I wouldn’t have.

[Her expression softens.]

You’ll really have changed,Akechi-san. I mean it.