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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.]

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[He smiles a little at getting a reply. Kurama does always like being right.] It's my time to waste, is it not? We cannot leave until all is decided, one way or another.

So bitter and angry... How much pain have you gone through, Yotsuyu-san? How much cruelty have you endured, to lash out the way you do?

[She at least gives an answer before anyone on the Strangerground notices that she can speak and see you in the Underground.]

Are you sure you can handle it?

[After his talk before with Kana-san, Kurama has a suspicion what answering this question might lead to. After his own life, he has a few guesses what answers he might find.

...He says it anyway.]

Try me, Yotsuyu-san.

[She sighs, taking a puff on her pipe and exhales.]

Do not try to say I manipulated you for this.

[With her other hand, her finger touches right between Kurama's eyes, making the entire world around them go black.]

[The scene is a rural village, as if from the feudal era. But for Kurama, is not merely watching from an outsider's perspective. It is as he grew shorter, his clothing feeling much more ragged and harsh and how the entire body hurt. 'He' walks towards the makings of a rice paddy and in the reflection of the water, it is not his own face he sees but that of a young girl's. Raven black hair and dull eyes as she bends down to start her work.

The girl? It's the Composer.

There's movement and from one moment, she is planting rice to feeding the animals, to moving the harvested rice across the village on her own, to cooking dinner for the family. But there's something he will notice: how she never eats with them. And if she does, it's in the stable where the animals are kept and her food are meager scraps she manages to take. But another movement and she is walking towards the elder woman and slightly older male child with her. They seem to be speaking to a soldier in iron of some kind but he does not wear the helm.]

I finished planting the rice, Mother...

[The woman turns, putting her hands on her hips and shakes her head in disgust.]

Not while the officer is here, Yotsuyu! Inside! Now!

Yes, Mother.

[And Yotsuyu does walk away from them...and proceeds to keep herself close by to hear the rest of the conversation.]

You did not mention you had a daughter.

My sister's, not mine--kami rest her soul. She is utterly hopeless, but one cannot choose one's family.

Indeed...she is of an age to receive an education as well, is she not? Yet we have no records. I trust I need not remind you of your legal obligations-

No, no! Of course not! But she is weak and sickly. Some days she not has the strength to leave her bed! Though...a thought comes to me. Mayhap...we can come to an understanding...

[The soldier then cranes his head to look up the hill, to see Yotsuyu looking back at him. Did he...see something there?]

Edited 2017-12-26 02:11 (UTC)

[The scene changes and he can feel a bit taller. There's a dim light as an older Yotsuyu from before is moving towards a man sitting at the edge of the room. The room itself seems like something out of a period drama, a sweeping long paneled floor room with white sliding doors. And she comes to him holding a tray with a teacup and kettle. But however, there is several smaller bottles beside him. Kurama will recognize it as where sake is kept.]

Here, my lord. I-I thought this may help you with your cough as of late.

[She sounds...meek? Or is it fear that grips her voice?]

Kami help me, I told you that I am quite healthy! Have you nothing better to do?!

Forgive me, I was just trying to help...we are married, are we not? Is it not my duty to ensure your health?

[The man's speech is slurred and the smell of sake is overpowering. Even with the best intentions she has, he lashes out by grabbing her hair, making her yelp and drop the tea with a clatter on the ground.]

Did I ask you for your help?!

[Yotsuyu feels like shrinking her body as she holds in how much he is hurting her.]

I-I-I'm sorry, my lord! I just wanted to help-!

[It comes out as a wimper as he strikes her across the face and throws her to the floor.]

Damn you, wench. Look at what you made me do! Clean this up immediately!

Y-Yes, my lord.

[The scene changes and Yotsuyu is sitting with an older version of her mother-aunt, tears starting to fall from her face.]

H-He hurts me when I try to help. I can barely count the bruises he has left me nor the scrapes and injuries I had since arriving. Please, Mother...I cannot stay here any longer lest I will lose my life to him!

Then lose it. You are now married to a nobleman and you must act like it! Grin and bear it for us all. Can you understand that he has opened his home to you? You should be grateful for this! Do not make a scene!

[The scene changes again and this time, Yotsuyu is sitting in front of a stern elderly woman with her hair tied back into a tight bun. Her expression stays neutral but she's scared. She knows what this place is...what they do here.]

It matters not who you were once before. You are here to pay off a debt and you will serve until it is paid in full. Are we clear on this?

[Yotsuyu nods meekly. She wasn't expecting this...this wasn't what she wanted...]

I suppose there is an advantage of receiving you; you may have more experience than the rest of the girls here seeing you were married! I am sure you will make many clients coming to you in no time! If not by your looks alone!

[She laughs, greed being shown in her eyes and Yotsuyu had to realize that she would have to live with the idea of other men touching her and--she cannot bring herself to think it. But reality has to set in at some point...]

[Next memory is of a man dressed in armor, laughing madly as he gulps down another cup of tea.]

You know, it won't be much longer before those savages come to heel! But alas I cannot figure out how to break their spirits enough to turn the tide of his annoying rebellion! Mayhap I can even get a promotion!

[He laughs as Yotsuyu shuffles her feet and kneels beside him...and gives him a sly smirk.]

Oh? Did you not realize? This place is frequented by those loyal to Lord Kaien and other Domans of his ilk.

Truly? I am surprised that they have not shown their faces.

Because they would be walking right into a trap if they were to see a Garlean receiving service here. You may have come seeing warmth and a pound of flesh...but there is one advantage to working in this disgusting shitehole: loose lips always spill most important secrets.

What did it matter? I was nothing to them--less than nothing! I wasn't of their flesh, I wasn't a fellow Doman, I wasn't even a person. I might just as well have been dead!

[It's that shout that rips Kurama from the previous memory as she is lying down in what looks like a room off the Room of Reckoning with several others surrounding her, one man pointing his sword at her. But that is the only part of dialogue he will hear despite 'being' Yotsuyu now. But he will be able to feel the anger from her, the resentment of what she had to go through...

And the shaking of the ground.

She cast the die...if she would die in this place, she would drag them to Hell with her.

The roof falls on the group, a taller much more muscular man holding the rubble enough. He speaks of escape if the expressions of his comrades mean anything. And then Kurama will feel cold steel in his hand as Yotsuyu shoots at him several times.

And then the world goes white, Kurama returning back to the setting before.]

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1/???

2/??? Stormblood Spoilers from here on out

3/??? CW: Domestic Abuse

4/??? Can there be a CW for Pleasure Houses?

5/???

6/6