(no subject)

[opening_act]

Who: Exael and the Unlucky Contestants
Where: The Game Tower
When: 86, Evening

[ Between one step and the next the walls (or streets, or open air) around you changes. The sight before you is a room inside the game tower, a new pressure at your neck. Reaching up or looking at the people around you reveals it to be a collar, titanium with a small green blinking light set in the center. ]

[ the screen flickers on, on your cellphone. It's a half-second, blink and you miss it— Exael, chewing on a nail, looking uncharacteristically nervous— then the moment's gone and she waves both hands and smiles for the camera. ]

"Ladies, gentlemen, honored guests! Units of all stripes and sizes! I come offering you a game and a few familiar words, rearranged for the occasion!"

Her carnival barker demeanor shifts for a moment as she lowers her head to say: ] "Glory to the highest, and on earth peace—" [ her head snaps up, her pigtails bouncing with it, and she's grinning again, all pomp and energy ] "even if we're not getting much down here! So let's kick up a ruckus, put on a show, and see how much good goodwill alone can manage! If you wish to save your fellows, now is the time speak!"

[ The rules appear on your phones. ]

[ Rules ] [ Rooms ] [ Results ] [ Endgame, Revivals & Winners ]

Comments

[we_meet_again]

[his hug tightens a little more]

I hope nobody in your unit thinks that just because this happened, it means nobody cares about you.

You all know you're loved, right?

[dragonheartedgirl]

[ this is


honestly a good question. she hadn't explicitly asked them or tried to reassure anyone before the game ended how they felt, or what a loss might mean to them. she's... really thinking on it. ]

... I think the only one of us who might think we're hated is King. Or maybe Mars.

[we_meet_again]

Mmm, I don't know Mars very well, but I'll try to check on King later and see how he's doing. He ran out of here pretty fast... looked like he wasn't in the mood for chatting right now. Understandable.

[dragonheartedgirl]

[ wondering how much of that is her fault!!

well, maybe none of it. it's not like she argued with him. ...although actually... ]

We held hands up until the the collars went off and we died. I thought it helped us both, but maybe it was too hard for him being next to me when we died.

[we_meet_again]

...I really can't imagine that would be it? If he held your hand, I'm sure it was because he wanted to. He just strikes me as that kind of guy.

This is a super rough situation and we're all having ten thousand feelings simultaneously, so please try to cut yourself a little slack, if you can.

[dragonheartedgirl]

[ what's a slack, can you eat it? ]

Of course.

[we_meet_again]

[it's a thing you use to harass your coworkers]

Good girl.

I'm gonna go check on some of my unitmates... Will you please let me know if there's anything I can do to make your life better?

[dragonheartedgirl]

[ she just can't even begin to comprehend how he could ask that question of her when she recently killed thorn. EVEN KNOWING HE CARES ABOUT HER TOO. it just feels... incomprehensible.

also... the things that would really make her life better--having nathan and shuten back--they're not really things that he can grant her, though his sentiment is no less sweet. ]

Okay. If there's something--you'll be the first to know.

[we_meet_again]

Thank you, Hiryuu.

You guys take care, okay? I'll catch you all later.

[dragonheartedgirl]

Okay.

[ it's surprisingly easy to give him a heartfelt smile in spite of the conversation and the surrounding circumstances. maybe because she genuinely wishes him well? ]

You too, Cobalt. Please don't forget to take care of yourself as well.

[we_meet_again]

[He smiles back]

I will. Thanks!

[Gives her a little wave and then heads back off into the crowd]