BETRAYAL AT THE HOUSE ON THE GAME TOWER - END

[idolpro]

Who: Traitors and Survivors, Exael
Where: The Game Tower, and leaving it
When: Day 25, morning-- it appears that game lasted the bulk of day 24 into the night.

[ Abruptly, the nightmare ends.

You, in the rooms you kept restarting in, awoke. Before you can even panic, before even despair, the elevator doors were open in front of you to take you downstairs again. It could be a trap, sure, but your head is quiet— those fucking ghosts are gone. You also appear to be wet like someone dumped, perhaps, a bucket of holy water on you while you were asleep. All your wounds are gone, and you have been left bereft of any physical damage from your ordeal.

Unless you choose to take some with you. Nothing prevents you from taking any of your spoils downstairs with you, if you wish it, though all revolvers will have no ammo.

On the screens as you descend back to the lobby, Exael is clapping on screen, broadcast showing her in the mansion's entrance hall. "And so close the gates to this forbidden garden, and so closes this chapter of our story! Just as—" her hologram flickers as she doesn't seem to notice, chattering still to the cameras, "so too will—" fzzt, fzzt. Static, flickering, and then back into focus, "So give them all a hand! Everyone, you've done well! You stand before us still, ready to present us all with more marvels after having survived such grisly wonders with—" "—in the balance!"

As she speaks, she doesn't notice a figure approaching behind her. He's in a slick suit with both hands in his pockets, and you've seen him before— his portrait is in the foyer. His shoes are utterly silent as he walks across the marble floor, till he's right at her back.

"Audience and actors alike, we've been blessed with—" Her hologram doesn't flicker this time, but she stops speaking. Her eyebrows furrow as she tries to figure out what's amiss, and only belatedly begins to slowly look over her shoulder.

"Exael," he says with a friendly hand on her solidifying hologram shoulder, the effect spreading beneath his touch, "We need to have a chat about your requisitions paperwork."

She tilts her head, eyes wide with a finger tapping against her cheek as she thinks, "I didn't do any!"

"Yes," he agrees, smiling with all his teeth. "I know."

The broadcast cuts. The doors open to let you leave. ]

Comments

[lovestained]

It'd be fine if it was handed back in pieces, but we all seem like we're perfectly fine. Mmm.

You know, she took my eyes. And my heart♪ Isn't that cute?

[carnivorouscarnival]

[ ...

hm ]

Should I be saying "congratulations"?

[lovestained]

Should you?

[carnivorouscarnival]

I mean, it probably counts as some kinda relationship upgrade.

[lovestained]

Oh! It definitely is! She killed me and took something from me♪

They gave it all back, but that isn't her fault. We still shared my death, together. Ahhh♪

[carnivorouscarnival]

[ this is probably fine and how relationships should work ]

Damn, you really like her, huh? I'm gonna have to go talk to her to make sure I approve.

[lovestained]

!

So protective...!

[carnivorouscarnival]

Only the best for my unit.

[lovestained]

Hm. Hmmm.

Man☆Eater, we're sort of like a family, right? If we had roles, what would you say they were?

[carnivorouscarnival]

[ it takes a moment for that question to settle, but when he does, he folds his arms thoughtfully ]

... Hadn't really given it much thought. But I think I'd be the older brother. That just feels right.

[lovestained]

I thought maybe I was the older sister! But I think you being the oldest sounds right, too. One is definitely the youngest, anyway.

[carnivorouscarnival]

Gyahaha. There won't be anyone to spoil you if you're the oldest one, y'know. But you're right about One, hands down.

[lovestained]

Are you going to spoil me?

[carnivorouscarnival]

Well, yeah. That's my job.