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

[fiberoptic]

[He can tell B really doesn't want to be here, he can't imagine what the other kid's going through underneath that smile. So he nods at him, understanding.]

I can take it from here. Thank you, B.

[Just going to very carefully take Hurricane into his arms to carry him.]

[liarliarliar]

Sorry...

[BYE

ZOOM]

[crossmyheartandhope]

[He's shaking like a leaf; Wire can probably feel it as soon as he scoops him up into his arms.]

[The sobbing is already borderline hysterical when B gets him there, but it kicks up a notch as soon as Nathan's holding him. The good news is that he seems less panicky??]

[fiberoptic]

[He shifts his hold on Hurricane so the boy can hug his arms around Nathan's neck as much as he needed to.

He gently pats the boy on the back, murmuring in a soft baritone,]

Just let it out. I'm here... it's going to be okay.

[crossmyheartandhope]

[His hands come up, jerky and a little hesitant, to hold onto Nathan.]

[There's something almost uncertain to the gesture, like he's not sure he's allowed - or like he's not sure he quite believes this is happening.]

[He's spent a lot of time imagining something like this. He's had dreams like this, and they always ended up with him waking up back in an empty, dark place with just one window.]

[fiberoptic]

[Nathan doesn't say anything more, but he slowly walks back to dorm - his arms around Hurricane the whole time.]

[crossmyheartandhope]

[Sorry, dad.]

[He's breaking down at some point before they make it back, just clinging and full-on wailing.]

[fiberoptic]

[Eventually he has to stop walking and just. Stroke Hurricane's back, gently - reassuringly. Be patient.]

It's fine. Cry as much as you need to.

[crossmyheartandhope]

[He probably couldn't stop even if he wanted to, honestly.]

[He's falling apart a little here.]

[fiberoptic]

[You have to run out of tears sometime, but you might be dehydrated by then. Not even sure if Nathan'll be heard over the wails, but in an attempt to console, he told him,]

I told Mori to gather the mattresses and bedsheets in the common room. We'll just all stay together tonight, okay?

You won't be going through this alone.

[crossmyheartandhope]

[Maybe it's the words, or maybe it's just that someone's actually talking to him, but he does quiet down a little.]

[He's still clinging like his life depends on it, though.]

[fiberoptic]

[It's breaking his heart, honestly, Hurricane was always so full of life, and now--

D would say something funny, probably. Mask the pain with humour. He wasn't much good at that, though...]

The whole family will be there. I... won't even be mad if you take all the bedsheets in your sleep.

Uhm. You can call me dad, if you want...?

[crossmyheartandhope]

[He rests his head against Nathan's shoulder. The tears haven't stopped, but it's more hitching breaths than outright wailing, at this point.]

[And he finally says something, though his voice sounds hoarse and shaky, like he hasn't used it in a long time:]

...you promise?

[fiberoptic]

[Nathan nodded, stroking Hurricane's hair.]

Yeah. Promise.

[crossmyheartandhope]

[That question was for all of it, honestly: the mattresses and the common room. The whole family being there, and the not having to be alone. And - yes - calling Nathan dad.]

[He kind of slumps a little, when he gets the confirmation, like a bit of the tension's gone out of him.]

Can you. Like.

K-keep talking?

[fiberoptic]

[God, this really WAS a job for D instead of him. Awkwardly, Nate tries to ramble?]

Uhm... I wish I were better at lightening the mood. I don't think D's rubbed off on me very much in that regard. He'd probably have some crack to say about rubbing off, though...

That was. Probably inappropriate. Sorry.

[crossmyheartandhope]

[It probably was, but at least this wet sound seems like it might be trying to be a laugh?]

[So. Progress???]

[fiberoptic]

[Okay that was some progress. Maybe a bit more walking while he tries to dig deep with the talking.]

It's strange, not having you being the chatty one. I don't think I appreciated what a skill that was, on its own - just, talking. You always did have too much energy - hard for an old man to keep up.

Wouldn't call this an improvement though. But, you could double as extra weight for me to benchpress. Could finally get some real use outta you. [Teasing, of course]

[crossmyheartandhope]

Dude. Rude.

[This isn't quite a smile, but it is... making an attempt?]

[fiberoptic]

[There's a hint of the Hurricane he knows and loves]

I know, it's an imperfect plan. I'd have to fatten you up to add more weight to my lifting routine.

[crossmyheartandhope]

I dunno.

The leg's... the leg's pretty heavy.

[fiberoptic]

That's true. Does make you a little off balance.

[He attempted a small smile.] Maybe I can get you some soup for your throat. What kind do you like?

[crossmyheartandhope]

[Honestly, any kind of soup sounds amazing. Any kind of food does.]

[It's been ages - long enough that the idea that he gets to ask for something and actually get it kind of takes him off guard.]

[fiberoptic]

[This is an unusually long time to answer a favourite soup question.]

...Chicken?

[crossmyheartandhope]

[Another beat too long. When he answers, his voice kind of breaks a little.]

Yeah. That - that sounds good.