wordsmithery: (Static)
The Wordsmith ([personal profile] wordsmithery) wrote in [community profile] trusthell2017-03-25 11:58 am

Taking Responsibility.

Despite the lack of a body, despite the fact that you've initiated the investigation today of your own volition rather than due to some sense of formality and obligation (to the dead, to the rules, to the session), it seems that the Wordsmith is aware of your activities regardless; as such, when you finally leave that hidden area on the seventh floor and move back toward the stairs, you'll find that the elevator is already waiting for you.

Perhaps it's unsettling, in its own way; perhaps it'll only serve to make you more determined.

Either way, the ride up is swift and smooth as always; when the door opens, however, it becomes immediately obvious that the courtroom itself has changed.

The podium circle is still standing in its spot toward the front of the room; three more have joined the ranks of the deceased since you were last here - Mikazuki, Watanuki, and Bruce Wayne's portraits have been set up on their podiums; however, theirs aren't the only ones that have been covered - all thirty podiums have been draped in black, the fabric spilling down over the wood, almost to the point of reaching the floor.

That isn't the only difference, either - Kageshirou is far more visibly present today, in a way that's impossible to ignore. The walls in here appear cracked, much like the one in the foyer, dark silt and shadow spilling down to pool on the floor like contaminated water, like blood. A fair amount of it seems to be emanating from the lectern high above, the one place in this room that doesn't seem to have taken damage like the walls have; regardless, the darkness of the shadow entity spills down heavily from there, constantly pouring down like some sort of waterfall, thick and ugly and thankfully dissipating into the floor before it can touch the circle where you'll be standing.

The circle is one of the few places in this room that's clear of it, actually.

As repulsive as this all may be, however, the lectern remains empty, standing cold and unaffected by any of this; once everyone has found their place in the circle, the Wordsmith's voice can be heard addressing everyone, as always.

"Welcome, Apprentices—I thought it likely you would want to find yourselves here today, and we have now gathered for what I am sure you need not be told may be one final time. Is there perhaps something you wished to discuss?"

There are only eight of you left, and it seems you've reached the end of the line. There isn't much else to do but try to win, in any way you can.

Best of luck to you.
iaspis: (◇ the lessons that you taught me)

[personal profile] iaspis 2017-03-25 04:59 pm (UTC)(link)
....and what of Elda, Hanyuu, and myself?
matchbreaker: (POLKA DOT IT)

[personal profile] matchbreaker 2017-03-25 05:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Elda mutters: ]

Same soul...

[ The same theory she'd been working out for the last few months. ]
oyashiromama: (if you swim with me)

[personal profile] oyashiromama 2017-03-25 05:00 pm (UTC)(link)
...

Are you alive then? You don't feel like others do...right?
oyashiromama: now they're swimming in the sea (baby lion lost his teeth)

[personal profile] oyashiromama 2017-03-25 05:03 pm (UTC)(link)
So you do feel something. What is it?
oyashiromama: to shore (this ship will carry our bodies safe)

[personal profile] oyashiromama 2017-03-25 05:07 pm (UTC)(link)
If we work out what you desire of us, will you tell me? One last curiosity, after all we've talked about.
firstaid: (plead)

[personal profile] firstaid 2017-03-25 05:02 pm (UTC)(link)
I admit, I've felt strong emotions here however...

[Her voice grows stern.]

I cannot say I've felt truly alive here. I felt alive back home with my friends. I faced pain and hardships there but because I had them, I felt like I had a place to belong, a meaning in my world, a place to call 'home'. I love them and I know they love me. There... I felt alive. Here, I feel like my soul is being ripped a part.

I'm not truly living here, yet...

[...yet she says, she pauses.]

...yet I will continue to fight so I can live.
iaspis: (✧ nothing to lose)

[personal profile] iaspis 2017-03-25 05:04 pm (UTC)(link)
[......]

I don't know. I don't believe I ever knew who I was before coming here. Gems are so focused on conquest, the individual is meaningless.

...but I don't think I've felt "alive" here in weeks.
oyashiromama: for i will forsake you (so make all your last demands)

[personal profile] oyashiromama 2017-03-25 05:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Hardship can help people realize things about themselves. It can forge bonds...but it's not the only way. A balance is necessary, if we're speaking of true "actualization."
feistytrader: (9)

[personal profile] feistytrader 2017-03-25 05:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[...Man, he's so damn tired of crazy old guys telling him what to feel.]

Living has nothing to do with tragedy or happiness. It has to do with freedom. When you're free to do what you want and get into your own messes, that's living.

[Being trapped in here and pushed to their limits... That part of it isn't living. Not by a long shot.]
oyashiromama: (we're slowly sailing away)

[personal profile] oyashiromama 2017-03-25 05:09 pm (UTC)(link)
...I would say I agree. One has to make their own choices.
firstaid: (Huzzah!)

[personal profile] firstaid 2017-03-25 05:09 pm (UTC)(link)
I can concur with this. When I was trapped in the castle, it was awful. But when I was free, I felt alive. When I could do what I wanted with who I wanted, it was truly wonderful and I cherished every moment of it. I cherished the choices I made of my own accord. I cherished the friends I made on my own.

I cherished my freedom!
iaspis: (✧ nothing to lose)

[personal profile] iaspis 2017-03-25 05:13 pm (UTC)(link)
I agree. This will never be living.
matchbreaker: (Jokes it's not Zelda)

[personal profile] matchbreaker 2017-03-25 05:15 pm (UTC)(link)
... I'm not sure I've ever thought so much about what "living" is as all this, but I'm between you and Hanyuu.
elepe: (TILT ❇ The fuck's a common sense)

[personal profile] elepe 2017-03-25 05:02 pm (UTC)(link)
...Why is that? If we experienced such strong emotions at all times, surely that would drain us entirely before we exited our youths. Is there something wrong with complacency?
elepe: (GLANCE ❇ Did I leave the portal on)

[personal profile] elepe 2017-03-25 05:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[...huh. That...gets a bit of an odd look from her.]

Really, the world is far better when you feel so little. [She knows that much well enough.] But you have not done a good job at getting the balance correct, if you are trying to put your theory into practice.
matchbreaker: (Storm King's Thunder)

[personal profile] matchbreaker 2017-03-25 05:14 pm (UTC)(link)
No it's not.

[ :T ]

No, he's done a terrible job making a balance, but the world's best enjoyed feeling everything, so it can be rewarding.
elepe: (OFF GUARD ❇ well shit uh)

[personal profile] elepe 2017-03-25 05:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[...if she were still hopped up on Nihilego juice she wouldn't feel a damn thing toward anyone. Not Gangrel, not Elda, not anyone.

Lusamine looks away, but...]


...I suppose you have a point.
matchbreaker: (Mastermind)

[personal profile] matchbreaker 2017-03-25 05:30 pm (UTC)(link)
I've suffered more than most, so respect your elders.

[ Of this room she'll only acknowledge Hanyuu as worse.

Because elda's an edgelord ]