☆ WELCOME TO HELL, YE POOR SOULS.

[raisingproject]

Magical Girl Raising Project

Graveyard

The last thing you remember is dying. Whether it's by murder or execution, that's was all it. But surprisingly enough, you wake up in the hotel room that you were assigned in, as if you had never died to begin with. However, once you walk right outside, you'll start noticing that while this is the Town A you remember, there are some slight differences that you notice.

The first thing is the fact that while you can see those who are still alive, they simply cannot see you. In fact, they pass through you, as if you were a ghost. And spoilers: you kind of are one, now. The second thing is that sometimes, if you look at a building for too long or too closely, you'll notice that it fizzles a bit, almost glitchy.

But that's completely fine, isn't it? There is, however, one more thing to keep in mind: there are voices of other people, mumuring. Of course, these other people, unlike you, don't have a complete shape; they're just a silhouette of themselves, looking like static.

However: it wouldn't be Town A without an announcement, would it? Of course not. Hence why upon rearriving, there will be a message, typed out:

Welcome to the afterlife, everyone. This is a greeting message to introduce you to how exactly this works. You have the ability to send one message to the living a week, so choose your words wisely. Of course, there are limitations to what you can say! You cannot reveal the mastermind's true identity, even if you know it. You cannot reveal a culprit or a victim, even if you know it.

Also, all messages will be sent to all players during the trials. If there is no trial, the message shall be sent on Saturday. You may investigate as you wish. If you have any questions to ask of me, please leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

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Comments

[breakingthrough]

[Edna won't argue that at this point... she knows there are humans like that, so there's no point in reaching.]

Really? Because I think someone on our side might have mentioned she still had some of her godly abilities intact. It might have been nice to know you were speaking with the people who died all along.

[She knows people well enough that right now she can't trust Zange.]

[dereban]

We're all fucking tired, Hinata Hajime.

[She's using his full name here, because she knows it will have more of an impact that way. There's a sternness to her tone that says she's serious, but at the same time, she doesn't show the same exhaustion that he does as she wipes the tears from her eyes.]

All of us. Hell, I bet Zange's on the verge of breaking, herself. Who knows what she'll do if this game ends up as a failure.

[And honestly, Inaba doesn't want to know. Nevertheless, she takes a few steps closer, and if she's allowed, she'll make the attempt to wrap her own arms around him.]

I can't say that I feel the same way that you do. But... I think I understand, just a little. I worry a lot. About every little thing. About everybody. Those who are alive, those who are dead. My memory is deteriorating. I already had missing memories when I was alive, and now there are gaps in there. I've been here for a long time, and honestly... myself and the one who shares a similar voice to mine [she's talking about June] might not last much longer. Although it's definitely worse for those whose keys still haven't been found.

I'll see what I can do about Zange. She's a selfish bitch, but she also has things that she cares about.

[She's seen it in that girl's demeanor.] Anyway, hey... I can't do much, but is there anything I can do to help?

[hawthorned]

[She's just going to shoot his back a wtf expression before regrouping herself.]

What kind of deserate and foolish plan is that?!

[Ok she did not regroup all that well.]

Never mind the fact that some of us may not want to go home at all.

[crossingout]

I'm not allowed to speak about talking with the dead. It is one of the taboos that I cannot break, lest my nee-sama and the rest of Kannagi die. [A beat, and then:] Hakua has nothing to do with this. The blame all lies with me.

[breakingthrough]

Fine... but even if I believe that, it still doesn't tell me why you can do that. The rest of us had our abilities stolen... why weren't yours?

Dr2 and dr3 spoilers

[raisingproject]

[None if what she said helped. It's just reminders of why he shouldn't be breaking down at all. Shame comes tearing it's way inside. It's old and familiar friend even if he can't remember all the times it has been there. He lets her hug him because she obviously needs it.

But it only makes that feeling of shame worse. He turns his face away, but his voice is as even as he can make.] No. it's fine. I'll get over it.

[If he shuts his eyes he can see them killing Nanami. See his own death. See so many many deaths. The angry shouts of traitor. And over it all the indifference of his other self as things came crashing down. He helped break two worlds even if he really wasn't on board for either one.] I should get back to work.

[raisingproject]

[He waits until she is finished.] There are those who would rather stay dead or departed. But is either all or none.

As for the foolishness of it... would you rather serve as a battery for over a thousand years for countless more games? Losing everything of yourself until you finally taste oblivion? Your face goes right after your name does. Then your memories.

[crossingout]

Because technically I'm the mastermind. [She says this so smoothly, as if she's used to it.] Not that it changes my end goal.

[raisingproject]

There is indeed. The police station. If they had checked more thoroughly they would have found autopsy reports and execution notes. I believe mine tends to confuse people. While Hinata's makes others sick when they realize he was tortured to death. Things like that.

[She starts down the hallway while she tugs her hood up.] As for the book, I know precisely where it is likely to be. In that wretched place within the final map.It will be very difficult to miss. As well my key.

Which is right next door.

[raisingproject]

It depends. If you're using your power a lot...pretty soon. [He glances over at Eliza for just a moment.]

If you stay at your present rate of using power, you'll only start if the game ends and another is sure to start.

[raisingproject]

It might be prudent to state what cardinal direction you'll be searching. I was told to pass on that a feeling of nothingness at the border's edge is a sign you're right before a ley-line.

Our very tired leader will not be joining us, but look out for rock spikes. Those are his doing. He concentrated on the West side.

[dereban]

[She pulls away, if only because she's... not really much of a hugging person, unsurprisingly enough. But when she looks at him, it's filled with an intense worry. Even if she's dead, she can still have feelings, she can still hurt.

But the one that's hurting the most isn't her, is it?]

Is it, really? [It's not fine. It really isn't. And him, trying to get over this so quickly, it's...] Getting over it isn't the same as moving forward, you know.

Maybe you really need some rest, O Fearless Leader. [There's dripping sarcasm in the way she refers to him, but she's entirely serious in the way she speaks.] Like I said. You really need to stop carrying the burden of it all on your own. It never ends well.

[raisingproject]

If I sleep I probably won't stop. [It's a fact. He doesn't want to deal with anything anymore. But his lips still twitch at 'fearless leader'. Too much to do. Too many things to try and avert.

Nanami had been the stealth bullet he had never seen coming. The more he thinks of sleep, the more he wants it. Hinata drops his eyes from hers.]

...but maybe I should for a while. I haven't since... [Since his death.]

Will you wake me when things change?

[dereban]

You honestly deserve it. And sure, I'll wake you up with a good morning kiss.

[Is she serious? Is she joking? Who knows...]

[raisingproject]

What? No! Just wake me a normal way.

[He blushes and steps back, putting a hand to his forehead.]

Anyway, I know you'll all be fine while I sleep. ...thank you. If Zange exposes more of my secrets...I don't know. Do whatever you feel like doing.

[He pauses, thinking of how to curb a potential disaster first.]

Just nothing embarrassing.

[dereban]

Hey, what's normal to you might not be normal to other people.

[Her voice is so flat when she says that.] You're cute when you blush though, Hinata.

[This is why they're friends.]

I'll throw a ghost riot if she does. I'm good at that. But I'll talk to her first, to circumvent that from happening. Can't promise you that I won't do anything embarrassing, though.

[raisingproject]

Nothing too embarrassing. [He says again, putting emphasis on it. He won't rise to the bait this time. Now that he's thinking about it the exhaustion is dragging him down.

Hinata steps back and shuts his eyes once. Then he walks away, accepting that whether the world was alive when he got up or not, he needs sleep. He has been sacrificed one too many times.]

[ladiesfirst]

[Suddenly, Edna will hear footsteps approaching behind her, and upon turning to look she'll see... Eruna. Sans ribbon, so her hair is left long and flowing down.]

Edna-chan... why? Why are you here too?

[who was it, who does she need to beat up]

[hawthorned]

[She scowls for another moment. Dahlia isn't a team player, never has been, never will be, and the expectation that she participate in this just so other whiny dead people she doesn't give a damn about can go back home leaves the taste of bile in her mouth.]

It's truly sweet that you think I care if this game continues or not now that I'm dead. Ah, but how do I put this...? Of course I have no desire to be used as a power source, but can you really fault me for feeling underwhelmed by how many flaws a plan that took a millennium to put together has?

[raisingproject]

I do not think you care about this game or anything else. I was outlining the motivation to preserve the self possessed by most humans. [His voice is flat as he continues towards an unknown destination.]

Whether you assist or not is up to you, but I predict you won't.

You are however, mistaken. This plan was put together recently, before that it was just meaningless shouting into the void to be heard. [He pauses, something flickering in his red eyes.] And arguments with Zange.

[He continues. By now it should become obvious he's leading her to the boundary's edge.] You are free to ask further questions.

[hawthorned]

Oh, I'm quite sincere in my efforts to learn about who killed me. Things like revenge aren't usually gained by being passive, as you well know.

[But she can't help smirking at the Eliza burn.] I'll admit Miss Eliza's antics were at least... amusing to watch while they lasted. You can't really expect anything else from the simpleminded though.

[More seriously:] What exactly does Miss Zange find threatening about the hunter? The fact that she might die. perhaps? How wonderful, if so.

[telecosmetic]

Hmm...in that case we should search the east, then, right?

[breakingthrough]

...you...

[The way she says it so smoothly just angers her more.]

All this was because of you?

[telecosmetic]

...hi. [She honestly felt really bad when she saw the guitar destroyed as well.] I mentioned we'd be heading towards the east, since Hinata already looked over the west. And apparently there's supposed to be a "feeling of nothingness" when we're near a leyline.

Also, Zange said we might bump into her. You're...um, not going to yell at her if that happens or anything, are you? [She doesn't know what happened when you saw her.]

[hawthorned]

[As they approach the boundary, Dahlia pauses. She doesn't clarify one way or another what her inclinations ar.]

Why do you really trust her, Mr. Hinata? You snapped at me, which means you clearly have some pride left in you. How many chances do you routinely give people before you've had enough, I wonder. Was Miss Nanami's selection not warning enough for you that she doesn't have your best interests in mind?