☆ 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.

---

Comments

[hawthorned]

[She goes quiet for a bit as she observes his actions.]

So tell me more about the mechanics of the ritual itself. [In afterthought:] Please.

[theotherother]

You know what? Fine, if it'll shut you up, go ahead.

[Wow Kaine, be nicer to your murder victim.]

[perfectbeing]

[It's not difficult for Szayel to sense that he's being followed, but he chooses to ignore the presence if they're not going to bother actually approaching.

Eliza does eventually though, and...she's going to be met with a rather angry and bitter expression from Szayel. He has a lot of questions about that apology, but more importantly...]

I believe you have far more to apologize to me for than simply that.

[Not that he intends to accept any apology, but he just wants to hear it after the ridiculous stunts she pulled on him.]

[hawthorned]

[Ah yes, she was wondering when she'd run into you, Kaine. After her conversation with Eliza, she has a few choice words for him, but actually, that's not where she decides to start.]

Really, Mr Kaine..... is fecal matter what you associate with me? That's downright hurtful.

[telecosmetic]

[She stares intensely at him.] That wasn't because I thought you killed me. It was because you were bothering my friend! And also pulling out a weapon during a serious ceremony! So I'm not going to apologize for that!

[lol sorry you're not even going to get an attempt at one]

[perfectbeing]

[Even if it's not a condescending grin, it still intrigues Szayel just a bit. It's simply an unexpected expression given the subject. He figures it has to do with her situation back home...]

It certainly isn't, and that feeling is only magnified by the fact that if my abilities had not been stolen from me, I would not be dead.

[telecosmetic]

[She stares some more, then takes a few deep breaths to recenter herself, before bunching up her fist and punching him in the stomach. She puts as much force behind it as she can, but even transformed she's probably not going to be able to do that much damage.]

There! [And she'll detransform after that.]

[selfloving]

I'll wait for you to hold your tongue, first! You understand now. You've chosen to shoulder the consequences for your actions! [The length of his speech surprises her more than the contradictions in it.

She stares flatly at him for a few moments longer, waiting to see if maybe he's finished. Stiffly, with great determination in her stride, One walks towards--and past him, aggressively enough to either push him aside or at least buzz by him with sharp air. Dramatic.]

That's not worth my energy. [One bites. It's purposefully sharp] If you want to face justice, do it after this game is over.

[hawthorned]

Then don't.

[She shrugs.]

After all, people can generally be trusted to think of themselves first and foremost.

[theotherother]

No, that's not...

[Given everything he's said this week, he really should just stop talking.]

Sorry.

[perfectbeing]

[It actually hadn't occurred to him that he was practically glowering at Dahlia, so he does his best to correct that when it's pointed out.]

Consider it part of my continued adjustment to this developing situation.

[Is it that hard to apologize, Szayel. Really.

He appreciates going straight to business though. It's better than continuing to dwell on...things.]

A flash of pink. I made an attempt to fight back while in my magical form. But every slash I made, every strike...countered, like my movements were as plain as day.

[That sour look returns, if only briefly. It's the worst way for him to lose a battle. It's like back at Las Noches. The very reason he chose to accept the offer to come here...]

All activity stopped once the fatal blow was delivered, so I imagine she left rather quickly or simply concealed herself to confirm her kill. [...] I did not die instantly, though I was unable to get a message out as my injuries were severe enough to make my body useless until I finally succumbed.

[perfectbeing]

He. Planned. To. Make. An. Attempt. On. My. Life.

[He says the words separately for emphasis.]

But oh, I suppose that makes it fine since he didn't actually succeed. No, he killed two others instead. But again, that was not me, so I have no right to be angry and he does not deserve any comeuppance for his actions. Is that it?

[telecosmetic]

[She just keeps following, not speaking much.] That's...true, I guess. But not everyone's as selfish as that! [She's...thinking about Recette, mostly. She can admit deep down that she's a selfish person as well.]

[telecosmetic]

He thought you killed me! And it's not like you're any different! I heard what you and Miach were saying yesterday.

[A pause] Besides, if he shows up, I'll hit him for that, just like I did to Tamamo and Joshua and Kaine.

[perfectbeing]

I never once said any of that morality bullshit applied to me. I am simply calling you out on your own use of it.

[Oh dear.

And in regard to the second bit...he makes a small snort.]

Ah, indeed. Such a proper punishment.

[telecosmetic]

[She glowers.] You're too late to lecture me about that anyways. The ghosts here said enough durign that trial. And I'm not sorry for what I did anyways, so I'm not apologizing. [Teenage girl pout face.]

So? They've already been executed, or died horribly in Kaine's case. There's nothing I can do to match that anyways!

[hawthorned]

...Are you?

[She'll actually drop the act a bit and look at him with a slightly colder look than usual.]

In retrospect, I suppose the fact that you weren't nearly as angry as you could have rightfully been with me for accusing you during that trial should have raised a red flag. And here I thought you were just too soft for your own good.

[hawthorned]

[Then they'll keep heading towards the general direction of the park in partial silence together as Dahlia isn't going to tell Eliza to scram. Mostly because she's in the mood to vent.]

Generally, I said. The ones that don't are fools who are constantly being taken advantage of. .

[telecosmetic]

Is that what you think about Recette? [Eliza's voice is soft. Even if the other teen is apparently older than her, she still feels a lot like the older sister sometimes.] ...she has people looking out for her, at least.

[breakingthrough]

[Waking up like this, remembering her death... she knew this meeting could happen at any time. Still... she's not any more certain how to act knowing it's coming.]

Eruna...

[But she hates letting herself be indecisive like this. Just... crying and going on would be worse. So she's pushing a lot of those feelings down by not looking at her just yet.]

Unfortunately, the same reason you're here. [She sighs and shakes her head.] This past week, someone has been trying to eliminate us all quickly. I don't know who or why, but we're all in serious trouble at this rate.

[breakingthrough]

Alright.

[East it was then. She's happy to take direction on this one, since she's not as familiar with what's been going on on this side. But hearing about Zange...]

...if you're concerned I'm going to cause trouble, it's not necessary. I don't trust her, but we don't have time for that right now. I'm more focused on what needs to be done to stop all this.

[There would be time to hash that all out later, once they'd done what they needed to. Fighting now would just take away from the real issue.]

[telecosmetic]

[Eliza looks somewhat relieved.] That's good. I'd rather we not get into an argument while trying to finish this.

[...she's kind of being a hypocrite, considering all the people she's been punching recently. Still, assuming nothing gets in the way, she'll lead the way towards the east side of town and start cautiously walking along where the border was. Do they get that feeling anywhere?]

[breakingthrough]

And what's the long version?

[Although she's being harsh towards her, Edna does understand the idea of having to do things that will turn others against you; even make them hate you. After all... it was the same for Sorey. But in a case like that-- a person should be prepared for some scrutiny.]

What is it you're looking to gain from all of this? I won't support someone who doesn't care about the lives of the people around them.

[Although she's certainly not saying it's impossible to redeem her opinion of the other girl. Her faith might have been shaken, but if you consider it... the reason her scrutiny is so intense was also in part due to the fact that she wanted to believe in her.]

cw: suicide mention

[crossingout]

"I've never once cared about the lives of the people around them"... is something that people would expect from me after this, wouldn't it? But nope, that's wrong. As someone who's been dead for a very, very, very long time, I know better than anyone just how precious life is.

[Her voice quiets, in the rather thoughtful way as she hums, her gaze shifting away.]

The story begins a long, long time ago. A magical girl named Cerise [no honorifics, she doesn't deserve it] created a duplicate of the original Fav and gave a part of her power to him. She then restarted the Magical Girl Raising Project to follow in Cranberry's footsteps. I was in the first game. It was different from all this. It was more and more senseless bloodshed.

Something that I had to protect Hakua from. I never killed. All I could do was watch. That's... all I've ever done, in the end. [Because she's so powerless.] When Cerise was killed, I was chained to Fav as his 'Master'. That's how the baton gets passed from one person to another. There is only an option to accept the offer. Otherwise, the world you're from will die, being sucked of all its mana.

That is why. I've been using the "traitor" role to find another way out for all these years, while searching for something that will set me free. Snow White has finally appeared. If the ritual completes itself and the final trial goes as planned, I can finally kill Fav with that weapon she has! I can finally go home and become a true goddess, with all the power that I've stored up!

[raisingproject]

Then it's kind of ironic, isn't it? Abilities that were lost in the living world... are all regained in death. Of course, mine doesn't apply when I'm dead.