WEEK FOUR: EXECUTION

[saturations]

EXECUTION: TRIAL BY COMBAT

Sunday morning starts peacefully enough, until around noon, when alarms start going off on your phones. The dreadful noise is accompanied by a reminder of the execution taking place in the Central Node. You can snooze the alarms at first, but they begin to get a little more insistent. If you're being stubborn, you can probably hold out until exactly 1 PM, when an archway opens right in front of you and pulls you in.

Today the Central Node is eerily quiet and empty. There are a few blankets laid out on the grass for those of you who wish to sit instead of standing the whole time. No refreshments have been provided, but the Residents are already there waiting for you.

As the last person enters the node, an enormous archway suddenly opens. This archway once again leads to an area which is pitch black inside, with white and grey dust falling softly like snow. The chilly air feels even colder than before, and you instinctively know you must not approach it. If you try to push through anyway, something is blocking your way. Smaller tears to the same space open in the air, at the very least. You can see what's happening, even if you can't follow.

Because - once the archway is open, Atsushi and Vin alone will begin to walk through as though drawn. All you can do now is watch and wait.

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Comments

[aitou]

[ALSO GAZES AT MAPLE AND ELI. But Yasusada does not know maple and eli exist, so Itsuki can have a small, grateful smile. THEY CAN HOPE...]

[nightchild]

[YEAH THEY CAN EVEN THOUGH THE SET UP IS CUTE

why is this a combat situation itsuki can't even ship because this is so depressing,]

[aitou]

[that sounds like quitter's talk to me

Yasusada doesn't care about shipping, though, sorry Itsuki. His vibes are mostly just heartache right now, and a little frustration at the unfairness of it all.]

[nightchild]

[CARE ABOUT SHIPPING LOOK AT THE ROMANCE HAPPENING YAMMMMMSSS

Itsuki's emotions are surprised, then soft.... there's something bittersweet there too, but it's more sweet.]

As last words go...

[those aren't so bad, are they?]

[aitou]

[LOOK HE JUST FEELS REAL BAD MAN. He also feels more and more worried the longer they take to start fighting, because sometimes you have reason to believe that the chances of people getting saved fully hinge on their willingness to murder each other, and they are getting farther and farther away from that.

But... at the same time, if Atsushi can't be saved... at least he's had a chance to say goodbye. There's some solace in that, empty as it may feel to those left behind.]

[nightchild]

[yams this is a solid theory wow im losing it

a little like Itsuki is losing it now, though instead of panic there's something deeply sad as Atsushi and Vin finally get to what they've been forced to do,]

[aitou]

[Well, maybe if Atsushi is still willing to shoot her in the face then that means they've got enough fighting spirit to make it--but it seems a little uncouth to feel hopeful immediately after the fighting starts, so instead he's just. Looping back around to the emotions he felt at the start.]

[nightchild]

[he'll be here, thrumming with worry... and hope, even as Atsushi and Vin speak to each other.

will Vin get through to him? or will they have to wait until the very end?]

[aitou]

[They both seem determined, though whether or not that's a good thing is anyone's guess. It's hard, watching Atsushi like this; knowing that even now, the prism's chosen this way of twisting his heart. Trying to make it quick, painless--isn't that exactly what they, the swords, have spoken of a thousand times? How horribly ironic, that this is the one time prolonging a fight might be the better choice.

He's still got a free hand, so he reaches out to squeeze Itsuki's--though whether he's trying to provide comfort or seek more of it for himself is anyone's guess, even his.]

[nightchild]

[whichever the reason is, Itsuki's grateful to have his hand, squeezing it back.

Vin's words, and the dagger in Atsushi's chest. The crawling sense that there's something inside of him, trying to pry itself out. At least this way he can focus on Vin and Atsushi, an excuse to ignore the feeling in his heart. Is it really the end?]

[aitou]

[watches this smooch

korette romance?]

[nightchild]

[this is why one of anmitsu has to murder so they can make out in front of everyone]

[aitou]

[]

[nightchild]

[STOP HELLO]

[aitou]

[yeah

But then it ends, and--there's surprise there, but only a flicker of it, before it's replaced with a kind of resigned sorrow.

Of course they couldn't get that lucky twice.

He lets go of Itsuki's hand and walks away as soon as they're able to move.]