Wouldn't you like to use more than words?

[letsplayamod]

The last thing you recall is likely your own death. Whether it was fast or slow, it's over now. And you're... where are you?

One moment, you were among the living. The next - you may be one of the unfortunate ones who actually died. In which case, you've found yourself flowing in the lazy rivers of the river Styx, unfathomably deep underground. Just for a moment, mind you. It's not long before your consciousness is yanked from the waters by some scary monsters, shoved into a healed body, and pushed through a portal.

Or, maybe you were caught red-handed and sentenced to your doom. But, instead of a proper death, you were whisked down into the Veins of Tartarus. And there's really only one place that could lead to... Or is it?


You've been tossed down here by the will of the Titan, but what you find is A helping hand swooping you up - possibly literally, and potentially out of the grasp of the Titan himself.

Not a moment after, you're whisked through another rift, this one a shimmering gold. Into a realm of slightly more stable platforms and a lot more shit to look through. The area is practically littered with the ill-gotten goods of a thieving God (who is happy to note via pop-up illusion that you are touching his stuff). Here, however, you are safe; assured that Typhon cannot find or hurt you here.

For the moment, you can breathe before the next part comes.

Comments

[rockymountaindie]

[ He swings again. ]

Did you even think of what this'd do to her?!

[tripartites]

[ okay, as much as she had been thinking the same thing: ]

Alex, that's enough!

[rockymountaindie]

Is it?! [ His fists tremble. ] You heard, you listened to what he said-!

umineko spoilers; 1/2

[tripartites]

[ her voice snaps like a cut bowstring, a lash of red: ]

I have planned and prepared to do much worse than what he's done here!

2/2

[tripartites]

[ a deep breath, in and out. ]

Do you think... do you really think he would just take the blows if he didn't feel guilty? If he had no concept of what he's done? What it means?

[rockymountaindie]

[ Alex flinches back when the world, the words turn red. He looks at Sayo, who he has been pretty quietly coexisting with for the last few weeks.

Planned and prepared? She claimed a lot of things at that very first trial. In the moment, he can recall none of it. It's all static, just this moment around them. Ferdinand before him, Sayo's declaration.

It isn't whispering anymore, Tartarus in his own voice, but Alex hears it nevertheless, like the all-consuming darkness he was submerged in, you left her and it's your fault.

His knuckles hurt. ]

But he still did it.

He's here, and there's no taking that back.

[tripartites]

[ "when the typhoon clears... when the seagulls cry once more—none shall be left alive."

it had been a careful avoidance of her own role in what's to come, only speaking to her awareness of it. her acceptance of it. ]

He did. He is... and you're right, there's no undoing it. But no one knows that better than he already must. [ she steps closer to alex, trying to get his focus as opposed to ferdinand. ]

And... it's hard to believe it would make you feel any better. So please.

[rockymountaindie]

[ Alex's eyes flit from Ferdinand to Sayo. They sting. ]

It's not... [ His vision blurs. ] She looked so happy. So fucking happy.

[ A girl steeped in misery and death and loss, finally finding sunlight again, only for this. ]

[tripartites]

... I know. [ she says it quietly, resting a hand on her own wrist. ] And I know how she must feel, now. Being left behind by someone she thought would help save her.

[ but that's why that's a matter for velvet and ferdinand alone. ]

[necromants]

[Ivilezlei is hanging out elsewhere, but he's been listening in and I am legally obligated to say that this is what makes it click in his head what exactly happened with Seymour and I hate that it took this long because he is stupid. This comment exits for Luna to laugh at later.]

[rockymountaindie]

[ He grips the side of his head. ]

It's not fair. It's not. She doesn't fuckin' deserve it.

[ It's your fault. You're the reason this happened. Your fault. Your— ]

[tripartites]

... No, it's not. And she doesn't. But it's not for us to set it right... or to punish him for it.

[ besides. none of them have good options left to them, after all. ]

[rockymountaindie]

[ Clenching his jaw so much it hurts. ]

No. That's for him to do.

[markofnobility]

[Sorry Alex, while this hurts it's nothing compared to the last 24 hours when it comes to blows. But that does make his brow furrow with anger]

Do NOT imply I did not consider Velvet in this. Say anything you wish, strike me all you desire. But do not.

[rockymountaindie]

But you fucking didn't!

[ He does not try to swing again, but his fist hangs in the air. ]

You said, you'd do it, so she could be alright.

She'd be fine, so it'd be okay. You did it for her, so it'd be okay.

Didn't you?!

[markofnobility]

I know it would not be okay!! But what else would you have had me do?!

[rockymountaindie]

[ A split-second decision that changed everything. When it's you or her, and there's nothing else— ]

I don't know! But not leave her!

[ That smile that shined on her face. Like a sunlit path. A second chance. ]

Did you tell her? Did you let her know, or did she just- find out from seein' your fucking corpse?!

[markofnobility]

...I almost did. Many times. But you know she would have stopped me.

[rockymountaindie]

[ Alex doesn't punch Ferdinand again. But he does shove him. ]

You're a fucking coward. You didn't even give her a- a choice- she woulda rather had you! Don't you get that?!

[markofnobility]

For another week? Two? Less if the motive continued. So we could play the dream out a bit longer? Saints, if only... I would have played it forever if I could.

[Finally his soldier's stoicism breaks, and tears start falling]

But that would have been selfish.

[rockymountaindie]

[ Alex grabs at his armor. It's not to push him or hit him or anything like that anymore. It's like a stupid, awkward waltz, how he tries to hold Ferdinand still. ]

What the fuck's wrong with bein' a little selfish? You really think dyin' for her's better?

[markofnobility]

If it keeps her alive, yes! Of course!

[rockymountaindie]

But what about her when you're gone?

When you're the thing that s- sets her on that path again- that gives her that second chance- what the fuck do you think's gonna happen to her?

[markofnobility]

She'll find a new light. S-she's so clever. She does not need me to be happy... just a chance to start over. I am not... the important part of that. Not really.

[rockymountaindie]

You were her chance, you fucking idiot!

[ In a hospital room. Hands wrapped in so much gauze, so many bandages, he can't feel it, but she has her trembling calloused fingers on them, when they aren't on his face, turning his eyes so he's looking right into hers, so she can say— ]

It doesn't mean shit if you're not there!