WEEK 5 - TRIAL

[petoskeymods]

TRIAL

It takes a full day after finding the body, but on Saturday, the counselors call you all to the campfire, the bonfire already roaring away as everyone finds their seats. Stan and Red are seated there, with Stan holding a box saying 'VOTES' written on it.

It looks like you're here to find the killer.

And just like before, you know you'll be forced to vote before the night's over...

And condemn someone to a grisly fate.

VICTIM: Usagi Tsukino
CAMPERS REMAINING: 15

((Remember that Everyone must vote and that Votes are due by 6pm EST!))

Comments

[finalguard]

[ Somehow... this puts Boa at ease to hear. It's something expected, something he knew all along. Mitsuru has always, always, always kept surprising him. Mitsuru's held on to him so many times when Boa thought he'd have lost it all.

But this... this is obvious. Mitsuru won't be able to save him. Mitsuru won't let go of his own goal. And that is exactly what Boa loves about him so much. ]

I know.

[ His voice is a bit steadier when he says so. ]

You'll survive this. You'll go home and finish your Journey. You will.

[ The same mantra he's always repeated. Mitsuru is strong. There is no way Mitsuru will die. And even if Boa now knows that he won't be able to latch onto that anymore, it is still comforting. ]

[killtheanimals]

[He nods, and Boa should be able to feel it with how tightly he's been embraced.]

...I will. I'll complete my Journey and obtain my wish.

[He... He has to. There's lives riding on this, even if it's not...

His heart races in his chest, knowing their time is so limited now. He wants to keep hope, wants to believe they'll find a way to solve all of this, but - what is the likelihood, at this point? So, so many had already died to this hellish place, and he doubts they sat idly by as they were slowly slaughtered. This operation has been going for at least half a decade, refined to a model that works, and even he's begun to quail at the thought of being able to jump every last hoop in any attempt to undo all the harm done.

Still. He tips his head a little closer to Boa's, voice quiet.]

...If it's as the others say, and there really is a way...

[One last hope. For the road to the land between those horrid teeth.]

If there really is a way... I'll drag you out of there myself.

[It isn't a promise. He can't give that, not honestly.

But if the opportunity were to reveal itself (it's so, so hopeless, so empty, like the lies Boa gave only earlier) - he'll try.

Perhaps it's out of petty spite for everything this place continues to be, continues to do to them. But it's the only thing he can offer, now.]

[finalguard]

[ Why? Boa's wanted to ask it before and he wants to ask it again now. Why would you do this for me, who can't even stand on his own anymore? It's incomprehensible. Even if it's just a pretty lie, why would Mitsuru go through the effort of saying it? Saving Boa, as slim as the chances are, is just a waste of time and resource, surely...

But maybe the why isn't important. Maybe it's fine if Boa doesn't understand now or ever. In the end, he knows he'd do the same for Mitsuru. Over and over and over if he had to. He doesn't know why either. Maybe nobody really knows and that's why Boa's always thought friendship is so stupid. It doesn't make sense and he doesn't make sense to himself anymore either and maybe he never will again.

An that's alright because Mitsuru is saying words that sound better than anything he's ever heard in his life and they're magical to him exactly because he can't understand them at all.

Boa's body shakes in a strangled sob, but he fights back the urge to just give in and cry more. He has words to say and very little time to say them. ]

Mitsuru... I'll talk to the stone god. I'll find It. If I... if I really have to die, I'll make it worth it for you.

[ Even if Mitsuru won't be able to save him, it's a wonderful hope to hold on to. It's a reminder that even if he'll die, he won't be gone just yet.

And as long as he's not gone, he's not useless. ]

[killtheanimals]

[Talking with the Stone God, trying to get information even still... Mitsuru already knows exactly what form that will take, and he already dreads it, seeing such an empty-headed look from the one person here he could truly call a friend, knowing what was missing even if it acted otherwise.

One of his hands balls up into a fist at the thought. He can't quite keep the shaking from his voice, fury and sorrow both.]

...Then, I'll see you on Monday.

[A slight emphasis. Please, whatever it takes--

Meet with him, truly.]

[finalguard]

... Monday. That's... a promise. This time for real.

[ They've made vague agreements before, but they've never really promised anything. And now... now Boa feels he has to promise it or else he won't have the strength to pull through and do whatever he can possibly do to make this happen.

His strength has crumbled, everything is falling apart... but he still has a small bit of pride left. He won't let a promise fall through, not one he made to Mitsuru.

It's a purpose. Death is just a step on the way that he'll have to face. A stepping stone, but not the end... Please, don't let it be the end. ]

[killtheanimals]

[Another nod.]

Promise.

[How much time until the slips are all turned in? He has no idea, but it can't be long, now. It's funny, how previous weeks seemed to drag on for so long, and yet...

He rests his own head against Boa's shoulder. Red will be able to tear him away to his execution in an instant, he's sure, that's simply the cold reality that surrounds them in this accursed place, where they're made to walk to their deaths for the sake of a ritual, for the sake of buying time.

But for now at least, he can stand with the other just a moment longer.]