final trial

[arsholes]

[After a harrowing couple of hours, some illuminating discoveries, a couple of new allies, and a couple of new injuries, eventually Garfield's warning comes to mind. Shit's popping off. And now that you've got all of the ritual components (minus the hammer which, well, you have its owner), it might be time to return to the trial room and see if you can do something about it.

Reconvene in the Great Hall and make your way upstairs.]

Comments

[thealchemist]

...I didn't have the plan in mind until that week. Didn't have time to ask, and didn't think he was going to...

[Well, die.]

But he'd do the same to me if he had a chance.

[reresurrected]

... I don't doubt that much, either.

And I don't doubt that the two of you cared about each other in your own way. But--

[Hmm.]

[ninehundredlives]

Sorry, are we working on the theory here that four separate people were okay with this?

[She's hearing a lot of "maybe Hubert was okay with it" and not a lot of "hey, what the fuck did you do to Loki?"! And, uh, those other two guys she guesses.]

[rikonstructed]

...Considering the people involved, it's not impossible. [Like, probably not Jasper, but.] Not that he asked.

[ninehundredlives]

Somebody dying doesn’t make them public property. You can't even take donor organs without consent, even if it would save another life.

[thealchemist]

...If it makes a difference, I'll promise to only do Hubert.

He was my friend. I know it's not him, that's not the way forging works. But the last time we spoke he told me he wants to bring this tower down on the Patron. He thought it would redeem him. Said he would be satisfied.

[Karl shakes his head.]

I want to see it done for him. But I can do something so that a part of him is there to see it done as well.

[reresurrected]

... I believe you.

[And in this case? He actually does.]

I at least am willing to place my trust in you - and in Hubert-san - for this.

But know this much: if you betray that trust, I'll not be so kind to you a second time. Do we have an agreement?

[thealchemist]

If Mei can talk to the real Hubert at any point and he says he wasn't alright with it, I'll kill the night creature myself.

[Reluctantly, but honestly.]

I'm not used to working with people. But I can't take this fucker on my own. As long as you keep your knives out of my back, I'll keep mine out of yours. That work as an agreement?

[reresurrected]

Yes, that will do. Thank you for understanding, Heisenberg-san.

[He is very well-versed in people's bodies being used for things they didn't ask for so he's honestly pretty twitchy about this whole thing himself, but if Hubert can actually tell them it's all right, then...]

[ninehundredlives]

And Loki and that thing?

[Glaring at the snake.]

I don't really know which one of him that is, but he was still my friend for a little while - and my patient. His wishes still matter.

[sunshade]

Funny, we never asked you to take care of him on your own. We're not all standing here right now just to look pretty.

[replacementshield]

It's as if he forgets we can fight the bastard as well.

Tch, typical, saying all this revolting garbage just to satisfy his own damned ego.

[ He didn't expect anything else from such a man ]

[thealchemist]

[Heisenberg's expression hardens.]

Fine. Then do it without me.

[He looks at Baldr.]

I already gave my word - no knives in your back, if you keep yours out of mine. Maybe you won't make the mistake that Winters did, and actually focus on the real enemy.

Hammer's still in the trial room. Go nuts, see if I care. Come on Junior.

[And he'll turn and head toward the entrance hall.]

[ghostsguysgyuudon]

[Mei hesitates, then turns to the others.]

Heisenberg-san... Let's go, everyone. Susan-san, do you need weapons?

[ninehundredlives]

Have you got some?

[she'd love one!]

[ghostsguysgyuudon]

[Mei nods.] This staff and sword are mine, but I've got a few more swords up in the dorm, a sling -- oh, but we don't have any ammunition aside from some rounds for Baldr-san's glitter cannon -- what are you good with?

[ninehundredlives]

[Well, swords are tempting, but she's never really used one...maybe if someone were on the ground and she just stabbed them in the face while the sword were on fire, but that's probably not going to happen!]

...maybe something blunt? Or a gun, but I take it we haven't got those.

[reresurrected]

... I appreciate that. You have my word as well.

[He definitely intends to keep it on his end, at least.]

[replacementshield]

[ Well then, that's that. ]

Everyone should prepare to get whatever they need before we proceed forward.

[ He's planning on retrieving that hammer as well but he will at least ensure it's when everyone is ready to go do it at the same time. He doesn't doubt the Patron could make an 'appearance' there, after all. ]

[rikonstructed]

[Oh good, they have a moment now. Don't think Nuadha's forgotten earlier.]

Felix. Any remaining injuries you've neglected to mention?

[replacementshield]

[ Oh. Yeah, he forgot about that. ]

...A couple. Mei did end up sending a healing spell earlier.

[ Judging by the way he's not meeting eye contact even though he has tried to better that some around Nuadha and Baldr, this may be his way of feeling sheepish. ]

[sunshade]

Very well.

[ For a split second, she wonders if maybe they needed at least a little bit of his help.

But no. Patchouli steels herself and tucks the knife into the pages of her grimoire for safekeeping, latching it shut with the buckle. Felix, Nuadha, Baldr, Katsuya, Mei, Orthrus--they could all do this. She believed in them all. And having an extra pair of hands didn't hurt, either. She wasn't sure what to make of Susan, but seeing her reactions towards Heisenberg, Patchouli's inclined to give her the benefit of the doubt. ]

We must prepare ourselves.

[rikonstructed]

We already know their souls are elsewhere. It seems simple enough to confirm later. But I'm not the one you need to convince.

[Patchouli's got the knife so his vote is a little moot. And, as for the rest, well.]

...Switching plans after all this time doesn't undo what's happened. But anything I need to settle with you when this is finished will be done face to face. Agreement enough.

[ghostsguysgyuudon]

[Mei gulps. She nods, hugging the books to herself.]

I'll do my best, Heisenberg-san. I think Hubert-san would want it, but I don't think anybody else would. And... It's like everyone said. We can take him on our own.

[replacementshield]

I see no point in agreeing to a plan that results in another creation of such a creature, regardless of what Vestra says.