Sapphire

[dramatispersonae]

[There is a circular table with seven chairs lined around it. In the center of the table, there is a bowl with fire burning pleasantly inside it. It seems to be the only source of light in the room. The flames flash upon a few items spread across the table: A spool of black thread, a worn though plenty sharp knife, a wooden cup with a faint coopery smell, and a saucer of seven smooth, black stones.]

Comments

Choice

[dramatispersonae]

The voice is quiet and distant as it calls out from the darkness, "I will take one of you. You may choose whom. If you take too long . . . I will choose for you."

Re: Choice

[glorious]

...One of us will be taken? For what?

Re: Choice

[performing]

Good luck in getting a straight answer outta her.

Re: Choice

[performing]

... You know, if you just asked, I think there are some of us who'd just spend some time with you.

Re: Choice

[ganbareist]

[hrmh]

Well, I'll go.

Re: Choice

[performing]

What, just like that??

Re: Choice

[glorious]

No. This is Sapphire's game. One of us will go.

Answer

[dramatispersonae]

Who do you choose?

Re: Answer

[glorious]

[takes a deep breath...]

I will go with you, Three.

Re: Answer

[dramatispersonae]

The dark pauses, considering for a moment, before rising up and blanketing him. It swiftly sinks down into nothing.

Choice

[dramatispersonae]

Seven cards fly out from the flames before settling gently in front of a chair. They each have a word scrawled on them in black ink: Chastity, Temperance, Charity, Diligence, Patience, Kindness, and Humility.

"You must choose once more . . . When you have selected a card, throw it into the flame . . . "

Re: Choice

[performing]

[... seven heavenly virtues ...]

[running his finger over the cards]

Re: Choice

[ganbareist]

No clues on what they're deciding.

Re: Choice

[appleofhiseye]

[stumbling in]

What's going on?

Re: Choice

[performing]

--Apple!

We're picking a card to get rid of. [gesturing at the seven]

Re: Choice

[poker_face]

[well, I heard there was a game]

What'd I miss?

Re: Choice

[appleofhiseye]

We're trying to pick a word to get rid of.

[points to them]

Answer

[dramatispersonae]

Which card do you choose?

Re: Answer

[performing]

Humility

Choice

[dramatispersonae]

The voice calls out from the dark once more, "This is your last choice. I have taken one of yours . . . What will you do to reclaim them? Will you give up a limb? A sense . . . ? Or will you suffer an injury? Or will you face even death to have them once more . . . ? When you have chosen, speak into the flames."

Re: Choice

[appleofhiseye]

...You must be joking.

Re: Choice

[poker_face]

[........ can I kick over the fire in a temper tantrum.]

Re: Choice

[ganbareist]

...

Answer

[dramatispersonae]

What will you do?

Re: Answer

[poker_face]

We give up our will to not go to war with you to get our teammate back.