Peridot

[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

[unionoftheheart]

...take for what?

Re: Choice

[dramatispersonae]

There is no reply from the dark.

Answer

[dramatispersonae]

Who do you choose?

Re: Answer

[silentknight]

Me, Cassie.

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

[unionoftheheart]

[flipping through them]

...okay, not knowing what this choice means makes it kind of hard.

[threadspinner]

[ ugh what does it mean ]

We should pick the one that fits Peridot best.

Re: Choice

[squirreledaway]

[i am late, what's up]

Ah-- sorry!

Re: Choice

[threadspinner]

[ oh hey sup ]

We're picking cards. Help us?

Re: Choice

[unionoftheheart]

It's okay. Uh...Cassie got taken somewhere else, for the first part. We don't know what's going on yet.

Answer

[dramatispersonae]

Which card will you choose?

Re: Answer

[squirreledaway]

[into the fire with you, Diligence. '-'b we hardly knew ye]

Re: Answer

[dramatispersonae]

The fire crackles as it burns away the card. After a moment, Humility comes fluttering out.

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

[squirreledaway]

[.......................................................................................................................]

Re: Choice

[unionoftheheart]

[going dead quiet for a moment, fiddling with a white wristband on his left wrist]

I would risk injury or death to get her back, but...only if it was absolutely necessary.

Re: Choice

[threadspinner]

I would do anything. I'd die for her, though I don't think she'd appreciate it. I'd -- [ she thinks. life is obviously negligible here. ]

I'd give up a lot of things. Life, memories. Anything.

[ teammaaaaate ]

Re: Choice

[squirreledaway]

[NO YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO GET HURT >E]

I-- Why is she asking that?

Re: Choice

[squirreledaway]

No one is getting hurt! Getting hurt is off the table!!

[STOP DRIVING YOURSELVES INTO THE CORNER, PERIDOT]

Three likes balance, right? So... Something equal to Cassie. And she's worth more than any injury.

Re: Choice

[threadspinner]

[ BUT WE LOVE DEATH ]

Cassie is worth a lot more than an injury. Something meaningful from each of us. Or something meaningful from the group?

Re: Choice

[unionoftheheart]

[nods]

She's worth anything. But there's no point in having her back if we aren't here to greet her.

Answer

[dramatispersonae]

What will you do?

Re: Answer

[unionoftheheart]

[deep breath]

We will give up our ability to speak.