Carnelian

[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

[badmedicine]

I'll go.

Re: Choice

[godfatherly]

[ Surprised. ]

Re: Choice

[badmedicine]

You would think I've never done anything for the team before~

Re: Choice

[thankyouverymooch]

—Wait, hold on.

If we're going to have to make more choices later on, the more experienced people should stay.

I don't mean to underestimate this, but I want to win, and if it's a team effort, then it's obvious I'm the weak link right now.

Re: Choice

[fighting_alena]

Experience doesn't necessarily mean we can come up with a winning strategy. Sometimes the rules are changed around on us.

You are not a weak link.

Re: Choice

[badmedicine]

Or the person who leaves has to make decisions without input from the team. It's difficult to tell from here.

Re: Choice

[fighting_alena]

You really want to?

Answer

[dramatispersonae]

Who do you choose?

Re: Answer

[badmedicine]

Raven.

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

[godfatherly]

[ Picks up chastity.

Fuck chastity. ]

Re: Choice

[thankyouverymooch]

Nice choice.

Answer

[dramatispersonae]

Which card do you choose?

Re: Answer

[godfatherly]

[ chastity ]

Re: Answer

[dramatispersonae]

The fire crackles as it burns away the card. After a moment, Chastity 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

[godfatherly]

[ Irritated. ]

Re: Choice

[thankyouverymooch]

What's with this choice?

Re: Choice

[fighting_alena]

...Is this all of us, or just one of us?

Re: Choice

[thankyouverymooch]

I was wondering that as well. Besides, I don't like the wording of this. Something's off— if each of those options would give the same outcome, then isn't the obvious choice to go for the less amount of trouble?

Answer

[dramatispersonae]

What will you do?

Re: Answer

[godfatherly]

We will patiently wait until the end of the game, because you do not have the authority to keep him longer.

Re: Answer

[dramatispersonae]

The fire crackles as you answer. After a moment, a familiar voice calls out, though it is hard but not impossible to make-out, "Nothing."