dramatispersonae | Sterling + Onyx 2

Sterling + Onyx 2

Through the doors, you find yourselves in a small circular room that seems to be decorated much in the same way as the ring is decorated today. The curtains are in alternating colors of your teams, and in the center stand are three surprisingly lifelike, but faceless sculptures. They stand with their backs to one another, facing out to the chairs. About each of their necks is a cord that holds a sign written in a fine, looping cursive.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Flutters his eyelashes at him]

Not what I meant. And I hate to break it to you but resolve isn't going to get you anywhere with her. She doesn't care.

That doesn't mean I want to be the sort of person who'd bow to this. I'd be happy to be the arbiter and take it as well, so I can stand by her. I feel like, if we're supposed to aid the teams, I won't go turning against them.

Dandelion's right. The Personae punishing us is different than us deciding to punish her.

On the other hand, Mother's not gonna be nearly as light as we will.

[nods to Lucky]

Why don't we let you be the arbiter?

[startled] Oh, um...

[looks at them all for a moment, flicking from one face to the next. She lingers on Dandelion a bit.]

Honestly, I'd rather not have anyone else get worse on my account. If it's all the same to you guys.

If we let Mother decide it, you guys'll both be bloody. But if you decide to hit yourself as hard as you want for whatever the heck you did, I'd line up for you to smack me after. I don't think any of us should be judged unequally in here.

It doesn't say anywhere that the arbiter has to be someone different from the accused.

Mm. [to Lucky] What you want is the most important thing here, I think.

[dry] I can probably go without smacking any of you.

But, all right, I can handle that. You'll have to give me the specifics of the punishment, though. [gestures to her sign] I can't actually read it.