dramatispersonae

PERIDOT

You're standing together on what seems to be the main street of a small village, paved with cobblestones, with low buildings standing silent on either side. If you look in any of them, you'll find them dark and empty.

In contrast to the Ring, it's rather chilly. The sky is slate-grey, and it seems like there's snow falling, blanketing you and the village in pure white. On closer inspection, the snow turns out to be ash – but the bleaching is literal. Even when you brush it off, your skin, your hair, your clothes, and your keys remain ash-coloured.

A single, feeble light flickers further down the street.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

...If one of you is willing, I'd rather not take this one... I'd like to keep my head for the rest of the stuff, plus I could probably do the most damage.

I think I could also do a lot of damage. My mind isn't the most stable when it comes to overwhelming rage. But I'd be willing to try it for the team.

...What do you mean, exactly?

Mm...suffice to say that at home I went more than a little insane with grief and rage and ended up killing myself as a result.

[ Observing... then butting in. ]

... I said it to Emil, but if the risks are that high with you too, then I'm okay with the one doing it. It's not like I'll be able to do anything at all like that when I'm mad. Unless you really, really want to go for it?

[ Deeply considers. ]

[ Finally....nods and sighs. ] If you're sure. It's not like you've been here long enough to have any longstanding grudges.

That too.

Alright, well, far be it from me to hold you back.

[ Going to grab a hold of that rod then! His hands and arms are significantly tinier than most, so it's not as a tight fit as you could imagine--? ]

YOU ARE NOW REALLY ANGRY AT A PERSON OF YOUR CHOICE TO THE POINT OF WANTING TO ATTACK THEM

The box and rod shatter into powder after twenty seconds. A single match appears on the floor, with a paper tag attached. STRIKE ME, it says.