ROOM 1

[dramatispersonae]

[Passing through the doorway separates you from the others, but it also separates you from the light. In the blink of an eye your engulfed in shadows as far as the eye can see-- or not see, as it is. It's difficult to make out your own hands let alone the teammates beside you. You can hear the roaring of water and the growling of passing animals...

...But, slowly, your eyes become accustomed. Your still surrounded in pitch black, but now you can see the soft outlines of those with you, the ridges and ravines of the land, and most hauntingly a young woman stands before you. It's not the woman running the game, but some of you may remember her-- A princess, a queen who fell in battle. Here she stands in the very armor she died in, the dried blood silvery against her transparent skin. Around her neck is a necklace in Kunzite/Sapphire colors.]

Comments

ROUND 1

[dramatispersonae]

Hm. A choice.

[The woman's voice is soft and stern but, in spite of this, fills the area in a cold gust.]

Forcing you to participate will do me no good. This isn't a game we play. Only those willing will be able to succeed in the task at hand. You have options. None of them are wrong. You won't lose choosing one over the other-- not so easily.

You may stay here and talk as you wish; I'll leave you questions, if you wish for them. You could even explore, I suppose. Or, if you wish, you could help this warrior find where she needs to go. Be warned, it's not for the faint of heart.

I'll give you some time to think about it.

DISCUSSION

[dramatispersonae]

Re: DISCUSSION

[adropintheocean]

[...facepalms]

A sequel?

[balancetheblood]

This game's been done before?

Re: DISCUSSION

[culpa]

A sequel to what?

SUBMIT

[dramatispersonae]

[Say what your team will be doing here! Please note if they're actually earnest in the matter. For example if they're just choosing helping the princess because they think it's the point of the game. Or they're staying and talking because they really don't trust Personae.]

Re: SUBMIT

[adropintheocean]

[ROOM 1 PICKS EARNEST ASSISTANCE]

Re: SUBMIT

[dramatispersonae]

[As you say your answer a memory plays in a ghost like apparation.]

QUESTIONS

[dramatispersonae]

ROUND 2

[dramatispersonae]

[There's silence as you enter your answers. No response, good or negative, from the Persona but the princess smiles faintly. Her clothes become less bloodstained and the holes in her armor repaired. The nearby area grows darker and the noises louder. Whatever was protecting you is pulling aways its shield and you're able to see how dark it really is. Greatfully, you're still able to see the faintest outlines of things nearest to you but nothing more.

The wind whistles past and as it does it brings with you the faint images of other transparent souls. Mostly soldiers, some mothers, an old lady. Here and there a child appears. They move in stumbling whisps-- most to the same direction: north. Others stumble and get lost. Your princess stands there cautiously, glancing over her shoulder before returning her gaze to the group.

There's not much to see ahead. The shadows creep ever on and only the faintest outlines of mountains can be seen. The trees speckle the ground and then there's the river not far to your left that seems to criss-cross here and there. It's a maze of places with only outlines to guide you...

...Except, just as before, the shadows swallow you completely and your only comforts is the soft breathing of your teammates. What is that growling animal in the distance? What caused the shiver in your arm as something brushed against you? You cannot yet tell.

A voice echoes through the area, softer than the passing winds:

This is my duty. You may fail. You may meet your end here. Many have even before this realm.

I promise you protection. You will not be injured, but you'll find no comfort.

You must help her to get to where many of these here cannot. Do not worry for them, she is your concern.

No lights or magic will work here, I'm afraid. Find your way through. Along the way I will give you tools to assist you if you take the time to answer a question... This is the most I can do. If you wish to turn back, you need only say my name.

A pause, for the faintest of moments, and then the whisper is back--almost amused.

Your wish is almost impossible. But, ah, if you do wish to try revival... I suppose. Something could be worked out.]

DISCUSSION/EXPLORE

[dramatispersonae]

Re: DISCUSSION/EXPLORE

[seaside_cherry]

People are revived all the time in Aather, and it's only almost impossible.

Re: DISCUSSION/EXPLORE

[adropintheocean]

We've already committed, anyway!

Re: DISCUSSION/EXPLORE

[balancetheblood]

[Lucky walks up to the princess carefully, then a couple cautious feet past her]

Well... [turns back to the princess and the others, though she can't really see much of anything] guess we should get moving, huh?

Re: DISCUSSION/EXPLORE

[adropintheocean]

[walks...up to the princess herself, holding out both hands to her]

Sorry about last time.

A QUESTION

[dramatispersonae]

We're all assigned Roles at birth. This is not a thing any being escapes from. A dog will be a pet, a hunter, or a guide. A prince will be a prince. One who is sickly may only stay that way, helpless. Oh, there's possibilities-- a farmer's son may become a doctor. But at the end there are things we were destined to be. What do you want to make of your own?

TURN-IN

[dramatispersonae]

ROUND 3

[dramatispersonae]

[The scenery changes. The shadows pull away and the winds tug for you to move forward. The princess inhales and follows it uncertainly the strength of all of yours energies returning color to her paleness. She looks almost alive. Almost, but not quite.

The walk takes some time, but as you do the shadows peel off more. The world returns to light and the trees gain leaves.

Finally, you arrive in a grove that is somehow similar to the area you arrived in. The trees rest in a half circle, women practicing battlecraft. Occasionally one might catch sight of a man, but for the most part its women.

The princess leads you to a set of trees where the bark on each appears to mirror its user. But when you look inside, the image is warped. It's you... But perhaps, perhaps its the you that you never wanted to be? Evil? Weak? Fearful? Or selfish an unkind. The parts of you that are buried and hidden. Whatever it is that's what you see and the more you look the more you can't look away.

If you truly wish to help her in this way. To return to this land where she can fight and stay true, more than your energy is needed. What do you see in yourselves? Can you truly accept what's there?

DISCUSSION

[dramatispersonae]

SUBMIT

[dramatispersonae]

Re: SUBMIT

[adropintheocean]

[weakness, pettiness, fearfulness, the brashness of youth]

Do you think -- do you think I don't see this in an ordinary mirror, every day of my life? It's still myself! Of course I accept it!

ROUND 4

[dramatispersonae]

What is the difference between the dead and the living?

DISCUSSION

[dramatispersonae]

SUBMIT

[dramatispersonae]

Re: SUBMIT

[adropintheocean]

That depends where you're from and the belief and world systems, doesn't it . . .

In this context, it seems that the difference is that the dead are unable to properly act in the living world but are able to perform outside it, and vice versa.

[thank god a question that doesn't give him feelings]