dramatispersonae | sapphire

[ The hill in the Ring dissolves, leaving you alone with your team in a soft, featureless grey space. The Dog's genderless, gentle "voice" speaks into all of your minds, less anxious and more confident now; confiding. ]

My name is The Dog Who Dies At The End Of The Story. I don't remember the name I had before that, and I didn't know what this one was either, not till I chose a new Master. I don't think I was supposed to do that, but I did, so here we are.

I understand being a dog, and sometimes dogs die. But I don't understand dying, even when I know what it is. . . and in order to make a choice about it, I need to catch answers. I've died over and over and not understood yet. Maybe some of you have, too. I wanted . . . to ask what you thought. . . ?

Thank you. . . I won't be able to answer for a little while, so if you would. . . please answer for me.

[ You know instinctively that while the Dog will not answer your words for a while, once it asks you its questions you will be able to speak your answers when you've reached a consensus and be heard. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[...nods to her.]

I think this place is proof that something does exist afterwards, so we know there's something after death. The place may change, but people do find themselves there.

...Do you think this is something where it would be best to provide individual answers? It's very much a...personal thing.

I don't know. I think it would be difficult to come to a unified answer like that, and it seems like that's what the Dog is looking for...something everyone believes in? Do you think our answers would be so different?

I think so...Everyone's having different reactions, though we are at least agreed on the part of the journey and the significance of something.

But I do think it's important that everyone has their own answers as well. The specifics are personal to everyone, and I think finding one common ground simply because we agree does a disservice to the topic we're discussing...But we can answer that it's different for everyone.

I don't know what I would say, I suppose. I'm at a loss for what I could contribute that someone else wouldn't say on the subject.

...That may mean we're more agreed on than I realized.

Do you think you could consolidate an answer for everyone?

Me? I don't--I don't know...

You seem to have a good grasp of how people are feeling on the subject, even if it's something that may still be uncertain for yourself.

If we need a unified answer, you'd be the best person able to think of an answer that does everyone's point of view justice.