Palace Game 6/3

[fujimaru]

The Dreamer In The Grand Temple
Humanity Foundation Value: ????

What has been will be again,
what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun.

Comments

Re: THE GALLERY OF MEMORIES

[moonlit_knight]

[they don't know da vinci super well but they don't need to in order to see this is another ghost]

One of me?

Re: THE GALLERY OF MEMORIES

[fujimaru]

"From Cerberus, of course!" She winks. "I don't get that much information from the other me, but I have a better connection than the other two. I know who you are, Selena."

Re: THE GALLERY OF MEMORIES

[moonlit_knight]

Well, that certainly helps. Can you tell me what's going on with Ritsuka? And - if you're expecting us, who else has come through here?

Re: THE GALLERY OF MEMORIES

[fujimaru]

"Just a couple of others, from around," she says. "As for what's going on... well, we don't know the details for sure! But all of you, you've got your possessions, right? Well. Hers was given greater reign, for some reason. I think you'll find she's not the only one... but she's the one you're looking for now, right?"

Re: THE GALLERY OF MEMORIES

[moonlit_knight]

[uh oh. did ritsuka die?? is this a game side effect? what kind of awful game is this?]

She is. I can worry about the others once I know she's alright, there must be some way to help Ritsuka get back in control.

Re: THE GALLERY OF MEMORIES

[fujimaru]

"We'd appreciate it," she says cheerfully, before her expression fades into something more solemn.

"No one knows what happened, exactly. Nothing happened beforehand. There wasn't any sign or warning--it just started. You'd be better off asking the Beast himself, when you find him."

Re: THE GALLERY OF MEMORIES

[moonlit_knight]

Tracking him down is at least a start. Any idea where he's likely to be?

Re: THE GALLERY OF MEMORIES

[fujimaru]

"That's the problem," Da Vinci says. "He has his own palace off somewhere, and usually the key is with Romani, but... mm, since he really manifested, he took it off somewhere else. He's hidden it somewhere, but it won't be amongst the dead."

A pause, and then she adds, "There's more than one room for us, too. So be ready for that."

Re: THE GALLERY OF MEMORIES

[moonlit_knight]

[makes a face, they knew ritsuka had a lot going on but why are there multiple death rooms tied to her stop having so much death]

Right. Thanks for the warning, I'll watch out.

Who's Romani? They might know something.

Re: THE GALLERY OF MEMORIES

[fujimaru]

"That one, over there." She points to the man, who does appear to have calmed Olgamarie down. "He's kind of useless, but he does his best."

Re: THE GALLERY OF MEMORIES

[moonlit_knight]

Fingers crossed his best is of use right now.

[is he done with olgamarie can selena get his attention]

Re: THE GALLERY OF MEMORIES

[fujimaru]

She can. When she approaches, he turns to her with another slightly nervous smile, rubbing the back of his neck. "Ah--yes--did you get what you needed? Or no? I'm assuming no, if you came back..."

Re: THE GALLERY OF MEMORIES

[moonlit_knight]

What I need is to find Ritsuka and get her back in control. You're Romani, right? I hear you usually have a key.

Re: THE GALLERY OF MEMORIES

[fujimaru]

"Ah, that..." He hunches his shoulders a little, rubbing the back of his neck. "I used to, yeah. But he took it from me--something about how, he's not dead anymore, so he should be the one to have it?"

His voice rises a little at the end. He looks like a kid who expects to be scolded.

Re: THE GALLERY OF MEMORIES

[moonlit_knight]

[oh buddy]

I find myself disagreeing with that, let's get it back to you. So the Beast came here and took it? Did you see where he went next?

Re: THE GALLERY OF MEMORIES

[fujimaru]

"...I didn't," he says, more apologetically now. "But knowing him, I'm betting he went to hide it. Somewhere where most of the others won't go."

Re: THE GALLERY OF MEMORIES

[moonlit_knight]

[deadpan]

Sounds like it'll be somewhere fun.

Re: THE GALLERY OF MEMORIES

[fujimaru]

"N-no, no, not like that! It's not-- ah, wait!" He lifts both hands, waving them a bit frantically. "I meant more, uh, that is--where would a girl hide something important to her?? It's still Ritsuka's heart! Even if he's the one in charge for the moment!"

Re: THE GALLERY OF MEMORIES

[moonlit_knight]

Somewhere private I'm sure she doesn't want me poking my nose into? I'll have to apologise to her later for prying, even if it's necessary.

Re: THE GALLERY OF MEMORIES

[fujimaru]

"Ahahaha, well... it'll probably be fine!" He looks a little bit nervous saying that, rubbing the back of his neck again. "She'll forgive a lot, you'll find."

Re: THE GALLERY OF MEMORIES

[moonlit_knight]

She's a good girl like that. If that's all you can tell me then I'd best make a start searching, thanks for your help.

Re: THE GALLERY OF MEMORIES

[fujimaru]

"Thank you." This, at least, he appears deeply sincere about--he starts to reach out a hand, as if offering it for a shake, then pulls it back at the last second. "There's not much we can do from here, but... when in doubt, look at the upside, right?"

Re: THE GALLERY OF MEMORIES

[moonlit_knight]

[nope they're already reaching for his hand back we shaking]

You've done plenty. I'll see to the rest, and hopefully see you soon with your key.

[but where to even start looking, is there anywhere else in this room or is the only exit back through the door they came?]

Re: THE GALLERY OF MEMORIES

[fujimaru]

"Ah, wait, that's not--"

Unfortunately, when their hand catches his, there's a spark, like a static shock, and a scene, flashing quick before their eyes:

He smiles at you--this man that you have come to know and care for more deeply than you would have expected, given how poorly things started out. Everything about his expression is gentle, even though you can see his body starting to fade. He has made his choice, and he has decided that your life, and the fleeting, flickering, dazzling lives of the humans he had admired and longed to emulate are more important than his own.

He reaches out, putting his hand on your face, a gentle touch.

"...It's time," he tells you. His voice is still so terribly gentle. "The last thing I... No, the last thing WE will see is your victory."

His expression never changes, but there is a ringing determination in his voice now. Is this how he sounded like, as a king? You'll never know. "This is my order as Chaldea's commander: Don't worry about me. Fight until you claim perfect, total victory. As a human, you defeated Solomon, King of Mages. Now you must defeat the Beast calling himself the same. ...Go, Ritsuka. Everything you and Mash have done has led you to this moment, to the end of your journey."

There are a thousand things you want to say, a host of words that are choked in your throat, that will remain unsaid--but there is one thing, more important than any other. As his hand falls away, in the last second before he vanishes entirely, you draw yourself up, tall as you can, and you say: thank you. Thank you for everything, Doctor.

Re: THE GALLERY OF MEMORIES

[moonlit_knight]

[UH OH, staggers back]

Shit - er, sorry!