fujimaru | Palace Game 6/3

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?

"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?"

[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.

"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."

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

"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."

[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.

"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."

Fingers crossed his best is of use right now.

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

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..."

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

"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.

[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?

"...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."

[deadpan]

Sounds like it'll be somewhere fun.

"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!"

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.

"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."

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.

"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?"

[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?]

"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.

[UH OH, staggers back]

Shit - er, sorry!

"No, no, I'm sorry! I--that's a bit much, right? To have anyone see that." He wrings his hands for a moment, embarrassed; there is none of the serene calm in the memory on his face now. If anything, he looks kind of pathetic in comparison. "I just forget... we don't get guests here very often."

...I get it. Feeling awkward about sharing that kind of thing. Don't worry about it.

Thanks for taking care of her.

Palace Game 6/3

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