WEEK 2 DAY 5: MISSION

[wonderful_mods]

Mission: "Free the Black Rose from the Hydra's grasp."
Time Limit: Medium
Noise Plane: Solo
Wall Instructions: Key walls around the church, other walls as you see fit. Do not use Noise as a wall clearing condition. Harriers may still attack players with Noise.
Wall Rewards: Tin Pin Thrift
Reaped Rewards: Lovely Beam
Mission Rewards: Black Rose



[Well. Nobody did erase the GM last week, did they? Even if they did, she obviously had some trick up her sleeve, as she's definitely skulking around town... in several places, even. She's obviously been demoted, as well, judging by the scowl on her face. She doesn't seem to be harrying today - another reason for the scowl, judging by how aggressive she was at the end of last week. The reapers have a strange set of instructions as well - obviously, the goal to this mission isn't combatative.

And what's with guarding the church? There's nothing of note there.]

Comments

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

So they say, and yet here we are.
Do I look like I've gone very far?
You'll forgive me if I say, of course,
That they dangle a carrot before a horse.

[notsogrimreaper]

Yeah... that's right. I-I'm sorry, Zecora-chan. You should have been allowed to come back. It wasn't fair.

[Of course, Ryoji can't really do much about it... but the whole fact that Zecora is in this mess is partly his fault.]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

It certainly is not your fault.
So bring your sadness to a halt.
All we can do is proceed on.
It's too early to say all hope is gone.

[notsogrimreaper]

I-It is... I never explained to you, Zecora-chan... but I think I know why people in this game can't come back.

...I think it's because of me.

[He knows it sounds ridiculous, but considering what he is...]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

And why do you hold the belief
That you're responsible for our grief?

[A simple, even question. No anger, nor disdain.]

[notsogrimreaper]

Because of... w-what I am. Zecora-chan, do you know anything about tarot cards?

[He's building up to what he has to say. He know he needs to say it, but he doesn't want to... best to just take it slow.]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

I'm familiar with those cards --
though finding them is somewhat hard.

[notsogrimreaper]

Well... if you at least know about them, maybe you'll understand...

Zecora... I'm the Thirteenth Arcana. My existence... puts every one of you in danger.

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

And why do you associate
With thirteen, and not, say, one, or eight?

[notsogrimreaper]

I don't represent the Fool. I don't represent Strength. I... I'm Death in a physical form.

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

I still must ask, why do you say
You should be considered in that way?

[notsogrimreaper]

Because! I'm Death, therefore I'm responsible for every one of you dying. Doesn't that make sense?

[No, Ryoji, you're being stupid again.]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

[Worked up as he might get, Zecora simply maintains her calm.]

You need to give me more context
Before I can tell you what comes next.

[notsogrimreaper]

Context? R-Right...

Ten years ago, back in my world, a group decided they wanted to recreate Death in a physical form. I was the result of that. Unfortunately, I was weakened, and parts of me broke off and escaped into the world before I was eventually sealed away in a young boy.

I lived inside him... so I gained this human form. Not long after though, I restored my power, and my presence called the Mother of Shadows, Nyx, down to the earth to summon the Fall. T-The End of Everything.

Nyx and I were defeated... but it seems whoever runs this game has some twisted sense of humour, bringing the source of everyone's death into a game for life.

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

[Zecora, for her part, elects to take all of this at face value. It raises many serious questions, and she doesn't really believe it, but she knows both that Ryoji believes it, and that it might in fact be possible.]

[Finally, she speaks.]

Did you choose -- and please don't lie --
For any of us to die?

[notsogrimreaper]

[He knows it's unbelievable, but he can show her his other form if she really needs extra convincing.

For now, though, he's just shocked out of his self-loathing, responding to the question quickly and passionately.]

No! I would never want anyone to die!

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

If Death takes a form, with all of its powers
It could not kill all who die. There aren't enough hours.
Even though now you are in the game
If you've done nothing different, it'd still be the same.
You'd have the same effect, before or after
So to claim it's your fault? That's worthy of laughter!

[notsogrimreaper]

... You aren't upset then? Even if I haven't exactly killed everyone, I'm still not a good person.

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

A person is judged by how they act.
So of course you are, and that's a fact.

[notsogrimreaper]

Zecora... you're so much nicer than me.

[How does one hug a pony? Because he really wants to hug her.]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

[Zebra! Not a pony! ...and same way you'd hug anyone else.]

You're simply too hard on yourself!
You should relax, for the sake of your health!

[notsogrimreaper]

Heh, like a dead person needs to worry about his health. But thanks, Zecora. It means a lot.

[Okay, well... Just bending over to hug that zebra now.]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

Mental health is health as well.
Yours needs some work, I can tell!

[She lifts up a hoof to return the hug as one accustomed to it... which in fact she isn't, but Zecora isn't one to get awkward over such a thing.]

[notsogrimreaper]

Heh, you're a very smart person. I hope you've been taking care of yourself too.

[Don't worry, he's careful not to drag that hug on too long.]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

[Just because she isn't used to it doesn't necessarily mean she minds!]

So far this Game has at worst inspired
A general sense of feeling tired.