graveyard

[reapertoire]

#GRAVEYARD

Well, that sucked! That might be your first thought when you open your eyes to find yourself in a lavishly decorated room with a nice, soft bed. Or maybe you’re thinking about something else, it doesn’t really matter, since the only important thing right now is that you’re alive. Sort of. You’re still dead, but you also still exist, so that’s better than nothing. Whenever you decide to leave the room to venture out into the rest of the building, you’ll find that… hm. You sure have found yourself somewhere interesting, and there are plenty of places to explore. Foods from all of the weeks prior can be found in the hotel’s kitchen, as well as an entertainment center in the next room; just because you’re dead-dead doesn’t mean you can’t still have fun while the Reaper’s Game continues. Dare you try your luck with the ice cream machine in this weird place…? Or do you explore the mysterious board game that rests on the lobby’s table? Nothing’s stopping you. You’re absolutely able to leave the hotel, by the way. As soon as you step outside, you’ll find yourself in whatever area is currently open to the remaining Players for the current week. The only thing is, in addition to being invisible to the shadowy denizens of the RG... it seems you can’t interact at all with your fellow active Players in the UG, either. Weird! But that’s okay, you’re not totally alone in this limbo-squared! There are others around who you can interact with, and you might recognize them as the other people who have been Erased during the course of the game. In fact, there’s one rather special resident of this place... it’s none other than Dahlia Hawthorne. You might remember her as Utena Tenjou’s murderer from the first week! Upon seeing you, she smirks, welcoming you to the party. “Did you really think you'd seen the last of me? Welcome to the Under-Underground—the loser’s playground, a failure like the rest of us,” she taunts, swirling the teacup in her hand with an almost gleeful look in her eyes. Then, as if to preempt whatever the new arrivals wish to respond with, she rolls her eyes and adds, “The stupid name wasn’t my choice, by the way. As if I’d choose something that dumb to preside over.” game info ☠ setting ☠ statuses ☠ ic profiles private conversations ☠ murder proposals ☠ money full nav

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[sexorcism]

[Being Erased really doesn't make you any less tired, does it? The painful, and welcome, and arousing, and terror of death and the oblivion that followed are gone quickly enough, replaced with that neutral disappointment. And, under it all, she feels failure.

And Caren, to her credit, looks surprised to be in a place like this, if that's where all the souls end up dumped.]

One of these sorts of establishments, hm? I suppose you really can find anything you need in Shibuya.

[She lets herself sit, finally, somewhere near the entertainment center, drumming her fingers on the arm rest of one of the cushy chairs while considering the Blu-Ray selection, eyes half-closed. She's had a big week: It'll take a bit to get her appetite back.

Ah, but there are people she should find first, aren't there...? It's been a while since she stayed in one place and waited for people to come to her. It's almost like being alive, truly alive again.

So she'll just be looking at a mix of dubious and high-art videos, for now, half asleep but unwilling to let herself relax.]

[chr]

[ monika settles in next to caren, easily, and quietly. ]

I took your advice.

Thank you for encouraging me to make a decision.

[sexorcism]

[She glances over at Monika, then looks straight ahead again, sighing. She slides down a few inches in the chair, hair puffing up with her.]

I can't say I'm happy to see you, but I would never say that your choice was wrong because it wasn't the one I would have made for you.

Was it explosive like you wished for mine?

[chr]

Uh.

[ a beat. ]

I called Izaya Daddy, and we ripped each other's hearts out.

[ she sounds a little bit, like. mortified. ]

[paook]

Hey-o.

[ so very casually, miki just kind of strolls up to caren when she sees her. she has an apple in her hand that she's just kind of tossing about. ]

[sexorcism]

Hello again, Miki. It hasn't been so long, has it?

[She sits up toward the edge of her seat. Actually, it feels like she should be standing for some reason, if only because it feels like their conversation should be important.]

Are you feeling all right?

[paook]

[ no worries, because miki is just going to sit down nearby her. she's a little too tired to stand. ]

Honestly? I've been worse. [ she shrugs with a smile, hoping this isn't too awkward. ] How about you? I didn't see what happened to you, on account of being dead.

[ also izaya and monika are here, because?????? because they're probably unhinged as fuck. ]

[doublesmall]

--Caren?

[chuuya stops short when he comes across her, because if he's here, then she shouldn't be. she's supposed to still be playing, she's supposed to win for them, she's supposed to be anywhere else.

a part of him is pleased to see her. another part feels a little guilty over it.]

What are you... you were asleep when I left, how did--

[there are too many things all coming to mind at once, but it all eventually settles on a single question:]

Tell me who.

[sexorcism]

Chuu -

- ya.

[This time, she does actually have to stand, and Caren's on her feet quickly, holding onto the backrest of the chair and half straddling its arm because she got up so quickly.

Her face falls almost immediately.]

I have to apologize to you. I wasn't able to catch them.

[doublesmall]

Hey--

[once she's on her feet, he's there, tugging her in as he wraps his arms around her shoulders.]

That's what we have the others for, all right? They'll end it for us.

You did well, Caren.

[but saying she wasn't able to catch them... was she still at the trial, then? how is she here? she should have made it. he'd stepped in to support her, but somehow he's left feeling like he's the one about to get the rug pulled from beneath his feet.

this wasn't ever part of the plan, even if they'd both been prepared.]

But what happened to you, huh?

[rosemance]

[ she'll walk into the room, pausing to give the contents a quick glance before walking over to caren. anthy doesn't sit right away. ]

Hello again.

[sexorcism]

[Everyone else she's seen so far has been recently Erased; they all fell into this place at around the same time, it seems. Oh, so many of them had worked together; what will happen to what's left?

Anthy feels like a stranger after those four weeks. Was always a stranger, Caren remembers. Anyone can feel close when four days was once long enough to live an entire lifetime.

Caren stands to greet her, too, the way she would a friendly acquaintance.]

It's been a long time. "Nice to see you" would be inappropriate, but perhaps "you look well" is not.

[rosemance]

Let's go with the second then. How are you feeling?

[ not well, she assumes. ]

[speckling]

[ ...he'll just tap her on the shoulder. the muzzle of the paintball rifle is aimed point-blank right at her, but he doesn't really seem enthused by this spur of the moment plan. not when she looks like that. ]

Rough week?

[ his voice is actually kind-sounding, despite everything. ]

oh btw i hope you're feeling better!

[sexorcism]

Hello, Madara Mikejima. [Her eyes open a little more from their sleepy, half-lidded position and she turns to face the barrel of the gun more than she looks at him. Just because. The gun is pointed at her.]

Extensively long and exhausting, but that isn't surprising to me. I'm sure your weeks have been difficult for other reasons.

[She nods to the weapon in his hand.] Water or bullets?

i am, thank you!

[speckling]

Not really, I can keep myself busy.

[ stealing a bunch of books to keep in the hotel, beating assassin's score in karaoke, working in the maid cafe... ]

Paint bullets. But it's better to have a live target to chase, like a cat would have with a mouse. I'm not a good assassin. [ he lowers the gun, sighing. ] ...There's good herbal tea in the dining area, would you like me to get you some?

[romancekiller]

[clarke knows it was only a matter of time before those being erased end up here so she's not too surprised to see caren already being here. she still looks concerned though even when she approaches her] Caren— hey.

[sexorcism]

[Clarke's face is truly a relief to see; more than some of the others, Caren last saw it after she died - when that death was a complete surprise to her, no less. So to see her active, if not quite "alive" at this point, is pleasing.]

We meet again. I apologize that it had to be here instead of somewhere more pleasant.

[There are plenty of amenities here, at least, but a love hotel will always be garish.]

[romancekiller]

Yeah— I guess it can't be helped though being twice dead now.

[clarke liked caren from the few times they had talked and though their circumstances aren't ideal, she was relieved to see her.] It's good to see you though.

[exorcismo]

[ Eleanor all but hurtles herself at Caren, arms wrapped around her— steady and strong, lifting her up off the ground just a bit with her enthusiasm. She says nothing for a moment, just holds her, and when she lets go she puts both her hands on Caren's cheeks. ]

You're here— you can see me can't you? Hear me?

[ The tears are already on the edges of her eyes. ]

You shouldn't be here.. but selfishly.. I have to say, I missed you all so—

[sexorcism]

[Of all the things to have happened today, maybe being lifted into Eleanor's arms in the hug is the most surprising. She was certain that Eleanor would hold their actions against them, and, furthermore, she had been unable to keep an eye on Assassin as she'd hoped she could.]

Eleanor... Seeing you like this, I'm happy we were able to meet again. I'm selfish, too; have you been lonely here without the rest of us?

[She wasn't ready for hugs, but she does put a hand on Eleanor's shoulder in comfort and squeezes it.]

[llywelin]

[Some people seem to be handling death better than others. Lion can't tell quite how Caren is taking it and wants to check on her.]

...I liked the poise you had in your execution. I hope that isn't too terrible to say and please forgive me if it is but I've been impressed by you in general.

[sexorcism]

... It isn't terrible, but I believe you are mistaken. I fear nothing I've done in this game has been impressive enough to warrant complimenting.

[Caren is truly a little exhausted after the events of this entire week, and seeing how many of them are here now, trying to win from the inside out instead of the other way around, she feels strange taking any praise for the actions she's taken.]

I'm pleased to see you around again, Lion Ushiromiya.

[feytality]

Well, if there's any time to indulge... Maybe not in that, though.

[sup Caren. Maya gives her a little smile and wave. Not that she's particularly happy Caren got erased, but.]

[sexorcism]

[It's the same as seeing Anthy Himemiya again; four weeks seem like a lifetime ago. And in a way, they were, just a different sort of lifetime, an undeath.]

I had just gotten used to having so very little time remaining, and now you're saying I might have to learn to enjoy myself after all.

Hello.