Week 2

[thecastle]

Friday's harrowing events are clear in the minds of many—first and foremost, the death of Rika Furude, and of course the reveal and subsequent "sentencing" of Asch the Bloody. It also serves well as a reminder to everyone that the gloves are off, there won't be an easy way out for anyone and it is unlikely that there will be an option to 'wait it out' in the hopes of not participating in this 'game'. Or, as The Sage and The Teishu put it:

The Challenge.

Despite how you felt about the trial, it's likely that some rest would be welcome after all that transpired. Fortunately, some of your fellow warriors have taken it upon themselves to provide a reprieve of sorts, if you'd rather not be alone.

As if the events of the trial are supposed to be nothing but routine, dawns comes once more Sunday morning, punctuated with the sound of the rooster crowing obnoxiously. Any light sleepers hoping for their rest to not be disturbed may find themselves disappointed. Though, if anyone should wish, they may feel free to try to fall back asleep.

But, maybe that time can be better spent wandering. It seems that some places may have mysteriously unveiled themselves. It might do well to check them out. Or not. How anyone chooses to spend their time is ultimately up to them.

---

SUNDAY | MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY

(OOC: Welcome to Week 2 of Ukimiya! Feel free to comment to the weekly top levels and thread as you like, and redeem coins at the wishing pool.

You can contact the sage with your pendants here, and the teishu here.)

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SUNDAY

[thecastle]

MONDAY

[thecastle]

TUESDAY

[thecastle]

WEDNESDAY

[thecastle]

THURSDAY

[thecastle]

DISQUALIFICATION.

[thesage]

[ The sun is shining, dawn is upon everyone, and if there were any birds, they would be singing. But there are not. It's probably unexpected to hear The Sage's voice broadcast across the pendants right after the enthusiatic rooster, but there it is. ]

If you would all come into the Courtyard. The sooner we get this over with, the better.

[ The Sage's voice is cold and short, without any notes of the typical cordiality it usually carries. Kind of like he woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

Anyone who decides to tarry will be prodded in a very insistent and annoying manner by one of the resident azure-colored minions. So much for a happy morning, eh?

Once everyone collects into the Courtyard, it'll be fairly obvious to notice The Sage and The Teishu standing next to each other ... and there's also an additional someone. That someone is another fiery red head, except his head of hair is decidedly much shorter than the recently departed one's. The Teishu is holding him firmly in his grasp, though with the way he is, you would think he considers Chiaki to be nothing more than a piece of rubbish. The most unnerving thing about the whole situation (though you'll be forgiven for thinking there's more than one) is the way Chiaki's eyes dart from one person to another, but he seems unable to do anything else. For those attentive viewers, you'll also notice his pendant is missing.

The Sage's posture is tense and there's a tight frown set upon his lips; his clothes seem to be a little dirty, as there are a few flecks of dirt staining white on his cloak. When he speaks again his voice retains that coldness and a not completely hidden thread of impatience. ]

There was an incident last night; one of disorderly conduct. I'd rather not have had my hand forced, but it seems it has come to this.

[ The Sage's right-hand moves in an upwards, slightly horizontal motion, and then he brings his right hand back to his left.

One of the walls surrounding the land and the castle flat out disappears— it was there one moment and now its clearly not. Everyone is suddenly treated to what appears to be layers upon layers of clouds: the reason for the castle being so entrenched in the first place is probably readily apparent. As is the fact that you are clearly very, very high up, there's no glimpse of land anywhere, just an endless horizon of sky and clouds. The Sage's irritable voice cuts in again. ]

Remember the second rule:

Physical violence against the Master Sage and Teishu are prohibited, unless permission is given.

[ It might feel that there's something there even though no one can see what it is at first; like a presence that feels unwelcome and unnerving. The clouds begin to roil and swirl, twisting into one another as they change from white to pitch black.

The Teishu then tosses Chiaki unceremoniously out into the clouds, with all the ease of discarding an unwanted toy. Before any of you can really process what's happened, the wall reappears in its spot.

But, it is plainly obvious that Chiaki had no chance of surviving any of that.

Chiaki Mamiya is dead. ]

I'm sure everyone now understands the full consequences of disobedience.

[ The Sage turns away from everyone, and he doesn't say anymore. As soon as anyone blinks, all that's left is just The Teishu. ]

MOTIVE.

[thesage]

If you would all please gather in the Great Hall for but a moment. I believe you all now have an idea of why.

[ Even if someone doesn't, The Sage doesn't clarify just yet; it seems that all that's left is for everyone to filter into The Great Hall to see what's up. Once everyone does arrive, already are words formed by a spell of some sort. Everyone who directs their gaze to it are spontaneously witnesses to scenes of what their ill-timed actions may have created. ]

Miscalculation

Everyone has, at some point, committed an act that they wish they could take back; what may have been done could've incurred a serious loss that meant the end of their glorious plan or some form of other misfortune being brought upon loved ones. The resulting regret can be immense. Overwhelming.

What if I told you could release this burden?

By correcting your mistake, you can be sure that the weight on your shoulders will trouble you no longer. You may be able to do some good and save some lives, even if it isn't those close to you. Even if it be rather unfortunate, the sacrifice of one life, just to erase that one moment in time may seem like such a small price to pay. I'm sure some of you would agree. With that, I bid you all good day, my warriors.

[ The words then dissipate into thin air, leaving everyone all alone with nothing but scenes and possibly feelings of regret. ]

[divertimento]

[So, ah. That happened?

Elliot looks reasonably horrified, both at the reveal and the fact that they just tossed his neighbor into the cloudy void, but says nothing.

What is there to be said? Any questions he'd have about why they're doing this to all of them would be met with the same tired non-explanations.

He's just going to... go... now. He spent the previous night just trying to get some of his bearings back, he can't fall apart again right now.]

[divertimento]

rhoda's room
[Elliot has spent most of his time since the execution holed up in Rhoda's room, just trying to get his bearings.

He supposes he could go to his own room, but this is where his bed is, and he's not sure he really wants to be completely alone.

He's been pretty quiet, mostly just sitting there, sometimes hugging his knees to his chest. His undereyes are looking a little dark and puffy, now. Every once in a while he picks up one of the notepads and tries to scribble something down - anyone glancing over would see him scribbling out some quick staves and trying to jot down some notes - but he gives up pretty quickly.

He's just not feeling it right now. And if Elliot's not feeling music, something's definitely wrong.]

laundry hut

[Back to business as usual - cleaning the one set of decent clothing he has.

Honestly, he doesn't even have it in him to be particularly angry at these awful robes anymore. If anything, he's just thankful the laundry hut is quiet right now. He's doing better than he was Friday night, to be sure, but he still seems to be lost in his own thoughts.

He will notice if someone comes in, though. He's pretty jumpy today.]

closed: natalia's room
[...all right. There was no sense in avoiding this any longer. He had a promise to keep, after all.

He hasn't spotted Natalia anywhere on the few treks he's had outside his own room, so he figures it's a safe enough bet to check her room.

Swallowing hard, he lifts his hand to knock at the door.]

[deontological]

[That... sure did happen.

Sen lingers for a few moments after it's over, staring at the space where Chiaki had been in shock. She knew, of course, that there are consequences for breaking rules... but she didn't think they would be quite this severe.

She takes a deep breath, shoots a measured look in the Teishu's direction, and leaves. There isn't anything productive she can say to him.]

[ofnobleheart]

[ natalia barely registered the knock on her end. once she realized that there was a knock she speaks. ]

Who is it?

[ the voice is strained the tired. natalia barely got any sleep last night, if at all ]

[divertimento]

Um... hey. It's Elliot.

[A pause. He's been rehearsing this in his head, but...]

...I know this probably isn't a good time, but can we talk?

[deontological]

afternoon - dungeon;
[So Sen hecked up and got herself locked up in here. Whoops!

...no, that's a lie. But she does take the stairs to the basement, intending on exploring the new area to the best of her abilities. Of course... she finds that it's rather dirty and gross down there. So.

Her next course of action is to head right back upstairs, change into the ugly green robe instead of her nice kimono, and head back down with some towels filched from the bathhouse and some bowls of water.

Operation: Cleanup is a go.]

evening - kitchen;
[It's been a long day and though her appetite has waned somewhat, what with... Chiaki getting disqualified... a girl's got to eat.

Grilled fish is on today's menu, but for now, she's trying to figure out how much salt she should add for flavor.]

Hmm... I don't want it to be bland, but...

[ofnobleheart]

N..no. It's quite alright. One moment.

[ it takes a minute but eventually the door to natalia's room opens. her hair is disshoveled and it looks like she's been crying but hey ... she's standing and willing to speak? ]

You may come in.

[ she'll move aside so he can walk into her room ]

[divertimento]

Thanks.

[He nods his head a little and steps inside. He gives one last heavy sigh before he speaks up again, avoiding her gaze.]

Um... first of all... I'm sure you've heard it plenty, but I'm sorry. About everything that happened.

[ofnobleheart]

No need to be sorry. It's ....

[ alright? no. no it's not. nothing about it is alright. she's be flat out lying if she said that. even though she might have said it prior she honestly doesn't remember.

everything since yesterday has been a blur. ]

I do not know if he had said it himself but ... I apologize on his behalf for his actions.

[divertimento]

[He understands. None of what happened was okay, in any sense, and especially not for her.

Still, now it's his turn to deny an apology.]

What happened isn't your fault. I don't think any of us blame you.

[He bites at his bottom lip and then looks up at her.]

Although, well. He is why I'm here. ...There was more to the conversation I mentioned at the trial than what I said. I just... didn't really want to share it in front of everyone.

[ofnobleheart]

Perhaps not but ... I wish I could have done more.

[ though with what exactly she isn't sure. she was okay with asch's reasoning for going with the motive. she's just as selfish as he is in making sure that the moment he brought up wasn't erased. but at the same time ...

natalia tilts her head a little ]

Is that so? What more was said if... I may ask.

[divertimento]

Even if you could have, I... kinda get the feeling he wouldn't have let you, you know?

[He sighs.]

I mean, I wouldn't have brought it up if I wasn't gonna tell you. It's... [How does he say this?]

He made me promise to look after you if anything were to happen to him.

[ofnobleheart]

Not when so much was at risk, no.

[ asch was stubborn as hell. once he had his mind set on something there's not much that could change it. natalia knows this which make this hurt so much more.

and... and so does that. her eyes widen slightly, hand moving to cover her hand. ]

He... he ...

[ a promise. he made someone promise. ] [ SHE WAS GOING TO TRY NOT TO CRY but that didn't last long did it ]

Their room

[professionality]

[ Rhoda herself has been in and out herself, but even despite this it's pretty easy to notice that Elliot is always there. Sitting gloomily. So on the next one of her trips out, Rhoda returns with some hot chocolate from the kitchen. Serving drinks is probably a good cheer-up move and at least she knows how to make them?

Her approach is steady but a bit cautious as she sets the cup down on the floor besides Elliot's mattress. ]

Here. You should calm your nerves with something, so why not start with something delicious?

laundry hut

[notimmortal]

[Like anyone else, Jansen totally has laundry to do because not only does he only have the one outfit, but it's got a lot of white and shows stains fast. Thanks to that, he's here almost daily.

As he comes in, he's whistling something to himself, so it's pretty obvious that someone else came in. He'll stop when he sees Elliot though since he's not one to do that when other people are around.]

Yeah, totally don't mind me, just cleaning my stuff.

[Though at least he seems to be okay and mostly normal.]

[divertimento]

[OH NO NOT AGAIN and he still doesn't have a handkerchief?! Ugh. He should really just tear apart one of those terrible robes and make it useful for something -]

...y-yeah.

[Oh, damn it, he's losing his composure, too. LOOK AT WHAT YOU LEFT BEHIND, ASCH.]

He did. And... I don't approve of what he did. I'm sure you don't either. But... I want to keep that promise, if you'll let me. I know I'm not the strongest or anything, but...

[divertimento]

[He notices her come in, but doesn't actively pay much attention to her until she's beside him.

...Oh!]

Oh, um... thank you. [He sounds genuinely a little shocked.] That's really sweet of you...

[divertimento]

[Elliot turns around when he hears Jansen's whistling. He seems on edge for just a moment, before relaxing and offering him a smile. His heart may not really be in it, but it's there.

Also, congrats on being the first to catch Elliot in these awful robe things.]

Hey. You and me both. Don't wanna have to wear these things any more than I gotta, you know?