Falling from the Heavens

The Chariot (VII): war, conquest, control. It can only go down from here. Welcome to Los Cielos Observatory. You want to fly away? Hah, with what wings?

[rd-heaven-blog]

Gonna Start Shivering || Yuudai/Rie || Chapter 5 || Re: Yuu

Fear?... That was possible, hell, since they were staying in this hell for so long that it’s gone to the point of wondering if you’d ever get out alive. And if anyone you care would would die. Anything was possible in this place. Given how Yuu acted in the second trial and the attitudes of some other people… Yeah.

“You know what, you kinda have a point. But also quite frankly? We were afraid of messing up again. Beside some people seems to care about you so like… We were kind of stuck, okay?! If people ganged up on us, that’d be bad. Sometimes, being a bit cautious doesn’t hurt but honestly, you’re a dick since Day One, so!”

Clenching his fists, the blond continued to talk, though with a very salty tone. This dude’s salt knows no limits.

“Fuck you, you piece of shit! You fucking made us suffer through this for what reason I absolutely don’t know. I’d want the explanation but first--”

Oh god, is he going to do it. Yeah, he’s going to do it. The blond leapt from where he was to throw a punch toward Yuu’s face. And he’s Very Pissed. He may be small but he’s also a 4’7” being full of anger.

  Honestly had Yuudai not done it first Rie probably would have done something as well. Instead all she could really do was pound her vote in, resulting in a hiss of pain. Maybe don’t hit the podium that hard next time, but ideally there wouldn’t be a next time right?

“W-Who wouldn’t be scared in this horrible situation! You s-say that but how could we have even assumed it would go well!”

At this point she felt like she was just tacking words in, but she was in a bit of fury too. Albeit… Well Yuudai got the actual violence part of that.

They wanted votes. They got them it seemed.

“We’ve all voted. So explain yourself.”

[rd-heaven-blog]

Nobuo votes for Yuu.

[rd-heaven-blog]

Gina votes for Yuu Takahashi.

[rd-heaven-blog]

The Clock Strikes Midnight I Gina I Trial MM.5 I RE: Masashi, Yuu

This wasn't what Gina was expecting. She didn't think it would end this soon, especially not after what Masashi had said, but... 

Everyone was voting. There was no stopping it. And quite frankly, Gina didn't want to. When Masashi left her and went to them, she let him, even though she was cautious. When he returned back, she squeezed his hand for comfort, before letting it go to stand by herself.

"... I don't like this. I don't... trust this. I want to know just how much you've lied..."

The girl walked over to her own podium, closing her eyes and taking a breath before pressing one of the buttons.

"...But if this is the only way to learn, then..."

She didn't want to vote. But maybe they'd stalled long enough. Maybe, she was angry, at Yuu and at this place. She didn't fully understand herself. But she'd done it, and that was that.

[rd-heaven-blog]

Keri meant to do this hours ago. Rie rather angrily slams in a vote for Yuu Takahashi. Probably hurt her hand too. Yikes.

[rd-heaven-blog]

Masashi mutters an apology to both Yuu and Sorrel, and returns to his podium. He votes for Yuu.

[rd-heaven-blog]

all you have is your fire | yuu | re: rie, yuudai, gina, masashi

Yuu only laughs in response to Yuudai’s response. And then laughs again when Rie speaks up.

“Then maybe it’s not stupidity that kept you from speaking up, but fear. Or something like that. I can guarantee you, things would have gone a lot smoother if you just said what you were thinking, instead of hinting at it. Instead, you got shady and passive aggressive and just made things that much worse. Which is still absolutely pathetic.”

They hummed slightly, rocking back and forth on the balls of their feet. Their energy was not unlike how they acted during despair fever, but their smile had more of a dangerous edge to it now.

“As for why I did this? Well, I’m not without my reasons. Obviously. However, I’m not going to tell you. Well, I can’t tell you. Not yet. You have to vote first.”

[rd-heaven-blog]

This Is Still Not A Title | Masashi | Re: Sorrel, Yuu

Masashi seemed to take a deep breath. He was struggling to hold himself together, and honestly wanted to just break down but the shouting was... well, dulled. He didn't say anything for a bit, just collecting his thoughts.

"Sorrel..."

Masashi didn't say anything more, but instead moved away from Gina, muttering an apology to her and hurrying to Sorrel.

"Stop it. Yuu--."

He stopped himself and looked off to the side, before looking at both Yuu and Sorrel. He sighed. He held himself tightly before actually properly joining them and going to take their hands. That's if they'll even let him just now.

"... We need to know everything before we make our full decisions. I'm not saying I won't vote but I... don't want to vote until we know everything we can know. Yuu?"

[rd-heaven-blog]

But I've Stalled Long Enough, 'Cause I'm Still Standing Stuck I Gina I Trial MM3 I RE: Sorrel, Yuu, Masashi

Gina… wasn’t really surprised to hear Yuu’s confession. In fact, she’d been expecting it… but not this early. It hadn’t gone on long enough, and that worried her a little. She gripped the back of Masashi’s shirt, gently but firm, trying to keep him close. She stepped out next to him, and looked at Sorrel with apologetic eyes.

“I’m sorry… Weissen-kun. You’re right. I don't know you. Because… all this time, I’ve been afraid of you. You… killed someone, and I couldn’t understand. I couldn’t… forgive it. I still… can’t, and I still can’t trust you. But… you probably don’t want my trust, anyway. I don’t know you… and I’m sorry.”

She was tired of being afraid. Maybe she was just tired of everything in this place.

“Masashi… I don’t think this Anya is the same Anya from back then. I don’t know if it’s right to say that she’s not real, but… it’s been 20 years, and, there was that information about teacher bots and… digital avatars… I don’t know what it means, if all of us are just that, or… I don’t know. Maybe… the mastermind can shed some light on that.”

The girl then looked towards Yuu. She wasn’t going to vote; not quite yet. There were things she needed to know first.

“Yuu-san… or, whatever you prefer to be called. Please, tell us everything. For having to go through all of this… I think we deserve at least that much.”

[rd-heaven-blog]

This is Elimin⋆ation || Yuudai/Rie || Chapter 5 || Re: Sorrel, Gina, Yuu

The blond ignored Sorrel’s rant, it was all the same, Sorrel was trying to make him a monster when the apothecary himself has committed murder. It was getting tiring to hear that. But Gina spoke. And Yuudai was really grateful, because he didn’t know how he would handle the rant without being aggressive again. He knew that losing his chill again wouldn’t help anything, so to be quiet to calm down a bit has helped.

And then the technical engineer spoke. The short student looked at Yuu and chuckled.

“Hey, maybe I’m dense in some stuff, maybe I still am, you might be not wrong, but I already suspected you of being behind this game for a while already! Timing is a tricky thing, honestly. Plus your lover’s attitude isn’t helping. And yeah, we certainly never got along at all since day 1, but once there was a body in the safe and the paper just like you said, it started to click together.”

It wasn’t long before he heard Sorrel whispering something to then sigh afterwards.

Rie grabbed to cover her ears as Yuu’s voice grew in volume. Yeah no she’s not taking getting a headache right now.

“Takahashi-san. We already connected it! Ages ago! You’re spelling out evidence we figured out already.”

She was frustrated, picking up where Yuudai had left off. Frustrated at having them spell it all and treat them like idiots! Maybe that was just her though.

“Considering everything we didn’t want to say it because of what we saw just happen! You saw what happened when just the idea was thrown about!”

She glared straight at them.

“We don’t have to say that in so many words how about, especially since you did the job already.”

[rd-heaven-blog]

Cry Me A River | Sorrel | Re: Gina, Yuu, Masashi

“D-don’t talk to me like you know me, I’ve never even s-spoken to you before. I never gave you permission t-to use my given name.” Tears are still running down Sorrel’s face as he glares at Gina, but his voice, though it shakes, is still soft. Angry but not vicious, more like indignant.

Bizarrely, and as incongruous as it is, he actually feels kind of relieved to finally say that to someone. He’s been letting it slide from people for practically the whole game, it’s… nice to finally be saying what he wants to, albeit utterly terrifying as well, but then everything about this situation is so horrific that this pales in comparison.

Sorrel’s hands clench where they’re gripping his podium and he opens his mouth as if to say more, but that’s when Yuu drops their jacket around his shoulders, cutting him off and drawing his attention back to them. He hadn’t even realized they’d followed him over until just now.

“Yuu…” He starts to reach for them as they walk away, wavers slightly- more from a sudden surge of emotion than an actual loss of balance- and draws his hand back again. As Yuu reaches their podium and starts to speak, Sorrel falls silent, pulling their jacket closer around him, ducking his head slightly as if he’s trying to hide in it.

He keeps crying. There’s nothing else he can do now. He doesn’t raise his head, doesn’t look up again, though he does murmur something when Masashi starts yelling that’s probably lost on everyone except Yuudai, who’s close enough to hear.

“Of course we’re being childish, we're children…”

He doesn’t say anything else, just leans against his podium and cries softly into Yuu’s jacket.

[rd-heaven-blog]

Talk Less, Smile More | Anya | Re: Masashi

As Masashi addresses her, you see Anya looks genuinely...offended. And confused. You notice her grip her bandaged right wrist tightly almost out of reflex.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Her statement is so serious and blunt that you just know that there’s no way she could possibly be lying.

“And I’m not obligated to answer any more of your questions until you come to a verdict. You already have a few votes in. Chop chop.”

She ends with a knowing smile. What could she possibly be thinking?

[rd-heaven-blog]

Yeah that's it, Yuudai locks in a vote for Yuu Takahashi ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[rd-heaven-blog]

Hope Is Sobbing, How Could This Happen To Me | Masashi | Re: Yuu, Sorrel, Yuudai, Gina Attn: Anya

Masahi was... well, simply put. Scared. He clung to Gina, trying to control his breathing, trying to calm down. Yuudai was shouting, Sorrel was also still angry. Gina spoke, and he could barely hear her, but it was enough.

Slowly looking at her, he seemed... confused but he nodded. He trusted her.

He trusted them all. It didn't matter though. He heard Yuu speak, and word after word, Masashi's expression fell further and further. The tears in his eyes threatened to fall, but he held on for as long as he could. Anger, fear and concern all building up until he slowly let Gina go, and pulled her behind him again.

"SHUT UP!"

Masashi was crying. But he also slowly opened his eyes, looking at them all.

"You are all being childish! The others didn't die for this! Chiyome. Shinobu. Lise. Mako. Joss. Mii. Kido. Cody. Ashley. None of them died for you all to throw these pathetic arguments at each other! I don't care about getting revenge, I know, fucking surprising coming from me. I don't want to see another fucking person die! Not Anya, not Yuu, not anyone here! I'm tired of seeing people die. Haven't we been through enough?"

He sounded... exhausted.

"And you!"

He turned to Anya, his hand went to the knife he'd put away but instead of pulling it out to arm himself, he pulled it out and stabbed it into his podium. He stepped towards her, and away from the knife.

"Haven't you been through enough? You've been through this before! Why put others through it? Why the fuck did you follow orders to cause more of this mutual killing? What reason do you have? Blackmail? Money? What's in it for you? Because if I were you, I'd just be reminded of the hell I once lived. Just like your stupid fucking nightmares did. Or was it not a hell for you?"

[rd-heaven-blog]

Yuu votes for themself

[rd-heaven-blog]

some would sing and some would scream | yuu | re: sorrel, yuudai

TW for brief pda, and burn scars on sprites

As time went on, Yuu just grew more silent, finding it harder and harder to pay attention. They hardly even noticed when Sorrel broke away. If they had, they would have stopped them. But all they could do was follow behind once he moved. Follow him, pull him close.

I can’t live like this anymore, I’d rather be dead!

Yuu's head snapped up and they looked around eyes wide. They pushed their jacket off during this process, draping it around Sorrel's shoulders. They step away from him then, walking back towards their own podium, pushing their hands through their hair and shaking their head.

Finally, their gaze settled on Yuudai.

"Fucking pathetic."

The words are spat out, holding more venom than any other words Yuu had spoken. However, they smile as they say them, a smile that pulls at the edges of their mouth and makes their face ache. But they just keep smiling.

"You can't even say it, can you, Dai-chan? Or maybe you really are as dense as I originally thought. Come on, the evidence is right in front of you! It's all contained right there, in such a simple logo! I'm surprised I didn't gag when I saw the damn thing. I always thought it was lame."

They pause for a moment, tapping their chin as if in thought. While they do this, their smile drops into what can only be described as a grimace. However, their expression perks pack up as they start talking again.

"How about I spell it out for you? A logo, featuring what looks like the letter A and a power symbol. Not only was it on the paper, but it was found on computers as well. Let's see...who here has a talent that could be associated with a power symbol, or computers. Hmmm.....maybe a talent having to do with technology? Oh, I know! Don't we have a technical engineer here?"

"Yuu Takahashi, SHSL Techical Engineer. Wouldn't it make sense for them to be involved with something associated with computers? Furthermore, it's just as you said Dai-chan! They revealed their birth name, their supposed 'true identity' several trials ago! What was it again? Oh...something like...Greg Amsel. And look at that! Amsel! It starts with an A! Although, I suppose not everyone is familiar with romanji, so I don't blame you for not getting that. However, I doubt many of you have forgotten the Amsel electronics company. My father's company. The company I took down by killing its creator. Well, that's the logo right there! My very own last name, displayed so simply."

A hand ran through their hand again as they reached the end of their spiel, strands of their hair being tugged out as they did so. The volume of their voice increased as they spoke, and the next words out of their mouth were practically screamed.

"So why don't you say it! Say, it Dai-chan! Or Rie-chan, how about you? Say 'Yuu Takahashi is the mastermind and I hate them'!"

[rd-heaven-blog]

To Arrive at the Ball I Gina I RE: Sorrel, Yuudai+Rie, Masashi

This wasn’t good. Things were starting to fall apart; but she couldn’t really have expected anything else. She watched Sorrel go to his podium… and vote for himself.

“…Sorrel-kun… Rie-chan and Yuudai-kun are right. You should know. You killed someone… you killed two people for the sake of protecting those you care about. Maybe… we’re all guilty in some way. But… it’s the same.”

She took a deep breath. This was hard for her to say.

“We… don’t know the outcome of anything. But there’s… certainly a probability. Please… look at our options. If we don’t get it right… she’ll kill us. That’s one of the few things that we know for certain. If we don’t participate, we have no idea. If we sit here, idle and silent… the odds seem to be against us. Anya says… that if we get it right, we’ll get to live. Even… if we can’t trust her words, I can’t remember a time when she’s lied about what would happen to us. Avoided, maybe… but… doing this, getting it right, is our best chance at surviving. But… it’s not like it changes anything now. Not for your vote, at least.”

She closes her eyes and sighs deeply. When she opens them again, they’re sad, but determined.

“If I’m not wrong… Sorrel-kun, you’re still trying to protect someone now, aren’t you?”

Gina turned to Masashi and wrapped her arms around him, breathing in his scent. This was it… this was important. She couldn’t mess this up. She couldn’t let this fail. The girl locked eyes with his in solemn determination. 

“Masashi… say what you think is right. Please… consider my words. Trust me.”