[ GRAVEYARD ]

[sheriffexe]

GRAVEYARD

So, you're dead. Shame, that. But on the other hand, it's actually kind of nice. When you "wake" in some odd version of it, you'll find yourself lying on a rather plush bed. It's cozy and warm and just soft enough to tempt anyone back into sleep. The room is equally nice, if small, and when you turn and open the curtains to look out the window, you will see... wait, is that the town? It is, actually. The town is laid out quite simply across the window and no matter how many times you may bang or wave through the window, no one seems to notice you. If you're smart enough to give up the venture and leave the small bedroom, you will notice that, of course, you are on the train. The train that, is actually pretty fancy. Moving through it, past the sleeping cabins and through to the main carts, you will find a dining car with fine dishware and meals of all kinds made at a push of a button or a request given to the air. They'll appear, freshly made and ready to eat at the table of your choice with any drink you could want. There truly doesn't seem to be any limits when it comes to the luxury of the meal. There is also a bathhouse car with private bathrooms and saunas to fit up to four. Even one rather large room containing a small pool/hot tub of sorts is available for just about anyone to take a dip. It's kind of outlandish, honestly. Then the lounge car, with its library and plush armchairs and couches. A pool table, a darts board, even a small area dedicated to painting. There's a bar too, fully stocked and ready for anyone who needs a drink. All it would require is a request from the bartender who... looks surprisingly familiar? The Sheriff is there, much cleaner cut than his counterpart outside of the train. He looks up mildly at any arrivals, giving them a nod of greeting before going back to organizing bottles or setting cigars out for a smoke. He doesn't seem to be surprised at all by anyone who appears. Just... ready to serve them, whatever they may wish. It all sort of seems okay for a moment, until you realize you're just here to wait for the game to end. Awkward.

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Comments

[combattente]

[Guess who's here. Sorry, Higekiri. Ezio's already begun painting his next portrait, this time of Manfred von Karma. He figures he might as well, now that the cat's out of the bag and all. He's also gone back to wearing Renaissance clothing because look, he doesn't like the Western theme.]

[court_chesster]

[ Half-drunk and skulking, Simon stops to check out some art. ]

You're pretty good.

[combattente]

Grazie, I guess.

[court_chesster]

I wasn't being insincere. I'm just a lil...

[ Mimes a tipping bottle with one hand. ]

[combattente]

I see. I suppose there's no need to worry about drinking too much here.

[He pauses, since he can't help but wonder...]

What do you think would happen if we were to die here?

[court_chesster]

[ Watch this sad, paranoid man immediately tense up. ]

I don't want to find out.

[combattente]

I doubt anyone plans to try something, but you have to wonder.

[His tone's far from reassuring as he cleans his paintbrush.]

I'd imagine we'd wake up in our rooms again.

[court_chesster]

[ Edging away. ]

...I think we're already dead. I don't remember dying, but I might've been shot.

[ A pause. ]

Before coming here, I mean.

[combattente]

[Honestly, he's a little surprised to hear that, but at the same time, he knows it can't be true. At least for him, which is what really matters.]

Mi dispiace, then. That may be true for you, since I can't really say, but... I remember clearly what happened before I arrived. I didn't die.

[a_sin_for_him]

[Oh, that's a rather upsetting face to see here. But a friendly and familiar one, at least. Of course everyone is familiar to some extent, but Lust hadn't made very many connections in the town.]

You, too?

[combattente]

I suppose I just couldn't stay away from you...

[He flashes a quick smile upon seeing her, before it dissolves into a more neutral expression.]

I gave myself up. Which I assume wasn't the case for you or we spent far too long on a useless trial.

[a_sin_for_him]

Still charming.

[Lust manages a soft laugh that doesn't last long.]

...No, I certainly did not. But why ever did you? You weren't guilty. This time, at least.

[She isn't certain on previous times, but that doesn't really matter. She honestly isn't surprised that the real killer hadn't been executed. She can almost respect the clever little bitch.]

[combattente]

I try.

[That laugh is enough for him, enough to make this feel more... real, in a way.]

Not this time, no. But I didn't want to see another innocent die in my place. Besides, my week had already passed.

[a_sin_for_him]

Noble of you. A pity so few of our killers share that trait.

[There's a dry note in Lust's voice. She doesn't press him for further details, she can see the portrait he's painting.]

It was the mute woman, Chane. And she was well prepared - it was poison, she must have taken an antidote or neutralizer or something before hand, she drank from the same bottle. First. I wouldn't be surprised if I was one in a number of victims that can be attributed to her.

[combattente]

Perhaps if they knew what was waiting for them, they'd join us here.

[Although it wouldn't be that noble if you knew, would it? Still, he's surprised by what she says. In all honesty, he hadn't suspected any of the women, which does indicate a clear bias when it comes to his investigative skills.]

I see... I hope you don't mind me saying so, but it's quite clever. Poison is one thing, but being able to take it yourself... Ah, mi dispiace. That probably isn't what you want to hear. Are you alright? Do you think she did this out of ill will or...?

[a_sin_for_him]

Funny, isn't it? It's nicer here than out there.

[Really, beyond missing a select few individuals and worrying for their state of minds as the game continues, she can't complain about being here.]

No, it's quite alright. I'd admire it, if I hadn't been on the receiving end. I'm fine, I barely had a moment to grasp what was happening. I can't see how there'd be any ill will, we didn't know one another. Unless she felt I deserved it for my actions at my last trial. I may have simply had the misfortune of being the last of us to go to bed, and therefor an opportunity.

Or maybe she felt I'd be considered an acceptable loss.

[sunnashi]

[ ...He can't be upset, considering that is appropriate for them. they both ended up paying the price for their crime. They also got what they wanted in the end, even if they had to something other had considered horrible for it. The played the game, but now...

He places a hand on Ezio's shoulder. He looks at the painting, a little surprised, but people can have their hobbies. ]

I'm not upset at you. This is probably what we deserved, in the end.

[ At least, they were able to protect their family, but it really is a hollow sort of victory. He sighs. ]

I'm assuming those trials don't go well for the others though. Is it wrong to say I wish it hadn't come to you giving yourself up because it went so badly?

[combattente]

[His focus doesn't shift, even at his touch. He continues adding more details to the portrait of a man who could technically appear behind them at any second. At least that's fun to think about.]

I planned for this, you know. Not... this exactly, but I expected it. After we made our decision, I wrote letters in the case of my death. A bit morbid, isn't it?

[It doesn't really matter though if this is all that awaits them after death. It almost seems... laughable?]

No, I feel the same way. It would've been for the best if they could actually solve these murders, then again... that's probably hypocritical coming from the two of us.

[sunnashi]

[ He has a live(?) model to check for accuracy, if that's something. ]

Maybe a little. But I find that appropriate... Really, even with what we were promised, playing this game... I didn't find it enjoyable.

[ If "death" is like this, without the promise of rewards for merit (or threats in Ezio's case), what point is there to it, unless you were greedy or vengeful? This is freedom, even if they made others suffer. ]

Mm... It is. I wanted us to win while keeping innocents from dying, that is probably selfish. Still, it's upsetting to think they're trying very hard to make sense of these killings while getting nowhere.

[combattente]

I don't think it's supposed to be, considering our pain counts as participation. It's for whoever's watching us from up above, or I guess those who see no issues with their actions.

[The last part is said more quietly, not out of fear, but rather some weird attempt to be polite. Most of the "bad" people, including himself, were here, after all.]

As selfish as it may be, I believe we've succeeded, or at least gotten as close to success as we can. Still, I've tried thinking of what they could do differently and I'm not sure... I'm not sure if we'll all "lose" this game.

[sunnashi]

It's hard to judge an entity we don't even know, but I can't say I enjoy that prospect of making others suffer.

[ He can understand the weird politeness, at least. He's frustrated, but he ca't say this "punishment" is all that bad for them. ]

It's success as far as we'll have it... I'd really be concerned if the "winner" was evil through and through, but I don't feel as if the people we know are like that.

[combattente]

I think we know plenty to judge their character. There are innocent people involved in this game, children even. Even if we are not truly "dying", the concept is incredibly cruel.

[He scowls, still as upset as he was the first day they learned of their fates. He may be quick to judge, but he didn't need to know anything about the Templars to know their actions were unjust.]

That's true. None of the those that are left seem particularly evil, but there may be something we weren't seeing.

[stentorian]

[Fancy meeting you here.

Manfred is too uptight to get drunk but he does have a goblet of wine in one hand as he walks up to Ezio, watching his progress. He says one word - only one word in his gravelly voice.]

You.

[combattente]

[He looks between the portrait and Manfred, looking more at him as a model rather than properly acknowledging him.]

I assume there's more you have to say than that. If you want an apology, however, I can only apologize for the quality of the portrait.

[stentorian]

[He swills his wine and remains where he is. All the better for Ezio to paint his portrait.

Manfred has to admit, an apology won't change this now. Besides, this is the second time he died already.]

Hmph. Now that I'm here, you can improve the quality of my portrait.