SEVENTH TRIAL

[bathymetric]

[ After a while, Davy Jones comes and collects you all again. It's a much quicker trip than he's ever had to take for you all before. You all fit so easily into the elevator in the theatre now, don't you?

As he plays the song that takes you down, even Jones seems tired. But the elevator certainly isn't, moving just as dramatically into the depths of the ship as it ever has. You now know all the floors it passes on its trip down to the trial room, don't you?

And none of you even know that this is your last ride down. The end is coming. But that's for later, and not quite yet for all of you.

The crew of the Dutchman is... different, somehow, this week. There are more figures aboard, and they're all singing, well. Maybe Scott was right, that first week. ]

Ye know what to do, passengers.

[ Jones moves to the wall to look out at his ship, scowling.

The podiums are waiting.

Welcome to your seventh trial.

Comments

[scouserer]

[Constantine still does not--he cannot look at Flayn. His grip tightens on the edge of the podium.]

It was an act--and I fooled you all in the end. The ultimate magic trick, wouldn't you say?

[A pause. A thought seems to occur to him. Slowly, Constantine turns, still not quite meeting Flayn's eyes.]

Have you heard of the trick of the disappearing woman? A stage magician's helper gets into a box, and the magician waves his hands, makes it dramatic, and poof--she's gone, only to show up later in the crowd.

[jibunwo]

Why don't you tell us the story of the terrible liar, John? Because you're acting that one out pretty well.

[scouserer]

Sorry, 'fraid I don't know that one. Try again, maybe.

[cethflayn]

[...

Hm.]

I am afraid magic is not often used for entertainment in Fodlan, at least not to such a manner.

[But she steps out from behind her podium, walking with purpose towards Constantine's. She wants him to look her in the eye.]

But such a thing would be easy to do. Warp is an advanced spell of Faith.

[You have a plan, don't you Constantine.]

[scouserer]

[Constantine meets Flayn's eyes. His expression is that of conviction, one who has long since accepted his fate.]

Oh, no. It's not actual teleportation. See, the best tricks happen when you know it's not real, but you're still left guessin' how they did it. The audience know this--so they're gonna be lookin' out for it.

So, the best way to misdirect? You've got to put on a show.

[cethflayn]

[...There's a shimmer of sadness in her own. It ought not have to be like this.]

...Then the show must not yet be over.

[There's still the execution, and after what Reika did? Flayn's not too foolish to think someone won't try something.]

[scouserer]

[Constantine smirks--though now, there's a tinge of melancholy in his expression.]

I'm sorry, Flayn.

[....]

Will you permit me one last hug before I go?

[cethflayn]

[.........The smart thing to do would be to say no. But. Even Flayn isn't that smart.]

Of course.

[Don't make her regret this.]

[scouserer]

[He carefully approaches, and, after a moment's hesitation, hugs Flayn. He holds her tightly--and, judging from his heart hammering in his chest, not even he's sure what'll happen.

As he pulls away, Flayn might find a piece of paper has been slipped into her pocket.]

You'll be okay.

[cethflayn]

[She notices, but doesn't indicate it. She's not a fool.]

...I shall pray you are okay as well. Make sure to apologize when you see everyone.