see right through your beautiful lies ( semi-open )

[dolosa]

[ When you awaken, you're in what seems to be an abandoned warehouse; it looks like the place hasn't been used for its original intent in ages, though the smell of copper permeates the area. The carcasses of corpses lie around here and there - some dismembered, some completely intact - along with creepy, oversized masks of rabbits.

The warehouse itself isn't that big -- there's two floors, and many doors. However, each door is locked, and the only way through is to find a key.

However, you're not alone. There's a girl who seems to be panicking nervously, fiddling with her skirt anxiously as she sits on her wheelchair, glancing every now and again at you, not all that certain as what to do. At least, that's before you awaken, which is when she gasps in sheer surprise. ]

You're-- you're finally awake.

Comments

[courageousbonds]

Rei!

[ It barely comes out, and he nearly goes to rush to her side. That is, if he hadn't gotten to the point where he feels frozen in place unable to do anything.

Because there isn't anything he can do, is there. Just watch this horror as it unravels. ]

Let... let her be.

[ Small just like the words he said before, but could still be heard. ]

[bystandering]

You can't do it now, can you? Your hypnotism trick...

[Her harsh laugh echoes throughout the room.]

If she can do it, she'll save herself. If she can't, well. No one should be sad.

[dolosa]

I-- [ There's a hesitant pause, before: ] I can't do it if you're on me like that!

[courageousbonds]

[ Ash was about to say something in retort until he stops and listens to Rei instead.

So she can hypnotize? Well, the other girl said she was one some show or something like that. But... what he doesn't get is how it all connects. Not really, anyways, if at all.

He swallows; he's had a bad feeling about all of this and it's just getting any better. In fact it's only been getting worse the longer it goes on. ]

[bystandering]

Fine. [She steps off Rei but doesn't help her up.] This is your only chance.

[dolosa]

Um... you don't mind if Ash helps me onto my chair first, do you?

[ She's still on the ground, after all. She has no plans on getting up. ]

[courageousbonds]

[ When he hears his name he finally moves again. He doesn't start moving over to the other two. Not yet. Until he gets an okay he's just standing up, having been on his knees this whole time cradling Pikachu.

And despite the pit in his stomach he hopes that, with this, things start looking up and making even work out. Maybe this is the other way? ]

[bystandering]

Fine. Go ahead. [She steps away, laying a hand on the tranquilizer gun again as a clear warning.]

[dolosa]

[ She takes a glance at Ash, nodding silently in response. She doesn't have any qualms about having him assist her, or otherwise. It's fine, after all... ]

I'm really sorry about this, Ash.

[courageousbonds]

[ With the nod of approval seen Ash makes his way over to the other way. Once he's there he shakes his head a little and, despite all of this, still manages to give Rei a small smile. ]

Let's get ya into your chair.

[ He brings the wheelchair closer before putting Pikachu down right next to it where he can easily scoop his partner up after he's done help Rei. Then, to the best of his ability, he'll help Rei into her wheelchair. ]

[bystandering]

You have only one chance.

[She touches the gun again. Waiting. She's not expecting much. A failure, probably, then she'll finish what she started.]

I don't think I have to explain what will happen if you fail.

[dolosa]

[ Deep breaths. ]

When... I snap my fingers, you'll fall asleep. [ And so she does. It's probably not going to work. ]

[courageousbonds]

[ Ash scoops Pikachu up again and takes a small step back. He finds himself also taking a deep breath and hoping that it works but... ]

[bystandering]

[It doesn't. Mitsuki looks less than impressed.]

You do realize that this means you're a liar, right?

[dolosa]

[ A part of her wants to snap right here, to simply not care about hiding her identity and simply show off her skills. But now's not the time for that. She doesn't even have what she needs for a proper hypnotism, anyway. ]

I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I tried, but it didn't work... It didn't work like it was supposed to.

[courageousbonds]

Why is it so important, anyways?

[ His curiosity finally kicks in and he asks without even thinking. But this whole thing is still confusing to him. Just... why is this all happening? ]

[bystandering]

If she could do it, then that means she was innocent.

[dolosa]

But that not how... it works.

[ Her voice grows small, looking rather guilty. Hypnotism isn't meant to work like that. ]

[courageousbonds]

[ mmm nope. He still doesn't get it. ]

Innocent about what? That she wasn't lying?

[ Once again his mouth is moving before he can think about what he's saying. ]

[bystandering]

Exactly.

[Her voice is clear and sharp but at this close range. Yet...something is off. She's shaking ever so slightly.]

[dolosa]

I-- I'm sorry.

[ She apologizes politely yet again, but it soon becomes a repeated chant in a mere whisper. She's scared, frightened, and hoping from the bottom of her heart not to die.

Or so it seems. ]

[courageousbonds]

[ "Why does it matter" was something Ash almost said, but stops when he hears Rei over and over again. And that catches his attention more. ]

R-Rei...

[bystandering]

[She glances over to Ash briefly before saying something.]

Liars can't survive this game. If they do, then I can't go back.

[dolosa]

Go... back?

[ Rei's words are breathy at best, barely able to speak as she tries to wheel herself back, trying to protect herself, yet at the same time, still afraid that Mitsuki might attempt to grab her again. ]

[courageousbonds]

[ There's the unsettling feeling again, and it's worse than before. ]

Back?

[ He says it at about the same time as Rei. But what bothers him more is what she first said. The reason for this bad feeling. ]