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

[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. ]

[bystandering]

Home. To Papa.

[The wolf had to win. If she didn't...]

That's why I'm going to win.

[dolosa]

[ There's slight discomfort in her expression as she backs up even more. Her gaze shifts from Mitsuki and then to Ash, lowering her voice to a mere whisper as she speaks to him, as privately as she can. ]

Do you... think there's a way out? W-- we just have to get to those stairs, right?

[courageousbonds]

Y-yeah. We just.. need to get to the stairs.

[ Usually at this point he would have Pikachu help, but his friend is still in his arms unconscious. And as long as Mitsuki is holding that gun he doesn't want to make any sudden movements or let any of his other Pokemon out.

So they're going to have to do this subtlety.... not exactly something he's good at. But maybe just casually backing up might do the trick. Maybe. ]

[bystandering]

You can go to the next room. Hazama stays with me.

[She can't hear them but she doesn't need to. It's obvious what they want to do.]

[dolosa]

[ She gives a worried glance at Ash, but doesn't say anything. If there's something he wants to do, something he wants to say... he should probably do it now. ]

[courageousbonds]

[ Not this again. What can he even do to prevent it? He finds himself looking at the gun in Mitsuki's hand as he speaks. ]

I... I don't want to leave Rei behind. But...

[ He pulls his eyes away from the gun and to Rei. Is she still going to agree to that? There wasn't anything he could do last time... ]

[bystandering]

She can't get up those stairs by herself, you know.

[It's said in manner of fact kind of voice.]

[dolosa]

[ Rei's silent at first, thinking. She knows she can't get up those stairs on her own, but she knows that having Ash carry her is probably not an option either. ]

I'm sorry. ... Go on without me.

[courageousbonds]

[ ... Right. Stairs. Even he feels that, in his condition and with Pikachu condition as well, getting Rei up the stairs by carrying her or something would be near impossible. So would somehow bringing that wheelchair up the stairs.

He's silent for a moment, fighting to look for another idea. But ... there is none. ]

I ... I'm sorry Rei. Please be careful.

[ And stay safe. Though even after he says those words he's hesitating. He might need a little push to actually start moving to those stairs. ]

[bystandering]

[Her head begins to ache dully. This was going slowly. She...she had to do something. She steps to the side, placing a hand on the wheelchair. She doesn't say anything.]