[traumaprom]

[actsofconviction]

[The whole world seems to spin around you, colors blazing and swirling, sound muffled—it feels like you're going to faint—

. . .

Seconds later, it's over.

And you're somewhere else entirely. It looks like you're trapped inside a dome of frosted glass; nobody can see in, you can't see out, and should you try to break it, the only thing your efforts will earn you is a bruise.

It's a small space, which you're sharing with one other person—perhaps they're very, very special to you, perhaps they're not. Either way, other than them, all you'll be able to find is a long, sharp knife, and a vial labelled with naught more than a skull and crossbones.]

Comments

[actsofconviction]

[hammering on the glass with both fists]

What's going on?! Why would you do something like this?!

[humanspirit]

[by contrast, Milla is very quiet, looking down at the knife and the vial.]

[actsofconviction]

[tries one last HEAVY-DUTY PUNCH at the glass. ... he just ends up shaking his hand out with a pained hiss.]

[humanspirit]

Jude.

[actsofconviction]

[takes a deep breath and turns around to face her, hands still clenched into fists so tightly they're shaking.]

This is just... this is pointlessly cruel!

[humanspirit]

Jude. What do we have to offer?

[actsofconviction]

I-- I don't know. [pretty obviously forcing his emotions under control so he can focus.] She hasn't been very specific about what she'll accept.

[humanspirit]

I believed she would have to come outside again and I would time to confront her. That was my mistake. …I'm sorry, Jude.

[actsofconviction]

[shakes his head]

No one could have anticipated this.

[humanspirit]

I knew she would be attempting to make us murder each other. I didn't know that she would be so efficient.

[actsofconviction]

I overheard some people talking about something like that, but... [trails off and closes his eyes for a moment.] Milla. She's only going to take 50% of the offers. What about Alvin and Elize?

[humanspirit]

[she shakes her head.]

There's no point in thinking about it. There's nothing we can do for them right now.

[actsofconviction]

Technically, there is. If we don't offer, we boost their chances of getting into the top 50%.

[... leans his shoulder against one of the walls and looks down at the floor.]

But I don't want either of us to die.

[humanspirit]

[puts her hand on her hip.]

You're right that we'd boost their chances by not offering. But we won't be doing that. We'll just have to trust that they can find something.

[actsofconviction]

[nods after a moment.]

Yeah... yeah, you're right. I know Alvin won't let anything happen to Elize, and he promised he'd take care of himself.

[kind of wavers on that last bit but still.]

[humanspirit]

Jude. There's nothing we can do. We need to start thinking about what we can offer.

[actsofconviction]

[after his discussion with Milla...]

You said your name was Vanessa, right? What are you hoping to get out of this?

[infiniteregress]

Correct.

[DISEMBODIED VOICE TIME AWW YIS.]

As for that, my . . . What a question!

[actsofconviction]

Will you answer it?

[infiniteregress]

I do treasure my mysteries.

[actsofconviction]

If you'd explain, maybe we could work something out!

DECISION

[actsofconviction]

[Jude will die if the offer is not accepted.]

Re: DECISION

[humanspirit]

You. You must know this, but I am Milla Maxwell, lord of spirits, guardian of all. Should you return my power to me and spare the life of this human, Jude Mathis, I… will grant to you enough of my power that the healing of the human world would be set back. Humanity would struggle because of my weakness. I… [she hesitates and glances at Jude.]

I would grant you enough of my power that I would never be able to see these humans again, if I was assured of their lives and safety.

((OOC: setting back the healing of the human world is a 9 or so; giving up the hope of eventually seeing her party again is a 10. they both stem from the same offer so idk how to count that, really.

…if any of the party reads this eventually: hi! sorry she's offering to undo all your hard work because she loves her humans. 8'Db))

Re: DECISION

[actsofconviction]

I... don't really know what to offer you. In terms of material items, all I have is this necklace. It's probably my most important possession, because Milla gave it to me. Whenever I feel lonely, or doubt myself, or wonder if I have the strength I need to go on, the necklace reminds me of her strength of convictions. It's-- it's something that binds us together, even when we're apart.

But I don't think that's the kind of thing you're looking for.

I'll give up the use of my legs. I won't be able to fight anymore, treating patients is going to be a lot more difficult, and-- well, there's nothing about my life that won't be affected and inconvenienced by this. I honestly don't know how I'll manage, but... I refuse to watch Milla die, and I can't let the sacrifices she's making for me be in vain, either.

((OOC: legs is 7/10 since it complicates Jude's mission to basically save/change the world quite a bit.))

[infiniteregress]

Good show! Your offer has been accepted.

((Here))