15 Strangers Round AU Meme

[strangerpeople]

15 STRANGERS ROUND AU MEME Hello everyone! Not exactly that time again, but we’ve got a treat for you today! The Round AU Meme! Essentially, remember those times where you asked ‘What if I’d brought Person X to Round Y?’ Well, here’s where you can answer that question, with prompts for each round and Mock Weeks 2 and 3. We hope you’ll enjoy! 1. Ungodly Magics & Mysteries You know your day is going to be awful when you wake up on a stone slab instead of a bed. Worse still, it looks like nothing here is past medieval times, in terms of style and tech. Maybe a potion or a sweet roll will get your mind off of this murder business added to the mix. 2. Mall Murder Mania You’ve probably never been passed out in a mall, and even if you did, it’s very unlikely you’d been trapped inside afterwards, told by a young girl to kill to leave. Maybe the fifteen of you can figure out what’s going on in this seemingly abandoned mall. 3. A Fantastic Voyage The technology here is so…odd. The entire place just seems off, no matter when you’re from. Then there’s that loud, obnoxious woman telling everyone to kill each other. With how grating her voice is, maybe you should prepare for someone killing to get away from her. 4. Snakes In Plane Sight Is this a joke? On a plane, headed who knows where, with who knows how many snakes on board, and more dead bodies than you needed to see in your lifetime. And your pilot wants you to add to their number. You might need magic if you want everyone here to survive. 5. Soul-Sapping Situations This mansion is awful. Rooms like caskets, dust and spiders everywhere, the fact that you were brought unwillingly-and the rules about murder didn’t help things. The entire situation is a disaster, and you can only hope that you and the others don’t lose your minds. 6. Off The Rails A chance to explore the deepest recesses of space, the final frontier…and instead, you’re on a train with fourteen others being made to kill each other. No one among the locals cares when you ask for help. Such a hopeless situation, you may as well gaze at the beautiful sun above. 7. Home Sweet Homicide You and fourteen others in a house in space, trapped by an evil A.I. It wants you to kill each other, but when there’s so little room? Seems impossible, if you don’t want to get caught. Let’s hope no one proves that thought wrong… 8. The American Nightmare A town with no people, other than your fellow captives. This isn’t the first time that this has happened to you, and the same goes for everyone else. And yet, you hesitate to trust the others…probably reasonable. You all know how this goes, after all.

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Pink-Haired Half-Alien | R2 -> R6 Host AU

[pinklady]

[Everyone expected the worst when they realized they would have to confront their hosts for the first time. Indeed, as their footsteps echoed in rhythm through the air, there was no doubt many expected something terrifying looking.

A young girl in a cute, though still black, business suit was probably not one of them. Indeed, her hair is, if one looks closely enough, dyed a dark brown, which makes one wonder what the original color was. And why she would need to dye her hair. Likewise, her eyes are also brown, which seemed...off. Especially with the pupils looking wholly unnatural. They are clearly contacts.

Still, she cheerfully smiles at everyone, her voice young, bright, and all too chipper.]

Ah, yes, welcome to the City! We are so glad you are here and we can't wait to show you the opportunity you're about to be presented!

After all...we can do this the easy way...

[S m i l e.]

Or you can make it deliberately hard on yourselves. But why would you?

Small Orange Lion | R3 -> R6 Host AU

[otherbraveheart]

[The young girl isn’t the only one greeting the strangers, and they’re likely to expect...something more. More intimidating. More imposing. Someone that they look at, and realize that this is what they’ve been through all over again.

Instead, the small, smiling lion walks out with her, a dark brown business suit on and fur clearly dyed golden yellow, thoroughly enough that the original color is completely hidden. And those pupils...they’re too large for his eyes. They’re contacts as well.

He clears his throat, and despite the surprising gruffness to his voice, his tone is just as chipper as the girl’s.]

Yes, welcome to our City! It’s so wonderful to have you here, and we just know that you’ll see this as an opportunity you can’t say no to!

And if you try to...

[C h u c k l e.]

You’ll see how bad of an idea that is. But why would you want to do that?

R4/R6 AU

[dualitybreathing]

[ O h.

He felt sick to his stomach when he saw who it was, disbelief on his face for a long moment as it all sunk in. Tanjiro gritted his teeth and sucked in a breath, clenching his hands into fists while trying to reel in all of his conflicting emotions. He looked between the both of them, expression settling on something almost sad for a moment or two. ]

I can't accept being here, though. My sister is out there without me.

[ He shook his head. ]

Taking the easy way out isn't even an option.

[pinklady]

Is that so?

[She folds her hands together, her smile never decreasing.]

That's unfortunate! Our boss really would prefer to do this all nice and easy, but if you intend on going to hard way, I suppose I can't stop you...

...

but don't say we didn't warn you, hmm?

[dualitybreathing]

It's alright. I can handle whatever they throw at me. I've been through a lot, after all.

[ He wasn't shying away from the fact that he'd been through countless battles against incredibly strong demons, had bones broken and nearly died. Fought hard through that harrowing game at the mansion and lost so many people, too. ]

I hope your boss knows exactly how hard I intend to fight for the sake of my family and the friends I have back home waiting for me to come back.

[pinklady]

Eheheh, we know! But, you know...if you did it the easy way, who knows? Your family might be brought here too! Then, you can all be together, and be happy.

[Her foot scraping on the pavement is all too rhythmic with the ticking in the air.]

Besides, our boss isn't one who likes taking no for an answer. Really, you don't know what you're doing by throwing away our generous offer~

[dualitybreathing]

[ There's something that clutches painfully in his chest and for a second? Hesitation flashed across his face as he remembered the last time he'd seen Nezuko, and that awful longing to have her here that really wouldn't dissipate any. ]

My sister... she's... she needs me, but I also know I wouldn't want her to be here and experiencing things like this. How is any of this mess supposed to bring anyone happiness?

[ It scares him; how much he'd almost considered it for a split second. ]

I'm sorry, but... I just can't. I need to get home so I can turn my sister human again.

[pinklady]

Human? Happiness?

[Head tilt.]

But we're very happy! Oh, this place isn't terrible at all. We've got no disease, no war, and more importantly...no discrimination. Besides, look-my partner's an actual lion!

[g i g g l e. She sounds so young when she laughs.]

So why would our boss care if your sister isn't human anymore? You'll all be happy, and so will she. Isn't that what should matter to you?

[dualitybreathing]

[ It was almost like she couldn't completely wrap her mind around the concept at first, but he pushed that aside to focus on the rest of what she'd said. His heart ached just looking at her, because there was something about how small and young she looked that struck him deeply; reminding him of siblings he no longer had in this world. ]

...It does. She... She deserves to be in the sun and truly happy again. More than anyone else.

[ He inhaled a deep breath to try and keep his cool the best he could, still bothered even now how being in these killing games had made it so he hadn't been able to use his usual breathing techniques to their full extent. Though it wasn't as if it had completely killed his sharp sense of smell any, as with that breath, he'd caught wind of her scent properly and it'd stopped him short.

Her scent wasn't human.

Not a demon's, but something... almost sweet. Something unusual he'd never picked up on before, but he got the feeling it wasn't bad. Not like the odd, bitter scent that almost completely overpowered hers in a way he couldn't describe. ]

You know... I get the feeling out there, someone misses you a lot. Surely you have family, right?

[ It's just a guess but... he's not shying away from asking such a thing all the same. ]

[pinklady]

[There is the slightest twitch in her eye.]

...Of course I do. But I plan on bringing my family here. Once they see how great it is, I'm certain they'll understand. It's even better than home!

[crystal what never heard of her]

[otherbraveheart]

Ohoho, he knows! But, really...make this simple, and in the end? I’m sure your sister can be brought in, and anyone else important to you! Then you can be together, and be happy like us.

[One of his feet is tapping to the same rhythm as the ticking.]

Plus, this really is a once-in-a-lifetime deal. The boss doesn’t just offer this sort of thing every day, and denying such an offer would just hurt his feelings! You wouldn’t want to do that, would you?

[dualitybreathing]

[ Tanjiro's hesitation instantly flashed across his face at the direct mention of his sister, going pale before shaking his head. Hands clenching into tight fists. ]

I... Nezuko doesn't need to experience this, even if I miss her a lot. Zenitsu wouldn't be good here either. Same with Inosuke... I don't know how happy they'd be here.

[ Ugh. No. Snap out of it. ]

Ah... No... [ He has to take a deep breath and remember to be calm. This was... but there was that thing saying he could trust them, and it was hard ignoring that. ] I'm... afraid I have other people's feelings to consider and they do come before your boss's. Sorry about that.

[otherbraveheart]

[Oh, hesitation. Best to pounce on that now!]

You’d be surprised! I haven’t asked yet, but I’m sure that my friends from home love to be here. Even if they prefer their home to this place, I’m sure your friends would learn to love living in our lovely City!

I’m sure the boss would be willing to accommodate for them eventually, and they will like it here. I’m sure of it. You just need to join us aNd̒̔ͯͯ͊ s͔͎̯̙̬U̻̫̹̭̞͎ͬ̍ͪ͗͐̚B̙͎̯̠̂͗̈́̽m̲̮̰̠͔̟i͖ͬT.̰͓̞͇̆̄̇ͮ

[*cough cough*]

And be our friend!

[: D]

[dualitybreathing]

[ There's a part of his mind that wants to deny it, to say they wouldn't, but he knows Zenitsu would love to not have to fight if he could avoid it. He hadn't even stopped to consider if any of the others would-- NO.

He had to cut that train of thought short. ]

I... [ His strong resolve was wavering for a second. ] Nezuko is... a demon. I know that's not something people would want, even if she does mean well and won't hurt anyone. Inosuke... he'd be too violent to contain and he's pretty loud, but earnest so I doubt he'd like it here at all. I don't know if any of my friends or my sister would actually come to like it here that much.

[ Wait. What had happened to the guy's voice just then? Going to bring that up in a second, but first-- ]

Can't you and I be friends now? I don't want to submit or anything, but that shouldn't stop us!

[otherbraveheart]

[For a second, the smiling...stops. In it's place, a look of confusion.]

Still be friends?

[The smile comes back, if a bit more subdued now.]

Of course we can still be friends! I'd love to still be friends with everyone here. It's just that I know we'll all be better friends, once you join us!

And I'm still sure they'd learn to like it here. The City is a beautiful place, where nothing ever goes wrong. They could just live out the rest of their days here, and not have to worry about anything else. No one would even judge your sister for being a demon-she wouldn't be alone in being strange, after all.

[Wink!]

I promise it won't be that bad. Joining us could even be fun.

[dualitybreathing]

[ That's definitely enough to make Tanjiro positively beam, thrilled by hearing something like that. It's still something, however small of something he'd been hoping for. ]

I'm just glad to hear you say you'll still be friends with us as you do seem pretty nice so far.

[ A small part of him just... clings to that statement a little. Nothing goes wrong here... she'd be safe here, but then he couldn't save her and make her human again. She deserved that much, then there was... all of that. He has to remind himself he can't give in just because he knew some out there may like this place. ]

It's good that nobody would judge her, but... don't you know that worrying over things, no matter how hard life gets, is part of being human?

[ God why was it so hard to convince himself of these things so much? He had to remind himself of the others back home, all the people he has saved and why he became a Demon Slayer to start with. ]

Fun? In what way, if you don't mind me asking.

[otherbraveheart]

Of course! What kind of Care-er, host would I be if I decided not to be friends with everyone?

[Ignore that slip up, nothing to worry about!~

His grin widens, and he laughs a little bit.]

Well, I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm not exactly a human~

[A bit more laughter, though it's clear there's no malice behind it. He just finds the statement humorous.]

But...I guess I can understand. Worrying about so much, even when life is so good to you. Things can just be complicated sometimes. Still, there's much less to worry about here. No monsters or villains to worry about, just living life.

Well, for one thing, I believe that the food doesn't taste as nice when you're not with us. I can't remember what it does taste like, but I know that will be much better for you. And you'll just be so much more happy in general!

[otherbraveheart]

Are you sure?

[A paw is brought up to his cheek, before he sighs, smile still plastered on.]

That’s a shame. The boss would really prefer it if you just agreed and made things simple, but if you want to make thing more difficult, there’s not much that we can really do about it...

...

Remember that we told you so before, okay?

[dualitybreathing]

Of course I am.

[ Tanjiro shook his head fervently and held himself as tall as he could muster. He'd faced much worse things than this before, but the conflict is still on his face a bit even now. ]

I wish I could, but I've never been the type of person who has ever taken the easy way out. To do so now would be a disrespect to everyone else who's ever fought hard to make it to the end.

[otherbraveheart]

[The lion ‘hmm’s and ‘haww’s for a moment, a finger to his chin in the classic thinking gesture, before shrugging.]

Alright, suit yourself.

Oh, and I know the feeling Tanjiro Kamado. Sometimes, it’s hard to get yourself to admit that you’re wrong, and you’d rather fight with all you’ve got in you for everyone you know, everyone special to you. But eventually...

[Another chuckle.]

You have to realize you are wrong in the end. That it’s better to just give in instead. I promise it’s not that bad.

[dualitybreathing]

[ The mansion hadn't broken him. He couldn't afford to falter now that he had been here, though now there was something of a deep-set pain lodged into his chest he couldn't ignore. Perhaps the other had actually hit a sore spot? ]

That's not true. I've always fought hard and that shouldn't change now, as it's saved lives when I did. I don't... want what's easy, even if i'm wrong in fighting back.

[otherbraveheart]

[Tanjiro might be able to notice it, before the lion speaks again, but his eye...it twitches with a tick. After he’s said his piece. The lion quickly says his own claim, before the pause gets uncomfortable.]

Oh, Tanjiro Kamado. So much fight, it’s almost...what’s the word? Naive?

[It seems like he’s genuinely asking when he says that, and his face goes to one of pity.]

Whatever it is, you must realize that sometimes, fighting isn’t the right answer. And you’ll realize that we only want what’s best for you, and fighting...I promise that it won’t go well. For you or anyone else.

[dualitybreathing]

[ For just a second, he had noticed it and it made him pause a little. ]

Naive? How so?

[ He's lost way too much to give in or accept anything easily. The type of person who clutched to all he had left as it kept him going when things got tough. ]

That might be true in some cases, but my instincts are telling me I need to fight. I understand your concern too, but... even if it's hard and it almost kills me? I'd rather that then some kind of... false happiness or something.

[otherbraveheart]

Thinking you can fight it. You can try it all you want, but in the end...you'll either be joining us, or...

[He doesn't think he has to say it, does he?

He brings back the smile soon enough, if a bit softer.]

Trust me. It's much better if we avoided anything like that. It won't be any fake happiness, it'll be the real deal. Just trust me, will you?

[He sounds...almost fatherly, as he says it. Like a man trying to help his son out of a bad situation.]

CW: (Mild) Demon Slayer Spoilers

[dualitybreathing]

Saying that isn't really going to deter me.

[ It almost seems like the most resolute thing he's said this entire time, not wishing to back down.

Yet what strikes a chord is the exact tone that's being used here, something about it making his chest feel a bit tighter. Having lost his father as a child and lacking much of a family anymore outside of his sister, such a paternal tone being used was enough to make him visibly hesitate along with that itching impulse to just trust the hosts, too. ]

I-I do, but... I can't be happy until I... help my sister. I promised her I'd find a way to make her human again. [ Honestly he looks sad here, hands clenched into fists and eyes downcast. ] I can't be truly happy until I've taken down Muzan Kibutsuji and cured Nezuko. She deserves that much.