15 STRANGERS ROUND 7 TEST DRIVE

[strangerpeople]

15 STRANGERS ROUND 7 TEST DRIVE There are 15 strangers (give or take a few, this time around) on the ship. Regardless, someone wants you all dead. Why? And what is a funyarinpa?... 1. ARRIVAL It's time to wake up in your berth on this not-so-fantastic voyage. Why are you here? What happened to your powers? Memories? Who are these other people that've also been abducted? And...what is that smell?... 2. POWER It turns out you have been...'gifted' a power. It's not something you asked for, but you've got it now. It might be best to figure out how they work. Or don't. It's up to you. From chaos comes order, after all! 3. HOME Well, may as well make yourself comfortable for the foreseeable future on this ship. It's not like Zero is letting you go anywhere they don't want you to go. But perhaps you can find something that can help you get out of this situation! Or...maybe you want to give up and just drink in the lounge. That's an option too! Either way, you and your fellow Strangers won't be bored, at least? 4. MINIGAME Apparently Zero has decided you're not entertaining enough on your own, so now you're being tasked with playing in this game. And why not? You're technically on a cruise ship, so why not have some games? You could put some effort into the game, or maybe you're just done with this [BLEEP] by now-it's your choice on what to do. 5. MOTIVE You knew this was coming. Zero has decided they've waited long enough to see some bloodshed, and have released a motive to incentivize you into killing someone else. How are you feeling about it? What motive has Zero come up with? And...are you thinking about doing it...? 6. DEATH It's happened. One of your number has passed on-killed by another Stranger left in your group. There they lay, clear as day. It's officially time to investigate. How will you do so? Look over the body? Look around the room for evidence? Find a room that you believe is suspicious and search there? Or maybe you aren't up for investigating and would rather mourn your loss or pass out. It's up to you. 7. TRIAL It's time to focus-either you solve this case, condemning someone to death for the murder they committed, or you vote incorrectly, executing an innocent person. You've got a limited time to figure out what happened, and if you get it wrong, everyone dies. Take a deep breath, look at the evidence, and do your best to nail down the guilty party before its too late! 8. GUILTY ...Oh. It turns out you were the one responsible for what happened-you are the murderer! Why did you do it? Was it the motive? Was it something else? Are you sorry? Or was everything that has happened between you and the survivors a means to an end? Now is the time to confess everything-you're not likely to get another chance before you're executed! 9. WILDCARD Have an idea that wasn't mentioned above? Do it! Go crazy!

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Kalim Al-Asim | Twisted Wonderland

[scaldingsands]

1. Arrival

[Kalim is no stranger to pleasure cruises, being a pampered rich boy, but this is something else entirely. He’s surmised he’s on a ship, at the very least, after tottering about his room and reading the card on the wall. And there’s a bunk bed! That seems fun, even though he doesn’t remember why he’s here or who he must have come with. Should he hurry to claim the top bunk, or...?

Outside his room, there are people. No one looks familiar, at least not at first glance, but it hurts his head to think too much about that. The smell of the ship isn’t helping, either: pungent, metallic.

But it doesn’t matter that everyone here is a stranger; that just means he has a lot of introductions to make. New friends! He slinks up to the nearest co-passenger, sucks in a breath, and excitably introduces himself.]

I’m Kalim! Who are you?! This is weird, right?

[He laughs, more to be friendly and less because it is, in fact, a very strange situation he’s found himself in.]

2. Home

[So Kalim will have to kill to get home. He’ll have to hurt others. No. It’s a joke, right? It has to be a joke.

His mind wanders. He walks through the ship, aimless. Not looking for an exit, exactly, but just... some sign, some proof that all is not what it seems.

Kalim trudges up the stairs, and finding the kitchen has him speeding on over, the pep back in his step. Surely they wouldn’t have such a well-stocked kitchen if they’re really meant to murder each other! He sifts through the pantry, making a bit of a mess in his search. They can have a feast! That’s sure to help boost morale, right? He isn’t terrible at cooking, but his best friend has been the only one to cook for him for a long time. When Kalim makes food, he tends to make his serving sizes far too big, and he might add too many ingredients together in an attempt to improve the flavor. Because more is more! Cooking is hard.]

Nobody will try to poison me here!

[Kalim says this with certainty. He’s been poisoned numerous times back at home due to his status as the heir to a wealthy merchant family, but this time will be different, especially if he’s the one cooking.]

3. Trial

[Kalim sucks in a breath. Arms wrapped around himself for comfort, to help stop the shaking. It doesn’t work.]

It must have been an accident!

[No one would have chosen to kill another person, after all. And, well, maybe the dead person just happened to fall on that large knife protruding from their back. Very reasonable! Kalim could have easily made such a blunder.

But, no: if Kalim keeps thinking like this, he’ll never get to go home, never see his friends and family again. He has to think. Think.]

Maybe it was murder...?

[There! He’s on his way already.]

…But maybe it wasn’t!

[Kalim has a long way to go.]

1. Arrival

[somuchshipping]

[The moment this four-legged robot looks at Kalim, it freezes and the screen on its face immediately looks incredibly confused.]

...Are you a human?

[scaldingsands]

Oh! Yes, I am a human.

[Kalim stares down at the robot.]

And you must be a… portable gaming system?

[For the enjoyment of the passengers, perhaps? Kalim isn’t sure. But he’s happy to see the robot, anyway!]

[somuchshipping]

[Hermes looks over Kalim. It's almost the first time he's actually seen a human, yet still confused.]

And... what are you doing outside of your suit? Can't you tell I'm a Hermes? DoYouKnow WhereWeAre RightNow?

[scaldingsands]

My suit? I don’t think I brought one with me. I must have forgotten it! Will I get in trouble…?

[Kalim had no idea this was a formal sort of affair. Oops!]

What’s a Hermes? Is that your name? And… um! We’re on a ship.

[Of this, at least, Kalim is relatively certain.]

[somuchshipping]

[Hermes gets a confused look.]

Huh? But... Nevermind, I'll go talk to Mors about this glitch. I mean mistake.

But yeah, my name is Hermes. You've never seen one before?

[scaldingsands]

No, you’re the first Hermes I’ve ever seen! It’s good to meet you, Hermes.

[Kalim looks around as if he might be able to determine which passenger looks most like a “Mors.”]

Is Mors here on the ship, too?

[somuchshipping]

-Oops, meant Clockwork. Anyway, I don't think he is.

[Hermes probably shouldn't talk to Mors right now, considering...]

But last I checked, I was on the planet Fortuna with the rest of the crew.

Arrival

[not_a_lego_maniac]

I mean...yeah! Yeah it's weird. I was at home, and then I went to sleep, and then I was here!

I'm Zack, by the way.

[scaldingsands]

Oh! That’s not very nice they disturbed your sleep.

[Kalim nods to himself as if he wouldn’t wake someone up if he wanted something minuscule.]

It’s nice to meet you, Zack.

[He gestures to the passengers around them.]

Do you… recognize anyone here?

[Kalim feels like he should know someone. Why would someone bring him to a ship with a bunch of strangers?]

[not_a_lego_maniac]

Well, uh. No, I don't, actually.

What about you?

[scaldingsands]

Hmm… [Kalim looks around at the other passengers.] No, I don’t think so. But that’s strange, isn’t it?

[Usually on a cruise, Kalim would be with his parents and his thirty or so siblings. Their absence is just another oddity to add atop the pile, really.]

Have you had a chance to look around yet?

[Kalim’s stomach rumbles. There must be food around here somewhere, right?]

[not_a_lego_maniac]

It is. And I don't remember asking to go on a ship or anything like that.

[He scratches his neck in thought.]

A little...there're a couple of recreation rooms, a place with alcohol...I think there's a couple other rooms I haven't checked out yet upstairs.

[scaldingsands]

[Kalim nods. He doesn’t remember ever planning such a trip, either. But his memory feels kind of fuzzy, anyway; maybe this is just part of that. He should probably be more concerned.]

Oh, recreation rooms? [Kalim’s eyes light up.] Would you like to go check out those other rooms with me?

[Not a suspicious request at all…!]

[not_a_lego_maniac]

Sure!

[He immediately trusts you!]

Good to go with someone instead of alone anyways, right?

Trial

[godspiousjasper]

[ This trial is hard on everyone and his heart ached for everyone here who was hurting as a result of that awful death. He'd taken a lull in the proceedings to move closer to Kalim and place a hand on his shoulder reassuringly. ]

I'm afraid someone really had decided to commit a murder. There was nothing accidental about this.

[ His tone then picks up and Roland flashes quite the smile in an attempt to diffuse the poor boy's mood. ]

It's okay. Have faith in that we will absolutely find the culprit and bring them to justice.

[scaldingsands]

You really think so? Someone really went as far as to…?

[It’s a difficult thought for Kalim to wrap his head around: the fact that someone planned this. Someone’s death.

Kalim sags beneath Roland’s hand. But then he reaches back to pat his hand. Roland wouldn’t betray Kalim, surely.]

Right! The killer will be brought to justice, and then… we can’t let this happen again. We just can’t.

[But how? And is there really someone else amongst them who might sink to murder? No, Kalim can’t accept that.]

[godspiousjasper]

They did, unfortunately.

[ Sometimes the will of humans were easily swayed and their captor knew just how to entice them to do what they wanted. It was senseless murder and the loss of an innocent life truly did make him angry, but seeing how some others here took this was like a salve to him and he did his best to try and present as more of a soothing presence despite the anger bubbling deep within him.

He wanted to make sure Kalim was going to be okay before he went back to his spot for the trial, nodding in agreement of the younger man's words. ]

I agree with you completely. I absolutely will do everything in my power to try and see to it that nobody else dies here.

[ Something that may as well be the death of himself in the process, but he meant what he said. He wanted to protect the innocent civilians here, Kalim absolutely included amongst them. ]

[scaldingsands]

[Kalim is soothed by Roland’s words. He barely knows him and yet Roland is being so kind, so thoughtful. He didn’t have to come over here in the middle of the trial to comfort Kalim, and yet he did.]

I’ll be all right! [Kalim nods. And surely others could use Roland’s reassurance, too.] We’ll be all right, won’t we?

[He sniffles. Then — oh no — the tears just keep coming. He barely knew the deceased, either, and yet he can’t stop himself. A life, lost! Tragically cut short. By one of their peers, no less, and Kalim wasn’t there to help them.]

[godspiousjasper]

[ Ah. His heart goes out to this poor young man, clearly tormented by this whole mess of events. It's enough to nearly bring him to tears, as Kalim was around Vanitas' age but he wasn't used to such things as death like he was. ]

Yes. The most important step is to keep moving forwards for the one who's life has been extinguished and pray that the Lord will guide us through this hardship.

[ One could never truly forget he was very much indeed a religious man, and also a very affectionate person. If the way he glanced to see how proceedings were going, then moved to gather Kalim into his arms for a hug. ]

Be strong, Kalim. Let's work together to make sure nobody else loses their life.

home (hi I love Kalim and sorry this is my muse who can cook lmfao)

[onychomance]

[What an oddly specific denial to make, especially in the midst of a death game.]

I hate to be morbid, but... Say it that loud enough times and someone will probably try.

[Fortunately for Kalim, Yoshikage Kira is not really the poisoning type himself.

So far, anyway. But looking at the sheer amount of ingredients the boy has pulled out, he'd be half convinced he could wind up somehow doing it to himself.]

What, exactly, are you trying to make over there?

(hi!!! :D I wheezed irl at your tag, thank you)

[scaldingsands]

[Kalim turns to Yoshikage, a half-eaten slice of cheese in his mouth.

He gasps. The cheese falls to the floor.]

They wouldn’t! [He is no stranger to people poisoning his food, but here?]

I, ah… [Kalim isn’t sure what he’s trying to make, in truth. He’s used to having someone help him when he cooks, or at least someone to supervise him as he uses the sharp utensils and stoves and ovens and such. Anything that might hurt him. And who might help him here?] I don’t really cook for myself often, so I was just… oh! There are eggs here, so we could make omelets. And there are lots of vegetables, too.

[He grabs an armful of vegetables. Kalim has never had cucumbers or cabbage or radishes in an omelet before, but he’s willing to try anything. They might all taste really good together!]

Do you like omelets?

(PLEASURE'S MINE)

[onychomance]

[Kira nods, noting the difference between them. He's always cooking for others! Granted, they can't always eat it by themselves, but that doesn't mean he can't give a little advice.]

From time to time. I do tend to make eggs for breakfast in the mornings in any case. I wouldn't put those vegetables in my omelet though - is that all we have? Tomatoes or mushrooms would be better unless you're just making a side salad to go with it. A little salad with breakfast is very refreshing.

(friendly just for him?! Kalim trusts Kira already)

[scaldingsands]

[Kalim nods excitably, continuing to rummage through the stockpiles of food.]

There are tomatoes and mushrooms! But salad is a good idea, too. Do you think that would make everyone happy?

[Murder game aside, and all that.]

Is that enough food? I’m used to having a lot more. What else goes well with omelets and salad, do you think?

[Kalim assumes Kira is the expert! A food connoisseur, if you will.]

And, oh, what about something to drink?

[Drinks that definitely won’t be poisoned!]

Trial

[lovedthemost]

It was murder. [just...the most deadpan, probably with a hint of annoyance.]