[Time has passed, and confusion has reigned among the Strangers gathered, with no answer for the burning questions here: Why were they brought here? Why do they have the devices on their wrists? What are they even needed for?
All they are met with is silence.
Save for when they get suddenly shlorped into the floor, being placed in what feels like a dark slip and slide until they are shunted out into -
...Theatre seats?
The smell of blood might be more pervasive, especially since the Strangers will find themselves covered in the stuff, though it oddly fades away within a few moments as if it were never there.
The theatre before them is dark, a red velvet curtain across its expanse - as formless whispers in the audience surround the Strangers. Words cannot be made out, but it's almost as if they are waiting for a play to begin.
And then...A Blue, glowing butterfly flits through the air, landing on the stage as a voice rings out -]
Life...is unfair.
[The butterfly is crushed under the heel of someone who was not there before, spotlights shining on what looks like nothing more than an old man in a strange costume and cape. Oddly, there's no bug remnants - the butterfly merely explodes into what looks like a glowing blue mist before fading away.
The old man opens his arms dramatically towards the audience, face in shadow.]
To the best and brightest should go all the spoils and glory...and yet, it hardly works out that way, does it? The most innocent should be allowed to live in peace and comfort, yet they are often born in war-torn, cruel situations. This unfairness is built into our very beings- for many of us, for us to be able to live, something else must die, despite any attempts to limit that suffering.
Thus - life is unfair. Life is suffering. This, I will not attempt to argue against - it is no surprise to me that the Buddha gazed upon this earth and decided the true way was to free yourself from the suffering that comes inherent to living.
[A pause.]
Sadly, I am nowhere near such an enlightened being. Others must die so you may live, and I will not seek to lessen it. Instead...
[He leans in, his face finally out of shadow and grinning.]
...I will happily sneer at your despair.
Welcome, my dear Strangers! I have brought you all here to play a game - one that will end in blood and death, hatred and sorrow! And who, you may ask, is the dastardly devil that proclaims himself the arbiter of your suffering so clearly?!
Well, that is simple - I am James Moriarty, the Napoleon of Crime! The very same man that ruled London's underground with an iron fist, and the one that will be controlling your lives in his web!
[At that, he takes out a coin - flipping it easily within his fingers like a practiced street magician.]
Perhaps in another time, or another place...your esteemed host would offer you a chance at freedom. A coin flip, perhaps - Heads, you stay, Tails you go. To leave it to luck if you had to deal with such a hideous game in front of you.
...However...
[He stops the coin, flipping it over twice to show both sides are heads.]
...I, at least, will not even allow you the illusion of hope. For...Life is unfair, and the game is often rigged from the start by forces beyond your control.
[He throws up the coin, letting it fall into the audience. Sorry if it bonks you on the head!]
So! The game you all find yourself is quite simple, all things considered - Merely escape the HMHS Gigantic. You'll find that the rules have been sent to your watches, and I am certain you all saw the X Door amidst your confused milling about. I shall be here for a time to answer your questions - and afterwards, I will retire elsewhere for quite some time. No worries - this isn't the last you've seen of me, but....Please, do ask any questions while you have the chance, hm?
[...
Guess it seems like you'd better ask your questions now, while you still have the time to.]
Moriarty | R7 Host AU
All they are met with is silence.
Save for when they get suddenly shlorped into the floor, being placed in what feels like a dark slip and slide until they are shunted out into -
...Theatre seats?
The smell of blood might be more pervasive, especially since the Strangers will find themselves covered in the stuff, though it oddly fades away within a few moments as if it were never there.
The theatre before them is dark, a red velvet curtain across its expanse - as formless whispers in the audience surround the Strangers. Words cannot be made out, but it's almost as if they are waiting for a play to begin.
And then...A Blue, glowing butterfly flits through the air, landing on the stage as a voice rings out -]
Life...is unfair.
[The butterfly is crushed under the heel of someone who was not there before, spotlights shining on what looks like nothing more than an old man in a strange costume and cape. Oddly, there's no bug remnants - the butterfly merely explodes into what looks like a glowing blue mist before fading away.
The old man opens his arms dramatically towards the audience, face in shadow.]
To the best and brightest should go all the spoils and glory...and yet, it hardly works out that way, does it? The most innocent should be allowed to live in peace and comfort, yet they are often born in war-torn, cruel situations. This unfairness is built into our very beings- for many of us, for us to be able to live, something else must die, despite any attempts to limit that suffering.
Thus - life is unfair. Life is suffering. This, I will not attempt to argue against - it is no surprise to me that the Buddha gazed upon this earth and decided the true way was to free yourself from the suffering that comes inherent to living.
[A pause.]
Sadly, I am nowhere near such an enlightened being. Others must die so you may live, and I will not seek to lessen it. Instead...
[He leans in, his face finally out of shadow and grinning.]
...I will happily sneer at your despair.
Welcome, my dear Strangers! I have brought you all here to play a game - one that will end in blood and death, hatred and sorrow! And who, you may ask, is the dastardly devil that proclaims himself the arbiter of your suffering so clearly?!
Well, that is simple - I am James Moriarty, the Napoleon of Crime! The very same man that ruled London's underground with an iron fist, and the one that will be controlling your lives in his web!
[At that, he takes out a coin - flipping it easily within his fingers like a practiced street magician.]
Perhaps in another time, or another place...your esteemed host would offer you a chance at freedom. A coin flip, perhaps - Heads, you stay, Tails you go. To leave it to luck if you had to deal with such a hideous game in front of you.
...However...
[He stops the coin, flipping it over twice to show both sides are heads.]
...I, at least, will not even allow you the illusion of hope. For...Life is unfair, and the game is often rigged from the start by forces beyond your control.
[He throws up the coin, letting it fall into the audience. Sorry if it bonks you on the head!]
So! The game you all find yourself is quite simple, all things considered - Merely escape the HMHS Gigantic. You'll find that the rules have been sent to your watches, and I am certain you all saw the X Door amidst your confused milling about. I shall be here for a time to answer your questions - and afterwards, I will retire elsewhere for quite some time. No worries - this isn't the last you've seen of me, but....Please, do ask any questions while you have the chance, hm?
[...
Guess it seems like you'd better ask your questions now, while you still have the time to.]