ready as we'll ever be

[tellthestory]

[The Balladeer is true to his word. So, before the dead's scheduled performance, still dressed in the outfit Salieri forced him to helped him choose, he takes his guitar and sneaks out to the garden one last time. He hasn't visited it yet today, and he always feels guilty when he doesn't manage. He told everyone he'd be here. Even if neither of them can hear each other, he intends to keep his promise.

So he's there to notice when the trees begin closing in. The Balladeer shoots to his feet. Oh, no. He knows this feeling.]

Everyone! Come out to the garden! Bring your stuff!

[He calls out aloud, but he can use that projection trick just as well as the Player - his voice is audible anywhere in the school.

When people arrive to join him, there will still be a path through the woods to lead them to the garden. He doesn't want to strain himself before the performance, but something as small as that shouldn't cause problems later. It's too important that everyone get out here - because when people arrive, they'll find that all of the living are visible. The Balladeer is watching them, but making no attempt to interact; he already knows how this is going to go. It isn't time for that yet. Still...]

It's the end.

[Have fun spectating the trial!]

Comments

[violentenvies]

Indeed. [he reaches out to gently set a hand on Varian's shoulder] They make you think that they're just like everyone else, when their arrogance says that they are far from that. But they are subtle enough that it doesn't become everyone else's problem until it's too late.

[alchemistake]

[He feels that hand on his shoulder, and...he's going to put his free one over it, his other still holding Rina's.]

But this time it isn't too late. He's cornered, and he knows it.

[violentenvies]

He is. [a nod] And we have just what we need to push him into a checkmate.