GAME OVER (S██'s Palace)

[pointzeropercent]

Comments

[prozaic]

... Really now. Video game rules?

[He doesn't even play video games!]

I assume the answer is quite obvious to all of us here, yes?

[speedingticket]

[ Rutile still thinks this is a movie. He slides over to Shalem with worry and confusion all over his face. ]

What does that mean? ...Do you think it's safe to play along?

[ OBVIOUSLY ASKING ABOUT THE VIDEO GAME THING /didnt see the edit ]

[prozaic]

It's not safe, no, but we must. [Sorry Rutile! But harsh truths must be said.] In the rules of a game set before us, we must play along in order to continue and reach the end.

The consequences of failing to do so in a game means we merely start over, depending on the game, but in real life? That is not something to think lightly about, even with magic.

[metagame]

I wouldn't be so sure we can start over if we don't follow the rules.

[He says, interrupting Shalem in the process.]

I don't know how Sou did it... But it's clear to me this is a Shadow Game--- if we fail to play along or follow the rules, then the penalty is death.

[prozaic]

It's as I said-- we cannot take this lightly.

[Atem merely said the quiet part out loud.]

[speedingticket]

[ Rutile just listens, looking between them in mild alarm. ]

I see...

[ Follow the rules or die? Well, sounds like he doesn't have much of a choice. ]

I can't die, so...I'll do my best.

[ Dying is not an option on this table (not that he is physically incapable of doing so—a certain someone's life would be a lot easier if that were the case), so he has no choice. ]

[prozaic]

I have a vested interest in not dying either. [If only to preserve the lives of others.]

Hence, you are not alone.

[speedingticket]

[ Oh. That's kind of nice to hear, though.

Rutile smiles, slight. ]

We can make it through this.