[ Argenti is about to say something in response - anything, really - that was a demand for more information or more to that effect.
Except...
Right before his eyes there is a shift. So sudden and frightening that his breath is stolen away. A deluge of emotions washes over Argenti immediately.
Never in his worst nightmares did he ever imagine this happening to Fray. ]
[ Argenti doesn't even realize his hands are shaking. What happened?
Did Atem switch Fray's place with the monster conjured from his own fears - or perhaps drew on his experience with confronting his own dear ones who had...
No, he can't...he can't face what's going on now. It feels like he's actually about to lose his mind. ]
Stop it...stop it...
[ This can't be real. Can it? The problem is that he doesn't know. And he doesn't want to strike to find out, so he's paralyzed. ]
[ ...Fray's still here with them. He breathes out a sigh of relief, looking in the other man's direction - even if his appearance has been changed, the fact that he is here, and his nightmare hasn't been granted reality...
Or Atem hasn't stolen him away somehow makes him relax even more. He just wishes the illusion would shatter completely. ]
He's taken on the illusionary form of the Omen of Evil.
[That's all he manages to get out before the scenery around him suddenly shifts, swirling into an indiscernible mist before coalescing again into what appears to be a throne room, one he knows quite well...
... this time, however, his uncle is nowhere to be seen. The body on the floor is neither his father nor his uncle this time, but rather a familiar form clad in white, and beside it blood drips from the sword of a man wearing the outfit of one of the Windor royal guards.
His guards. His guards, who he had trusted to keep him safe, who he had trusted with his life and the safety of everything he held dear, most especially--
Why?
The name that leaves his lips is little more than a disbelieving whisper as he reaches one arm out helplessly towards that motionless form.]
[He reaches up, wraps his fingers around Richard's wrist, and holds it, right there. Let's not poke his eyeballs out, thank you.]
Does that mean you cannot see them? [What a wonderful opening to segue into their foolproof method of getting past this absurd little penalty game! But... does he want to? He could wring a little more out of this reticent man.]
[Richard jolts a bit at that firm contact, struggles instinctively against it for a moment, but there's not much strength behind his actions when he's as stunned as he is.
He doesn't understand what Shalem is asking. Can he not see the scene right in front of him?]
Of course I can! They're right there--! Let go of me, I need to... Asbel!
[And he tries to stretch out his arm again, to reach towards where Asbel lies, as if he can somehow will him to get back up by doing so.]
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What does this "Penalty Game" entail?
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[Fray's lucky he won his game unscathed!
But Argenti's maybe not so lucky.
As the room distorts for Argenti, so do the occupants. Less and less does Fray look like himself, but the very Omen of Evil Argenti fears most.]
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Except...
Right before his eyes there is a shift. So sudden and frightening that his breath is stolen away. A deluge of emotions washes over Argenti immediately.
Never in his worst nightmares did he ever imagine this happening to Fray. ]
...!
2/2
[ Argenti doesn't even realize his hands are shaking. What happened?
Did Atem switch Fray's place with the monster conjured from his own fears - or perhaps drew on his experience with confronting his own dear ones who had...
No, he can't...he can't face what's going on now. It feels like he's actually about to lose his mind. ]
Stop it...stop it...
[ This can't be real. Can it? The problem is that he doesn't know. And he doesn't want to strike to find out, so he's paralyzed. ]
Re: 2/2
--Argenti!? Fray's fine, I promise!
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It must be an illusion. That must be it.
Argenti takes a breath; that was unsightly of him, having fallen for that trick and wound up utterly confused. ]
...he is?
He is still standing with us?
[ He has just to confirm Fray's whereabouts as well. Just to be certain Atem didn't steal him away and prop up the illusion instead. ]
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Or Atem hasn't stolen him away somehow makes him relax even more. He just wishes the illusion would shatter completely. ]
He's taken on the illusionary form of the Omen of Evil.
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1/????
2/2
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...The penalties from losing?
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( absolutely no one has actually filled her in. is she going to die for puzzle crimes. )
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[... Did the puzzle's eye just close?]
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What happened...?
( ... only mafuyu could be concerned for the ancient evil murder death puzzle. )
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[He sneers at Richard.]
You're foolish if you think that's why you're being punished.
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[That's all he manages to get out before the scenery around him suddenly shifts, swirling into an indiscernible mist before coalescing again into what appears to be a throne room, one he knows quite well...
... this time, however, his uncle is nowhere to be seen. The body on the floor is neither his father nor his uncle this time, but rather a familiar form clad in white, and beside it blood drips from the sword of a man wearing the outfit of one of the Windor royal guards.
His guards. His guards, who he had trusted to keep him safe, who he had trusted with his life and the safety of everything he held dear, most especially--
Why?
The name that leaves his lips is little more than a disbelieving whisper as he reaches one arm out helplessly towards that motionless form.]
Asbel...?
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He stands before Richard, but doesn't step aside when the man reaches out, so Richard's fingers brush his face.]
Who are you looking for? [His voice is soft, but carries.]
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[He can't tear his eyes away from the scene, can't even look at Shalem, but at least the voice registers.]
My guards, they... they were supposed to protect, not... not this...
[Have they turned on him once again? Is this simply an inevitability in the end?]
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Does that mean you cannot see them? [What a wonderful opening to segue into their foolproof method of getting past this absurd little penalty game! But... does he want to? He could wring a little more out of this reticent man.]
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He doesn't understand what Shalem is asking. Can he not see the scene right in front of him?]
Of course I can! They're right there--! Let go of me, I need to... Asbel!
[And he tries to stretch out his arm again, to reach towards where Asbel lies, as if he can somehow will him to get back up by doing so.]
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