III | ( ACCIDENTAL ) VIDEO | CANON MOVE

[pawful]

[ the recording opens on a peculiar scene. In the center of the metaworld parlor, there are two blue-haired girls — one sprawled out on the floor, the other standing over her. Erika sniffles, tears dripping down her reddened face as she all but grovels in front of Bernkastel. Battler stands some distance away from them, while Lambda watches the whole thing from where she’s leaning on the back of one of the chairs. ]

... Hey, Erika.

[ Erika glances at him, pushing herself up onto her knees. ]

Wh... what is it?

That last, fierce attack you and Dlanor made in the last game... was spectacular.

... Th... thanks.

What happened to that girl this time? Are you by yourself?

[ another voice joins in from the shadows of the room, that of Dlanor, Erika’s furniture and servant. She explains that she wasn’t able to help Erika this time with her sword, that long blade of hers capable of creating red truths. When Battler asks her why, she doesn’t reply... though, she does glance in Bernkastel’s direction.

The lightness fades from Battler’s face and voice, and there’s a new edge to his words when he speaks to Bernkastel... ]

You. You're the one who told Erika not to use the detective proclamation.

... Oho, I don't know what you're talking about.

[ even though Bernkastel smirks and denies that she’s anything but a theatergoer trying to relieve her boredom, Battler buys none of it. He tells her that the game is a fight between him and Erika, and there’s no need for someone like her to manipulate it. When Bernkastel replies that there’s no way Battler can say that his game was a success without someone to observe it, he brushes that off too. ]

... Our truth only needs to pass between the two of us! If you get in the way any further, I will boot you out by force. ... Then you can writhe around in boredom for a few centuries until you find another way to kill time.

[ and at those words...

Bernkastel scowls, rage and scorn exploding in her voice. ]

Then why don't I?! [ she turns away sharply, striding over to — no, past — Erika, as if the other girl was less than trash. ] Erika, this game is over! Good work. ... You were completely useless. You weren't able to overturn the dishonor of your loss, so as promised, I'll throw you into the worst Fragment, I'll toss you into the depths of oblivion with the empty popcorn buckets!!

[ Erika looks up, eyes wide, panic and desperation in her face, trying very hard not to break down into more tears. ]

M... my master...! I will... I will win... I'll win no matter what...!! So please... let me fight Battler until the end...!! I don't... want to lose... and get thrown in the d... depths of oblivion...

... You know I want to watch until the end, right? ...But Battler says he'll toss me out. Hey, what'll you do, Lambda?!

[ Lambda sighs and abandons her spectating position, walking over to Battler and Erika. ]

Well, ... I realize you've been irritated since the last game, Bern, but calm down a bit. ... And Battler, don't provoke Bern so much. This kid can't control her emotions sometimes.

Shut up... Who can't control her emotions...?!

[ but even as Bernkastel says that, some of her anger seems to dissipate. She clicks her tongue and looks away, crossing her arms with her back to the others. ]

... Erika, you want to fight Battler, clear your name, and get Bern back into a good mood, right?

Y... yes...

Battler, you want to quickly and neatly end this 'final game' so that you can prove that you've found the truth, right?

... Yeah. This is a face-off between me and Erika. I won't let anyone get in my way, but I won't let anyone get in Erika's way either.

... B... Battler...

If both of them wish to fight, then that should be respected. ... Leave Bern to me. I'm the only one in the world who can calm that kid when she gets into a bad mood.

[ Battler grins, though it’s an exasperate sort of smile. ]

... You're the same sort as her... but at least you can be reasonable.

[ in contrast, when Lambda looks at him... her expression is utterly serious. ]

... You shouldn't underestimate me. I just like seeing Bern grimace. That's why I've taken a liking to this game of yours. ... If you think I'm easy to handle, you're apt to get burned, okay...?

... Hmph.

[ Lambda explains that Dlanor can’t help Erika if the detective proclamation hasn’t been made. However, when Battler tells Erika to make it, she refuses, shakily getting back on her feet to try and salvage at least a scrap of her old pride.

Then, Dlanor mentions that if Erika used her duct tape seals, she would be able to use her red sword to support Erika. Since Bernkastel guaranteed the seals to be the equivalent of red truth in the previous game, Dlanor could at least help Erika in arguments where the seals would be involved. When Battler says that he had removed all the sticky duct tape on the island in anticipation of such arguments, Dlanor only comments that it was a splendid move.

Battler looks over at Erika, who stares back at him, a mixture of defiance, shame, and suffering in her eyes. He takes a deep breath and thinks for a while. ]

Erika. It's up to you whether you make the detective proclamation. In that case, go and fight just with your power as a human.

I've been prepared to do that from the beginning...!

[ Battler doesn’t look convinced. He tells her that since playing for the human side is tough, she shouldn’t ignore her allies. Dlanor nods and vows her support for Erika. Gertrude and Cornelia appear and do the same. ]

Erika. ... I will give power, not to you, but to your allies. [ Erika starts to protest, but he continues talking. ] Three people: Dlanor, Gertrude, and Cornelia. ... Erika. I'll let you use three rooms' worth of those duct tape seals.

[ though Dlanor questions his decision, Battler goes on to declare that he also acknowledges the equivalence of the seals to the red truth. Lambdadelta laughs. ]

Whew, what a man! Aren't you lucky, Erika?! Now you can use a bit of red without making the detective proclamation and irritating your master.

... Y... you'll regret this... I'll use these three seals... and kill you... no matter what...!

Sounds great. Come and kill me.

[ Erika grits her teeth, but she doesn’t object to it at all. Dlanor and Battler talk for a while longer, and eventually it’s decided that Battler will rewrite the story to say Erika received sticky duct tape earlier and had the opportunity to adjust her actions retroactively too.

After their discussion is over, Bernkastel smiles mockingly. ]

It seems you've grown quite arrogant since becoming Game Master. Isn't it fun to give out charity to your pathetic opponents?

Quiet. And don't misunderstand. ... I'm not being arrogant or easy on her. ... Erika, use this weapon and come at me with all you've got. Then I will crush you with all I've got. So, hold your head up high and use those three. That is all.

[ with a flick of his cape, Battler goes to leave — but a strained "wait" from Erika makes him stop. He turns back to see Erika standing in front of him with her head bowed. ]

... What is it?

[ Erika stays silent. ]

If you have no business with me, I'm going. Make sure you talk with Dlanor. Don't listen to those obnoxious witches, whatever they tell you. As long as I'm on this game board, I won't let them do whatever they please.

[ finally, Erika speaks. ]

... Th... thank you... Thank you... I'll... fight with all I've got... I'll come at you with all my strength... so... I'll defeat you no matter what... So... if you do win against me... please crush me with all your strength. [ Erika starts crying again. ] ... Please... don't leave... a scrap behind...!

[ Battler seems to consider this, and then his expression softens. It’s not quite a smile, but it’s not the grim look that he wore throughout the conversation either. ]

... Understood. ... And don't you go easy on me. ... This is the final game. I'm playing to prove to Beato that I've reached the truth. ... By now, who wins and who loses doesn't affect that goal. So, I just want to accept you as a rival and settle this. ... In the game, let us suspect each other over everything as enemies. But as fellow players, let's trust each other. ... That's how this game is supposed to be played.

... Yes... Thank you... Thank you...

[ walking away, Battler vanishes in a cloud of golden butterflies, leaving Erika and the two witches alone in the room. Erika’s sobs continue for a few moments before finally trailing off into silence...

She rubs her eyes, wiping the tears away.

Then —

She lifts her head, smiles... and the parlor fills with harsh cackling as the three laugh in triumph.

Just kidding☆ ]

Dang you're dim, stupid man. ... You totally fell for it and gave me the tape... I... Furudo Erika... have duct tape...!!

[ the witches continue making an uproar, ridiculing Battler for how easily he fell into their trap. ]

With this, I can kill Battler perfectly...! I figured out those pathetic closed rooms long ago...! A perfect closed room? Dumbaaaaaaaaaaaaass!! I'll show you a real perfect closed room! And I could almost cry for joy at the fact that you gave me the weapon that will finish you...! My master, Lady Lambdadelta...! Thank you so much for going along with this act!

It was fun. No need to thank me.

... Plus it wasn't an act.

[ Bernkastel giggles, and then the recording cuts off. ]

( ooc: TLDR — Erika: Get the duct tape )

Comments

video;

[tenminutes]

[ Yes, this is just a video of Yuri facepalming.

It basically covers anything she could've said. ]

video;

[chestboard]

[....he's in trouble...]

Mmm... it recorded?

video;

[pawful]

[ when she finds out about it, Bernkastel isn't too happy about the recording either, for various reasons... but she hides it the best that she can. Lounging in a comfortable armchair, the book she uses to connect to the community in her hands, she looks like she's just relaxing.

To Yuri, she only raises her eyebrows, inviting a proper answer. ]

Re: video;

[sugar_and_spice_witch]

[Oh, they saw this. Well, that doesn't surprise Lambdadelta. It'd be nice if this particular thing didn't show, but she can roll with this. She leans back in her chair.]

He's such a fool, isn't he? He does show occasional moments of competency but in a game like this that really isn't enough. He's too kind.

[Video]

[passionateflame]

Well, wasn't that underhanded... it reminds me of something I might have done not so long ago.

[Not sure if annoyed or just don't care.]

[Video]

[chestboard]

What you might have done?

Don't tell me you're like a witch as well...

[Video]

[pawful]

[ oh, this face is new... ]

"Underhanded"...? Is there such a word, when you're playing to win?

Re: [Video]

[sugar_and_spice_witch]

This's that kind of game. He really should've learned from the last time this sort of trick was pulled on him.

premavid

[second_star]

[ None of that really made sense, but...it had to do with their game, or whatever, right?

He had a feeling one side wasn't exactly playing fair...For now, he's just kinda watching in silence, trying to make as much sense as he could out of this.

....What was duct tape, even? ]

premavid

[chestboard]

[oh hi other yuri.]

...Having fun watching?

permavid

[pawful]

[ gosh, both of you are so eloquent today, Yuri.

Bernkastel doesn't say anything either, letting a tilt of her head be her response. ]

Re: premavid

[sugar_and_spice_witch]

Quite a sight, isn't it?

Permavid;

[hugmyscythe]

So much discussion; it all sounds important.

Permavid;

[chestboard]

As important as it'll ever get.... [damn thing recorded.]

The community caught me talking like a Game Master again it seems... and here I wanted to stop that kind of speech.

Permavid;

[pawful]

And it is important, for some.

[Video]

[material_guy]

What kinda game is this, anyway? I never did figure that part out...

[Video]

[chestboard]

[GREED.....]

Didn't I explain things to you? ....I doubt you'd really understand even if I did though. [someone's upset it recorded.]

[Video]

[pawful]

There's no need for you to understand it.

video;

[denies]

[ ... She's not even going to dignify this by talking to anyone in person, so this way it is. Seriously, wasn't this exact issue why he needed her help in the fourth game? He's way too nice, the moment someone acts a little sad he immediately gives in and just.. ugh, why must her older brother be such an idiot at times.

Despite her own worries though, she sounds perfectly calm and deadpan as ever when she speaks up though. ]

Good job. [ except the sarcasm is just practically dripping off it - for either side, that is. ]

video;

[chestboard]

[NO ANGE DON'T BE LIKE THIS. If he wasn't overly nice he really wouldn't be her precious older brother.]

..I sense a hint of something else in that.

( video )

[jailbirds]

[ head in hands. ]

Aah, that's it, that friendship is over... I don't even want to acknowledge the existence of someone that stupid.

( video )

[chestboard]

Come on, she won't win even if she has that. She can go ahead and try to kill me, it won't work.

[text]

[enshrined]

Eh? Is tape that useful?

handwritten;

[chestboard]

It creates a perfect closed room.

[ifbymyhands]

Wait, what?

[chestboard]

Is it really that hard to follow?

Erika... she was suffering so, I let her use that duct tape she wanted so desperately.

[makewayforroze]

Why are you helping her?

[chestboard]

....Heh, because she looked like she could use it.

[didiscareyouyet]

I don't... get it...

[chestboard]

Don't worry, it took me a while before I understood this all too.

1/3

[sandinmyboots]

You...

[sandinmyboots]

You beetle-brained sop-sucking weak-kneed womanizing gullible trash! Does the mere presence of the feminine shut down the logic centers of your mind, or are you so besotted with the stronger sex that you fall for the most infantile play-acting they send your way? What were you thinking - or were you even thinking with the correct head?!