tropicalgetaway | week two: execution

Entry tags:

!execution

week two: execution

WEEK TWO: EXECUTION

Morning dawns bright and early the day after the trial, but there's no time to wait. As it rises and settles in the sky, the low, deep thrumming sound echoes throughout the entire island, which turns into ringing, a drawn-out signal that grows louder and louder until it seems as though all other sounds on the island fall to a hush.

It is then that the lighthouse beacon becomes illuminated, drawing them all to the southern beach. That same voice as before rings, audible throughout the entire island.

"The time has come to dispatch your sacrifice. All are welcome to witness this choice. Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd, you have been selected to bear this responsibility. And C-3PO...no running away, now."

The voice grows quiet, and Dimitri and C-3PO will feel themselves drawn toward the lighthouse. While the rest of the group may resist its call, they may find themselves curious or unable to stop themselves from following the pair to the southern beach.

Nothing can be done to stop these proceedings. Even for those who try to jump in, they will find themselves weighed down as if falling into quicksand. This burden is Dimitri's to bear and Dimitri's alone.

It's time to say goodbye.

full navigation.

locations ♦ statuses ♦ private conversations
curfew ♦ murder proposals

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Edited 2020-05-10 19:01 (UTC)

[ Dimitri is tired. It shows on his face, the dark blotches under his eyes signaling that he hasn't slept all night, tirelessly throwing himself at a mystery that doesn't want to be solved. Did he sleep before then, besides when they'd been forced to?

Ah, well. It doesn't really matter, because even if he isn't at his best, the field they're playing in seems as skewed as it was last week. He tests his movements against the sand, flipping a dagger in his hand, a makeshift spear at his side that he doesn't intend to use. But it's not hard to wield either. As 'executioner,' he's apparently free to move however he likes.

So he approaches C-3PO, oddly calm. ]

Dawn is here, friend. It's time to face our fate.

[ So he'd promised. ]

When you were blown to pieces, this island hadn't registered you as dead. We were able to bring you back. I would prefer to kill you quickly—so how do you suggest I do so?

[ It's either tell him, or they figure out the long way. ]

Oh dear...the odds did seem rather low we'd find anything.

[we're doomed]

Still, I'm glad you listened to my pleas—I'm not often listened to on such things. I do hope you're not too tired from the search, sir.

[a small bow]

If you are to 'kill' me—that is, permanent deactivation—the only way really would be to destroy my logic function computer here.

[he helpfully points to the center of his forehead

and waits]

[ He'd expected more of a fight, but C-3PO has been nothing but helpful so far, even when he was working with his own would-be killer. It saddens him a little, but he gives him an appreciative look. ]

...Thank you, C-3PO. I do not know if you deserve to die, but I promise I will make it swift. You rallied bravely until the end.

[ With that figured out, he shuts his eyes a moment, letting out a short, stabilizing sigh. ]

But I'll have to ask you to wait a little longer.

[ When he composes itself, it's with a small smile. There is nothing friendly about it; even if he looks himself, there's a strain in his voice, some strange manic twinge to the way the words form and he walks across the sand. ]

Tell me—did you expect things to end this way?

[ He stops a few steps short of Giyuu, dagger sharp and bright in his hand, hilt biting into his hand as he grips too tightly. ]

[ if dimitri was expecting giyuu to suddenly have a change of character or anything and the like, that's not what happens. instead he'll look between the blade and dimitri with impassive eyes. he can see what the struggle and inner turmoil that stirs within him and...

there's a trace of confusion as he looks at the blade but at the same time... is this not also his responsibility? perhaps he was all wrong about dimitri during their talk last night?

calmly, carefully, he considers his words though there's only so much he can say when faced with a blade and an intent to kill. ]

I'm not sure what you're referring to.

[ He doesn't know what sort of face he expects from him. He's read Giyuu incorrectly for weeks. If he hadn't, would they be here?

But here, at the end of it all, this is his responsibility, and he isn't stalling. There's just things they deserve to know—and, just maybe, he doesn't mind drawing this moment out a little. ]

What I mean is... did you want to be found? Were you hoping this might happen? Or maybe you were gleefully orchestrating our deaths with no intention of suffering any consequence.

[ He is still smiling, but it's strained. He doesn't know what he wants the truth to be. ]

I am going to kill you regardless, so you might as well be honest. You have kept the truth from us long enough.

[Having been standing in place and confusedly watching the exchange, Threepio shuffles over to just behind Dimitri's shoulder]

Pardon me, sir. I don't believe the announcement mentioned anything about killing Master Giyuu.

Edited 2020-05-10 20:10 (UTC)

[ answers.

they were all looking for answers, weren't they? it was what he has been encouraging everyone he spoke to to do. find out why this is happening. what clues were there? however, as things progressed they came to a wall where all of the information they had equated to what?

information with no solid leads... a voice that speaks to them from an unknown location about the terrible deeds that they've done and are expected to do. again, giyuu only looks at the blade for a moment before looking away from dimitri. ]

Is that what you think of me after this time?

[ particular words echo in his mind. a strained smile. ]

The answer you're looking for in those questions won't be found with me. I know nothing more than anyone else here.

[ Sorry, C-3PO, but he's not turning his attention away from what he has to do. Something more honest crosses his expression, pained, smile breaking as his jaw sets. ]

I thought of you as my friend. Genuinely and truly.

[ He had steeled himself for this for hours, turned their conversations over and over in his head obessively—it had all felt like it was leading to this. Deliberate, in its own strange way, as though Giyuu had wanted the truth to emerge.

Maybe Dimitri's just been naive, wanting to find some truth to their friendship, some point to all this madness. But either way, he had wanted to hear it for himself. Some confirmation of Giyuu's motives... some sort of closure. His mania calms in the face of regret, but he raises his dagger all the same.

A quick death it is. ]

Very well then. There is nothing left to do but carry out our responsibilities.

[ And so, his arm lashes out. ]

Edited 2020-05-10 20:37 (UTC)

Master Dimitri, wait!

[From behind Dimitri, Threepio grabs at the raised arm, but his arms are slow, his movements clunky—nothing about him is meant for anything like this.

He just

doesn't want anyone else to be hurt.]

[ It's enough, at least, to restrain him. But no matter how soft his sentiments, Dimitri's been picked as executioner, and he's going to do his job.

He tosses C-3PO off with a flurry of sand, eyes sharp and blazing. ]

Stay back—

[ One moment, Shinobu is holding Mitsuri's hand, and the next, she isn't. Her movements are slowed, weighed down, and she can't travel far, but it's enough. For close she is or isn't to Giyuu, for how close she is or isn't to Mitsuri, it's enough. That strange mania that she can sense from Dimitri—

Her mind races, and for all her reason, for all her intelligence, for all her wisdom, it's her heart that propels and drives her forward to do any great thing she does.

There has always been one thing she's wanted more than anything else, but didn't she make a promise? Isn't there something she stands for and believes in? Isn't there something that can be done?

Her lovely voice rings out, clear as a bell on a quiet day. ]

Flayn-san is dead because of me!

[ For a moment, the thin thread of his self-control—the constant battle of trying to be a better person than he actually is—feels like it might hold out, just barely. He would kill Giyuu in one stroke, then C-3PO, and then, maybe. Maybe... it would be over. He could rest—they all could.

But instead, he goes stock still. His brow crinkles, anger fresh in his eyes again. ]

Explain yourself.

[ Is this some last-ditch ploy? ]

[ what?

even after he hear's shinobu's (alleged) confession, he doesn't believe it. after everything that they've spoken about and the promise that they've made. she was there at trial as well when dimitri made his claim... he thinks, again, to what he and dimitri spoke of.

the stoicism that existed before starts to fall to pieces as the weight of her words and what he can only suspect will happen next grows inside of him. giyuu has his moments where he is woefully ignorant about what is going on and misreads the situation but this?

it's a lie. she's lying again. images and faces flashback in his mind and giyuu struggles to move—just because he was prepared..... just because he accepted it.... ]

[ She sees Giyuu's movements in her peripheral vision but doesn't acknowledge him. Her eyes are dark and steady as they lock on Dimitri. She knows anger more than anyone. ]

Who on this island do you think knows poisons more than I do? I was born into a pharmacist's family.

[ There's no hint of any hesitation in her voice, no wavering, no trembling, only light and airy confidence. Her posture may be a little more stiff than usual, but she appears as composed as she usually does, as much of a smile in her voice as on her lips.

What is she so convinced of? What is she trying to do?

Is this the answer they're looking for? ]

[ Flayn was such a force of good—possibly the gentlest and kindest of all of them who were left. And Shinobu—hadn't she said she would fight this? When Flayn had died, she offered him sympathy. A like soul who he had trusted all this time.

It's unbelievable, but his shock gives way quickly. ]

Is that so.

[ Some terrible swell of emotion rises in his chest, cloying. His voice goes hoarse, wretched and grieving. ]

I've only two things to ask, then. Why did you do it?

[ Whatever the others do, he changes track, feet treading against the sand. It shouldn't be a surprise that he'd make good on his threat. Maybe this is some trick to try and save themselves, but he's confident he can kill whoever he needs to. However many are guilty. ] And how would you prefer to die?

Edited 2020-05-10 22:04 (UTC)

[ Something twists in her heart, a pang, a stab that she can see Dimitri wouldn't mind as much to do anymore. There is something broken, but she can't go back. She made a choice.

A sound escapes from her lips, something that's not quite laughter, something as loud and fragile as the flapping of a one-winged butterfly.

That doesn't detract from the determination set in her face. ]

There are some things I don't wish to see.

[ There is no semblance of guilt to be found in her. ]

Please make it quick.

[ Shinobu doesn't know what is correct, but she knows what is right. What's she doing is not a kindness, conversations she's had coming to the forefront of her mind, but she's doing what she hopes will work.

If there's one thing, she doesn't want this to draw out too long. She knows loss and grief. ]

[ This entire time, he had believed in them all, burying his doubts, believing that they could truly escape this place together. The problem is, now: not all of them deserve to. The betrayal stings like a wound. Shinobu had claimed to want to end this ritual, to save them, to grieve as so many of them died—only to do this? Either she is working with the orchestrator of these crimes, or a killer herself, and neither would do.

She had asked him a question, once: does someone who would take lives for their own survival and satisfaction deserve to live and leave with the innocent?

And his answer is quick, relatively. The flash and sting of a blade, whipped straight into her chest, the force of it so much that it knocks her back. When he retracts the dagger and stabs a second time, blood catches on his hands, against his cape, on his chin.

The third stab is just for good measure. For Flayn. For what he swore to do at trial. For every sad ghost he's had to see trapped in this horrible place. ]

[ Of everything, it's only Mitsuri's cry that creates a crack in the iron fortress of her smile. The sadness and grief that mixes with all her anger and rage flickers to the surface for the briefest moment before she faces Dimitri with what dignity and integrity she has, whatever of either she has left.

It is relatively quick. She can't move, the power of the island or whatever's at work keeping her slow when she's usually so agile. Her eyes widen as the blade strikes true, but she makes no sound for the unbearable pain it causes, as she stumbles back. The second stab makes her eyes flash with tenacity, trying not to hit the ground so soon, but the sudden impact make her hair loosen from its confines. Blood from each knife plunge splatters across her uniform and haori, marring the beautiful colors of someone long gone.

The third and final blow makes her fall to the ground, the sand cushioning some of her fall as much as it knocks the air out of her. As the blood collects in her lungs, she breathes with a raw and rattling sound that's not so unfamiliar to her. She can't speak, but her lips tremble before they curve into a smile, so gentle and heartachingly soft.

What do any of them know for certainty? Dimitri or someone else by another name?

All she knows is she moves to save lives, whether it's simply one or more, and it's what kept her heart moving, what kept her living strong and true.

With her last strength, she extends her pinky out towards someone, and as her head hits the sand for the final time, her butterfly hair piece flies free to land at Giyuu's feet.

Shinobu is dead. ]

[ seeing death and people die is part of his job. demon slayers, pillars, are not people who are unfamiliar with death—they are some of the people who have lost the most and wish nothing but to protect everyone else around them so that they do not lose anyone else. no sentiment was truer than for the two of them even if they never discussed it so plainly between them. the haoris they wore told the stories that they (he) kept silent about.

the sound of the dagger plunging into shinobu and the sickening sound of it... before it could be easily said that they were never particularly close, but they worked closely together enough. it should have been the same after arriving on the island however, things changed. the time on this island had been so confusing. his heart is wavering. his actions are near automatic as he reaches for shinobu's hand with his own—struggling to get close enough to take hold of her hair piece at the very least. ]

Kocho...

[ eventually his struggling pays it forward that he's able to pick up the butterfly hair clip in hands that would be as steady and as calm as a frozen lake, however there's a slight tremble in them. he already accepted and prepared himself but not like this. he keeps moving until he can manage at least half of her into her arms. (pinkies linked, maybe. hard to say as he holds her.)

again.

again, he is protected by someone and his life spared...even if for a moment. when the tears begin to fall from his face, he doesn't even notice it. he only notices the fading warmth and the awful smell of blood. ]

[ he's familiar with this painful sorrow—it's a pain he knows all too well. it's a pain that had consumed him. something that made living unbearable, and while in the past he shut himself off from the pain, this time he transforms it into something else. his heart continues to waver. the ice thawing...breaking off into chunks.

there are still tears in his eyes as holds onto what he can of shinobu (she was already so small) while protecting her hair piece all the same, but the sorrow and pain are gradually replaced with a boiling fury. he wants to have a fair exchange of blood on his hands as dimitri does. someone wanted to push him this far, right? dimitri wanted some reaction out of him for his actions? it's why he came at him with those accusations. he had it in his mind that giyuu was the one who was responsible for this but he no longer cares about any of that.

the only thing he wanted was a fool's hope: to be able to spare her. he really is stupid. ]

You should hope that you do not miss when you come for me, Dimitri, that for a moment your heart does not hesitate in what you've decided on doing.

[ his voice low and every part of his body screaming with murderous intent. the heart that was unmoved has been cracked and his face shows every emotion he had been so careful of hiding. if he were closer to a beast, he would snarl. he would go for dimitri's neck without hesitation. instead he kneels before dimitri a man with questioned sins. ]

Show me that resolve.

[ for if there's bit a moment of hesitation, giyuu will show no mercy. ]

[ Between the death of a woman he respected, and the tear tracks down Giyuu's cheeks, some part of him aches. Revenge does nothing to sate him, personally—it is an empty satisfaction, one he's obliged to run after like a hound, charging and chasing until he dies.

In reality, he grieves, heart clenched tight in his chest like a fist. But he does not look away, eyes still bright and wild. For all that he hurts in doing this, and all that this savagery makes him, there are so many dead. So many who deserve retribution, and even more that need to be free of this game. ]

I promised you I would not falter.

[ It's the only oath he's been able to follow through on: that if he found the person behind Flayn's death and a way to end this, he would cut a path through them both. Even if this isn't right—even if it's hopeless and makes him the worst of them all, there is no hesitating now. No asking for forgiveness. ]

Carry a grudge to hell, if you want. [ Resent him, if he needs to. ] I will suffer your deaths until we meet again.

[ It's hard to kill someone in one swipe with just a dagger, Shinobu had proved it, but he doesn't have much choice this time, and his target is bigger. He flips his grip on the hilt, and buries it over Giyuu's heart, quick as a flash. No hesitation. ]

[Giyuu's blood drips down the blade of the dagger, all the way down to the hilt. It pools there, gathering, and then droplets of his blood splatter on the sand.

Wild, raucous laughter erupts as if from nowhere.]

[Well, that subject line isn't concerning at all.

Neena is here again, but unlike the last week, her expression isn't one of fear over the impending bloodshed. Or — scheduled robot disassembly, rather. If anything, she follows the pair to the lighthouse with a look of anxiety on her face, arms crossed while she digs her nails into her biceps.

While Dimitri speaks, anyone standing by her side will hear her mutter:]

... Our 12 hours are up, aren't they?

[Time to sweat ICly.]

[While Dimitri threatens the truth out of Tomioka, Mitsuri watches with increasingly widening eyes and a pinched brow. Confusion spreads across her features at the rising tension.

What? What? Why is this happening?]

[Hi, Mitsuri. Assume Neena is standing close enough to her to reach over, and place a hand on her wrist in a gentle display of comfort.

... Or, a facsimile of it, anyway.]

Kanroji-san, it's going to be okay.

[Is it? She jerks her head in Tanzawa's direction. Then she seems to freeze before she nods and turns back to the scene unfolding before them.

She mustn't interject. This is for everyone, including herself, to hear.]

[... Sorry, Mitsuri. Maybe there will be a genuine apology down the line, but not right now. As long as it doesn't look like she's going to do anything rash, Neena will turn her attention back to the proceedings, her expression pinched.

If she looks away when it seems like Dimitri is about to spill blood, well. That's just how it is.]

[ Where is anyone standing? Physics means nothing in the face of this confrontation. Dimtri's demeanor isn't comforting, and Shinobu hasn't been smiling since she walked up to the beach. Her expression is shuttered, but she manages a small smile for Mitsuri.

She brushes her knuckles against Mitsuri's, whichever side Neena isn't on.

She doesn't have any words to say just yet. ]

[When Mitsuri freezes beside Tanzawa, it's because she feels the comforting brush of knuckles. She chases the back of Shinobu's hand with her own on reflex, gently knocking them together for an equally brief moment.

On second thought, the lack of a smile should've been a sign.]

[ So many things should have been a sign, but what have they all failed to see, failed to do? Is this a question any of them can answer?

Shinobu keeps her smile on, the one that Mitsuri knows well. Her hand moves so slightly to lace their fingers together.

They should stand together in this moment, as Dimitri's words and actions spell out something bleak while Giyuu continues to act as he always does. ]

[That petite hand releases hers, leaving gaping emptiness in its wake. Amid the muted chaos of the beach, it's hard to think and easier to fall back on instinct. Mitsuri takes a step forward in pursuit, her lips parting when Shinobu shouts, "Flayn-san is dead because of me!"

Shinobu's name catches in her throat. Her thoughts come to a screeching halt as she drops to her knees on the sand.]

[ oh no. watching shinobu move leads to a myriad of reactions--shock, realization, and action. yin yu's quick to crouch down with mitsuri, immediately putting hands on her shoulders to keep her from falling any further, to provide a little comfort, to... make sure she doesn't run in, too. ]

[She can't. If she runs in now, she might ruin everything. Now that she's fallen, her mind races to grasp at the situation to no avail. Yin Yu's touch is grounding, if a reminder of the increasing weight in the atmosphere. She doesn't move, though she listens.]

[Well.

She's so startled by Shinobu's words and actions that her hand jerks away from Mitsuri, head whipping around to stare at in complete and utter shock. It's only when Mitsuri drops to her knees that she snaps out of it, gasping refocusing her attention on her.]

H-Hey...

[Oof. Someone cover Mitsuri's eyes, because after Dimitri's declaration yesterday, this cannot bode well.]

[She's seen gruesome deaths in the aftermath of a demon's feast, often resulting in dismemberment or other unspeakable cruelties wrought by inhuman sadism. But these aren't demons. These are people who've been trapped in a terrible ritual for two weeks now, and too much is happening too quickly.]

I didn't know . . . I really . . . didn't know . . .

[About what, she doesn't say.]

[... Well.

This really a cruel situation, isn't it? Though her movements are still sluggish because of the effects, she down kneel down by Mitsuri's other side.]

No one knew. No one suspected any of... this.

[Between Shinobu's shocking claims and Dimitri's accusation, she can only imagine what must be going through her head. Rest in pieces, Mitsuri.]

[No, there were suspicions. There have been suspicions since the beginning, and they reached their peak last night after the investigation. Was it naive to think that everything would work out smoothly? Mitsuri didn't expect an easy resolution, but, as the confrontation continues in the background, one thing becomes clear.

Shinobu is going to die. Sweet, gentle, caring Shinobu is going to die to someone who's as equally tender in soul; all for a stupid ritual forced onto them by a stupid voice. (There's no way she could've done it. There's no way. Is that arrogant to think?)

Her hands clench into fists on her knees and, held back by Yin Yu's hands, she can only throw her head forward.]

Shinobu!

[ his hands squeeze, tight, at the first stab, but he doesn't flinch. at the second, yin yu angles his body to hide as much of it as possible from mitsuri, one hand releasing to come up and gently hold the back of her neck instead.

his own eyes close briefly behind his mask at the sound of sword entering flesh, for the second, third time, back turned away to cover the sight the best he can. ]

[Ah.

Well.

There goes Shinobu. Stabbed not only once, not twice — but thrice.

Yin Yu has Mitsuri covered, at least. For the rest of the execution, Neena will not do or say anything else to address Mitsuri. She feels sick to her stomach, barely holding back the urge to vomit at the sight. And furthermore, she... doesn't have any right to, considering... Well, she contributed to this outcome. They can only hope it ends in one single swing of Dimitri's knife, and not with any further carnage.]

[this is so much to come back to y'all???]

Hey! We're just gonna stand around and let this happen?! We were supposed to find a way off this hellhole without murdering!

[He's so--! He doesn't know what he is! Angry! Exasperated! Why is Murder Island?!]

Stop!

... I think the ship's already sailed on this one, Sakamoto-san.

[ Minako is holding herself very tightly and very still as she watches all of... this go down. god. ]

Now what...?

No, dammit...!

[He can't believe it just ended up like this here. What the hell!]

It didn't have to be like this! There has to be something we're missing! I'm not gonna sit back and give up!

He already said he'd do this, for whoever killed Flayn.

[ wow. all of this is such bull. rachel's been watching impassively for the most part, but once shinobu is gone, she inches a little closer to giyuu. she doesn't believe for a second that she can hold him back for long, but she's ready to try, if he goes for dimitri. ]

Even if there are alternatives, it's a little late to act on them now, isn't it?

Edited (sometimes you just forget a wholeass word) 2020-05-11 00:12 (UTC)

[mood

Bullshit is right.] I told him he could talk to me! This is... No, dude, no way! We don't even... know why! [He shifts. His leg is bouncing at having to hold back from diving head first in.

But Rachel won't be the only one helping to try to grab Giyuu more than likely.]

[... Ryuji is such a good boy. Neena won't look at him in the eye. She won't look at the proceedings any further, either, after Shinobu goes down. But she does offer a very quiet:]

Sakamoto-san... Please, don't do anything rash.

[Not like Shinobu. They have already seen Dimitri won't hesitate, after all.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

week two: execution

DIMITRI ....?

no subject

no subject

1/2

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

/2

no subject

no subject

no subject

ISLANDER COMMENTARY

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject