Endgame: Part 2

[letsplayamod]

The week goes on. A small miracle, how quiet it is. With no motives or attacks to speak of, you can breathe a sigh of relief even when a tension gripes the air. So few of you now, what exactly would you do were Typhon to return and decide the game was over? Was Athena always going to be out of reach? And what exactly did she want you to find in the center of this mountain temple, anyway?

Questions abound, and no answers.

...Until this morning. The sky itself is clear with very few clouds, but something still falls into your home. Not "physically," though, it's more of a feeling. The sensation of some great power entering this space. Everyone will notice it, and the way it passes by, sinking beneath the floors - all the way to the bottom level.

And there it ends up, waiting for someone brave enough to investigate.

Comments

[sweetsynergy]

[Following that glance.]

[...ah.]

[stringup]

Well, only if she wants to.

[sweetsynergy]

[Also sotto voce-]

Right, cause that's SUCH a huge 'if'. You've talked to her for more than five minutes, right?

[stringup]

I'm trying not to assume, alright?

[sweetsynergy]

I'm sure Ming appreciates not being made into an ass here.

[stringup]

What I'm more worried about is her safety, if I'm being honest here.

[sweetsynergy]

...would Athena be able to do more than talk?

[yourheroine]

Aoi can do it. If the only other way is to disappear forever…then Aoi would rather take responsibility for Athena.

[murchada]

...I say we do that, then.

[stringup]

...Well, I believe I already know the answer but...

Promise me you won't do it alone?

[ It's less that she doesn't trust Aoi and more because she knows taking responsibility for someone else, let alone a diminished god, is still a lot for someone to shoulder. ]

[latinumsbetter]

I'll keep an eye on it.

[catsgothistongue]

We all will.

[Said firmly, crossing his arms.]

We're not gonna let Aoi play godsitter by herself.

[Cause if this backfires on them and Athena2 breaks free seeking vengeance, she's going to need someone who can punch really hard and fast.]

[latinumsbetter]

[he'll nod in agreement to that.]

[markofnobility]

[he winces, but nods. Taking on the weight of such a thing while thinking Only You can do it...]

Yes, I agree. I am alright with Aoi doing it but it is too much for any one person to handle alone. Though... I doubt Aoi would have any issue in finding people to stay with her.

[She is quite well loved, after all]

[latinumsbetter]

She's coming back to the station, so there'll be enough of us.

[markofnobility]

Indeed! And if nothing else I suspect your Federation friends have many ways to handle such a thing.

[he might have an exaggerated idea of what space tech can do]

[stringup]

That's why I said I'm pretty sure I already know the answer.

[ But she still had to voice it, to make it clear.

...Nonetheless, she's quietly reaching to take Ferdinand's hand, if he lets her. ]

[markofnobility]

[he does, squeezing it... then gasps]

I almost forgot!

[he reaches into his breast pocket and pulls out... her handkerchief! It is shockingly not blood stained but has been stitched up from where the Assal sliced it apart alongside his chest using Aglaea's familiar gold thread]

Your token, my lady.

[latinumsbetter]

[....he doesn't LOVE the idea of having her around but he'll deal with her if it means not losing his Bartender protégé]

Maybe she can get some counseling on the station when we get back.

[yourheroine]

…! If Athena goes onto my phone, then Aoi might be able to upload her into a holodeck? Those have games that people have to make choices in, right?

[Aoi, uh. Are you suggesting making Athena pacifist run every video game ever? Is this what’s happening?]

[latinumsbetter]

[....uuuuuugggghhhhhhh]

...we'll see what we can do. Maybe part time in a closed circuit so she can't get out.

[murchada]

That should be doable enough. I could probably help put something together.

[catsgothistongue]

[i can't believe the mastermind is being sentenced to eternity in a telltale game]

[stringup]

Ah, so you plan on using your "phone"? Can I borrow it for a second?

[yourheroine]

Yeah. Aoi’s data was in here, so it could store Athena’s too, probably.

[She holds out her phone to Velvet.]