BETA ROUND END

[worldkeys]

Who: The Alices of the Beta Round remaining (Sasuke, Harley, Hinata, Ken, Lalli, and Liao)
What: Everyone has a choice to make. Specifically, it begins as Sasuke's choice.
Where: The World's Hub, the room the Rabbit normally stands.
Warnings: Definite violence. Somebody got... something.

A smile reaches the White Rabbit's face as he hands the sharp key to Sasuke.

"... I'm certain you recall the choice you made," he says slowly. "But it's up to you to decide if you really want to uphold that. Who is 'most evil' in this World? You've seen so very many Hearts, after all--I'm sure you could reach a decision. ... The Cat and I, of course... well, we hardly count. We've never been human, after all."

And he'll remain in that same spot he's always been in, of course.

"While you all decide, your rooms will wait for you. Or you could all stay here and fight about it. Either way, sweet dreams, Alices."

Comments

[patchworkcat]

...Nah, that mob mentality was pushin' him further and further away. They were just as bad as the folks who forced him into things back home.

[ He'll roll his shoulders in a shrug. ]

...I'll take the other two back. From here, do what ya want. It's like it always is, waitin' until the next group of Alices shows up.

[apatheticguide]

... You might be right. Even so... I didn't want to risk it. That other girl... she was disgusting.

[ He spits on the ground. ]

I don't even care that you had most of her. I had my eye on this one from the beginning. ... I'll make sure the paths are connected so those two adults get back, but... to be honest, they've probably already succumbed to the illness. They'll probably never awaken.

[ He'll kneel down in front of Sasuke's strangely ethereal form and run a hand over his face, a smile of sharp, pointed teeth breaking out despite himself. ]

... I don't know why we started taking adults. They're so filthy. Children or teens like him... they're much better. Not as sullied...

[patchworkcat]

'Cause we can't be picky eaters. We found a way to soften 'em up, so why not? Then we have lots of chances to get goin'. Or do you want to disappear?

[ Rabbit gets to eat this one. He doesn't need that kid. Lalli's provided him with a nice, big boost. ]

Enjoy the kid, either way. I'd say this ended better than usual, though! We both got what we wanted.

[apatheticguide]

... No. I don't... want to disappear. I... I'll never...

[ ... It's probably the most genuine thing he's ever said. Stubborn, almost. Childish, even. ]

... We need to find a way to make them taste better.

[patchworkcat]

We'll figure it out. Figurin' out how to soften 'em up to begin with was a challenge, but I'm sure we can manage it.

[ He'll snicker. ]

...They still taste better than frogs, though. Can't deny that!

[worstofall]

... I noticed something. You-know-who's been stirring since that one Alice... what was his name, Hinata? Got really... agitated.

... I'm concerned.

[ This is said as he leans down over the space where the barely visible spot of Sasuke used to be, mostly energy left, now. Yet, somehow, it looks like he pulls something off with his mouth and tears.

There's no noise. No cries or screams of agony. A distilled, trapped soul can't do that sort of thing, not one so trapped in being a portal. ]

We have to be more careful. I thought it was sealed up. And it is, but...

[patchworkcat]

Not like he can do anythin'. No one can reach 'im. All that brat can do is scream at nothing while we do our thing.

[ He'll shrug. It's not a concern, in his mind. ]

[worstofall]

... Mmm... you say that because you're not the one being forced to babysit it.

[ Something seems to be leaking all over the floor, but it's not corporeal. Some kind of silvery substance, barely visible to the eye. It runs down the White Rabbit's face where one might expect blood, but there is no.

... And that's it. The conversation ends there. The last thing seen is another not-quite-real piece being torn off between overly-sharp teeth and then the Door slides shut on its own; Hinata and Ken will awaken back in whatever place they fell asleep in, as if nothing had ever happened.

It is now morning.

Their bodies are completely fine. ]