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Post by Panda on Mar 23, 2023 12:33:29 GMT
The Demon Realms were aplenty. No-one was even sure how many there were, not even the weirdos in the Maths Realm. All anyone knew is that there were enough that almost anything was possible.
In the Meta Realm, Kameron awoke to find himself in a rundown movie theatre. He instinctually reached down and touched his chest: firm, clothed and decidedly non-stabbed. He knew with certainty that he had died just recently, but something about the strange place he found himself in seemed to have given him a brief reprieve before his true death.
He took a look around. The main screen of the room was playing live footage from the current Contract Game. He sat down to watch, needing to see this through. He hoped things would work out, one way or another.
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Post by JesusMonroe on Mar 23, 2023 15:41:06 GMT
"Hello there." A soft-spoken woman with an umbrella said. Her voice was inviting, but considering the invitation this was not exactly comforting. "You're Camera Fields, is that right?"
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Post by Panda on Mar 23, 2023 16:03:57 GMT
"Kameron. But I can see why you'd think that," he responded, looking over at the speaker. "Sorry, I didn't see you there." He paused, brain catching up with what he was seeing. "Ah. Right, of course. It's you. Is all this," he gestured around at the movie theatre, "your doing too?"
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Post by JesusMonroe on Mar 24, 2023 14:56:05 GMT
"I'm not sure." Isadora admitted. "I only aided the dying into the next world, but I have no knowledge of what that world is. Whether it's an afterlife... or non-existence. Is this theater an afterlife? Or is this just the last images the synapses of your brain are communicating to you as you died? Who's to say we were ever alive before, or any of it had 'meaning' in the first place." She smiled playfully. It almost seemed like she was purposely being overly philosophical and deliberately unhelpful. "The one thing I am certain of is that this is the best popcorn I've ever tasted. Please have some, it does not run out." She took an empty paper bag next to a popcorn machine and offered it to Kameron.
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Post by Panda on Mar 24, 2023 15:35:42 GMT
"I... you... huh?" Kameron floundered about, before shrugging and giving in. "You're probably right. Maybe this is a dream, maybe it's the afterlife, either way: no point getting worked up about anything here."
He jumped to his feet and headed over to the popcorn machine, graciously taking the offered bag and filling it high with popcorn. His eyes lit up as he tried some. "Hey, you're right! This place has its perks after all!"
He continued munching on some as he eyed the cinema screen, currently showing the players flying around in space. "You know, come to think of it, we both died in the same way. Knife to the chest," he commented idly. "Hope that doesn't become a pattern. Though I suppose there's worse ways to go."
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Post by NIKI on Apr 2, 2023 0:36:24 GMT
"They're freaking squishing her !!!" Su-Ah yelled from the door.
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Post by Panda on Apr 2, 2023 0:41:45 GMT
Popcorn fell from Kameron's hand as he stared at the screen, mouth agape. He'd lost his appetite, again.
He was so unnerved that it took him a moment to realise there was a new arrival. He turned to face her. "Oh, hi there. Welcome to... here." He wasn't quite sure how to address a murderer, but was starting to come to terms with his new attitude of not giving too much weight to anything now that he was dead.
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Post by NIKI on Apr 2, 2023 4:51:20 GMT
"Oh, hey Mr. Fields! So the death come here, too..? Ah, sorry that happened to you, by the way..." Su-Ah nervously scratched the back of her head as she got closer to the screen.
"Sissus allowed me to take a break before I start my official duties. So I ended up here. He somehow seems like an okay boss, all things considered..." She grimaced at the screen.
"Oh my god... how long will that go on for...? Poor Yugi, it looks painful..."
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Post by Panda on Apr 2, 2023 9:58:12 GMT
"Ah, I'm over it already. Dying, I mean," Kameron replied nonchalantly.
He watched as Yugi transformed into Xhuljeta, and whistled. "She's not messing around. I'm not sure how to feel about this, though... is that really still Yugi? It's hard to believe... I'm getting bad vibes from her."
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Post by NIKI on Apr 2, 2023 15:56:17 GMT
Su-Ah's jaw opens and closes repeatedly, trying to find the appropriate words for the moment. She has a look of absolute shock, bewilderment and horror plastered across her face. Unable to find any, she falls to her knees.
"...This... This right here is punishment enough for my actions... Just look at her!" She dramatically points at the large screen in front of her.
"She's beautiful, but it's... It doesn't feel genuine. It's a beauty influenced by an idea of what she thinks she wants, someone that's seen and imagined an idealized version of herself over and over with little freedom to experiment. It's simply not going to hold up... do you understand? Something like the image you desire as a teenager... is not going to make you happy in the long-run. Acquiring it instantly, without actually building yourself as a person apart from your appearance... I'm just horrified."
The seamstress's thoughts spilled out, without much actual thought put into them.
"What's doing my job for centuries to come, compared to seeing someone I care deeply about change herself so violently and without second thoughts, even after all we talked about... She didn't even add anything cool like wings or horns... just an idealized visual of a regular human."
"...She's also the splitting image of one of my high-school bullies..."
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Post by Panda on Apr 2, 2023 16:19:13 GMT
Kameron kept quiet, lowering his head a little. This felt like too personal a matter to interrupt.
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Post by NIKI on Apr 2, 2023 17:13:19 GMT
"...Although, through this idealized veil, she still remains. I can only hope she truly is happy with this new presentation."
Su-Ah sighs as she gets up.
"Wow! I wouldn't have expected that from such a meek boy. What a story."
"..."
"It was nice seing you again Mr. Fields, but I don't really feel like running into... others... just yet. I'll get back to Sissus for now. Maybe I'll pop back in from time to time to see how everyone's holding up! Until then..."
She bows and exits the room because I actually have to get to work irl.
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Post by Panda on Apr 2, 2023 17:19:39 GMT
"Until next time," Kameron said, waving goodbye.
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Post by pancakes on Apr 10, 2023 18:44:10 GMT
"Uwoohhhh!"
Ige peeked his head into the door.
"You've got to be kidding me!"
The now very dead assistant sauntered into the center of the movie theater, raising hell with his hands.
"I thought, at the very least, if I died in that hell hole, I'd go out peacefully! But I have to stick around here?! Just let me go in peace..!"
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Post by Panda on Apr 10, 2023 19:04:02 GMT
Noticing the new arrival, Kameron waved in welcome. "Time works differently here. Weeks have passed for them, but it's felt like hours to me. So chin up! Just relax with some snacks and a fresh drink."
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Post by pancakes on Apr 10, 2023 19:37:29 GMT
"...C-Chin up? I died!! And I can't even rest in peace! I have to watch this!!"
He waved his hands around the movie theater screen.
"Life is hell! Death is hell! Everything is hell!"
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Post by Panda on Apr 10, 2023 19:49:07 GMT
"These chocolate-coated strawberries are heaven," Kameron replied serenely, eating another. "You should try one!"
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Post by JesusMonroe on Apr 10, 2023 19:50:41 GMT
"Do not worry, Ige." Isadora gave a reassuring, radiant smile. "I do not believe we will be here forever. At the conclusion of this... 'film', I believe we'll ascend and learn what true death is. Isn't that exciting?"
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Post by pancakes on Apr 10, 2023 20:04:31 GMT
Ige stayed silent for a moment, before begrudgingly snatching a strawberry out of Kameron's hands.
"Thish ish total bullshit," Ige mumbled with a mouth full of strawberries. However, Isadora's words did strike a tune in Ige's heart. "...You know what, that isn't exciting, but is it preferable..."
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Post by Doctor Nanjo M.D. on Apr 11, 2023 13:00:51 GMT
Xhuli walks in, looking cool as ever. She sees Ige and Isadora and happily waves, “Oh thank gosh! So glad I’m not here alone!”
“You guys watchin? Trying to figure out who did it? Spying!” She laughs, scolding them.
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Post by NIKI on Apr 11, 2023 15:39:42 GMT
Suddenly, the door bursts open.
"WHEW... Lord Sissus is having a huge party today, so I ran away for a bit... What's been happening, Mr. Fields-"
A slightly modified Su-Ah walked in dusting off some confetti from her now horned head. She freezes in place upon seeing Xhuli and Ige.
"Yugi...? Wait, no, you changed your name, right? Xhuli! What happened?"
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Post by Doctor Nanjo M.D. on Apr 11, 2023 17:15:04 GMT
"Su-Ah!" Xhuli stiffens up like a board. "Well, you see, uh, well, you know..." She fiddles with her nails, glancing to and from the other girl repeatedly. She clears her throat, "Wow, your hair looks so cute like that! It's so good to see you! I never thought I would again!"
She lets that comment hang in the air for a few seconds before letting out a slightly deflated, "I tried to escape and killed Ige..." She says it really fast so you might miss the killing Ige part.
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Post by pancakes on Apr 11, 2023 18:11:05 GMT
"...What now?"
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Post by Panda on Apr 11, 2023 18:38:13 GMT
"Well, this is awkward," Kameron commented. Somehow this was the first time a victim and their killer had both been here.
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Post by Doctor Nanjo M.D. on Apr 11, 2023 21:11:34 GMT
"Sorry! I didn't mean for this to be so awkward!"
"I thought you knew, Ige! I threw that poison at you!"
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Post by pancakes on Apr 11, 2023 21:16:52 GMT
"...W-Why...Huh?"
Ige's eyes turned white as snow, as he retreated to the back of the theater.
"Y-You're such a liar! T-That's horsepoo! Monkey talk!"
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Post by JesusMonroe on Apr 11, 2023 21:59:06 GMT
"Hello, Xhuli. You've picked a beautiful new name for yourself. I must confess, I fell asleep for a spell so I'm a bit behind on what's going on. But that's just the ephemeral nature of life, isn't it? Blink and you miss all the details."
Upon hearing the revelation, Isadora put her hand to her mouth in shock. "You killed Ige! Xhuli, to take a life is the ultimate taboo. I must insist that you promise right now not to do it again."
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Post by pancakes on Apr 11, 2023 22:07:14 GMT
"You totally missed the point! We're already dead!! All my hopes and dreams were gone in an instant!"
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Post by JesusMonroe on Apr 11, 2023 22:14:49 GMT
Isadora nodded calmly at Ige's outburst. She gazed seriously, her eyes being deep pools into her soul. One could easily fall in if they stared too long. "And if you forgive my asking a personal question, but what were your hopes and dreams?"
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Post by pancakes on Apr 11, 2023 22:40:32 GMT
"S-Shut up! I have dreams! I...well, I was finally going to have the chance to have a dream! That's a dream, isn't it? To want a dream?!"
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