FINAL INVESTIGATION

[whimsicalism]

No one is dead today. Why would they when the end is so close? You can practically taste it (or is that your stomach?) as the final Friday dawns. It's time to get some answers.

The Storyteller isn't talking to anyone but it's a good guess to see where she went. There's one final door that hasn't been checked, after all.

Comments

[whimsicalism]

[Other than the general aura of dread there doesn't seem to be any monsters. The first area of the castle is a courtyard with a statue of the Jabberwock. There's a side passage that draws attention by it's simplicity. While most of this castle is, well, whimsical it's just a normal wooden hallway.]

[golden_king]

You look ready to fight, Allen.

[ Anyway he'll start heading down towards that side passage without much preamble. Let's goo ]

[whimsicalism]

[At the end of the hallway is a simple, rustic door. The hum of sewing machines can be heard. The word Gepetto is carved into it.

Open?]

[xxxx_me]

Just in case.

[He's not really much of a fighter otherwise. But... sure, let's open up the door and take a peek inside.]

[whimsicalism]

[This looks like a pleasant looking workshop--oh god, no. The first thing that you recognize, Allen?

Is there doll dust everywhere here. Why.]

[golden_king]

[ Oh no doll dust.

Was there anything else around in here besides that? Immediately noticeable-wise, anyway. ]

[whimsicalism]

[Since the dust is probably less traumatizing for Gilgamesh? Oh yes. There are many things at first glance. Giant sewing machines. Tables with cloth. Tables with--

Okay. Why are there three Alice dolls in here? Well, parts of two and one full one. Plus it looks like there's areas to make more?]

[xxxx_me]

...More copies.

[He was initially distressed seeing all the dust, but now he just sounds bitter.]

[whimsicalism]

[It looks like the two broken ones are more likely the remains of two copies. One has the head bashed in and the other is--did Oriko really need to dismember it like that?

There is something on the table, though, that isn't a doll bit.]

[golden_king]

Yep! It's always a good idea to have a back-up, after all.

[ Anyway let's check it out! What's on the table? ]

[whimsicalism]

[It looks like some sort of magical blueprint? That is, if you had the materials and this you could probably make an Alice doll.]

[xxxx_me]

[Glancing over at Gil, surprised.]

Did you know-?

[But also still like, poking around, they do have a job to do here arfter all.]

[whimsicalism]

[It looks like that there is a fully made copy in here. The doll is on a chair in the corner looking lively except... it's just a doll.

A scrap of paper with the scrawled words another Queen maybe? it worked better that way next to the doll on the floor.]

[golden_king]

Mm...not really? Just assumed it was always possible.

[ Poor sad doll. Anything written on the back of the paper or was that all? ]

[whimsicalism]

[Not on this paper but now that you're closer to the far wall of the workroom there is something. It looks like there's a hidden elevator.

The familiar crest of the Storyteller glows faintly before the doors open. Ascend?]

[xxxx_me]

[Time to go up the suspicious elevator! Surely this will be fine.]

...The reason Alice didn't "remember" the last time was because it was another copy. That's the Storyteller's plan. To keep using copies of Alice until she can make a happy ending for the real one.

She must be preparing for the next repeat.

[whimsicalism]

[There's that aura again. The Storyteller must come here often to have such an impact on the elevator... This is a colorful room but some things are very off.

First, is the smell of death coming from the bed. The Storyteller seems to have recorded herself reading a book and it's playing from a radio.

There's also some noise coming from the IVs? Many noises. What the hell is this place?]

[golden_king]

Well she's going to be sorry when not everything goes according to plan.

[ Let's go to the bed first. Was there a dead body here? Or something else entirely? ]

CW: eye trauma and general nastiness, thanks last encore

[whimsicalism]

[No, the person under it is alive. If you pull back the sheet...

This person is in super rough shape. They're covered in bandages head to toe. The scent of death and smoke lingers in this room like a fog.

The radio pauses. Then it screeches out a question.]

Who - are - you -? You - aren't - her

[xxxx_me]

[His breath catches in his chest. Quietly, he asks:]

Alice...?

[whimsicalism]

Allen - ? How - are - you - here?

[It's hard to tell from random words put together on a radio but... she sounds. In pain.]

It's - me - don't - look - don't -

[golden_king]

[ ...

Well. He'll leave Allen to it. Was this the only thing odd in this room? What about the strange noises coming from the IV...? ]

[whimsicalism]

[There's a little more. Like those noises? They... sound familiar. Like voices.

There's forty of them but some of them sound like the dead people from your round, even Oriko.]

[xxxx_me]

[He'll go by her side, trusting Gilgamesh to check the rest. Is there any part of her he can hold onto? A hand, perhaps...?]

...Yeah, it's me. Gilgamesh is here, too.

...It sounds like it hurts. You must be in so much pain...

[And, even as hollow and empty as he is now... it hurts him too, just thinking about it.]

[golden_king]

[ There's a brief flicker of surprise, and then his expression settles. ]

Nagisa? Oriko?

...Everyone else?

Can you hear me?