The Living Room
It's...odd. The only door in this place that could possibly head outside is locked tightly, guarded by what looks to be a number code and an entire loaded machine gun. Surrounding this door looks to be a strange, almost expansive living space, leading to a door to the theatre room and access to the main hallway.
Stranger: "Ah, there you are," Stranger greets Rue as his group makes it out the door. "What were you texting everyone about?"
Rue: "I said that I want everyone here before I start speaking." He replies in that same tone he always has...
Rue: ...It took a good while, but eventually everyone arrived. The living room was much smaller then the theatre; it actually felt crowded for once, everyone waiting for Rue to finally state why they brought everyone here.
Gust: "...Rue? Is Rue alright?"
Bryan: "Yeah, what's going on? We're all here, so spit it out."
Rue: "...Fine."
Rue straightens his suit, wearing the neutral expression they always wear as they clap for everyone's attention.
"The reason why I all brought you here...
Is because I received an impossible truth."
Lotus: "W-What!?"
Clober: "Ehhhhh!? What does that mean, Rue?"
Rue: Pulling out his red paper, he glares at the words it reads.
"My truth tells me confess my worst fear...but I do not have any fears I can think of. Therefore, I cannot complete my truth or dare."
Seven Stones: "...Eh, maybe you just don't want to actually admit something like that..."
Firestarter: "Well if the price for being quiet is death, then I would definitely be okay with anything!!"
Rue: "Exactly. I'm not stupid, you know. I would admit my fears right now if I had one, but I do not. Therefore, I am guaranteed to die when the time limit is up."
Lotus: "B-But," Tears well in his eyes as he speaks, "Would the shrimp really do something like that? He never said that he'd give out impossible tasks..."
Ivan, who is standing next to him, pats him on the head. It helps...somehow.
MX-Z0: "...Perhaps there was a hidden part to the motive."
Rue: "Oh?"
Stranger: "What? What do you mean?"
MX-Z0: "As a failsafe for this motive, it's possible that he gave someone an impossible truth or dare. That way, even if we all did what our papers asked...we would still lose someone."
Tarnish: "Such trickery! Why, if I wasn't such a polite worldburner, I would challenge that prawn to a duel right now for Rue's honor!"
The Destroyer: "Oh reaaaalllly?"
The Destroyer: Oh fuck. He's here.
Tarnish: "G-Gah! You! Explain yourself!"
The Destroyer: "What is there that I need to explain? Beep-boop over there was nice enough to say it all for me."
Jasper: "...So, it's true? If someone doesn't kill, Rue is guaranteed to die?"
Jasper: The poor guy looks just as shaky as he did on day 1, tail tucked under his legs.
The Destroyer: "Yup-yup! I'd say it's impossible to make Rue here scared of something! So quirky, so mysterious...but it's his downfall, I'm afraid!"
He floats around, spinning around Rue's head as he says this.
"So if you really want to save your new friend, kill someone! If you really don't like your truth or dare, kill someone! Or if you're just bored...kill someone! It would be fun!"
He giggles, like the little shit he is. "Byeeee~!"
And then he is gone.
Rue: ...Silence. The entire room was left in a stunned silence.
And then, Rue spoke again.
"In all seriousness, I do not expect anyone to kill for me. I am perfectly fine with facing death."
MX-Z0: "Despite that, I believe some of us still value your life, Rue. Although we haven't known you for too long, your life still holds value to me."
Rue: ...He seems surprised by such a response, although he remains quiet.
Gust: "B-But...Gust not allowed to make innocents get hurt...but Gust also not allowed to harm others without master's orders!"
The nyric stomps its paws on the ground with a snort. "Gust hates this! Gust wants to go home! Now!"
Paradi: Although wearing a strangely curious expression, they give a gentle pet to Gust standing next to them in an attempt to soothe her.
"...Despite everything, I believe someone will have to die, unfortunately....the question is, who?"
Stranger: "...What do you mean, 'who'?"
Paradi: "...Well, isn't it obvious, Stranger?"
...They start walking around the room. Slowly. Confidently.
"The black critter said we were all sinners...the worst of the worst. People who might even deserve the game we've found ourselves in..."
They're inspecting everyone's faces, wearing an unusual grin.
"I see some of you might've killed to survive already." They say, staring at Arsenic as she steps away with a scowl.
"...Or some of you are simply easy targets." They snap their head towards an already trembling Lotus, hiding behind Ivan's feathery frame.
Bryan: "W-Whh- Dude, what are you talking about!? Are you actually considering--?"
Paradi: "...Hm?" They turn to face Brian...and then they laugh.
Giggle, even.
"No, no, I would never..." They begin to strut off, heading back to the main hallway....but before they go, they cast a final glance at the menagerie.
"Because I know one of you will."
Stranger: ...What...Are they...serious?
Those words dimly shimmer in Stranger's mind as he looks around at everyone else. He sees Jasper's normally glowing face pale and dark, Mixzo's calm expression twisted into some sort of hesitance, and many others looking fearful and despairing....Could one of us really play this thing's game? Did we...play right into its hands?
Jasper: "It's...It's alright, everyone." Jasper suddenly speaks up.
Seven Stones: "Eh!? How the hell is this alright to you?"
Ivan: "Yeaahhh...I appreciate the enthusiasm horn guy, but I'm pretty bummed out about this-"
Stranger: "All of you, please! At least let the kid say what he wants to say." He snaps.
Jasper: "Ah...thanks, Stranger." He gulps, all eyes now on him...some irritable eyes as well.
Jasper: "I...I know that things seem hopeless...but we still have each other, yeah? And maybe we can find a way to get around that guy's tricks with our own."
Tarnish: "Your optimism is unrivaled by even the gods of the sun, but with such beliefs come foolishness. Did you not hear Rue when they said they feared nothing?"
Jasper: "I-I did, but-- maybe there is something! Rue, maybe...I can try to help find something that scares you? It may not work, but if it does then nobody will have to die!"
Rue: "...Sure. Why not."
Jasper: "And again...if anyone needs me to help with anything, just let me know. I don't want us to feel so divided...we're all we have, right?"
Stranger: "...He's right. Even if we can hurt each other...we can get more done if we help each other out."
Stranger: A murmur of discussion rises from the crowd. Eventually...most people seem to agree with the sentiment.
MX-Z0: "Perhaps we should try to go about our day normally for now. Dwelling on this will only harm us."
Rue: "...Yeah, don't get worked up over me." Rue says, already walking off. He doesn't even say any goodbyes....he's just gone.
Gust: "G...Gust is scared. But Gust trusts people. Gust will guard anyone who they think needs help!"
And in a flash, she scoots her way over to Lotus. "Like you! Gust helps you!"
Lotus: "A-Ah!" He says in a moment of surprise as the big creature rubs against him, purring.
Ivan: "Aww, look at that Lolo! She likes you!"
Lotus: "Ahah...I guess I would like a bit of support right now..."
Stranger: Eventually, the tension dissipates from the group as people begin to talk and leave. As the living room grows mostly empty again, Stranger lets out a large sigh of relief...and then he looks over to Jasper, who is twiddling his thumbs. He's the only other person left here.
"Brave of you to speak up like that, kid."
Jasper: "Huh?" He seems to snap himself out of something, looking over with a smile.
"Thanks! It's just...uh...I wanted to try and be a better, more hopeful person...for everyone's sake, you know? If the prawn and that...other guy, think that we're bad people, then maybe I could do some good to prove them wrong."
Stranger: "Hm...makes sense. I'm not sure those guys can even be convinced, though..."
Just then, something slides into Stranger's mind. "By the way, what was your truth or dare? Have you done it yet?"
Jasper: "Oh, that? I haven't...it was about swimming 30 laps in the pool. I might need some help with it, but for now I'll try to take it alone."
Stranger: "Alright," he nods, beginning to walk off himself. "If you need me, just let me know, alright kid?"
Jasper: "Yeah! Sure," he calls in response.
Red Hallway
Stranger: ...And as soon as Stranger turns the corner to head to his dorm, he notices one of the hallway doors closest to him instantly close.(...Huh? That's weird.) He thinks to himself. (Was someone listening in on me...? Eh, probably just the wind. Or at least a coincidence, since we weren't really talking about much important anyways...)