King's Mulligan [Interactive Project]

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Kolita: I got my answers I think-

Anura: Hold them off for in-game, these will do a little for you in just a moment.

Kolita: Oh?

Anura: A chance. Your character is quite weakened and your skillset lacks the fleshing out you’d expect from someone who’s a trained knight, no?

Kolita: A little…

Anura: You’ll see then soon.

Kolita: Do have questions for you specifically though.

Anura: Mm, that’s true.

Kolita: What’s the perfect mirror? Like… what’s the ideal one? And if we get replaced do we get a game over?

Anura: The idea of creating perfect reflection is difficult to give a clear answer on but there’s certainly a detail that you may have noticed. Tutor’s limb is fractured. For a knight of this era, your weapon is your life. To have no arm is to lose your arm, you understand?

Kolita: Absolutely, I wouldn't want to be caught in this situation myself..

Anura: It represents your ability to stand up for others and yourself. To lose such a thing can be massively disheartening, especially when you’ve lost access to a guild that’ll repair or replace it.

Anura:. The mirror world grants an opportunity to draw a new hand. Cast away the old for something refined. What you have is broken weapons, a bit of knowledge, and a magic system. What you lack is skill. This place is where you truly define your playstyle from now on. Do *not* waste your shot.

Kolita: Sure wouldn’t be opposed. Guessing that’s what the prompts were for?

Anura: Absolutely. Now… shall we resume?

Kolita: You didn’t answer that last part…

Anura: For now I’d say avoid being replaced. I doubt it’d happen anytime soon, lest your mirror counterpart become concerned you’d do wrong.

Kolita: I guess so… one last question?

Anura: Oh?

Kolita: Do you like chocolate cake?

Anura:... Any reason?

Kolita: Just checkin in.

Anura: I love any sort of chocolate honestly.. Could do with some.

Kolita: Noted. Guess that’s everything for now.

Anura: Hmm….  Back to the game I suppose.

Kolita: Mm.

---

 

Tiles: I’m just about ready but I have a few questions.

Gallows: We should make it quick, we’ve already been delayed enough.

Tiles: Right so… What’s the ideal mirror? Seems like you were at odds with yours…

Gallows: The ideal mirror is the one that’s not a nuisance. Unfortunately mine is... Yours seems fine thankfully though she seems to have left for now..

Tiles: I do hope she’s okay…

Courier: Sure she is, that world isn’t particularly hostile toward reflections and if she’s a knight like you I imagine she’d hold her own no?

Tiles: Mm..

 

Courier: She does have me worrying about you though…. Overheard your conversation a little.

Tiles: Ah…

Courier: Promise we’ll do everything we can to let you get back at the crown, and we’ll keep you safe.

Tiles: You’ve hardly known me.

Gallows: Aye, but a comrade is a comrade. Starman might be a little hard at first though, they tend to be cautious.

Courier: They’re a kind person at heart but… they won’t let you in without proving you’re someone they can lean on in a pinch.

Tiles: Suppose there’s no issue with being selective during a conflict like ours.

Courier: Almost skewered me early on…

Gallows: To be fair you’re using the body of an enemy, he had more than reason to be cautious…

Courier: Mm… didn’t really choose to be fair. Just ended up thrusted in here.

Gallows: Yeah that’s my bad…

Courier: I got to meet all of you so it’s alright! Anyway, be on your best behavior when we meet them.

Gallows: Mm… Shall we commence?

Tiles: One final thing actually… Eddie said to cling onto something, to risk fading… What goes on in this world?

Gallows: Ah.. he’s absolutely right on that. The mirror world is a haven so long as you don’t let it drag at you too much. Being in there changes you overtime in subtle ways.

Gallows:  Many cases it’s beneficial, but if you spend too much time inside it’ll start warping you, unveiling things in your heart and making them real. Being injured in there may also not strike for lethal the way it would here, but it speeds up the process. It can be reversed but it’s a terrible state to be in.

Gallows: You’ll meet all sorts of folks in there, many just passerbys using the shortcuts like us or those needing retreat from the crown’s grip.

Gallows: Some have become part of that world as if it were their home. They’ll do anything to protect it from harm.

Gallows: We’ll be with you though and we’re just passing by ourselves, you’ll be safe. 

Tiles: Mm..

Gallows: I really do mean it now, we need to go. Shall we?

Courier: I’m set.

Tiles: Mm, same…

Courier goes ahead and gives you a wave as xey jump through. You follow behind, looking back at Gallows who gives you an assuring nod.

You take the plunge.

It’s cold and overwhelming like jumping into a lake in winter.

At first it’s terrifying, every breath fills your lungs with something not quite air. It shocks your body a little…

After a moment you find yourself stabilizing. Your surroundings start to materialize in your eyes..

You’re in the middle of a tight street. A tower in the distance menaces you. There’s all sorts of long black threads connected by poles and metal domes attached to the buildings nearby. You see a large metal beast of a machine in the background crawl across the ground. You’re a little unnerved by it’s howl…

None of your party members seem to be around. Instead facing you is a stranger in a coat.

They’re looking directly at you.

???: Been monitorin’ you and your little friend group’s interactions just now. Seems like you’re new to this place.

???: I staggered their landing in this world, they’ll be here soon enough but I need a few minutes with you.

???: This place will eat you up alive if you aren’t prepared.

??? And no offense, I take it you aren’t at ye best at the moment.

???: I don’t want you getting hurt because you can’t walk on yer own legs.

???: Prove to me you can hold yer own.

???: Keep me at bay til your friends show up and I’ll reward you greatly.

??? Fail and I’ll send you home. How you’d like to settle this is up to you.

???: Your torture ahead  is yours to choose. The lot of you listening can figure it out.