[ WEEK ONE – EXECUTION ]

[sheriffexe]

EXECUTION

It's... quiet. The morning is quiet and dull and even the animals lingering on the fringes of town seem a bit at a loss for what to do. The town as a whole seems to be waiting and it isn't until the Sheriff leaves the station carrying a wooden gibbet easily in his arms that things seem to perk up. He drops it into the dirt, shoves it in with a grunt and then heads back into the station. A few moments later Tiara follows him out, leashed to him by a rope binding her hands and a blindfold around her eyes. In the Sheriff's other hand is a bucket. He brings them to the stick and drops the bucket upside down on the ground, helping her to stand up on it and pulling the noose around her neck a moment after. He uses the excess of rope around her hands to bind her to the stick. He turns back to the town after, glancing at the few stray animals that have set up on the porches to watch. A crow nearby caws out from on top of the Saloon sign. The Sheriff looks to the hotel and a moment later, the bells on top of the church begin to ring. Twelve rings signaling the hour and the Sheriff calls out, louder than naturally possible, "Execution time, folks! Ezio Auditore has been chosen as executioner. Come on down and watch." And then, as indifferent as ever, he pops a piece of tobacco.

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EXECUTION

[sheriffexe]

[ The Sheriff will wait for Ezio to show and when he arrives, the Sheriff will tip his hat in greeting. ]

I'm obligated to provide anything you need to assist you today. If you don't got anything you want, have at it.

[ That's it, it seems. The rest is up to Ezio. ]

[abasing]

[She's terrified. There's no denying it; her breath hitches as the noose is loosely brought around her neck, though the blindfold soaks up the majority of her tears.

She is trying not to cry, after all.

It's just not entirely working.

All she can really do is stand there, though; it seems she's exhausted all of her works in the confession she gave before. She has nothing left to say to the crowd that she knows must be watching, even if she can't see them.]

[combattente]

I have what I need.

[Despite all that he's said, he still tenses up when he sees her bound and blindfolded. It's too familiar, he thinks. He gently undoes it all, leaving her standing there as if she's meant to go free. Of course, they both know that's not the case.

Ezio looks to her, and solemnly nods as it seems she has nothing more to say.

He brings his hand to her throat in a practiced motion, and she is gone. She doesn't fall to the ground, as Ezio supports her in his free arm. It almost looks like she's fallen asleep if one ignores the blood. Still focused on her, he says,]

Mi dispiace per i ruoli che ci hanno dato. Non dimenticate che il vostro cuore è ancora innocente. Che tu possa trovare la felicità nella prossima vita. Requiescat in pace.

[abasing]

[She barely has the time to see anything. He undoes the ropes, the blindfold, and nods to her--

And then it's over, Tiara's lifeless body in his arms, and she's gone.

Tiara is dead.]

[leadastray]

This is insane!

[She's shouting, both at the scene before them and those who've come to watch]

Are you all going to let this happen? The murder of two innocent girls will be on all our hands!

[ceded]

[ She told Tiara she'd watch.

She feels sick and scared beyond words but in contrast to the last two days, she isn't crying. Just standing there white-faced, her hands balled into fists as the Sheriff leads Tiara to slaughter. ]

[guiltlevel]

[ Russell just watches ... he mostly has his mind on what Tiara said to him earlier..!

Though, even when she dies his expression remains unfazed. Yep. That's a dead body alright. ]

So that's what an execution is like ...

burying ao

[sating]

[ After Tiara had confessed, Hannibal had asked her if she wanted anything, and so it's time to fufill that promise. He watched the execution solemnly, but as Tiara is taken care of, Hannibal leaves to go fetch Ao's body.

It's not long before he comes to the graveyard with her body again, and it's with care that he lays her down on the ground in an empty spot of earth. Considering Ao and Tiara don't have graves in the graveyard, he has to start from square one, it seems.

i. Which will take a while, naturally. Hannibal is digging a grave as properly as he can, which isn't the easiest of work, but he's quite dedicated to fulfilling his promise to Tiara. You can come help him dig, keep him company, or whatever else. He'll be here for a while, and he'd probably appreciate either. Also, subnote, this is probably the messiest you will ever see Hannibal, since he's not wearing the full suit to dig a grave, but a more practical pair of pants and a simple, white shirt. This is important to note.

ii. Eventually, the grave is dug well enough for Hannibal's satisfaction. It's not six feet, since that's a lot of dirt to move, but he has tried to make it more than a shallow grave. It's a bit difficult to move Ao's body into the grave, especially since she's starting to decompose, so maybe you'd like to help with that? Or once she's there, Hannibal will get out and sigh as he looks down at her.

I hope that will suffice, Tiara.

[ If you have anything you'd like to say to Ao or bury with her, now's the time. ]

[flippity]

[ she wanted to watch it through, since that seemed... right? well, not right, because THIS IS THE WORST THING EVER, but respectful? she even seems okay with the sheriff brings tiara out, although she does look like she's about ten seconds away from jumping the guy. to be fair she always looks like she is tend seconds away from jumping him so. whatever.

as soon as ezio approaches, though, papika immediately turns around and sits on the floor, facing away from the execution. nope. can't do this at all. ]

[hydrokinetics]

[And to help out, Percy's going to shift just slightly to stand in front of her in case she has the urge to turn around. Nobody should have to watch this, but he's going to keep an eye on things himself anyway. As soon as the act is finished, however, he turns his head slightly to look down at her, voice still quiet so he doesn't startle her.]

...it's okay. ["It's over" sounds a little too cruel at the moment.]

burying tiara

[combattente]

[After the execution, Ezio continues to hold Tiara in his arms, shifting her weight so he can carry her instead. He brings her to the graveyard alongside Hannibal and Ao, setting her down gently. After all she's gone through, she deserves a proper burial as well.

He begins digging close by, clearly focused on the task at hand.]

For all that was said of purpose, it seems unfair these two weren't given graves of their own...

[flippity]

[ she glances up at him, trying not to look fully behind her just yet. ]

That was... fast.

[ she sounds surprised, even though ezio promised them it would be. ]

[alcobrawlic]

[ Some time after the execution, and you may have seen her in the graveyard, helping dig a grave-- you will then find Sara marching most solemnly to the saloon.

... Armed with a mop, provided from who knows where (it was the Sheriff).

Someone's gotta clean the damned place. ]

[alcobrawlic]

There's a lot about this that's unfair.

[ And Sara's joining him, rolling up her sleeves. ]

Seems only right they'd keep making it a longer list.

[hydrokinetics]

For the best. [He can't exactly smile at her to make things better, but he keeps himself calm despite...wanting...to punch the Sheriff in the throat for making this happen.] Ezio really was the best man for the job to make sure her death was as painless as possible. She'll be all right now.

[flippity]

She won't though! She won't be anything anymore, she's dead!

[combattente]

And it's safe to assume they don't plan on stopping any time soon.

...Thank you.

[The words don't feel right or fitting, but he has to say something to acknowledge her help.]

[alcobrawlic]

[ They really don't feel right or fitting, because Sara honestly feels like she wasn't able to do all that much in general... but she nods shortly, joining in on the digging like she's probably done this at some point before. ]

... So, am I allowed to ask what you said to her? I couldn't quite make it out.

[ But then, maybe some things were only meant for one person to hear. ]

[impulsiveness]

[hideandseek.mp3 tbh

Which is to say, Jason doesn't know about the promise Xion made to Tiara. Didn't really overhear it. But he's standing next to her during the execution, equally as white-faced and tense. When Ezio's blade comes close enough to Tiara's neck, he acts on impulse and lifts an arm to block her sight, effectively shielding her eyes when the actual killing happens.

Whoops.]

[hydrokinetics]

[They're taking Tiara's body and it's then that he fully turns to face her, crouching down to be more on her level but still tall enough to block her view.]

I know. [He hates this.] Death isn't the end, believe me. Not for people like her. We're going to find a way--remember what the Sheriff said? If we win, we can bring people back. We can ask him to bring Tiara back, too.

[beyeotic]

[Death is never pleasant, but she doesn't turn away from it. She never turns away from it.

Ana is here both to bear witness and to offer condolences or help to those who need it. Now that the former is finished she only has one purpose in being here.]

[ceded]

Wh--

[ No. No no no!

Xion immediately grabs his arm, shoving at it ]

Jason! Stop it! I told her-- stop!

[flippity]

[ they can bring her back.

she doesn't look happy at his words, but... hopeful, at least. ]

We'll figure it out! Tiara is... she said we were friends. You gotta protect your friends.

[hydrokinetics]

Exactly, just like Tiara was trying to protect Ao. We'll get him to bring both of them back and give them another chance when we beat him at his own game. I don't think either of them would want us to sit back and let the Sheriff win, do you?

[It's not that he's lying to her. He's doing his best to try and keep her spirits up and make this less miserable, mostly. Let's just hope they can bring the girls back.]

[combattente]

[He's not used to repeating these sorts of things, but then again he's not used to doing this sort of execution.]

I'm sorry for the roles we were given. Do not forget that your heart is still innocent. May you find happiness in the next life. Rest in peace.

[He pauses, hoping maybe Tiara or at least someone got something out of those words. Perhaps, he did.]

My uncle taught me to respect each life that I take.