purgastory | week six

week six

week six.

Once again, the fog moves, filling every nook and cranny of the blanket fort, letting it all slowly fade from view. As always, Heart locations remain, joined by a few new additions. You know the name of this game now. You know that choosing to stay behind is not the key to moving forward, and therefore, you must cross the border and plunge into the fog once again.

This time the fog has a bite of frost, the temperature dropping drastically as the cloud of fog peels back, revealing the shiny, glittering expanse of snow beyond. Shivers run through your no doubt unsuitable clothing, but luckily for you the luxurious resort beyond is just close enough to avoid the worst of the chill. (Your shoes will absolutely get wet though, sorry...) Once inside, the lobby is warm and toasty, filled with squat, comfortable couches and a minibar on the opposite corner. There is an elevator to take you to another floor, as well as signs for the ski slopes outlined on the walls opposite.

Welcome to your Wintry Wonderland! You may change into appropriate attire in one of the many changing rooms, but please be careful -- you will feel an urge to seek warmth as you explore this particular maze, whether by an embrace or through hand-holding. It will feel like second nature to you, and perhaps a godsend in this freezing landscape.

0. heart tasks

The notice board is still here this week, now with a new set of tasks written on it! Along the Akheron river, there's a fresh slew of boxes and containers along its bank. They're all locked up tight, but they have your names on them. They're also nicely decorated.

Mementos Mori Homesickness is a terrible thing. Complete one of these tasks and you may just find yourself with something to ease it.
✦ Bite someone with feeling and explain the feeling.
✦ Exchange thoughtful gifts with one other.
✦ Tell someone a secret, something you think that person should know about you.

Whether you intend to or not, if you complete one of the above tasks, you'll know that your box has been unlocked. Inside can be an item from home, it doesn't matter how big or small. It doesn't need to belong to your character or your character's Eurydice, as long as it's something they might want. The box will have your character's name on it though and written in small script Good luck! Almost there. The item may also be a pet. You do not need to report this to the mods; we'll go by honor system.

i. central ice rink

Once properly attired, you are free to venture outside. Here, the fields of snow seem endless, bright beneath the winter sunshine. All that clean snow, just begging for someone to make footprints, construct castles, or initiate snow fights! What fun! What joy!

A little further ahead is a large lake, completely frozen over. There is a stand nearby offering skates of all sizes, for those who would like to skate along on top of the ice. There are also convenient guard rails along one edge of the lake for our timid novices. Take a few turns and get comfortable. Or maybe not too comfortable...

As you make your loops, you may notice movement, and as you coast to a stop, you will realize that the movement is in fact an image, a memory being played in full view on the ice beneath you. No matter where you skate off to, the memory will follow, seemingly endless in every direction. Of course, you could still try to stop the memory, perhaps by smashing your skate through the ice if you're desperate enough, but that will only send you and whoever is with you beneath the ice and into the freezing lake, where you will be both submerged.

Whatever happens, the memory will have a specific theme of either greed or charity, such as:

✦ A memory where you experienced some form of desire, possession, greed, or experienced the consequences of such greed from another.
✦ A memory where you experienced some form of charity, whether positive or negative -- when you received something from another that you desperately needed at the time. Perhaps it was a hopeful plea, perhaps it was demeaning humiliation. Or perhaps you were the one who sought to give, your intentions kind or conceited.
✦ A fantasy of all that you ever wished to possess, or one of all the things you've given to see others thrive.

ii. santa's workshop

If you venture down to the resort's basement, you will what looks like a charming, rustic... workroom? Or perhaps a storage room? There are piles upon piles of objects, some wrapped neatly in boxes, others still needing some work done, because apparently, all of these objects are broken in some way. There are instruments that still need to be stringed, shoes missing their pairs, flashlights that don't turn on, paddles with only the letters "Y A O" carved into them. Whatever you can think to find, you will -- except in a state of repair.

Just on the table beyond are a few very basic tools: screwdrivers, hammers, wrenches, etc, but the supplies themselves seem to be missing...? Turns out that if you want to fix an object, you'll have to take apart something else to get what you need. Unfortunately, you'll have to apply a little bit of elbow grease to get what you want -- as the objects themselves don't feel like giving them up? Stuffed animals will take a swat at you, toasters will hit you with their cords, and sexy lingerie may even attempt to strangle you...

But they're just objects, and you can obviously fight back. Or if not, then feel free to try other more peaceful approaches: such as mentioning a time, object, concept, etc that you wish you could have or return to or telling someone what you wish you could give them. Once shared, the objects will go back to normal.

iii. the charity auction

Ascend the stairs from the lobby into the resort's magnificent ballroom, where apparently some kind of banquet is underway? There are crowds of shadowy figures seated at tables and milling about, holding sparkling glasses of champagne and eating little appetizers from large trays, but most of the activity is directed towards the stage, where a shadowy auctioneer thumps their mallet and calls out the name of the newest object.

A name that turns out to be... yours! Before you know it, you are ushered onto stage, squinting against the bright lights to see the crowd beyond. Distantly, you can hear the auctioneer announce your name, a fun fact, and why exactly you deserve to be taken out! Whether on a hot date or wiped from the surface of the earth. Or maybe both?

The only way to leave is if some merciful soul makes a bid for you. For those who find themselves in the crowd, desperate to save whoever's on stage -- you will feel the urge to make your bid (or don't, maybe you think this is funny). Of course, the bid has to be... substantial. Money can only go so far... We're looking for creative bids here, y'know?

Once your bid is accepted, you may escort your prize from the stage. Please know that whatever the bid is -- it must be paid on the spot. Maybe you promised an ear lick or a kiss -- maybe you promised to be their servant for an hour henceforth. Whatever it is, you have to do it in the Grand Charity Gala room in order to be set free.

iv. snowman sculpting

Maybe you decide to go back outside after the warmth of the resort, or maybe you'd like to keep playing in the snow... Nearby are several different snow figures, all in need of decoration. They are just so sad and naked without you...

🥕 Carrot Nose: You feel an intense curiosity to know everything you've yet to learn about the person you're with. What's their blood type? What's their dream wedding venue? If they were wooed by a shark or a pirate, then which would they choose? The questions can be completely nonsensical and unrelated to each other. It doesn't matter, because you need to know!!
⚫ Coal Smile: You feel the burden of your sins weighing upon you. Suddenly, you need for the person you're with to forgive you for what you've done to them, or for what you will do. Maybe you feel the urge to confess to a curse. Maybe you want to tell them that you thought they were really annoying once. Or maybe you want to apologize for thinking they're a great big degenerate.
🧣 Cute Scarf: Congratulations! You Are A Child Now. Feel free to keep your adult minds, or revert back to the mindset you had as a smol baby.
🎩 Snazzy Bowler: You are on the run from your creditors. You must hide now! Now! Take whoever's with you so they don't sell you out to the IRS, or because they clearly have crimes they're on the run from too. Go and hide in a cramped closet together.
❌ Naked: For some reason, you don't want to dress any of these snowmen. Boo, tomato, tomato! You will be haunted by three ghostly versions of yourself: past, present, and future, who will all talk about your faults and how you are not a good person and how you should turn it all around somehow.

mod notes.

✦ Hello again, darling clowns! This week's log features both the aforementioned maze and our central locations! Feel free to write central-specific or maze-specific prompts. Or both!
✦ For the Ice Rink, mods will not be policing what memories (trululus) or fantasies (delulus) you choose to have your character share, but please keep to the themes of greed/charity! Moreso, memories must have a canon basis, even if they’re headcanon. However, fantasies can be from alternate route paths (otome/visual novel/AU style) as long as they’re within the set parameters. There will be more opportunities for this in the future, so don’t worry about not being able to give out your lore. Have fun!
✦ Questions specific to this log can be directed to the #mod-questions channel in the discord!
✦ Maze Runs are available for this week!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[listen sometimes Robin Hooding is just in your blood okay]

That's what retirement is for.

[. . . we'll see how long that lasts]

[ he stares at edamura for a few seconds. ]

Edamura-san, do you actually plan on retiring?

[puffs up]

Of course I do! I'm not going to be doing this forever. I can be so much more than just some sketchy swindler!

[the man doth protest too much]

[ he slowly raises an eyebrow. ]

Yeah? I never said you couldn't be, I was just asking.
Considering.
You don't need to convince me so hard.

[ are you convincing yourself, my guy? ]

[. . .]

[a sigh]

. . . honestly? Sometimes I think about what I'll do the next time Laurent calls.

[because he will call. he always does. he may be stuck in Purgatory right now, but there will be another job. of that Edamura is certain]

And I don't know. . . if I'll say no when he does.

Edited (TINY TEXT) 2025-12-24 02:06 (UTC)

[ lthere's a moment he's trying to decide how he wants to approach this because there's always a high chance it'll no differently than he means. ]

Not that I'm saying you should be totally fine with a life of crime and stuff given your whole thing with Laurent, but why do you want to say no?
And why would you say yes?

[fortunately Yosuke phrases it in just the right way that Edamura does not take either question poorly]

Why would I want to say no? There's an entire laundry list of reasons!

[he huffs a little as he tries to climb to his feet again]

First off, do you know how many times I've almost died? Being a confidence man is a really dangerous gig! Plus, if I live my entire life lying to other people, then one day I won't be able to tell what is the truth and what isn't. I don't want to lose sight of myself. And no one should be totally fine with a life of crime, anyway. People should strive to live honestly. I want to live honestly.

[. . .]

[and yet. . .]

[and yet!]

[. . .]

[he falls silent]

[ he listens to all of this, and yes, this all makes sense. dying sucks! being a conman is dangerous and there's a whole slew of issues with losing sight of yourself, bleeding one story into another, and not to mention the very illegal parts of it.

but edamura stops and that's half of the reason yosuke asked.

he uses his pen to gently poke him. prompting. go on, continue the thought. ]

[. . .]

Yosuke. . . [quietly. evenly] . . . you're young, so you might not have thought about this yet.

But do you ever wonder what your purpose is?

[ this is extremely funny, and he frowns briefly. ]

Uh, yeah? Like all the time.
A little less now than I used to, but lately I've been thinking about it again.
Doesn't everyone?

I dunno.

[a hapless little shrug]

That's why I was asking. [he has no idea if other people are as consumed with the idea that their lives have meaning as he is] I think about it a lot, though. And you know. . .

[a small sigh]

Helping people in the capacity that I did while working with Laurent was the closest I ever got to feeling like I did have purpose.

[ he has to think about this for a few moments. ]

Even if it's not conventional and it doesn't sound like a "good" thing, you're still helping in a way.
You're still doing something worthwhile.
Maybe that's good enough to reconsider.

[. . .]

But it's still not right.

[that's always where he gets stuck. because it doesn't matter how bad the people they rip off are. lying, cheating, stealing his way through the pocketbooks of even the most vile of human beings isn't right. it's not honest. it's not what someone who tries so hard to be a benefit to society should want]

[. . .]

[is it?]

And if it's not right, then I shouldn't-- . . . nnngh.

You see my problem, don't you?

[ he lets edamura sort through his thoughts, frowning softly before he starts writing slower this time. ]

Sure.
It's not right because everybody else says it's not right.
But that money's going to other people and not your own pockets.
And the people you're helping are grateful for the assist, right?
So I guess the question is... what exactly makes it right or wrong, in your case?

[OKAY, WELL. . . he has to fix one incorrect assumption first]

Actually, we pocket most of what we steal.

[please don't assume they aren't a bunch of greedy crooks. they are]

. . . and I sure hope the people we help are grateful for it. But that is beside the point. It's just a matter of. . . some things being inherently wrong? No matter what the reasons are?

[he knows the world is painted in shades of gray. he is not that naive. but there is a part of him that so desperately wants to exist in black and white anyway. it's rather foolish. it's his own cognitive dissonance at work]

Living honestly, being a benefit to society, helping others. . . that's "right."

But breaking the law, cheating and swindling, lying to others, that's never "right." Or at least it doesn't. . . feel right? To me?

[ he does see it as a very black and white view, and he thinks edamura is describing it in a very black and white way. ]

On paper, yeah.
But you and I both know there are exceptions to everything.
I know there are things that are wrong, but that didn't stop us from nearly making those wrong choices anyway because it was for the better.
If it doesn't feel right to you, it doesn't feel right to you.
But if it only doesn't feel right to you because you're trying to fit into an idea of what's right or wrong without thinking of the in betweens, maybe reconsider.

[ a pause though. ]

But maybe consider keeping less of the money.
Depending who you're still stealing from.

[just. . . gives Yosuke a vaguely amused look. does not comment on the "keep less of the money" part]

. . . maybe that is what I'm trying to do. Trying to put myself into that box.

[a box in which he does not fit. Laurent had been right, when he called Edamura a swindler at heart. it exists deep within him, written into his DNA, carved right into the crevices of his soul. and no matter how many times he has tried to deny it, it's still there. it always will be]

[he doesn't know how to feel about that yet]

[ listen here, he can only advise so much. ]

I know it's not the same, but I think I've been trying to fit into a box that's more "right" too because I thought the way I was was really wrong. And I don't fit in there anymore, and I'm still trying to decide how to feel about it.
But at the same time refusing to acknowledge I didn't totally fit and denying that maybe there's a different shape was just kinda hurting myself.
And I don't want that for you either.
So... if you decide you're really done, that's fine.
But if you don't and it still fits who you are, then... that's just that.
It always feels a little weird trying to figure out who you are when it's not what you keep telling yourself you should be.

[HE IS DOING A GREAT JOB. BURSTS INTO TEARS]

I see.

[a momentary pause. and then. . . he smiles]

Have I ever told you that you're pretty wise?

[ it helps that he likes edamura so much 🥺 but he laughs slightly and shakes his head. ]

You'd be one of the first to say so, Edamura-san.
But it helps that I've learned from you in our time here, I think.

[that takes him off guard]

You. . . have?

[ there's a slow nod. ]

You seem surprised, but yeah.
Our conversations are always good and leave me thinking about stuff.
And it's helped me learn more about you and myself in the process.

[oh. he looks. . . touched]

I didn't know that. . . [don't mind the way his gaze flickers down, a small smile appearing on his features] . . . and here I thought I was making you do most of the heavy lifting, because you're such a good listener.

[ this time the nod is more enthusiastic. ]

First of all, I don't mind listening and you should know that. But secondly? Definitely not. You've given me some good advice and it's been good being able to talk to you to learn a little more.
It's... helped. To know other people feel the way I feel, sometimes.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

week six

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