Everyone ate their meal silently. Some of them were still singing along to the song quietly on their heads; some others were musing on the real meaning of this gathering; and some others wonder how such unusual dishes tasted so good. After everyone finished their desserts (blackberry pudding with mackerel sauce), they became more relaxed, with everyone sipping tea or coffee and making small conversations.
Suddenly, a door on the opposite end from the one where the guests came from opened. A rather aged Asian man walked in, and everyone went silent. He had that peculiar charisma that could change the atmosphere in a room just by walking in. He took the previously unattended seat on the end of the dining table.
Old man: Good evening, my dear guests. Now that you’ve enjoyed your meals, I will explain why I decided to invite you all on this fine day. But first of all, please let me introduce myself. I’m known as Raka_Putra, a simple old man who has no relatives or real friend left in this world. Yet, I’ve managed to collect an ample amount of fortune from my various ventures through life.
Raka: Recently, my dearest doctor – you know who you are – told me that I had less than three months to live. When I heard that, I immediately came up with this plan. I gathered all of you here, men and women from different backgrounds, to give everyone a chance of inheriting my fortune.
Everyone reacted to the last sentence. Pirate sat straight, looking at the old man intently. Orochimaru shuffled nervously. XIII sneezed out a goldfish.
Raka: It is quite simple. Everyone here, including my excellent staff of waiters, chef, and bartender, has $100,000,000 on their name. When someone, ahem, gets in an accident that might have been caused by another person, the person –who I’m sure wouldn’t really mean it – will get the money transferred to his name. And should one of you…gets in an accident not caused by someone else…or get caught in one of the many traps I might have carelessly left on my mansion…his sum of money will be divided evenly amongst you. Any question?
Nio: Umm, why were we chosen?
Raka: Oh, it’s just based on my whim. [chuckles] But mostly it’s because I’m sure everyone here is interesting enough…and in dire need of some amount of cash.
Nobody dared to object to the last remark.
Raka: Any more questions?
Mana: May I?
Raka: Of course.
Mana: What would happen if one of us chooses to drop out of this game?
Raka: Then I will have you beheaded along with all of your families, friends, and pets. I will also order your body to be chopped down and fed to pigs. [chuckle] But seriously, don’t even think of that.
Edward: But some of us can just…you know, escape from this mansion?
Raka: Good question! Now if everyone would please direct their attention to the parking lot.
Twenty one pairs of eyes looked at the glass window of the dining room, from which they could see the parking lot clearly. In one second, all the cars and motorcycles there exploded, nearly deafening and blinding everyone.
Raka: Ah, I always love a good firework display. And as you might have noticed, we are perfectly safe here. Every inch of this mansion is perfectly capable of protecting us from a nuclear explosion, so no amount of brute force could ever work.
Raka: So, without further ado, let the game begin!
And with a merry laugh, the old man left the room before anyone could react. And now, 21 people in the dining room were eyeing each other with suspicion – except for XIII, who decided that it was the perfect time to wash his hair with Nio’s leftover teh tarik.
===
Who get to act in the next round: Everyone!
Please send your PMs within 24 hours after this message is posted.
--
Proud ValHellen x Maha_Bufudyne shipper.