Steven hesitated as he contemplated the Floatzel’s handshake. To refuse would be rude, but he had just confessed to a myriad of rather unsavory things, and that was putting it lightly. At best he figured she would have been just as furious as the Luxray that slowly circled behind him, snarling and crackling with electricity.
In a snap decision he reached out and met her proffered paw. At the very least, he hoped he’d given her a good chase.
“To our next meeting being under better circumstances,” he said before quickly withdrawing. Time was running short. He could feel more stares on his back, and the crack of Archie’s knuckles front and center. No way he could muster another void-clone before...
Suddenly, the ground opened up beneath Steven’s feet, but there was no panic on his face as he disappeared into the hole beneath his feet. The white nothingness closed up as if nothing had happened.
And then. “Ah, I’m sorry about that,” came Steven’s voice from beyond the edge of the group. He had reappeared a good enough distance away that no one could get to him. At least, not before he could react.
“I’d rather not get punched again,” he said, brushing some invisible dust from his sleeve. “Once was more than enough, thank you.”
“As for that little trick,” he continued when the group still hadn’t recovered from the shock of what they’d just witnessed, “the ground here is quite remarkable. Nothing like our earth whatsoever. It’s completely malleable and self-healing. It can be shaped and manipulated with just a thought. Fascinating really. Oh, but I’m getting carried away aren’t I?” he said with a sheepish smile that quickly sobered.
“I guess I should explain myself. These games... they’re... stressful. I’ve been through enough at this point to know. The feeling I've gotten, not just from this game, but all of them, is that everyone here wants one thing. To go back home. And, well...”
He paused, glancing down at his upturned palm.
“Let’s say it certainly was a unique opportunity. The power to grant everyone what they wanted in the most expedient way possible.”
Steven looked around at the group, an expression of calm gracing his face, like he’d reached some kind of inner peace. The angry stares, the snarls and muttered insults washed over him like a river over a thousand stones. He would weather it much the same.
“I can only say I hope you are all able to find your way back home soon.”
The nothingness at Steven’s feet rippled, and he gave a dry smile. “Ah, it seems as if it’s time for me to head home myself. Though, undoubtedly a less direct trip for someone like me.”
Without warning, the void lurched up, grabbed Steven, and pulled him down.
This time, he did not reappear.
---
And what could anyone say to that? Even if the night hadn't come down like a hammer immediately after the ground had rippled red, Steven had left them all in quite a spot. It seemed he'd had a better control of the world around him than anyone... and it still hadn't been enough to save him.
The remaining players retire to their beds with a plan. They're on the right track, they're sure of it. It won't be long now... They have the Mafia in their sights. Surely the end of the game will be upon them soon.
Steven Stone (Panoramic_Vacuum) has been eliminated. He was Mafia.
Night Four begins now and will continue until midnight UTC May 13th/8 PM EST May 12th.
Final Vote:
Panoramic_Vacuum - 6 (Chibi Pika, DawningWinds, Flyg0n, Inkedust, Dragonfree, Panoramic_Vacuum)
Not Voting: IFBench, Starlight Aurate
Panoramic_Vacuum wrote the death flavor for this post. Thanks for your help!