Midway thoughts on 999/Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors

Pre-cut thoughts: does Santa act and look like Zephel, or what? Zephel's not mercenary like Santa, but the other stuff certainly fits.

( Semi-spoiler discussion; really, spoilers if you want to know nothing going in )

.

IMPORTANT 999 UPDATE

OH GOD

( SPOILER SPECULATION CUT )

ETA: Oh, OK, I guess not. I was worried when ( Cut for Seven's backstory )

.

A HA HA HA HA (re: 999)

( Spoilers, though nothing specific; spoiler speculation, though I guess - oh, hell, spoilers for the worst ending and its implications )

.