THE SECOND TRIAL

[strangerpeople]

THE SECOND TRIAL

[Soon after the failed attempt to contact the dead, the tell-tale alarm suddenly rings out, rattling everyone's teeth alongside Marie's voice.]

ATTENTION! EMERGENCY ALERT! PLEASE GO TO THE ELEVATORS IMMEDIATELY!! HMHMHMMM! I WILL NEVER GET TIRED OF SAYING THAT...!

[And so, once again, the elevators bring everyone back down to the trial room, where the table has been...altered, slightly, color-wise, to reflect those who are no longer among you. And once more, upon entering the force field, weapons disappear - and powers fail to work.

Bottson hops up onto the center of the table, transmitting the evidence found.]

heRe yOU Are eVerYBOdy! THe sUsPECt lISt!



YoU cAN Do THiS!


[Above everyone once more is Marie, floating around in her hover platform.]

WELL, WELL! FANCY MEETING YOU ALL HERE AGAIN! I GUESS YOU ALL FAILED TO KEEP THAT GUY ALIVE, HUH?? AHAHAHA!!

WELL, LET'S SEE IF YOU CAN GET WHO DID IT THIS TIME, HMM??

Comments

[crouching_sin]

People hold grudges, even over stupid things. I'm sure you've seen that as well, Baku. Just because someone says they won't be angry doesn't mean that's true.

[vividsins]

So instead you risk your life looking suspicious. That makes complete sense.

[ SARCASM. ]

[crouching_sin]

I've risked my life for worse and come out on the other side.

[vividsins]

It's just that, right now, you're only looking worse and worse. And I think most of us think it might be you.

[crouching_sin]

I suppose that's up to the votes, then. You can't speak for everyone.

Though I will say - again - that I didn't put a hand on him.

[vividsins]

That's the thing, Naoya.

You wouldn't have had to if you'd kicked him.

[ You're talking to a demon. Precise details are his bread and butter. ]

[crouching_sin]

[He knows your tricks, Baku.]

Heh. I'm not a very good hand to hand fighter, so if I had been in a fight with him and kicked him, he could have overpowered me easily. Especially with those extra limbs.

[fashionfever]

Too easy! The killer only touched Rosenkreuz with his foot!

[crouching_sin]

I'm not a very good brawler. You'd want Atsuro for that. Rosenkreuz was a trained soldier, and I'm a computer programmer. Do you really think that I would have won in a straight-up fight?

[backuphero]

Naoya, if this is about... what we talked about....

[crouching_sin]

Hm? Oh. The larger thing? No. This has nothing to do with that, no more than everything in my life has to do with that.

[backuphero]

This wasn't - he didn't - none of us are from the same world, Naoya! For - not for God's sake but for your own, damn it, why are you being so goddamn CAGEY about this!?

[crouching_sin]

I know we're not from the same world, that's why I've been more honest here than anywhere else.

[vividsins]

[ EXCUSE YOU ]

[crouching_sin]

[It's true though.]

[backuphero]

Naoya. That's... that isn't what I asked. What are you talking around?

[crouching_sin]

If you think I'm talking around something, then maybe you should ask properly.

[tiefleaf]

I'll admit it - you all know I was lying about where I got the cut earlier, when I said I was practicing with the knives. I wasn't. I wanted to see if my powers still worked, I didn't want you guys to freak out and potentially get sidetracked with that, but you know what?

I don't like the truth. It's a nasty, vicious thing, always acting like it owns you.

But if it means not dying, then sure, I'll come clean. There's nothing I'm willing to take to my grave.

Naoya, tell me we could say the same for you.

[fashionfever]

[THIS IS HER FRIEND AND SHE'S REALLY PROUD OF HIM?????]

[crouching_sin]

[Naoya just starts laughing.]

I've already told the truth. I'm not sure what more you want from me. I understand what you mean by 'coming clean', but I've already done what you've asked.

[tiefleaf]

Yeah, just like I understand the difference between lies and bullshit.

[backuphero]

Long as you aren't using somebody else's blood or summoning things that aren't supposed to exist in this world, it's no business of mine what you do with your body... but that just...

Naoya, please. Tell me the rules of this place don't mean we have to kill you!

[crouching_sin]

Summoning things that should not exist in the world can be fun, though.

... Anyway. You don't have to kill me.

[fashionfever]

[sweet summer child...]

He didn't even vote for Akira, did he? The rules are a little broader than what it sounds like you're thinking...

[losergod]

Mister Tealeaf, your injury excludes you rather than includes you. You're innocent, as far as I'm concerned from a medical standpoint.

Don't worry about the why you were doing it. I certainly am not going to judge you.