THE THIRD TRIAL

[strangerpeople]

THE THIRD TRIAL

[After the finale clues are found, the ticking which we totally didn't forget to add to the investigation post in everyone's head stops, and the Elder Steward's voice echoes through the webs.]

Excellent. Now, please, proceed to the ossuary! Do not tarry.

[Just like before, the Ossuary rumbles upwards to accept the remaining Strangers, with bats hassling those who take too long. Just like before, chains drag everyone to their respective coffins, and in the center are souls for sustenance. You might expect the only true difference to be that piles of skulls now replace the coffins where Zelda, Bangladesh, and Jun might have otherwise stood when they were alive. However, one more change has been made - Eric's coffin is now quite a bit fancier and even a little less coffin-looking. For example, it has a nice chair! Apparently there's some favoritism afoot.

Once everyone is in place, the Elder Steward strolls forward to the edge of the circle, hands crossed beneath his robes. The scrolls glow to reveal the evidence and the suspect list as this happens.]

THE OVERBOARD	THE CIRCUIT	THE RUBBER	THE NEON
				THE ENEMY

Now. Let us get started, shall we?

[And with that, the ticking begins anew. Someone killed. It's time to decide who's responsible.

The trial for the murder of Jun Ushiro, The Launcher, has begun.]

Comments

HE WAS TAKING A NAP!!!!

[icanhearscreams]

[Bandages slowly pull together in the shape of a small form, a mask appearing on its face.]

... Uh?

[hexposition]

[anyway don't mind emma over here she's just gonna fall apart and try to do so as quietly as possible while y'all interrogate the dead kid]

[yonosoymaria]

[...complete emotional collapse solidarity?

for what it's worth, the very genuine reaction on Emma's part is a solid fifth of why Eric's trying to hold a scream in his mouth by pressing both his hands over it - he does not trust her, but Jun did, and that kind of breakdown can't be faked.]

[icanhearscreams]

[There’s a slight incline of his head towards Eric and the figure almost seems to hesitate at the chair, but says nothing.]

[yonosoymaria]

I tried. I didn't - I wanted to - I held back, because of what you said.

["Moments", she said. Moments, when he doesn't know if he can keep from sobbing.]

You deserved better than this. I'm so sorry.

[icanhearscreams]

... My pilot chair was from a jet fighter...

[yonosoymaria]

[And we're gonna go with "that translated about the same way 'robot' did, but... airplane, not giant machine".]

I don't even know where this came from. Looks a bit like the furniture from home, but... well...

[He's shaking, again. This is heresy. This is cruel. This is... more than he thought he'd get.]

[icanhearscreams]

My mother’s... pilot seat...

[He’s fading...]

[yonosoymaria]

I'll remember. I'll remember both of you, I swear it!

[The problem being... Eric doesn't know her name.]

[icanhearscreams]

Tanaka...

... Kana... Machi... where are...

[And he’s gone.]

[necroyalty]

Good to see you again, however short our time may be.

[ She gives a small smile. ]

Do you remember how you died?

[ NOT MUCH TIME LET'S JUST CUT RIGHT TO THE CHASE ]

[icanhearscreams]

I was shot with something and then the bookcase fell on me, lodging it further into my chest.

[necroyalty]

So the archer's aim was true, they just weren't particularly strong...

Were you alone? Or was someone with you?

[icanhearscreams]

[There’s a pause.]

No one from here was in the room with me as far as I’m aware.

[necroyalty]

[ That's...evasive, and that pause is noted. She's aware of beings that are unable to lie, or the snare of a Zone of Truth...

But what isn't said is perhaps just as important as what is. ]

Do you remember what happened with Emma?

[icanhearscreams]

[... A longer pause.]

I heard her running in, but I was focused on the pain in my chest.

I did feel her hands on me as I was dying.

[hexposition]

I'm... I'm so sorry...

[Sorry she was GOING to try to keep herself out of this but. Look what you've done.]

[icanhearscreams]

You... did what you could.... I think.

[... He can’t remember well.]

[hexposition]

It doesn't matter... I failed you. Just like I failed him.

What good is a witch who can't protect the people who rely on her?

[icanhearscreams]

You can never save everyone. Even those you care about. But... you’ll save him.

[necroyalty]

...Thank you.

If anyone else would like to say their piece, I suggest they do it now. There's not much time left in the spell.

[icanhearscreams]

... I’m... impressed that you thought of this.

[incendiarize]

Did you rig up the shelves like that?

[Look he doesn't have much but this might clarify the timeline.]

[icanhearscreams]

No.

[necroyalty]

There's a stigma attached, I won't deny, but the necromantic arts have their uses.

[ Speak With Dead is most commonly used to fish out murderers on her own world, so. ]