THE SECOND TRIAL

[strangerpeople]

THE SECOND TRIAL

[Soon after the finals clues are found, there is a beep on everyone's watch. Then, the Conductor's voice echoes through the jail once more.]

Attention. All passengers of the Eventide, please come to the building in the courtyard. If you are not a passenger, you must have a ticket to enter.

[A ticket? Oh boy. And everyone's suspicions are confirmed when they come to the courtyard and find people-many of them who had been fleeing the prison that very morning-queuing in line to enter the building. Not the Strangers-they are immediately escorted in.

They find themselves in a courtroom, with them sitting at podiums in the center. Above them in the ceiling is a retractable dome; all around on the walls are large screens, so people can watch the proceedings no matter their location. People are filing in, even as a recorded voice drones that the jail isn't responsible for lives lost during the trial-or the sentencing.

Hm.

Lilac is in the judge's seat, the pangolin in her hands. Nearby, the captured animals-sans the rabbit, for some reason, and the sheep-are inside another pen that has been set up. The force field seems to have been quickly erected. After announcing the court proceedings and registering her right to magistrate, as she did the previous week, she clears her throat.]

THE WATCHFUL	THE CAVIAN	THE BRITTLE	THE FORLORN
				THE ENGINEER

You all know what you must do. You have your evidence, and you must decided who is responsible. Remember-every vote counts. And...just pretend you're alone again, if it helps, I suppose.

[There's not much else to do. There is the option to ask for the concessions they are selling to everyone, though its mostly water and popcorn. Otherwise, you are once again on a time limit. This time, the audience is watching. Their eyes stare hungrily at every action.

The trial for the murder of Atsushi Nakajima, the Rushlight, has begun..]

Comments

[otherworldlyking]

[ Did someone say fight?

McBurn is bringing out his sword because ofc he brought it with him. Not just any sword, but the Demon Sword Angbar, and he's moving to stand in the way of any attack the Warden throws her way...using his blade to intercept it. ]

1/2

[strangerpeople]

You d__ned Weftlanders...!

2/2

[disregartist]

All right, all right! That's enough.

[Lilac waves her hand before the Warden gets too much closer to attacking either Charlotte or McBurn. Or vice versa.]

This is ridiculous. Both the fact that you clearly have no control over this facility, letting people go willy nilly and steal your credentials-

[Pointed look at Charlotte, because of course she knows.]

-and the fact that your name is utterly atrocious. Really. Earwacker Jackcracker? That cannot be your true name, and if it is...

[She clears her throat.]

Let the horse go.

[otherworldlyking]

[ ... Time to put away his sword then, he guesses.

It's a lucky day for the Warden. ]

[charmingheroine]

[Once the Warden stands down, the glow dims, and then fades away. The embers of completely feral rage in Charlotte's eyes... do not.]

I don't care anymore what I have to do to see it. Your beloved empire will fall.

[She'd get theatrical, bust out the bit of Acts about the moon red as blood and all, but... it isn't the time, now.]

[strangerpeople]

[The Warden sputters at the Conductor's order.]

Y-you can't just do that! I'm in charge here, you're-

[The Look that she gives him shuts him right the hell up, though he still seethes and glares at Charlotte.]

Go to hell!

[And he stomps away.]