THE FIRST TRIAL

[strangerpeople]

THE FIRST TRIAL
(~SK. 3-4)


[When the investigation wraps up, there is a low, rumbling <D O N G, which vibrates throughout the ship. This is followed by the sound of creaking doors opening on the D Deck-the locked doors at the end of the hall.

Zero's voice speaks through the ship once this happens.]

The Investigation has ended. It is time for the Trial. Please proceed into the theater.

I suggest you be quick about it.

[And when you do...you will find a completely empty theater. There is a higher level, but this is currently blocked off by ropes, as is the stage itself. Anyone who attempts to jump the ropes will find themselves knocked on their butts; it seems there's no choice but to go to the podiums, located in the orchestra area of the theater. Notably, the podiums for bunks 6 and 7 are empty, draped with black crinoline and adorned with a photo of the deceased. And in the center of the podiums is...a birthday cake with some confetti surrounding it, along with some drinks. No indication whose birthday it is, but that's pretty much all you'll see in this otherwise very bare, quiet place.



CW: animal death

Unless, of course, you're the Eye. If you're the Eye, you will see every seat filled, if not by a root or vine, then by a...thing with glowing red eyes. One of these...things tries to move towards Anya-and immediately, after suddenly glowing red, thunks over sideways, it's head popping off with an almost comical P O P. The majority of the other...things stare at it before resuming their...whatever they're doing, while one of the things sitting next to it looks over, then towards the stage, then slowly hops off the seat and out the door.

Oh, and he doesn't even get his own podium. Aoi and Makima, good luck to you-Roland's been squeezed in between you, forced to take podium 3. You get to also see what he sees.

Once everyone's in place, A large wide screen....screen schlllorps from the stage, and Zero's face pops in once it turns on.]


Welcome to the Trial. Please, enjoy the refreshments. You will be here until you have either convicted the correct culprit-or, the culprit successfully gets away with it. If you have not familiarized yourself with the guidelines, I suggest you do so now.

All evidence is also available for review on your watches, if need be. Take your time, but...do not delay. Justice must be served.

[Well? No reason to delay. Power is dead. Very dead. And now it is time to figure out who would kill her with explogurt for a cheeseburger-if that's even what happened.


The trial of Power, The Drop, has begun.]

Comments

[godspiousjasper]

[ He just quietly holds her as she talks, eyes closed and anyone can tell how much this absolutely hurts him. There's a young woman here who is crying and just... this is all he can do right now. ]

People... say a lot of things in the moment that they don't mean. You were scared and with good reason, Miss Anya.

[ What else could he EVEN say beyond that? If anyone looks closely, he almost looks close to tears himself. ]

[threwabone]

I...I don't wanna die...

[It wasn't supposed to be like this. She was supposed to have a long life. Even if not the nicest, something better than this, better than dying at seventeen.

She's so scared.]

[godspiousjasper]

[ One of his hands comes up and places it reassuringly on the back of her head, gentle and kind. ]

I know.

[ A beat. He's heard Akane and just nodded silently. She doesn't deserve this. ]

I truly wish I could have met your friend, Miss Anya.

[threwabone]

...there's still a chance...

I know you thought...it might just be me, but...I left the necklace in my bunk. In the pillow case.

I don't know if she can do anything, but...if she can...

[It's something.]

[godspiousjasper]

Understood.

[ He pulls back just enough to flash her a kind, reassuring smile. ]

I'll retrieve it after everything and take care of it for you, I promise.

[threwabone]

Thanks.

[Taking another shuddering breath.]

And...Roland?

Please live. Whatever happens to me...I don't want to see it happen to you.

[godspiousjasper]

[ Nobody could predict how things would go in the coming days but... for now? He straightens up and puts on a confident smile despite the pain he's feeling, even reaching a hand over to try and wipe away any tears. ]

I promise you, Miss Anya. I will do everything within my power to continue to live on, to survive and see an end to this wretched game.

[ If things went awry later? It would not be God he asked forgiveness from, but Anya herself. ]

[threwabone]

[The chuckle she lets out is dry.]

Thank you. I...thank you.

[She's not sure what else she can say.]

[superstylishsquid]

Not sure how much it helps, but...well. Hell isn't the only thing that's real. Never been to Heaven myself, but...met enough fallen angels to know it's up there.

[threwabone]

[A shaky laugh escapes her.]

Oh, I'm so gonna get it for skipping church these past few months...