THE THIRD TRIAL

[strangerpeople]

THE THIRD TRIAL
(~SK. 17-18)


[When the investigation ends, the D O N G rings throughout the ship, followed by Zero's voice.]

It is time. Everyone, come to the theater. Time is...wasting.

[And so it is. The seating has once more changed to reflect the fallen-Moriarty and now Brain's podiums are draped in black. And, of course, there is no food-

The screens come up, and the mask of Zero appears, ever inscrutable. Their instructions are brief.]

Your Brain is gone, I'm afraid. Cut into pieces and cast aside...and someone here knows why. Now, it's time for you to discover the truth as well...if you can.


[The trial for the murder of Brain, the Blue, has begun.]

Comments

[valkavian]

BECAUSE THERE'S NO FUCKING V IN "TRAITOR", IDIOT.

[exequte]

H-huh??

[not_a_lego_maniac]

.................What?

1/?

[somuchshipping]

[Wait, why would Valerie know the word if-]

2/?

[somuchshipping]

3/?

[somuchshipping]

4/5

[somuchshipping]

[No...]

...PleaseTellMeYouDidn't...!

5/5

[somuchshipping]

It... it... it was you...?

[valkavian]

Guess I know how Brain felt when I floated the idea to off Hubert, huh.

I'm so fucking sorry.

1/3

[somuchshipping]

2/3

[somuchshipping]

[Sadness turns into anger and...]

3/3

[wheel_of_fire]

[Hermes turns red and begins aggressively yelling.]

DAMN ME TO THE UNDERWORLD FOREVER FOR FALLING ASLEEP! I COULD HAVE HELPED YOU KILL HUBERT! IT WOULD'VE BEEN SO SATISFYING TO HAVE MERCURY LOCKED UP WITH NO ONE FOR HIM TO RELENTLESSLY MOCK AND ANNOY!

[pegasinister]

[Deep deep frown.]

[jinglebros]

So who's the traitor?

[valkavian]

[ And the sick, gross, tears-of-blood laughter is coming back. ]

THAT'S THE SABBAT, BITCH, WE REWARD HIM AS A TRAITOR FUCKING DESERVES.

[pegasinister]

Good. Then you will understand when we reward you similarly.

[exequte]

Hubert... I-I think it was a mistake....

[jinglebros]

Uh-huh?

[voidseeing]

... go on.

[He's completely calm here.]

[valkavian]

He seemed shaken by the motive. Like I was. I thought, maybe if we worked together, we split the difference, figure out what the fuck we do with Hermes, right?

I didn't know he taught Hubert the fucking cypher, I didn't know they were that close. That was my fuckup, I'll admit. So he tried to - I don't FUCKING know if he tried to kill me or just not-kill me. Threw one of those notes at me, and it reached inside and put the Beast in the wheel.

[voidseeing]

... the red note. The one that induced anger.

[pegasinister]

... I taught HIM the cypher. Though I did not give him permission to spread it around. Too late now, I suppose.

[godspiousjasper]

...Valerie. What is it I said to you would happen if you were to harm another of us on this ship?

[ Not phased by her anger, though his tone is absolutely dark and very entirely visceral here. ]

[valkavian]

Yeah.

You'd merc me just like you merc'd that kid.

I fucking remember.

[godspiousjasper]

Not... quite my words, but... yes. I'm glad you remember.

[ An exhale. Then a glance to Hubert. ]

Though it may not necessarily be me who administers the appropriate punishment for your actions.