THE FOURTH TRIAL

[strangerpeople]

THE FOURTH TRIAL
(~SK. 24-25)




[There's no announcement informing the Strangers to come into the theater. There is only the sound of the doors opening, beckoning those left to come inside. It's best not to tarry-really, do you want to know what happens if they refuse to go to the trial?

When they enter the theater, it's...different. Sort of. Maybe it's because the area where the podiums are covered in donuts (and yes, Roland will see the little white animals pop over and pinch a few off the top). Maybe it's the fact that more spaces are draped in black. Maybe it's the fact that Zack's podium is also missing from where it sat, leaving nothing but donuts-in fact, that's where the primary pile of donuts are. Digging through that pile will only yield donuts, and nothing more.

(Some of the animals try to approach Akane. They disintegrate before they get two steps. Apparently they're better off eating the donuts.)

But-most of all-it's the fact that Zero is not on the screens that pop out through the theater. There's nothing but static. And while the curtains are closed, you know you are being watched regardless.




Uh. So. Maybe it's not worth waiting for Zero on this.


The trial for the murder of Zack Prince, the One, has begun.]

Comments

[godspiousjasper]

[ Roland blinked a couple times, then chuckled softly with his smile turning softer and more gentle. ]

I wouldn't mind something to sit down on if possible, but otherwise I can put up with standing for a couple of hours at the least.

[ Really. She's such a sweetheart. ]

It's alright. I don't have a sprain or anything that needs any bandages... [ How to put it simply? ] It's definitely not anything life threatening and more of an internal injury, I suppose.

[pegasinister]

[snort]

[jinglebros]

[ Aoi makes a crude hand motion. ]

[godspiousjasper]

[ Don't you dare say a thing, Hubert. ]

[exequte]

[.... wait]













Oh.

Wow.

That much, huh?

[superstylishsquid]

He's also a little...inexperienced.

[exequte]

I guess nobody was getting much sleep anyway....

[superstylishsquid]

More...when you don't know if you'll even recognize your lover by the next week...

[pegasinister]

[Hubert makes a soft exhale at that]

I suppose that isn't... a completely unreasonable excuse.

[superstylishsquid]

You were worried about the same thing, weren't you?

[pegasinister]

I... also worry about things being fleeting, yes.

[superstylishsquid]

It's an unfortunately unavoidable worry in a place like this.

[godspiousjasper]

[ Going to just hide his face for half a moment, but it's not as bad as it was last week. ]

I... was worried about us losing our memories of each other and wished to make the best of it.

[ Exhaling a deep breath, he levels a look with Alastor. ]

Ἀλάστωρ. Is there any need to really say that out loud?

[exequte]

[A long, long pause.]

I guess... everyone who has that option, still....

That makes sense.

[godspiousjasper]

Oh! Akane... I'm sorry...

[ Now he at least looks a bit guilty, reminded of Kaito not being here. ]

I hadn't meant to make you feel bad or anything.

[exequte]

[It takes a moment, but she visibly pulls herself out of the slump, clasping her hands in front of her chest and shaking her head decisively.]

No.

It's not wrong for you to be happy. And... and I have faith that we can get them back.

[And then, a little more softly.]

I can get him back.

[somuchshipping]

[Hermes gives a skeptical look.

Not because he doesn't think people can come back, but in Fortuna, the revived usually come back as [Abomination]s and that wouldn't be good.]

[exequte]

...?

[godspiousjasper]

[ There's a soft exhale then his smile returns, bright as ever. ]

That's the spirit! I think you have potential to sweep Kaito off his feet when you bring him back!

[ A pause, then he looks away, one hand rubbing at the back of his neck. ]

I also... wish to apologize to you for something else, Akane.

[exequte]

[She giggles softly at that image.]

Oh! Well I don't know if I'm strong enough to sweep him off his feet! I could try, but I'd probably only drop him, and that wouldn't be a very romantic reunion.

[But as to the second... that just leaves her puzzled.]

I can't think of anything you'd have to apologize to me for....

[superstylishsquid]

She's the one who was giving me grief last week about being too rough.

...You pronounced my name with the right accent, this time.

[godspiousjasper]

I suppose that is fair, but still.

[ He manages one of his sunny smiles and nods. ]

Mm-hm~! Greek is a little tricky to get the hang of, but I think I'm managing to do a good job of it. [ A pause. ] I can always use that way of speaking your name if you'd like me to?

[superstylishsquid]

Eh, I'm used to my name being spoken in different accents.

The only time you'd need to get it right is if you meant to invoke me, and even then...you'd want an infernal accent.

[godspiousjasper]

Very well! Just thought i'd check if that is what you preferred~

[ There's something else he wants to say, too, but he can save it for a bit later. He wants it to be extra meaningful, after all. ]

An infernal accent?

[superstylishsquid]

The way demons pronounce Enochian.