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

[superstylishsquid]

Hubert... [Sigh.] Hermes, do I have permission to tell him?

[pegasinister]

... tell me what, Alastor?

[superstylishsquid]

...I think Hermes is sick. Computers...viruses tend to cause them to act a bit off.

Can't be sure, though. He doesn't remember anywhere he could've picked it up, but we can't exactly trust our memories from before we got here.

[pegasinister]

... so you are saying I should forgive him for Val's trial due to illness.

[exequte]

Even if you don't forgive him... is, um... is holding a grudge like this really productive?

[pegasinister]

[he crosses his arms and frowns deeply]

I have made no moves to harm him in any meaningful way. If anything I feel I have been quite magnanimous.

... but I will agree during trial discussion it would be more. Practical. If we can speak.

[exequte]

Exactly!

[She isn't gonna push him for full forgiveness or anything, she knows him too well at this point... but that would be a useful concession.]

[pegasinister]

...as you wish.

[he gives a very stiff and shallow bow to that, hissing out a breath through his teeth after. Ugh]

[exequte]

[She smiles and then reaches up and hugs him, very briefly, stepping back to allow him to regain his Personal Bubble again after.]

You are a good man, Hubert von Ventra.

[pegasinister]

[And even in that brief hug Hubert bites off a strained grunt]

[superstylishsquid]

I'm saying...I'm not entirely sure that outburst was all him.

[pegasinister]

[grumblegrumble can't he just be petty???]

[superstylishsquid]

[Not if it's going to get in the way of sharing information and theories at trial, no.

He let you be petty all week, even when it meant he had to go out of his way to fetch you himself for that meeting, remember?]

[pegasinister]

[he can feel Al's judgement from here]

Fine, fine! I have conceded.

[superstylishsquid]

[Good, because he is definitely judging you for making things difficult.

He will, however, look at Hermes.]

Now that you're allowed to talk to him, I think you do owe him something.

[somuchshipping]

[PLEASE DON'T MAKE HIM REVEAL IT. PLEASE...]

[yesorwoof]

I personally think it's going a little far for any of us to completely trust and forgive one another.

[Makima hasn't forgiven Aoi. She doesn't expect Akane to, either.]

But Val-chan didn't have full control of her mind. Why not Hermes as well?

[pegasinister]

I executed her- that is a bit far from giving her preferential treatment over Hermes.

... but I will. Attempt. To rein in my feelings on the matter.

[yesorwoof]

I'm not asking for favors that aren't deserved. I simply mean to say we observed something clearly and so it might happen again.

...it seems that you've gotten the idea already and there's no reason to harp on it more. But I do wonder if any such factor is in play for this murder mystery. Why Zack-kun had the gun with him that night.

[somuchshipping]

[Don't do this. Please...]

[exequte]

.... Hermes....

Wouldn't it... be better?

[somuchshipping]

[HWDIOJFWPIOHFUIWHFOWHUOFHUWFHU FIDGETING ANXIOUSLY IN PLACE POKER FACING]

No,NoItWouldn't! ThisIsn'tRelated ToTheTrialAnyway!

[exequte]

I agree, I don't think it has anything to do with how Zack died, but.... That... that doesn't mean it's not information that would be good for people to have.

Especially when there's... so few of us. And when maybe somebody could help....

[somuchshipping]

[...]

[Hermes is avoiding looking at you. This floor is super interesting!]

[exequte]

Hermes....

[Akane walks up close and then gently reaches out to touch him.]

If you... if you don't want to say anything then.... is it okay if I do?