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

[exequte]

[jinglebros]

Moriarty already died! Now this too?!

[exequte]

It....

We don't know for certain yet.

[jinglebros]

Okay, then explain this.

I want to hear you explain this.

[exequte]

[Abruptly she's furious at him.]

Maybe he cut himself! Or... or stepped in blood somewhere else!

It's not like there's been a shortage of blood on this ship!!!!

[jinglebros]

That'd be great, wouldn't it?

[exequte]

What are you talking about??? Is this what you want? You want us to- Him to-

[She's crying already.]

[pegasinister]

[He glances over at her like he did Aoi. But says nothing]

[exequte]

Hubert?

[She takes a step towards him, faltering, tears running down her cheeks.]

Say something, please, please.

[pegasinister]

There is nothing I can say that you want to hear.

[exequte]

[She can't answer that. She just....

All she can do is go over and hug him, making little sounds of pain like a wounded animal.]

No, no....

[pegasinister]

[And this hug does more than make him grunt. It makes him wheeze in pinched agony]

[exequte]

No. I'm- I'm sorry, I....

You're hurt, maybe... maybe we can....

[She doesn't know how to fix this. She doesn't know what to do.]

[superstylishsquid]

'S not always about what people want to hear.

I take it you were the one who poisoned him? But I find it kinda hard to believe you'd be able to reload a revolver without letting your guard down enough for a guy as strong as Zack to escape.

[pegasinister]

You think I will whimper and weep. Confess all you wish to hear? I'm INSULTED, Alastor.

All your foot check has proven is that I was at the scene. Now tell me, why would that be?

[superstylishsquid]

Of course not.

I think you were there, because you were helping the person who shot Zack. Maybe you did the strangling, maybe not. But you had a hand in it...and a foot in it too, from the looks of things.

The blood probably belonged to the other person, too, unless you've managed to recover from your anemia already?

[pegasinister]

I did not bleed that night, no. You are correct.

[yesorwoof]

Are you that replacement Fabricator I worried about?

[It's a bit of a wild idea, early as she's getting used to it, but. Certainly one way to be at a scene-]

[superstylishsquid]

I think actual accomplice to the culprit is more likely.

[jinglebros]

How could you even fucking say that? That I could possibly want this?

[exequte]

[She doesn't even answer him, just drops down to the ground, crouching down into a fetal position, arms wrapping around her legs, head coming down to rest on her knees. The only answer is soft sounds of crying.]

[jinglebros]

[ Aoi leans down with her, putting his arms around her for the first time in weeks. ]

[exequte]

[She doesn't bother moving.]

Two killers, Aoi? Wasn't that what you said? Does that mean you're the other one?

[jinglebros]

I don't know, does it?

Nobody's done an injury check, have they?

[exequte]

I see.