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]

Why is it you think you don't deserve mercy?

[pegasinister]

Because I should have taken on Zack's killing on my own. I should have convinced Aoi to step back.

[Now knowing about Aoi's many loops... he knows he was never going to win that fight. But he still feels he SHOULD have]

[superstylishsquid]

You know he wouldn't have let you die without him.

...The only reason I managed to convince Roland not to join me if I have to risk my own life is because the living need his Sight.

[pegasinister]

...

[superstylishsquid]

Caring makes people do stupid things, especially when it's to the point of love.

...I meant it when I called you a friend, you know. I consider Aoi one, too.

[pegasinister]

...thank you, Alastor. For your human-like heart.

[superstylishsquid]

No, I'm still a demon. We just have a wider range than we let ourselves see.

I did play along with this whole trial, after all. I knew it was the two of you from the moment you gave your alibis.

[pegasinister]

Those looks you were exchanging with Aoi. I should have guessed when he slipped away.

[superstylishsquid]

Yeah, I was trying to work out if he thought it was time to put an end to things yet.

He visited about five in the morning, after the murder. I figured out what he'd done when he gave me his letter and made me swear not to open it until tonight. Made him promise he'd make his death worth it.

[godspiousjasper]

...So... when I voiced my suspicions of Aoi possibly doing something dangerous.. you already knew he was going to die.

[ Granted he knows Alastor had his reasons for it but... still. ]

[superstylishsquid]

Yeah. I just...didn't want you to have to deal with the weight of hiding the certainty I had.

[godspiousjasper]

[ There's a bitter laugh and he closes his eyes. ]

So it meant you'd handle it all on your own? You've known this whole time... from the way you flirted with them... your lack of surprise with certain things...

[ Some small part of him maybe wants to hit him. Not hard.. but. Nothing worse than the time he punched Moriarty. ]

I understand as I would have likely done the same in your shoes.

[superstylishsquid]

Sorry for keeping it from you. I'm sure you could have kept quiet, but...I knew it'd eat at you. At least I'm used to controlling information like this, even if...not with people close to me.

...And yeah, I was flirting so much because I knew this would be my last chance. At least unless the dead manage to break out of Tartarus.

[godspiousjasper]

You were just... doing what you thought was best for the situation at hand. I'm... not as mad as you think I might be.

[ He just nodded, then walked up and cupped his cheeks in both hands. Exhaled a breath and looked him in the eye. ]

I understand. Just be honest with me next time. Promise me, Alastor.

[superstylishsquid]

Hopefully there won't be a next time.

[He puts a hand over one of Roland's and gives him a brief kiss.]

But yeah. If anything like this comes up again, where I have to lie to everyone else, I'll tell you the truth.

Just prior to the execution..ing

[godspiousjasper]

I hope so too.

[ There's a small smile in place after that brief kiss, and he doesn't initially step away yet. ]

Thank you. [ A beat. ] Σ'αγαπώ, Ἀλάστωρ.

[superstylishsquid]

[He gives Roland's hand a firm squeeze...]

Και σε αγαπώ, ό,τι κι αν γίνει.

[And then lets go. Roland has a job to do.]