THE SECOND TRIAL

[strangerpeople]

THE SECOND TRIAL


[Soon enough, once the final clues have been uncovered, the telltale DING echoes through the Mall. The elevator in the food court has opened once more, and it will not close until all of the remaining Titled have gotten in it. And, as before, a thought comes to them, the realization that they needed to get on the roof, and get to the bottom of this.

Soon enough, everyone is back on the roof, and they will find that their platform arrangement has changed to reflect those who had died since last week. The podiums of Dio, Torri, and Yuuri are each all lowered and covered with white cloths. Otherwise, everyone else's platforms also have food and drinks, just like last week.

It's probably still not much comfort, especially with what everyone knows must happen. They must look at the evidence they have gathered, and once more, they will have to figure out the truth, putting their lives on the line to do so. Hopefully, their luck will hold.

So, get ready.

The trial for the murders of Torri Feiji, The Bliss, and Yuuri Katsuki, The Future, has begun.]

Comments

[theirmagic]

He wouldn't lie like that, Helena! He's a good person!

[ She believes in him. ]

He DOES care!

[foolishjustice]

I can assure you, none of that was fake. I even told Akabane-san I loved Akira while under the effect of the truth serum.

[theirmagic]

Y-you see!

[ She believes in you so much, Akechi. ]

[totalbullshit]

Wow, you're a real sicko then. Congratulations.

More spoilers

[foolishjustice]

[He chuckles again, this time sounding...a little unstable]

Must run in the family.

[totalbullshit]

Great excuse.

[thegreenhornet]

You were going to let Akira die despite that? You know that's what happens if you get away with murder here, right?!

[That's a part he can't believe. Even Britt finds hard to believe Akechi would let Akira die just like that]

[foolishjustice]

...Has anyone ever asked the Life Coach if it would be possible to spare someone else?

[thegreenhornet]

W-What...?

[He turns to look at the Life Coach]

That's possible?

[lifecoach]

What the heck...

[LC's shoulders slump.]

Has there been, like, some misunderstanding here? That's totally not how it works.

[thegreenhornet]

You mean we all won't die if we get it wrong, or you can't spare someone else when you kill?

[steelmagnolias]

...have you?

[foolishjustice]

I have. She couldn't give me a definite, but...

[theirmagic]

Goro... i-if that were possible...

[ ... She wrings her hands. ]

Would you let all of us die just so Kurusu could live? ... I wouldn't blame you, or hate you for it. You love him. But...

[ She looks down, at the floor. ]

[foolishjustice]

You're still thinking too small, Ursula-san. It's not just about my life or Akira's.

[eyesofdespair]

He also suspected it even before the first trial. We discussed the potential punishments for everyone else after the first motive was revealed. And he guessed execution for all of us.

[totalbullshit]

Will you just shut up, you herb?!

[ She has words about Torri, about Torri's attempt to move forward after losing Wake to Dio's cruel hands, she has... They're all stuck in her throat. ]

[theirmagic]

No, I won't! I'm not going to shut up just because you don't like what I have to say! Even if... even if he did do it, that doesn't mean what he's said or done or felt is fake! People aren't that black and white!

[ ... She's angry, and hurt, and just... a lot of things. ]

Goro is my friend and someone I care about! You didn't shut up when Dio was on the chopping block, did you? I cared about Miss Feiji as much as the rest of us--I saw her every night--do you think I'm HAPPY about this?!

1/2

[totalbullshit]

[totalbullshit]

Dio would have let me die, me, everyone else here, for the sake of his 'mission'. I have no illusions about that. In fact I distinctly remember telling you so during his trial.

And he died for what he did. Did you hear me protesting that?

Your personal feelings are irrelevant. His personal feelings are irrelevant. This is larger than us.

[theirmagic]

No one's feelings are ever irrelevant, Helena. Humans run on feelings--they can't live without attaching to others, caring, doing things for one another. We're a social species. We have to rely on one another to survive.

So don't tell me any of this is irrelevant.

[ Her grip on her podium has not ceased and she's just. So angry. ]

You cared. I know you did. And I know it hurt you. This is hurting me, too. This is the last thing I or anyone else wanted, but you want to know whose really at fault for all of this?

Our kidnappers. And I'm going to get back at them no matter what for putting us in this position at all. No one should have to feel like they have to kill just to survive.

[scienceofmagic]

[ ...If there's one thing that Helena probably shouldn't have done, it's that. Because Croix is marching right up to her and slapping her across the face as hard as she can. ]

Don't you dare speak to her that way, you insufferable bitch! At least she tries! Everything I've seen of you has been someone who gave up!

[totalbullshit]

[ Helena can't dodge that hit and possibly doesn't want to. She reels from the hit, having to hold on to her podium to not fall over. There is very little physical strength in her body, she's a frail girl. ]

She tries what? Getting us all killed by crying out over and over for her hurt emotions? That's real helpful.

[ And she's... going to spit at Croix. Well. ]

I feel I should apologize but this is. Kind of how she is in canon.

[scienceofmagic]

[ All that does is make her angrier. Way to go, Helena. ]

To actually care about people and not give up on everything the moment an ounce of effort has to be put in like you, the shut-in! What're you shutting yourself in from, huh, Helena!? Yourself? Your own miserable life so you don't have to face it? Having to care about anyone other than your own miserable, worthless self!?

[ Croix is being vicious, stalking closer and getting right up in Helena's face. She's practically growling and probably seems almost feral. ]

[totalbullshit]

[ Helena has never fought someone like this. Her whole little sheltered life she'd only ever seen flamewars on the internet or petty rich girl arguments. Now someone is hurting her, yelling at her, threatening her in real time in real life... She hadn't known what an adrenaline rush like this could be like. She feels like a machine too wound up to shut down, pulse pumping hard. ]

Are you trying to pretend you know anything about me know? Like you all thought you knew anything about Mr. Assassin over there? That's suuuuuper convincing.

I'm a wanted terrorist threatened with the death penalty. But unlike other people here, I shoulder my actions as my own and don't kill innocent people to save my own sorry ass.