THE THIRD TRIAL

[strangerpeople]

THE THIRD TRIAL

[It happens again, like clockwork. Once the final clues have happened, the elevator in the food court opens with a DING. It doesn't leave until everyone has gotten on, and the thought occurs to everyone that they shouldn't waste time.

An innocent man was ruthlessly murdered, after all. After everything that's happened.

Just as before, everyone who is still alive will find their favorite food and drink at their platform. And just as before, Akechi, Helena and Ren's platforms have now been lowered and covered with a white cloth, joining the increasing number of dead spaces in the trial area. Helena's platform, however, has an addition not present on any other deceased's platform: a single white lily, placed almost reverently on top.

Well. Whatever reason that lily is there, it shouldn't detract from the fact that there is a trial to be had here, once more. Its time to look at the evidence at hand, and to hopefully find whoever did this heinous crime.

So, it's time, Titled.

The trial for the murder of Ren Sanzashi, The Doorframe, has begun.]

Comments

[scienceofmagic]

...No, Ursula... She said she'd... Be erased if she planted fake evidence. I know... You don't want it to be her, but... There's nothing we know of that says she can't kill one of us.

[theirmagic]

She wouldn't do this, Croix! She wouldn't!

[ SLAMMING HER HANDS ON THE PODIUM. ]

Why do you want to believe so hard it's her?! Do you hate her or something?

[greatfascinations]

Omigosh... Chance, do you?

[scienceofmagic]

...No. But we have to make sure of everything.

[ She's very Distressed. ]

[scienceofmagic]

Because we have to follow the evidence to its end or we'll die, Chariot! This isn't... Something we can just ignore because you like her!

[ Croix looks pained. ]

You can't save everyone just because you want to or because you believe they wouldn't do something awful!

[theirmagic]

But if Ren killed himself and she's innocent, we're going to kill an innocent girl! How can you be okay with that?!

[thegreenhornet]

Uh, actually, we'd all die.

[SHUT UP, BRITT]

[theirmagic]

An added, unfortunate, unhelpful bonus, Mister Reid.

[ The venom in her eyes and tone right now could poison another person. ]

[scienceofmagic]

You wanted to believe Akechi was innocent, too! We can't... We have to look at all of the evidence. Even the evidence you don't want to admit is pointing in direction you don't want it to go in.

[ She's going to just. Look down, shaking. ]

...Please, Chariot. For once, you have to put your guilt aside and follow the evidence. If she didn't do it, she'll be cleared.

[theirmagic]

...

[ The glare she's giving Croix right now across the trial room? It has a lot of animosity in it. Just like the glares she'd given her when she'd stolen Atsuko. ]

So that's how it is, huh. We haven't even gone over all the evidence, but you sure seem ready to condemn her.

[scienceofmagic]

I haven't condemned her yet! But Chariot... Jut because you think no one here would condemn everyone in this room doesn't mean someone wouldn't! So please... Just... For once... You can't be the kind of person who optimistically believes that everyone she's met wouldn't commit a horrible atrocity!

[ Please stop opening yourself up to such pain. ]

[theirmagic]

I never stopped believing in the people around me, unlike you, Croix! You would throw an entire school of people under a broom if it meant you could have your way! Do you really think I forgot what you did at the end of the Wild Hunt? What we talked about?

[ Salty? OH SHE IS SALTY.

"You can't do anything to stop me." ]

I want to protect everyone here! There's nothing wrong with that! I'm sorry if you think my desire to help people is naive!

[scienceofmagic]

Stop trying to kill yourself just because you feel you failed and you owe it to everyone else around you to die, no matter how much the people you leave behind would be affected, Chariot du Nord!

lwa spoilers but honestly y'all probably figured that out by now if you readin this

[theirmagic]

[ You would think that would give her pause, but her brain is buzzing and her palms are sweaty and her arm is aching and she hates this. ]

I stole Atsuko's future! I stole your dream! It's my right to make up for the mistakes that I made by trying to help others who deserve it! And I'm not going to let anyone else become like me!

[scienceofmagic]

And what's so wrong with being you!? You're a good teacher who genuinely cares about her students!

[ Croix is shaking. Near tears. ]

Running off to your death to punish yourself... Won't fix anything... You'd leave behind so much, Chariot...

[ She'll shakily look at her phone. ]

...What about all those students...? Those girls? What about Akko? About--

[ What about me? ]

[byanyother_name]

Ursula... Meridies-san... Please...

Don't do this to yourselves and to each other. You're both important people to all of us.

[theirmagic]

It's not my fault she's being stubborn.

[beguiledcard]

You're both being stubborn.

[theirmagic]

I am not!

[ Wow look how petulantly she says it. ]

[beguiledcard]

[ A soft sigh. ]

There's nothing necessarily wrong with being stubborn over what you feel passionate about.

[ And, as the last trial should tell you: ]

Besides, you know I'm one of the last people here who'd lecture anyone over it.

[byanyother_name]

Don't you think you're both being stubborn? I do agree with her that you have value, Ursula.

We've had this talk.

[theirmagic]

...

That's a talk for another time. Not... not right now.

[ Likes: Croix
Dislikes: herself, Croix ]

[thegreenhornet]

The married couple bickering should be for later, right now Ren's trial is what matters.

[Because, in case you forgot, all of their lives are on the line!]

[theirmagic]

And how are you helping?

[ Crossing her arms angrily. ]

[theirmagic]

... They have Akko. Even if I live, or if I die... they'll graduate and move on, Croix.

[ She just. Sighs. ]

Like any good student should do.