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]

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 ]

[byanyother_name]

...don't forget that Meridies-san says these things out of caring for you.

But we do need to focus.

[theirmagic]

[ She glances at Croix, then at Kurama... but says nothing.

Just nods, mutely. Britt shut her up good, it would seem. ]

[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. ]

[thegreenhornet]

Not going into my own personal trouble in middle of the damn trial, Ursula.

[As he sees it, not derailing the trial is helping!]

[theirmagic]

...

[ She bites her lip, like she wants to say something. She presses her nails into her palms. ]

... You... don't understand...

[ ... No one here will. No one, but her. ]

[thegreenhornet]

I don't, and it's awful you and Croix have gone into a lot of trouble and what not, but this really is something you and she should deal with in private.

[His tone isn't exactly kind, buuuuut he has good intentions. Pouring out your hearts in public like this is not good, you know]

[theirmagic]

[ One last glance at Croix. Her eyes fixate on her for a long moment, but then she just sighs. ]

... You're... right. Of course this... isn't important.

[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.