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]

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.