SECOND TRIAL

[bathymetric]

[ After sufficient time has passed, and you're all as ready to avenge dear Obi as you've ever been, Mayor Fontaine speaks. ]

Alright, that oughta do it. Pack up the evidence and head to the bathyspheres, same as last week.

[ There's yet again a line of spherical submersibles back there, ready to take off as the citizens of New Rapture climb aboard one or two at a time. And one at a time the bathyspheres descend into the abyss below New Rapture, deeper and deeper, once again to the dome on the seafloor, lit all around by bio-luminescent... slugs, of some kind? They're a little closer today.

The ring of podiums still sits in the center, just like last week. Two more podiums are going to stand empty. Two more dead. By the end of the day, best case scenario? It'll be three.

The projector clicks on. Mayor Fontaine is as here as he's gonna be. ]

You all know why you're here. Night Knight is dead. And I know plenty of you liked him alright, so don't let him down, hm? Or do. I'm here if you have questions.

[ Welcome to your second trial. ]

Comments

[sastruga]

Igniseri-san? Could you do me a favor, please?

[vholran]

No.

[sastruga]

...I'll ask less nicely, then.

Don't speak to her.

[vholran]

I've no reason to oblige your request, little girl.

1/2

[sastruga]

...Mm, that's right. I'm sorry, this is my fault for not being clear, is it?

2/2

[sastruga]

Stop talking. I'm not asking.

[vholran]

[ He just LAUGHS in her face. Like this is the funniest thing someone has ever demanded of him. ]

You have no power, nor any control over me.

So, no. I won't.

I'll do and say what I will.

[sastruga]

Ah. I see.

Those are strangely bold words from someone who has been no use in the proceedings so far, aren't they, Igniseri? Is this making you feel more useful, perhaps?

[vholran]

What about you? Do you feel useful yourself, little girl?

Or are you hoping by protecting her you will accomplish something? When in the end, all you've done is exactly nothing of the sort.

[bootyhunter]

Hey! Don't talk to her like that!

You're on thin ice, jerkface!

[sastruga]

How kind of you to worry about me like that. But, I think I'm doing my part for this group, so far. And Mielle-san, as well.

...Could it be you're the kind of man who can only feel better by comparing yourself to "little girls"?

[prompocalypse]

You're just begging to die next, aren't you?

[Said while looking at her nails.]

[vholran]

I've no desire to heed the words of a weak little girl who thinks she can command someone with her mere words.

[prompocalypse]

Mm. You clearly don't get how this game works, do you?

[prompocalypse]

[She knew she liked you for a reason.]

[dullshooter]

[He never wants to be on the receiving end of this. Ever.]

[asymptotes]

[ ... interesting. ]

[capreelcious]

[ Oh, this is interesting. ]

[buriedstar]

[ Looks over here, hmm. ]

Asahina, you're just riling him up. [ This doesn't sound chiding mind. ] You can't talk to people like him that way, it'll just make him push back harder.

[hotpaprika]

He does seem like the miserable sort who delights in people getting angry at him...

[bootyhunter]

[cue an eyebrow raise:]

Kinky.

[buriedstar]

A lot of fighters are.

[sastruga]

Ah--

[She snaps out of it a bit, looking very... self conscious, suddenly.]

...I think I got a little carried away, perhaps.

[buriedstar]

It happens to the best of us. How are you doing?

[ He doesn't really need to ask that, but it's important to go through the motions sometimes. ]

[daimakaicho]

It happens to the best of us.

[ She keeps her smile thin. There's. Kind of a lot going on. ]

We should focus on what's important here.