THIRD TRIAL

[bathymetric]

[ Two bodies this week. As a result, it's a little longer before Mayor Fontaine's voice calls out over the loudspeakers. ]

All right, that'll do, all of you. Get to the bathyspheres. Trial time.

[ There's fewer bathyspheres this week, aren't there? It's starting to get really noticeable. One by one, alone or in pairs, you descend into the depths. The bottom of the seafloor, a place no human life was meant to travel to unassisted. It's dark, until it isn't, the same bio-luminescent slugs as before lighting up the area and revealing the great glass dome in which the trial takes place.

Within, three more podiums have gone dark. They remain empty as you all gather around into the circle.

The projector clicks on, and you see the silhouette of Mayor Fontaine above you. ]

We all know why we're here. Florida Man and Cryptobro got themselves got. Up to you to figure out who did it, or... well, you know by now.

[ Welcome to your third trial. ]

Comments

[buriedstar]

I'm pretty sure she would have been as insulted as I was.

[ It's a Mage thing. ]

[sastruga]

It would be foolish of her, considering her chances of getting away with it would have increased drastically.

[buriedstar]

Would they have? That remains to be seen.

[ His actual powers (and he's assuming hers too) they have complete mastery of and know how to cover up their tracks if they needed. Less so with these powers. ]

[sastruga]

Mm. She would have been able to take down Obi-san more easily. She may have left behind other evidence, so we can't say for sure if she would've made it out, but... she clearly wasn't fit to fight like she did.

It's what did her in, after all.

[...]

...Seo Dawon-san. You prideful types really can be thick, huh?

[buriedstar]

That's a result of her training for better or worse. We're not a physical oriented class, since there's usually little reason to be.

[ Mages are noodly so he won't dispute that.

He pauses just a second. ]

Usually it's described as stubborn? But I think you're vastly underestimating what it's like to use a weapon,skill, or ability that you're not used to using. There's benefits but there's also drawbacks, and there's a reason that novices and masters look nothing alike.

Powers can be double-edged just like weapons. That's precisely where we should start in this case, actually.

[ Injury check is always a good idea. ]

[sastruga]

...It was a bad plan from start to finish, really.

[She didn't dislike Penelope, really, despite the trial. But that doesn't make it less true.]

You think whoever used these powers likely injured themselves in the process... Mm, I think you're likely to be on the right track. Then, do you want to do the honors of checking people's injuries?

The men, at least.

[buriedstar]

Or just from the fight, really.

[ He nods though. ]

Sure. Who's going to handle the women?

[sastruga]

Um... [she looks around until her eyes fall on, well. who else but Zinda.] Blake-san, could you help out...?

[specialyellthing]

Alright, alright, but if you're hidin a big ol' mark because you killed em both---

[specialyellthing]

Ugh. Still too soon.

Yeah, I'll do it.

[sastruga]

Mm. Sorry to ask you to do it after... Mm, well. I think you're the most trustworthy person to do it.

Ah, I can check Mielle, though.

[honeyedtea]

Mm. Thank you as always, Mafuyu.

[ just gal pal things!! ]

[sastruga]

Of course.

[what's better than this

girls being gals]

[specialyellthing]

Naw, naw, I get it. It's an honor, Sparkles.

[fuckingguy]

I think she wanted to get out of hell more than she would have given a shit, honestly.

[buriedstar]

The two aren't really related. What I'm saying is using these things is an insult when you're used to wielding actual power. But, she was willing to kill regardless. Just because whoever did looks to have used them doesn't mean that everyone would.

[fuckingguy]

Eh, agree to disagree on the first part.

[ he's used to having so many goddamn powers, but he was tempted, and clearly his experience is universal!!!!! ]

[capreelcious]

Yeah- I'm a mage and I tested it out, so.

[ He's got your back, Nandor! ]