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

nsfw; suggestive spoilers for space dandy as well

[bootyhunter]

Oh no, baby.

[Dandy's "strong-man" facade has been held together just about as well as you'd expect, for someone so soft on the inside. Well, emotionally. Metaphysically speaking, the same can't be said about Space Dandy.

He's all... Hm.

Something closer to platinum.]

You're gonna do me like that?

[His voice hitches and cracks when he removes his shirt, and if anyone is looking closely, they'll notice that Dandy nearly slips. The alien hunter appears as though he's struggling to stand, and suddenly shrinks up, surprisingly self-conscious, when the red fabric of his blood-stained Henley comes right off.

Dandy's neck has a larger, older wound from this weekend, but there are quite a few marks on his neck that are notoriously fresh, along with some large scratches from two hands, traveling a good way down his back.

These don't look like marks from a scuffle, however.

Not an unpleasant one at least.]

Make sure the kids don't take a peek.

Or ask any funny questions. I don't wanna get into the Birds and the Bees with anybody.

[specialyellthing]

[]

[bootyhunter]

[come on, zinda baby

if it helps, dandy is averting his eyes and looking v uncomfortable and grumpy!]

Stop staring.

'S not polite.

[SAYS????? YOU??????????????]

[buriedstar]

Do we really need to have this talk again? [ You can hear the exasperation in his voice and when he sees what he's dealing with, he sighs. ]

Mmhmm. You're going to have to, since as much as I'd like to, I can't just make myself blind right now. [ ...he has an idea of course but stating things is important. ]

[bootyhunter]

[Dandy laughs, off-handedly and painfully.

It's not right, he shouldn't say it.]

Fuck you.

[He can feel it, the splitting rip.

The sensation is hard to miss, it's like all of him, all the versions of him at once, are separating at the same time-]

We were together last night.

Are things startin' to add up now?

[buriedstar]

Tragic. [ Not pointed, just extremely flat and perhaps this is the best we could ask of him. ]

I know how to add? [ The things done in due diligence! But that's enough for him, he won't push any further. ]

[specialyellthing]

Wait---

[oh my god the gears.... are..... almost there....]

[bootyhunter]

[Oh.

Surprisingly, it's not joy or love or connection that grounds Dandy in proper reality this time.

It's anger.]

Not for me.

[In regards to the tragedy, that is. Dandy has lived countless lives and will go onto live many more. If he dies here, that's just gonna be old hat.]

I'm not askin' you to give a damn, not when you're always actin' like there's no heart in that pretty-boy skinsuit.

[Said spitefully!]

But pay your respects, asshole! Or at least be respectful enough to know when to shut up.

[buriedstar]

[ He laughs, likely not making this any better. ]

I wouldn't have had to ask if you had just volunteered in plain terms that you were screwing each other, huh? Of everyone here, I didn't think you'd be worried about shame, but maybe I was wrong?

[ This isn't what this is about, but this is how he's responding, so. ]

[honeyedtea]

[ There's an offended squawk from Mielle on the other side of the courtroom. ]

Must you bring up something so vulgar at a time like this? You really don't have any shame or decorum at all, do you?

[bootyhunter]

[thank u mielle he is hurtin so badly but he will remember this]

[buriedstar]

[ He just kind of stares at her like

?????????????

Honestly it's close to the look she gave him on Tuesday. ]

[sastruga]

...Unless it becomes relevant to the case, please just leave observations like those to yourself, alright? No need to say it out loud.

[bootyhunter]

[While the teenaged girls are coming to save his grown ass, Dandy's breathing is going to get pretty harsh.

He's having a normal one, fam!]

[inaclearing]

[Brett might just...move over to Hodaka's podium, next to Dandy. He doesn't launch into his usual breathing coaching, just because he isn't sure how well it'll be received, but...you know. Show of solidarity or something. He'll bring him the blanket he took from Jonathan.

He can see Obi's portrait next to his own podium way better from over here, and that sucks, but whatever.]

[buriedstar]

I'd prefer to. But on the slim chance someone might think I would cover for him, I needed him to say something.

[ He has not enjoyed this either! ]

[bootyhunter]

Oh, screw you! I've said enough.

[Dandy's obviously getting heated, but there's no violence yet! Mostly because Mafuyu's point from earlier rings between his ears.]

You're gonna take a shitload of salt and rub it in a wound?

[multiple

badum tch]

For what, baby?!

We're wastin' time goin' in circles! GO CHECK SOMEBODY ELSE!

[buriedstar]

I'm not the one who's yelling.

[ That being said he shrugs at all of this? He does have other checks to get to so if they are done here he will go and do just that. ]

[bootyhunter]

[He lets him go, but one thing is certain.

Dandy will remember this.]

[hotpaprika]

[Gears slowly begin ticking in Jonathan's head as he overhears this conversation, and when things finally click into place

He suddenly looks up and doesn't even think before loudly saying:]

W-wait, are you telling me that you were dating either Jason or Hagakure and that's why-?!

[He stops himself short, suddenly realizing what he was saying.]

S-sorry, I'll be quiet now.

[bootyhunter]

[He not gonna entertain that question, directly, thanks!]

Not right now.

[well technically

he ISN'T dating anyone rn... bc he's ded]

[hotpaprika]

[... Jonathan feels like he has to do something. But he can't say it out loud, for both their sake.

So instead he takes out a pen and paper from his pile of stuff and writes a note, before nervously handing it to Dandy.]

If you need someone to talk to after this, I am here for you.

I am sure are aware that I was on a similar boat as you. I will understand.

[dullshooter]

[He's learnt too much.]

[bootyhunter]

[Don't worry, Misfire.

Dandy's pretty unhappy about it, too.]

[hotpaprika]

[Jonathan is missing all of this because he is refusing to look at Dandy.]