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

[hotpaprika]

[Jonathan stiffens hearing that, feeling his heart stop.[

Th-there is no way that Zinda could be behind this! She would never kill two innocent people! [He looks at Zinda, eyes full of worry.] ... Right?

[vholran]

[ ohi it's that time again ]

Why not? Anything is possible, isn't it?

[hotpaprika]

I did not ask you.

[vholran]

You didn't, but I answered.

[buriedstar]

[ It should be a surprise to no one but he's laughing at this. ]

[vholran]

[ Seo Dawon's laugh is infectious, he'll begin to chuckle too. ]

[specialyellthing]

Nothin about this is funny. [shes sulking like a toddler]

[vholran]

Perhaps, perhaps not.

[ He says, letting out one more chuckle for the road. ]

[hotpaprika]

Don't pay the many mind, Zinda. They simply have the most dreadful sense of humor.

[sastruga]

...Ah.

That was supposed to be humor?

[it was hard to tell, they're just kind of laughing...]

[specialyellthing]

Not on purpose, or without a real good reason! [girl that is a whole lot less reassuring than you think it is——]

[hotpaprika]

... Zinda

Just please tell me you did not kill anyone.

[specialyellthing]

Uh, Champ? You know I was in a literal war, right?

[hotpaprika]

I-I mean last night, Zinda!

[That was probably much louder than he intended but

He's scared.]

[specialyellthing]

Hell no.

[hotpaprika]

[Oh thank fuck.]