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

[specialyellthing]

… Were y’all suspectin me?

[sastruga]

I wasn't. It seems other people were, though.

...They kind of jumped to a lot of conclusions.

[hotpaprika]

[Jonathan feels as though a weight had been lifted and he exhales loudly, moving to gently rest a hand on her shoulder.]

I swear to God, Zinda, never scare me like that again.

[fuckingguy]

No, they were not, because if anyone here was suspecting you I would cut their fucking hands off at the wrists.

[hotpaprika]

[He gently puts his hands behind his back.]

[specialyellthing]

Awwww, don’t do that. I can defend myself. [But… she does play musical booths to stand by him and lean against him a little.]

[fuckingguy]

... That is true. You should be the one to cut any hands off.

[howveryglib]

[SIGH OF RELIEF...]

It is purely the nature of this beast, unfortunately.

[specialyellthing]

Mmmm. Cant say that makes me feel much better. But I’ll get over it.

[howveryglib]

Well, I am glad to know you are not responsible.