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

[vholran]

[ His front seems just fine. Black jacket has nothing wrong with it at all, except for looking a bit ratty from...maybe a fire? Though, it seems to have occurred awhile ago, before arrival.

In fact, his clothes seem just appear to be above reproach.

That being said, as Jonathan is looking, perhaps there may be something going on with his left pantleg, towards the side. ]

[hotpaprika]

[... Well luckily Jonathan's podium is right next to his so he's just going to

Try to subtly get a closer look.]

1/2

[vholran]

[ Jonathan can see that up close...

Oh no.

Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.

On that side of his black pants, there is a scorch mark. ]

2/2

[vholran]

[ Vholran swings his foot to try to kick him right in the face, like an asshole! ]

[hotpaprika]

[Jonathan is absolutely caught off guard and the hit connects sending him falling to the ground.

Even through the shock, Jonathan points at Vhaloran with horror.]

He did it! He murdered Jason and Hagakure!

[bootyhunter]

It had to be a heartless piece of shit!

[giddyundertaker]

[ The Undertaker is rushing over to pick up Jonathan! ]

Are you alright?

[ He's gonna let Gaius fight Vholran here. Unless he has to step in. ]

[hotpaprika]

[Jonathan tenderly rubs his cheek where the hit connected, nodding a little.]

I... I will live. Dear Lord the man didn't even change his clothes!

[giddyundertaker]

[ The Undertaker makes sure to get between Jonathan and the monster, keeping an eye on the growing violence. ]

I suggest you stay far away from those blokes for now. Looks like our murderer's been backed into a corner.

[howveryglib]

[aw shit, here we go again.

TIME TO RUN OVER TO TRY AND PUNCH VHOLRAN AGAIN TO GET HIM TO STOP ATTACKING JONATHAN, HE GUESSES]

[specialyellthing]

We doin this again? [shes halfway thru putting her boots back on]

[howveryglib]

I would not be averse to backup.

[it's one thing if you're trying to 1v1 a guy to establish dominance and quite another to protect the soft boy.]

[onemillion]

Don't kill him! Remember the rules!

[but like u guys go have fun fighting him ig

except he has a sword so. be careful??? rossiu's staying over here, thnx]

[fuckingguy]

[ pulling a vending machine knife out of his boot like that's normal... ]

This fucking guy—

[specialyellthing]

[that is the hottest thing he’s done ever]

[vholran]

[ A little late since it connected, though he swerves out of the way of the punch. Perhaps it is a good thing that Gaius has come over because his hand has been pulling the blade from its sheath. So, uh.

There might be complications.

He'll try to stab the other man in the neck or face, though. ]

[bootyhunter]

YOU COWARD!

[Somebody help because otherwise he's gonna get fucking stabbed-]

[vholran]

[ Well, about that.

A katana has a long reach.

So.

How about that arm getting stabbed? ]

[howveryglib]

[good thing he KEPT LITERALLY ALL THE WEAPONS HE'S GOTTEN FROM THE VENDING MACHINE.

he quickly draws his Deluxe Letter Opener to parry, and who knows if it's good enough to stand up to a JRPG antagonist katana but he's fast enough to actually block it!]

[bootyhunter]

[If Jonathan is going to be subtle about it, Dandy will not-]

Hey, shit-for-brains! How well did you sleep last night, exactly?

[GOD if his assumptions based on heartlessness are correct...]

You can handle a sword, right? In fact, I'm pretty sure I've heard you blatherin' on about bein' a good warrior n' all.

Care to explain yourself, pal?

Looks your gear got a little toasty.

[vholran]

What is there to explain?

[ Before the attempted kicking, he asks this. ]

[bootyhunter]

Tell me where you were!

[BECAUSE IF NOT HE IS GOING TO LEAP FROM HIS PODIUM AND THROWDOWN HIMSELF...

which may or may not be happening?]

[vholran]

[ Are you sure you want to do that Dandy... he has a sword.

Though he just smirks infuriatingly in his direction. ]

In my room, obviously.

[bootyhunter]

JACKASS!

Put that piece of shit down and face me like a man.

[Dandy growls! He... Has absolutely left the podium.]

Or without it, are you nothing.

I can't believe I gave your no-good ass the benefit of the doubt.

[buriedstar]

[ .......... ]

Vhloran, what is it you want?