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

[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]

[howveryglib]

I am well aware.

[GRIEVOUS BODILY HARM PROBABLY ISN'T OFF THE TABLE AT LEAST!]

[onemillion]

[that is between you and vholran and the like five other people throwing down with vholran and he will not intervene.]

[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? ]

[hotpaprika]

[Jonathan was likely not the greatest concern for Vholran, considering that he's weak and currently on the ground.

But seeing him do this horrible task fills him with an overwhelming rage as he goes to tackle his legs.]

[vholran]

[ He was busy with Gaius AND Dandy so he, in his arrogance, ignored Joanathan.

He goes down. But he will immediately kick him off right after, getting straight to his feet. ]

[bootyhunter]

[THAT'S FINE! Because wounded arm or not...

He's still going to attempt to grab Vholran's face and ram it into the podium.

But yeah his left arm is getting fucking stabbed.]

I was right about you.

I was fucking right about you from the jump!

[um yes he also screams bc stabby things but

might be best to pull him away now]

[inaclearing]

Shit!

[Voice high-pitched with panic, Brett continues to attempt pulling Dandy away! At least he brought this blanket over, he'll snatch it off the podium and press it against the wound. You know, assuming Dandy can be pulled away appropriately and all.]

[vholran]

[ He temporarily gets his head rammed into a podium, but at the very least, Dandy being pulled away and Jonathan interfering prevents him from going after him again.

Though at SOME point, he will shoot back: ]

And yet you never said anything, you imbecile.

[specialyellthing]

[and zinda’s over here now in one boot joining the fray now, trying to get that stupid sword away from this man, or at least just get a good grip on his arm.]

[inaclearing]

Dandy, don't - !

[Brett's gonna try to reach out and pull Dandy back, at least? Not getting involved in the fight though, due to everything about him as a person!]

[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!]

[fuckingguy]

[ GET HIS ASS KING WE'VE GOT YOUR FLOWER and uh, Nandor is throwing the knife directly at Vholran's head, which is maybe not the smartest move death-rules-wise but should probably be reasonably effective at making sure he's not putting all his effort into swordfighting Gaius! ]

[onemillion]

[what did he JUST SAY]

[fuckingguy]

[ it's fine!!!!!! ]

[allatonce]

[........ wordlessly hands him another "letter opener."

In her defense, this is the most fun it's been all trial.]

[visiblepattern]

[WHY DOES THIS SHIT KEEP HAPPENING NEXT TO HIM ALL THE TIME]

[vholran]

[ Fortunately, even for all of Rossiu's stress, the knife passes over his head.

Why? Joanathan tackled his legs, sending him off balance into the floor temporarily. ]