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]

[ 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. ]

[hotpaprika]

[Jonathan tries to restrain him as long as possible, although he is much weaker and likely can't hold him for long.]

Dear Lord, does anyone have rope? We need to restrain him!

[giddyundertaker]

Sigh... They never listen.

[ Whelp. Guess he's gonna have to pull out the spear he's been hiding in his cloak and strike Vholran in the back with the handle. ]

[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.]

1/2 (but is the final reply to brett?? god i am sorry)

[bootyhunter]

GAH!

[That hurt and he is a gumby ass mofo! But he's gonna yell-]

You couldn't have at least finished the job? Made sure he was dead before ya ran off?

He died slowly you-

[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.

2/2 sorry these icons were supposed 2 be funny also lum how dare u

[bootyhunter]

BECAUSE I WANTED TO BELIEVE THERE WAS SOMETHING IN THERE!

[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.]

[fuckingguy]

[ He inhales through gritted teeth, like, a full-on HHHHH noise, while taking it from her! Thank you, Joy, is what that sound and the berserker glint in his eyes are meant to communicate. ]

[allatonce]

[You know what? This is the first time she's kind of understood what Zinda sees in this man.]

[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. ]

[howveryglib]

[yeah alright time to see if he can stomp down on Vholran's sword arm because fuck if he's letting him get any more stabby here]

[vholran]

[ He's like an annoying slipperly snake who is used to fighting 4+ people at once so he reacts accordingly by lifting it out of the way and rolling to his feet.

Then he goes straight for Gaius again with another attempted stab at his face. ]