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

lol, confusing!

[inaclearing]

[Brett doesn't interrupt; he's focused on the task at hand, quickly growing pale but soldiering on in spite of the blood flowing beneath the blanket and over his hands. Dandy has a right to yell. He should be angry. He keeps pressure on the wound, and does his best to bend it up so it's elevated. He can brace it against himself if need be; he's a little taller.

When there's a bit of a lull, though, he does say:]

Do you need to sit? Tell me if you need to sit.

I AM SO SORRY LKALJDSFKJ

[bootyhunter]

[HE IS GROWLING BUT ALSO IN PAIN-]

No.

[inaclearing]

[Still calmly, because he's pretty sure this isn't at all about him, and even if it is he's still gotta do this right now:]

Just let me know if you change your mind.

[bootyhunter]

I won't.

[visiblepattern]

Bring him to me after this is done. In the clinic. I'm not asking anyone, either, I'm telling you.

[inaclearing]

Yeah.

[Brett just nods. He's not really the party here who needs to be told rather than asked, and we all know it!]

[bootyhunter]

If you're gonna patch me up, gggh---

[He inhales sharply!]

Do it quickly. We've been smearin' our shoes in this shitshow for hours, baby.

I need to get started on the funeral rites, once we put this fucker the fuck to sleep.

[#yikes]

[visiblepattern]

Don't start. After you've done nothing but scream and swear at me for the better part of the day and then get involved in this mess like an idiot, I'm not inclined to listen to you.

[bootyhunter]

Then don't help me.

[hotpaprika]

Dandy, we are trying to keep you from dying! IN case you forgot, there are people who care about you!

[This sounds harsher than intended but

Actively fighting a guy does that to you.]

[bootyhunter]

[It is Jonathan's words that finally reach him.

He's right.

That's true.

There are people here who care about him- More than he realized.]

[inaclearing]

You are bleeding so much right now, can we not do this? He's gonna help you, he's a doctor.

[Brett missed the whole conflict over Hagakure's body earlier today, but he sure isn't here for Dandy picking fights with Forrest right the fuck now!]

[bootyhunter]

[Dandy's breathing is fast, but he slips, wobbling a bit.

This isn't Forrest's fault and he knows.

His own anger won't change anything.]

[inaclearing]

Steady...

[His hands are around Dandy's arm, but he'll still try to catch him, stepping forward to let Dandy lean on him if need be.]

[bootyhunter]

[He will lean this time, inhaling sharply-]

Look, I...

He got really spooked about bad spirits and stuff like that.

[He meaning Hagakure lmfao but Dandy isn't done being a Lunatic atm-]

I just wanna get through the rituals. Make sure there's no more bad luck.

In the afterlife, I guess? Or, well...

In the next one.

[inaclearing]

Right. Okay.

[Brett swallows, nodding. He's really trying hard not to freak out right now - it takes him a second to gather scattered thoughts, think about the words and not the hot stickiness of the blood.]

Is there - anything I can set up? Get ready while you're with Forrest?

[bootyhunter]

[Well, at least he is simmering down now.]

Uuuuh.

Couldja pick a few flowers from the garden? They should probably be white, though.

Kinda like your face, right now...

[DANDy!!!]

cw: emeto ref

[inaclearing]

[Immediately:]

I'm fine.

[And then, more like his normal gentle cadence:]

I'll do that.

[Solid chance he has a panic attack or pukes in a bush between here and there, but he'll get them!]

[bootyhunter]

[...Ah.

That too, like Jonathan's concern, is going to make him feel guilty. As if this whole trial, he hasn't felt guilty enough for not waking up when he should have.]

[inaclearing]

[Oh come on what is he currently repressing all of his feelings and reactions for if not so you don't do this!!!]

[bootyhunter]

[Dandy will find a way to repay them all, eventually. He's already trying to think about it... Although as we all know, his head is a pretty big mess right now.

Or maybe he'll just die this is a fucking murdergame lmfao]