Fourth Trial

[bathymetric]

[ After the evidence (and what a large batch of evidence it is, this time) has been gathered up, after actually patiently waiting a longer time than usual to make sure everything's been grabbed, the speakers over New Rapture crackle to life. ]

Time's up, everyone. You know where to go.

[ The lower number of bathyspheres, as you descend, is starting to become really notable, isn't it? The descent is the same as ever, lower and lower into the sea. The bioluminescence of those slugs on the ocean floor is almost brighter today, somehow, and some of them have even crawled up the cliff face around you as you pass them.

The dome approaches, slowly as ever, gleaming red in the darkness. The bathyspheres land in a row, doors opening one by one to reveal the familiar sight of the trial room, three more podiums now darkened. ]

Take your places, ladies and gentlemen. You've got a doozy of a situation to discuss. Ass Man and Silver Fox are dead. You know what happens if you can't figure out whodunnit.

[ Welcome to your fourth trial. ]

Comments

[allatonce]

So basically not me or Mafuyu.

[The shorties really just keep dying huh.]

[specialyellthing]

Could rule out Aiba and Mielle too. ... And Jonathan.

[allatonce]

..... Okay, yeah. Jonathan's baby, he probably didn't do this.

[She wasn't counting Aiba or Mielle because she figured that other things had already ruled them out, at least as far as Dandy's murder was concerned. Mielle wasn't concerned with the motive, really, and Aiba didn't know what the box was.]

[fuckingguy]

Or Mielle, or Jonathan, or Aiba... probably also not Brett, no offense. Also, they were using a sword. It narrows us down a whole lot more than "who would he feel bad for?"

[specialyellthing]

I woulda just shot him and gotten it over with. [nodding]

[allatonce]

Eh, anyone can swing a sword. You just stick 'em with the pointy end. It's not like it was super precise or anything.

[A beat.]

Hey, do you wanna lick the sword?

[This is the only thing sparking joy right now.]

[fuckingguy]

Absolutely fucking not.

[specialyellthing]

[now she's laughing--]

He just got sick, sis, probably not a great time--

[sastruga]

Vampires get sick?

[allatonce]

Oh shit. I wouldn't want him to get worse.

[She says this, but also:]

Did the poisoner get to him too?

[sastruga]

...Well, we can argue about who could or couldn't. It probably does rule out the shorter people here, but.

Maybe we should check a little more thoroughly.

[oh she's not about to suggest--]

Who here is about Dandy's height?

[onemillion]

I think Tommy would be the closest one, if I'm remembering correctly.

[He's the only other 5'11" here!!]

[allatonce]

I vote that everyone tries to pick him up to test who could carry Dandy.

[tommy! check! tommy! check!]

[specialyellthing]

Great idea! [SHE JUST WANTS TO SHOW OFF AGAIN--]

[inaclearing]

He...probably weighs more...

[flashback to the LORD DRAKKON THIRST TRAP]

[fuckingguy]

I think he weighs more than Dandy did.

[ it's pure muscle and sick lord drakkon gains! ]

[sastruga]

...

[She stares him dead in the eye.]

Okay. Who wants to go pick up Tommy first. [WITH NO INPUT FROM THE MAN HIMSELF. SHE'S JUST DECIDED?] ...I kind of want to see who can, anyway.

[inaclearing]

None taken.

[daimakaicho]

I'm not sure Rossiu would fit that bill, either.

[ unless......... jacked stringbean???? ]

[onemillion]

[thank you for saying it so he didn't have to...............]

[daimakaicho]

[ np ♡ ]

[fuckingguy]

Ah, yes! Definitely not him.

[ HE SAYS IT SO CHEERFULLY... ]

[onemillion]

[th-thanks nandor........................]

[specialyellthing]

[she doesnt laugh but she looks like she wants to


of all the things, that's what brings a smile back to zindas face]

[visiblepattern]

I couldn't have either.