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

[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?

[specialyellthing]

's what he told Jonathan. [SORRY TO SELL YOU OUT, NANDOR...]

[sastruga]

...

[...turns to Nandor.]

Get well soon.

emeto cw

[fuckingguy]

... As she said. If we consume anything that is not human blood — or werewolf blood, or witch blood, you know, the regular bloods — we must expel it. So I will smell it, if that is required, but other than that...

[allatonce]

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

[She says this, but also:]

Did the poisoner get to him too?

[fuckingguy]

Nnno.

[allatonce]

No?

[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! ]

[allatonce]

Do you have a better idea, Nandor?

[She's just saying.]

[fuckingguy]

... Rossiu holding something heavy?

[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.

[onemillion]

We really should ask him if he's okay with that first...

[tommy! check! tommy! check!]

[dullshooter]

Nah. Hand him over.

[asymptotes]

[ He sighs in resignation. ]

Far be it from me to object to a request from a fellow poisoning victim.

[ Is he literally only agreeing to this because Mafuyu asked? Maybe So. ]

[inaclearing]

None taken.