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

[inaclearing]

...thank you. Both of you. I...

[He rests his elbows on his podium, putting his face in his hands for a moment to let out a long, shuddering breath. He's been very quiet throughout this entire discussion. Part of him feels like he should intervene, try to help Jonathan in some way, but a larger part of him is afraid that if he touches it...

...well. He doesn't know if he can keep on listening to that sort of thing.]

I'm okay. I just - I'm okay.

[daimakaicho]

[ It's a good thing she's his podium buddy, so she's able to put a hand on his shoulder lightly, more than willing to pull it back at the first sign of him not wanting it. ]

It's okay if you're not, you know. It happens to the best of us. It's hard to be able to predict how people will react in these sorts of situations.

[ This is... weirdly affectionate for her? But she doesn't seem to be bullshitting, at least. ]

[inaclearing]

[He'll accept it.]

I really don't know if it is.

[The most not-okay person around is Jonathan, and look at that. Brett doesn't think that's what would happen, but he...doesn't think he can promise to be functional, either. Better to simply not be anything.]

We need to focus. I am...fine enough.

[daimakaicho]

[ She gives him a once over, her violet eyes narrowing for a moment, but nods and pulls her hand back. ]

You're right. Let's do what we can, then.