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

[hotpaprika]

[Jonathan is just

Gently going to rest a hand on Nandor's shoulder.]

[fuckingguy]

[ Stiffly: ]

Jonathan, I would rather you not.

[ It's not angry! It's the same kind of awkward disengagement he dipped into weeks ago, when Jonathan apologized to him. ]

[hotpaprika]

[He removes his arm, but...]

You put up with me when I was in a pit of despair, I would like to help you as well.

[fuckingguy]

Help me like you would help anyone else in this bubble, then. Help solve these murders, and we can all get the hell out of here and slumber for the next two years.

[hotpaprika]

[Theres a silence.]

Once this is over, we are going to meet up for some quality time.

[That is not a request.]