Sixth Trial

[bathymetric]

[ After a time, as always, your investigation is interrupted by the Mayor's now-familiar voice, calling out to you over the loudspeakers. ]

And that's gonna be time. Pack it in, everyone, bring what you're gonna bring because it's trial time.

[ There are so many bathyspheres missing, you cannot help but notice, as you all pile into the station for your standard trip down to the trial room. Your number has dipped to about a third of its original size - a fact that becomes even more evident when you reach the circle of podiums at the bottom of New Rapture's ocean trench. ]

You all know why you're here. Someone killed Pillage Idiot, and it's your job to figure out who. This is your sixth one, I sure hope you have the procedure down by now.

[ Welcome to your sixth trial. ]

Comments

[visiblepattern]

[YEAH THIS SUCKS PRETTY BAD, JUST- ]

...I'm sorry.

[It's quiet at first, just...give him a moment.]

I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry...

[howveryglib]

[he should say something, but it's. what the fuck does he say. it feels kind of fucked up to go over and comfort the kid when you're going to execute him in a few minutes.

so he's just kind of frozen up.]

[onemillion]

[...]

Will you tell us what happened? Please.

[It's not exactly gentle, because Rossiu's never been good at that, but he's... trying. Once more, just so we know what exactly happened last night.]

[visiblepattern]

[It takes him a moment to settle. Breathe. Breathe. Let his hand fall away from his face, shifting to hug his knees to his chest.]

I brought the mace down to the department store early last night; I thought... If chances aligned, then I would use it, but if not, then I would just leave it be. Then I went to the meeting room with Brynhildr and talked to my father, as I said I did. Then I prayed to the Dusk Dragon together with them one last time, and when I went back to the suite Nandor was there.

It was like a sign from the Dusk Dragon himself, I... I couldn't say no.

So I asked him to come down to the department store with me and help me move some things. I think he saw me reach for the taser first, in one of the mirror displays, because he picked me up and subdued me, and threw me into the signs when I kept fighting. He threw a knife at me... But I couldn't stop, I just... I had to finish it, because I'd already failed to save Midori three times and maybe my father would finally think I was worth something if I could...

[He shakes his head. Tries to make himself continue.]

A-Anyway, I...tased him, and then I hit him, and then I just kept hitting him, and when I thought he was dead I went to wash up. Except he wasn't...dead...

I don't remember that part very well. I guess I just...hit him again until he stopped moving, I don't know, I only really remember washing my hands again and leaving before anyone woke up.

[...]

I think he was trying to go easy on me, he must have missed on purpose, he threw me pretty hard but I think that was just...Nandor...

[onemillion]

[Oh no...]

I see. Thank you for answering.

[He's not sure what the right words are in this situation. But he'll do what he's done a few times before, because we all know what the outcome is going to be now.]

...I intend to find a way to reach other worlds, once I've returned home. Would you like me to check on the situation in Nohr?

[visiblepattern]

No.

[He shifts a bit. Makes himself smile a bit. The expression is vague, not all there.]

It's...kind of you to offer. But it's been months.

By now, there's nothing left to go back to.

[onemillion]

...You're certain?

[That's... real ominous, actually!!]

[visiblepattern]

We've taken enough casualties that I'm not certain how we're going to continue.

[So, yeah.]

[onemillion]

I see...

[someone was playing on classic when they really shouldn't have been playing on classic!!!]

I'm sorry, Forrest. Truly.

[About... all of this, really.]

[visiblepattern]

[They softlocked themselves after Iago. c: ]

...You shouldn't be. I'll face whatever she's decided I deserve, and I'll try to keep my head up. It's how I've always done things.

[onemillion]

Yes, of course.

[...It feels wrong to leave it just like that this time, doesn't it...?]

For what it's worth, I did enjoy the time we spent together.

[capreelcious]

...

[ MAN, THIS SUCKS!!! ]