Take Responsibility.

[trustbound]

This particular investigation was likely a difficult one, for various reasons; whether through frustration or sheer disgust at the level of depravity involved, it's been a long day already. It doesn't seem like it will get any easier by the time the door to the courtroom unlocks, gently swinging open to allow everyone downstairs. As always, the stairwell is dark, but the courtroom is already lit up down below, a thin amount of light bouncing up the corridor to guide everyone downstairs; the podium circle stands stark and silent in the center, marking spots for both the living and the dead; by now, the latter far outnumber the former. Kirei, Milla, Angel, and Susan have all had their spots altered, their podiums draped in black cloth and their portraits set atop them; they'll be joining those watching all of you in greyscale as you work today. Do you think you'll do them justice? Either way and as always, the thirty-sixth podium remains empty and unadorned. Once everyone has found their place in the circle, Jericho can be heard over the public-address system; he doesn't seem to have settled any from the investigation. "Peerless, Edifying, and Adroit have all been taken from you - and hey, it looks like you found all of them, we appreciate that. But even if you hadn't, you'd still be down here, and I'm sure I don't need to tell you what you have to do as a result of everything that's happened. This is another one of those things that's either gonna be great or it's going to be terrible, though maybe I'll add in a third option of 'interesting' this time, just due to the setup. As always, you know what's going on here - the innocent versus the guilty. Seventh time lucky, maybe. As always, do your best!" Thirteen Participants remain. We'll see how many leave here at the end of the day.

Comments

[matchbreaker]

Not one bit! I'm losing two of my friends to your horse shit, Aligula!

[ She has tears in her eyes and a throbbing sensation in her hand. She keeps her gaze fierce on Aligula, her own shoulders slouching.

Two friends. ]

[innocentloveholic]

[ .......God, she can't even bring herself to do anything, and after a moment she pulls out that missing piece of the sword. It's not really too long, but it's sharp, and she sets it beside her on the podium. ]

If it was anyone but you or Sayaka touching me, Elda, they totally would've regretted it. [ Just saying. ] I'm glad we were friends though~! I considered you one too. I mean, I'd never take just anyone for a tour around the city.

[matchbreaker]

I was looking forward to it, ghost hookers and all the random violence and all. That world you described, it would have been fun to visit, as fun as hanging out with you was, I'm sure.

[ She curls her hands at her side... and then she inhales deep, fighting the urge to cry more than she already has. She's shed enough tears today. She punches Aligula's podium, but there's no force in it. ]

Just watch me. I saw the ghosts here earlier. Seems they can see us here, in this room. Just you watch. When we win this thing.

[innocentloveholic]

[ ... ]

Yeah, sure. [ Sure, sure. ] Do me a favor, Elda?

[matchbreaker]

[ She doesn't owe you anything at all.

Her expression is a little softer though, looking up with a tilt of her head.

But fine, what it is? ]

[innocentloveholic]

Smile!

[ ...Smile. ]

You and Sayaka and Alex... You guys look your best when you're smiling~! [ It's such a simple thing. ] Like, everyone does? Unless they're awful at smiling, like Ambitious was.

[ as far as she's concerned, his insufferable smirk was his smile. ]

1/2

[matchbreaker]

[ That... that's asking far too much of her. After Susan is now gone, dead and not coming back. After this prolonged discovery of Aligula's guilt. After Sayaka is going on about how she doesn't even deserve to be angry. After all of this? The fact of the matter is that Elda is a strong woman, but she's not that strong. It's that last bit that sees her actually, actively burst out into tears. She chokes a sob once, but then puts her hand up in front of her face. ]

[matchbreaker]

[ And she digs her nail into her cheek. She digs it in hard enough to draw blood, raking a small cut down her face. The blood mixes with the tears on one side, and it stings. She sobs once more, and her face is a mess, and honestly, mucus built up in her nose so her voice isn't perfect either.

But when she lowers her hand, at least, she's smiling. ]

You're a selfish woman until the end, ten times more than me.

[ And she laughs, softly. ]

[innocentloveholic]

[ ...That's the indomitable Elda Marker she knows. ]

I know~! But being selfish is totally a good thing. There's only one you in the whole world, and like, you gotta make sure she gets what she deserves.

[matchbreaker]

If I never hear that word, "deserves" again, it'll be far too soon.

[ She reaches out now, to touch her hand to Aligula's knee. She's still smiling, forcing it, but smiling ]

I've always carved out place for myself. It's the least I could do after being saved by my true love. I'm sorry you never got to experience that, Aligula. But then, perhaps the journey was better for you than the aftermath would have been.