Taking Responsibility.

[trustbound]

A while after that space behind and above the game room has been accessed, after things have been looked over, Jericho can be heard over the intercom; apparently, it works over in that area as well. "Wow, you guys really are having a great time going through our stuff, aren't you? Good for you! Seriously, look at all of you go, utilizing Rule Four and everything. It's cute as hell. I'm guessing you want something out of all of this, though – I mean, we absolutely could leave you there to just sort of mull things over until somebody else dies, but that seems like a waste of everybody's time, and believe it or not, I'm not too crazy about wasting tme. So if you're all happy with what you found, go ahead and head down to the courtroom – as always, we'll be waiting for you." And as he's said, the door the courtroom below is unlocked and open when you arrive; as always, feel free to follow that darkened stairwell down to that familiar room made of concrete and steel. There are so few of you now. Kyrie's photograph has joined the others in the circle that have their pictures in monochrome, their podiums draped in black – but notably, the podiums have all been rearranged. There are definite patterns to it, if you look; either way, feel free to find and take your place. The pit in the center of the circle remains darkened, but it isn't as though it matters much for the time being, given that there would be no one in it; after all, the thirty-sixth podium, across from all of you, is occupied. Hilda is standing there, dressed in black as always, a notebook folded tightly against her chest – not the notebook that killed Aligula, but a nice leatherbound one. She looks at everyone expectantly as they walk in; the implication is incredibly clear. It's you against the guilty. Take control of your fate, and hold them responsible. When she does speak, it's simple and straightforward, especially as compared to Jericho's rambling. "Let's begin, shall we?"

Comments

[notaccurate]

[W H A T]

People are watching us?!

[trustbound]

This whole thing is an industry.

[...]

Or at least, it used to be. I don't know if it still is or not.

[notaccurate]

So it's- [God this would be easier for him to understand if he knew what movies and tv were, give him a moment.] -it's like theater, but the actors don't know they're putting on a play? Or it 'used to be', as far as you know.

...would that make Jericho the director?

[trustbound]

[...She actually has to think about that.]

No. Jericho is involved in this as much as you guys are, I think.

[notaccurate]

Quite a role, for someone who hasn't even shown his face yet.

Actually, if we are to live and die by his will, then I want to see him. The accused has the right to see their accuser.

[trustbound]

And the powerless don't tend to have a whole lot of rights in general.

[notaccurate]

[He sort of just. Throws his hands up in the air.]

See? This is what I am talking about! Courts are supposed to protect the powerless! How is this 'judgement' fair when the accused don't even have the right to defend themselves?

[matchbreaker]

[ . . . ]

What do you mean? Were Hilda, Alena, or Jericho ever participants in one of these things? Or has he just bound himself to this insanity completely?

[trustbound]

[Nah, Jericho's pretty dedicated to the crazy train, apparently.]

[matchbreaker]

[ Industry that's so- this is so- what is so- ]

Then how can you even begin to claim its about judgement?!

[trustbound]

How is it not? It's still bad people getting what they deserve.

As it turns out, people like seeing bad people getting what they deserve.

[matchbreaker]

No it's not!

[ Oh my god she's- ]

To begin with, almost half of us haven't actually done anything to make it on your damned list! One of those people on your list is still alive! People like people getting what they deserve?! That's not judgement, that's sport! All of us were right to call this a game the whole time!

[ She... ]

And we're going to win it. I bet the damned spectators won't mind an upset.

[trustbound]

Bold words, for someone who doesn't have the power to guarantee that. Remember that I can decisively deal with you, if I so choose.

[matchbreaker]

I know. But you've not chosen yet, and I think there's more to come here.

[ She- ]

If you know us like Rin says there, that must mean you know I operate on certainty.

[notaccurate]

No, Elda makes a fair point: when your 'judgement' is driven by getting people to watch it, how can you ensure that judgement is fair?

[trustbound]

I don't see how it wouldn't be. This started as a way to punish criminals.

[hesperos]

'Used to be'? Has something made you doubt that?

[ He would know literally jack shit about that because uhhh. But he's still mad??? ]

[trustbound]

We lost contact with the others a long time ago - it seems that there was some sort of general unrest among the people outside, unrelated to us.

I used to be able to keep in contact with those outside, the ones giving us our orders and telling us what to do. All contact was cut off a while back, and I haven't been able to find any indication that those people are still alive.

[hesperos]

Wow, unrest, huh? You said it was unrelated to you guys but you sure it wasn't because of insane things like these set ups being run?

[ .... Well whatever. ]

If that's not the case then...what do you mean all contact was cut off? You can't go outside and go over to where the 'others' are or anything?

[evilfrenzy]

Yes...I am curious about that as well. Does not even Jericho know what's going on?

[trustbound]

I personally can't go anywhere. I only exist inside the mainframe of this building. I have no way to leave.

As for Jericho...I don't think it's safe out there anymore.

[heritrix]

...I'm infuriated, for more reasons than one. Namely in that I can't be surprised, since Kirei guessed this exact reasoning weeks ago.

[Rin turns her head angrily. Fuck, she hates admitting when that guy is right. But no. No she's going to turn this around to something.]

...To turn that around, that's where the quibbling started, isn't it? You said before, that Alena disagreed about who Jericho chose to partner with. Your group ended up going with an entertainment industry, but I take it there were multiple interested parties before that.

[trustbound]

...That wasn't what I meant, regarding partnering, and I don't know if I'd call it entertainment in the first place, though I guess that might be what it is? I was never really told to consider it too much, so I've just been running the things that I've been told to run. That's all it is for me.

[heritrix]

What is it that you meant by partnering, then? That might be useful to our understanding of things.

[trustbound]

[She pauses for a moment; shakes her head.]

...Jericho's going to be mad.