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

[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.

[trustbound]

...I also know you operate on bravado and yelling whatever sounds good at the time.

[matchbreaker]

[ She does, she knows. But. ]

Not insincerely.

[ She sort of half-pouts there, but she doesn't deflate. ]

[evilfrenzy]

Why haven't you, then? You haven't even "decisively dealt with" the four that Jericho so desperately wanted gone yet, or any of us on that list of yours.

We have no power in this situation according to you, so you could've easily done it by now.

[He really shouldn't skirt this line considering what he's facing if Rachel does deal with him, but he can't help but wonder why.]

[trustbound]

I could have, yes. If I wanted to.

[evilfrenzy]

[...]

This is exactly what Jericho feared, isn't it? You have the power to accomplish what he wants, but you are in control. Are you just openly defying him now?

[trustbound]

I'm trying not to, but you absolute fuckups are making it hard.

[...WELL, AT LEAST THAT WAS. HONEST?]

[evilfrenzy]

[IT WAS...and Rideaux stifles a laugh at that, too. Though...]

Can he do anything about it if you do?

[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]

And obviously this involved more than just 'criminals'.

If you're involving innocent people in this you can't call any of this crap 'just'.

[ And don't get him started on the damn list. ]

[trustbound]

Why are you yelling at me about the ethics of all of this? I do what I was put here to do, and I'm a bad person so other people don't have to be. That's all that matters to me.

[heritrix]

[So would that make her Rachel, or Angra Mainyu.]

Well, ethics does have something to do with this, judging by the means we were brought into it all. What even counts as a "bad person"? By your definition of it.

[trustbound]

[You fucking know what, she just abruptly unfolds her arms, letting that notebook fall to the floor so she can slam her hands down on the podium and just - ]

I don't know! I do what I'm told, I don't know what else you want! Other people decide the truth for me, whatever they say is true - what the fuck else do you want from me, this is all I know how to do!

[heritrix]

I don't want anything from you. [And she's saying that with absolute sincerity.] You're just a pawn that's been used, and you say this is all you know how to do, but I think you want more. That's why Jericho is hiding things from you, and why your memory is faulty. Somewhere down the line, I think your definition of a bad person stopped perfectly matching his.

[notaccurate]

Oh, stuff it with that 'doing bad stuff so other people don't have to'. Jericho is blatantly taking advantage of that fact, you know. Even if you don't care that he's using you as a means to an end, I do.

[The next part he speaks is directed 'up', rather than at Rachel.]

Jericho, I know you're listening. Stop being a coward and speak up.

[trustbound]

Using a tool for its intended purpose isn't taking advantage of it - would you even care if I looked like a machine and not a person?

Just leave him alone - I'm responsible for this, like I said.

[perpend]

....you are a person. You might not be human, but that hardly matters.

[matchbreaker]

I would, as long as we could still speak, and have had the experiences we've had.

[ Elda says, pushing up a little on her podium. ]

I realize now I was reading into "Hilda," but I think the fact remains that your existence seems lonely to me. And-- Rachel. Would you be willing to be my friend?

[notaccurate]

That's how all courts start. But just because something starts with a noble purpose doesn't mean it keeps that purpose.

Not every crime deserves death as a punishment. Someone stealing something doesn't deserve execution, they deserve to be fined to pay for the item they stole. There are many, many crimes like that, and those criminals have no place in this game to begin with. But if they were to show up here, then their lives are on the line too when that is not a fair punishment for their crimes. And since people are watching these games, and they want to see punishment, what is the incentive for people like yourself and Jericho to pull them out of the game? There is none!

This isn't judgement, this is slaughter for entertainment.

[trustbound]

[buddy she feels you, she really does, except honestly she doesn't because you're kind of yelling at a robot, um]