ukimiya | fifth trial

FIFTH TRIAL

Saturday, Week 5

UNCOVER THE GUILTY PARTY

Yesterday's events were quite shocking. None of you expected to find two victims, much less two who were so young and full of life. But, as always, there's a silver lining here. Their lives bought you release from the motive, and isn't that worth something? After all, it would be a lie to say that this thought hasn't passed through anyone's mind. But would it be right to thank whoever was involved for what they did? For some of you, the idea isn't all that outlandish.

Any further deliberations regarding whether or not the act was truly just will need to wait until later. For now, you have a trial to attend.

Once thirteen of you gather in the Great Hall, the large doors slam right open and prompt everyone to ascend the stairs into the trial room.

As those present takes their seats, it becomes apparent just how many lives have been lost over the course of this game. Half of the seats are now empty, which is staggering given how many of you there were when the challenge began. Beyond the room and the current occupants are the profiles lining the walls. They're hard to miss at this point, for obvious reasons.

The Sage's steady voice slips in through the pendants as soon as everyone's settled.

"It is time, my warriors, to meet the challenge head on. You have all managed to come this far and so I expect you to perform as admirably as you have in the past. How may vary, but every individual here is important and brings their own unique touch to these trials. ... Normally, that is. To my dismay, a number of you will be temporarily incapable of taking part in this challenge.

Let us hope this is a trend that does not continue into future weeks. That said... May all who remain be blessed with only the best of fortune. You will need it."

As soon as the Sage finishes speaking, five images flicker into sight as if brought to life by a projector. Seeing how there's no such device present, it may not be a stretch to consider magic is at work here.

15 REMAIN

locations | profiles | votes

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[do you want to ask Mako questions? He's here now, leaning against the wall with his arms folded.

That spot has grown significantly-- probably not helped by how he's squeezing his own arms out of nervousness.]

Mako - stop, you're hurting yourself.

[Even with what may happen next, it's pointless to chide, but his voice lowers]

You wanted us to find out, didn't you?

... You guys were on the wrong track, we could have left here with the wrong person taking the fall.

Even knowing the risk, you chose to nudge us to the truth.

[He closes his eyes, and remembered to take his glasses off]

That takes an incredible amount of courage and resolve... I'm not sure anyone could do that, but you did.

... Thanks.

[but that is extremely cold comfort, and he squeezes his arm once again.

He's only 19, and he's come face to face with death once. He never wanted to repeat the experience.]

[He curses to himself, if this was home, he always had a medical kit on hand, at least to keep him from suffering, and there's no way the Sage would let him run out of the Grand Hall to fetch something from the infirmary. If Mako had to die, it shouldn't be in pain, and without thinking he put his hand on the younger man's arm, to get him to stop squeezing.]

You don't need to punish yourself more.

It's--

[he pulls his hand away, his fingertips are definitely stained. Maybe he was taking this a bit too hard, and so he unfolds his arms, and settles for squeezing his fists.]

Right, sorry.

(no subject)

devilsphysician - 2017-09-03 01:03 (UTC) - Expand

browbeater - 2017-09-03 01:56 (UTC) - Expand

Mako-san...

[Why did it have to end like this...?]

...

Is there... anything I can do for you? Now, or after...

... I want the Sage's lies exposed.

[Her expression hardens.]

I can't make any promises, but... as long as I live, I'll work to see it done.

Thanks.

And-- don't... make a stupid mistake like I did.

...Ayumu and I can't kill. We... have to hold onto that, if we're going to do what we must in our world.

[Is she glad they both will continue to exist? Certainly. But she absolutely loathes how it all came about.]

Thank you. For protecting us until now.

browbeater - 2017-09-03 00:56 (UTC) - Expand

pseudoregelia - 2017-09-03 00:59 (UTC) - Expand

browbeater - 2017-09-03 01:05 (UTC) - Expand

pseudoregelia - 2017-09-03 01:08 (UTC) - Expand

browbeater - 2017-09-03 01:13 (UTC) - Expand

pseudoregelia - 2017-09-03 01:20 (UTC) - Expand

browbeater - 2017-09-03 01:55 (UTC) - Expand

pseudoregelia - 2017-09-03 06:50 (UTC) - Expand

. . . you were so intent on helping us solve it. Would you have let someone else take the fall?

[It isn't judgmental.]

No. I just wasn't ready to tell everyone at the start of things.

[the unsaid words: He was afraid.]

[Little wonder. It's the most horribly unfair trial they've ever had, because Mako hadn't even resolved to kill anyone. She pauses for a few seconds, then:]

Tell me what you believe happens once you die.

.... Hopefully my soul reincarnates. That I've lived a good enough life that will allow that.

[hopefully. He knows he's made mistakes-- big ones.]

I should think the very fact you didn't allow someone else to take the fall will go a long ways towards that.

[She means it. Rosalind doesn't offer false comfort; this action is something far kinder and better than anything she would have done.]

browbeater - 2017-09-03 00:58 (UTC) - Expand

originallutece - 2017-09-03 01:00 (UTC) - Expand

browbeater - 2017-09-03 01:45 (UTC) - Expand

originallutece - 2017-09-03 01:46 (UTC) - Expand

You're--you're still hurt.

[ oh jeez. ]

...I'm sorry.

[ haha shit this isn't fair in the slightest, if he really was acting in self-defense ]

It's fine. It won't matter, soon.

[if he was fatalistic before, look at him now.]

[ Opening her mouth to protest, but...he's right. If he gets enough votes, it won't matter in less than a half hour. ]

I'm sorry this happened...

[ Ah, there it is again, the endless train of apologies for things she can't actually fix. And she knows it's pointless, but she can't stop herself. This isn't like the past four weeks--he didn't plan to kill anyone. This is bullshit. ]

...but you're very brave for coming forward in the end.

[they say that, but really, his skin is pale, and his hands are stained red with how tense he is. He doesn't feel brave, just propelled by the same feeling that got him through the 10 years after his parents' deaths.]

... Thanks, but I don't feel that way. Not now.

[There's... something burning in Mahiro's eyes, and it's probably obvious what it is. Anger. Resentment. And probably some hate there, too.]

So, you killed Miyamura 'cause he attacked you and I get that.

But you said you wanted to get caught, right? So why the fuck did you drown Kurosaki in the river?

Because I didn't know he wasn't dead.

[evenly.]

[Sorry Mako, he's not letting this go...]

He still would've been breathing.

Besides, why would you ever just assume someone was dead just 'cause you hit them in the head? It's one thing if you felt his skull crack, but your love tap didn't even do that much.

He was covered in blood.

[but he's not really arguing it much. Finding out he'd accidentally drowned Jin had been the most jarring part of the case.]