theairlock | first trial

[With the announcement and evidence, the doors in the pool area are the next destination for anyone who doesn't particularly want to see what a punishment from PAL would look like. Kip, for once not acting like a complete coward, takes the lead and opens the doors. The patio is a large, round room with high walls and a domed ceiling, but the biggest feature of the room is the a circle of podiums that takes up most of the floor space.

The room itself is decked in the same almost gaudy golds and reds as the rest of the mansion, with walls high enough that it's impossible to see inside the trial room from the promenade that encircles the whole mansion. The domed ceiling provides an unhindered view of the stars overhead. As for the podiums themselves, they're the same sort of garish gold with a digital screen facing toward the center of the circle, and a large, currently dimmed rose silhouette facing the center beneath the screen. The screens each have a name and title associated with a Champion written in green block letters, all save for Mikaela, the Champion of the Millennium Tree Forest. Hers are a striking red and, floating above her podium, is a greyscale portrait framed in some kind of bold, gilt-looking frame. She smiles out at the group, her eyes gentle and kind even with the noticeable lack of color.

With Cece staying behind to take care of the body, Kip is left to cross the room by himself, stepping onto a platform that rises up just high enough to be out of reach and back far enough toward a far wall to have a full view of the court room. For a brief moment, Kip is obscured by a dome of glass that closes over him, but when the dome lifts it's clear that the only thing obscured was a quick change, taking him out of what was clearly his pajamas and dressing him in a sharp, mournful black suit. He's recovered from looking slightly green, but his body language and expression remain quite somber nonetheless.]

Welcome, Champions, to the Rose Ceremony. This is the trial stage, where the goal is to find the true culprit and...

[PAL almost sighs in disappointment.]

Well, Kipsqueak already spoiled the stakes for you. Find the culprit and they'll be eliminated, vote incorrectly and they'll be allowed to go home at the expense of the rest of your lives.

Oh, and don't bore me. I cannot stand being bored.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Wait wait wait a fucking second--just wait! Are you saying a demon killed that girl because her powers came back a little?

So...she didn't kill anyone technically!

It doesn't matter, Church. PAL will certainly care nothing of the technicalities, do not delude yourself and accept the reality of the situation.

[It's muffled at first through Mai's shock:]

Call the vote.

[She stands up and speaks louder, addressing Kip's platform.]

Call the vote! I couldn't protect Michaela because I turned in early. I couldn't bring her back if he only returned powers related to the titles. And with this? The demons being made from something I can't accept? It's my fault she's dead in the first place, then!

You're wrong. No matter what anyone says or what technicality PAL would use to condemn you...you're wrong.

...You've always been kind. Be safe.

(no subject)

scourgingstars - 2017-05-27 18:01 (UTC) - Expand

[Arianna is still holding Clarith back/up/away from whatever undesired direction she is currently inclined to move and she's listening to the discussion and she's trying to for once in her life have a flash of insight nobody else has picked up on that might possibly lead to a way out of this and]

No!

...Please. I can't go on anyway.

daughterofthemark - 2017-05-27 18:03 (UTC) - Expand

nojohnyouare - 2017-05-27 18:15 (UTC) - Expand

daughterofthemark - 2017-05-27 18:18 (UTC) - Expand

[ For the first time since her outburst and attempt to murder Mai herself, she's going to look up. No... She knows. She's listened. She spoke with Mai. Even though she's still in tears, she's going to speak. ]

...I-It's okay, Mai. Even if I'm angry, I... I don't hate you. Because I...

[ "...Because I understand." ]

[ ... is she good to turn this restraining hold into a hug or are you going to make for Mai's throat again ]

desperateprayer - 2017-05-27 18:02 (UTC) - Expand

serrata - 2017-05-27 18:03 (UTC) - Expand

...I'm so sorry. Clarith... Stay alive. You deserved better than any of this.

desperateprayer - 2017-05-27 18:03 (UTC) - Expand

nojohnyouare - 2017-05-27 18:11 (UTC) - Expand

Just because of that stupid thing PAL did?! To make everyone's powers more of a thing?!

[ Maybe, if Rhys hadn't spoken to Mai, it would be easier to accept this. It's easy to say someone should die for doing something wrong if you don't know them. The higher-ups on Helios say it's easy to order bandits to death, because they're faceless. Nameless. Bandits.

This isn't easy at all. ]

...

[She just nods and wipes her eyes.]

plugout - 2017-05-27 18:06 (UTC) - Expand

You can't-- we can't be expected to vote for you! Not when you can't be blamed for what happened!

[ She sounds desperate, furious but her eyes are tired and resigned. She knows. PAL isn't going to let them leave this courtroom alive if they don't vote correctly. ]

It wouldn't have happened without me.

[Junpei's voice is sharp.]

Rii-san, we can't die here.

serrata - 2017-05-27 18:09 (UTC) - Expand

[ He... nods, utterly silent to her. This is how she wants to go out, then so be it. He'll respect Mai's decision.

... He's gripping his podium so hard his hands are turning white. He's biting his lip to force himself to draw back the few tears he has left to cry. He hates this place. ]

[She looks away and wipes her eyes.]

You're not at fault for something you can't control!

nojohnyouare - 2017-05-27 18:10 (UTC) - Expand

[Mai will you let her hold your hand at least?

No matter what happens now she doesn't have to do this part alone.]

Does it matter if we think she's responsible? If... if this is what she wants?

Edited 2017-05-27 18:06 (UTC)

Takin' responsibility ain't easy, Mai-chan.

[ His look is grim, but there's actually respect in his eyes. He didn't talk to her enough... ah well. ]

Ya got the right idea here.

nojohnyouare - 2017-05-27 18:09 (UTC) - Expand

Oh, you're gonna lecture me on deluding yourself? Are you fucking serious right now?!

This is not the time for that and you know it.

The girl is a part of Mai. It means she's like a sword, an extension. So... Church. I'm sorry, but Mai. She's guilty by extension.

[ Rhys punches the podium, and... well. With his robot arm, made out of metal, it makes a dent. ]

This is-- this is so... fucked up... What the hell...

I know. But by legal standards... it's like if a dog killed someone. The owner would be the one held responsible unless they had some way to prove that the person killed did something to piss the dog off. Which... dead men tell no tales.