first trial

[airlockedmods]

[With the announcement, the Champions are free to decide amongst themselves what order the groups leave in. Once that's done the process of teleporting is automatic and happens in the blink of an eye. Once second they're in the center of the cafeteria before a soft blue light surrounds them and then they're standing in the middle of a circle of podiums.

The room itself it the same shiny, chrome-covered atrocity as most of the rest of the ship save for the sections of floor that aren't the teleporter: those are thick clear glass that show nothing but empty space and stars beneath the Champions' feet. As for the podiums they're the same sort of garish chrome with a digital screen facing toward the center of the circle. The screens each have a name and title associated with a Champion written in green block letters, all save for Chloe Price, the Champion of Max Caulfield, Miki Naoki, the Champion Support and Chitose Karasuma, the Champion of Mediocrity. Theirs are a striking red and, floating above their podiums, are greyscale portraits framed in some kind of bold, mechanical-looking frame.

The Overseers are waiting when they all arrive, standing on a floating platform just high enough to be out of reach and back far enough toward a far wall to have a full view of the courtroom. Both are dressed well, Rox in a pressed grey dress jacket and skirt and Blaze in a black suit with the sleeves rolled up to expose his numerous tattoos.Rox is again the one who speaks up.]

Welcome, Champions, to the courtroom! Twenty of you have entered, but - in the best case scenario - only nineteen of you will leave. The goal here is to compile the evidence that you've gathered and figure out who the killer is. Once you think you have an answer, we'll call a vote where you'll use the podium in front of you to vote on the title of the Champion who you all agree has broken the peace. If you're correct, the culprit will be executed and the rest of you will be allowed to go back upstairs. If you're wrong, however, the killer goes free and the rest of you take the punishment in their place.

There's no time limit, but we reserve the right to call for a vote if things drag on too long. Now let the first trial begin!

Comments

[titularly]

I don't take orders from murderers!

[photoshooter]

[Prompto suddenly whips around to glare at Osomatsu, red-eyed from crying and absolutely furious.]

You take that back right now!

[challengesfate]

H-He has a point-

[theundertaken]

He's being a dick and we all know it.

[challengesfate]

Well, yes, but-

[theundertaken]

Lucina. Just...let him have this.

[Let Prompto defend you for however long you have left.]

[challengesfate]

[...

Prompto and Penny: the Lucina Defense Squad.

She doesn't deserve them.]

[theundertaken]

...you don't deserve him beating up on you like this.

[He's still on his knees by Prompto, but he'll rock forward and just sort of reach out to pat her hand, if that's what he can touch. That isn't like, her leg or something.]

[challengesfate]

[Lu you know I wouldn't do the gross things to you. He catches her fingertips, at least.]

I still did something terrible. I...I won't deny that. And it's only right to be punished for it. I just...he's not helping. He's only making it harder for all of you.

[photoshooter]

He does not! You're not--you are not a murderer, Lucina.

[challengesfate]

...

[You're too good for her, Prompto. You are too good for this world. Too pure.]

[challengesfate]

...A fair point.

[in4apounding]

[Hey, Osomatsu. Remember how Penny is right next to you, and super upset about her friend being convicted of murder here.]

[Remember how she's in training to be a badass monster fighter.]

[Do you remember all that.]

[Because all that is adding up to Penny turning on the spot and smacking you across the face.]

[challengesfate]

Penny-

[cHRIST

I mean I would love her to brawl Oso in the middle of the courtroom but that doesn't mean Lucina wants anyone to do that for her]

[titularly]

[Oh that.. oh.

Honestly Osomatsu wasn't expecting to get smacked like that, so it sends him to the side and he catches himself on his podium with his arms.]


...

[He's absolutely stunned into silence, rather he just stares up at Penny with a look of confusion and mild fear, as he brings a hand up to his red cheek.]

[in4apounding]

Don't- don't talk about my friend that way.

[challengesfate]

[yOU'RE GONNA MAKE HER CRY AGAIN]

[titularly]

...she killed someone. Killed them. They're never coming back.

[Osomatsu mumbles that quietly.]

Even if it was an accident, she still did it. Why should I treat her nicely for it? Should I praise her? "Oh, good job for killing someone and almost getting us all killed by keeping quiet about it!"

[photoshooter]

Chitose tried to kill her.

[titularly]

That doesn't matter!

[Osomatsu yells that at him, and straightens himself back up.]

Even if the roles were reversed, someone's still dead! For real! It's not just some gag where they're gonna come back the next episode, they're dead and nothing's gonna change that!

[challengesfate]

...

[w h a t]

Are you...implying that I don't understand...how permanent death is?

[photoshooter]

You think I don't know that?! Dude, I'm--I'm fighting a war we already lost!

[Incredible. He's still crying. Someone get this boy a sports drink to replenish those electrolytes.]

But that doesn't make Lucina a murderer! She was just--she tried to help her, you fucking shithead, which is more than I've seen you do for anyone!

[in4apounding]

I KNOW THAT! I'm not- I'm not DUMB, I understand what's going on! Miss Chitose didn't deserve what happened but neither does Lucina! And- and what good is being a big jerk about it going to do? So just shut up about her!

[titularly]

Fine! I'll just forgive her for killing someone then just like the rest of you!

[Forgive him he is.. a manbaby.]

[in4apounding]

I don't care if you forgive her, just don't be such a- such a PIECE OF CRAP about it! And anyway, haven't you just- forgiven Miss Chitose for trying to do the exact same thing?!