sixth trial

[airlockedmods]

[Six weeks, thirteen Champion dead out of their original twenty as well one half of the former Overseer pair. With Jamie now counted as a fellow Champion in the Benefactors' eyes, their numbers have dwindled down to eight.

C.E.C.E.'s announcement sounds and for what may be the last time the Champions must file to the teleporter with their evidence and the Champion Landscape Artist now officially among them. The courtroom is empty this time around, the floating platform as empty as the updated circle of surviving Champion's podiums. Jamie makes a small, humorless sound when he sees the lack of a portrait at Lightning's podium and his own name in glaring green where she once stood.

There's no Bolton to speak to them this time around so it's C.E.C.E. whose voice rings from on high.]

Welcome, Champions, to the courtroom. Eight of you have entered, but if you vote correctly only seven of you will leave. Compile your evidence and select the correct culprit is. If you vote correctly, the culprit will be executed and the rest of you will be allowed to go back upstairs.

Thank you!

Comments

[curdle]

[ She killed her mother to keep living, she sold her soul for it--

Thomasin stays exactly where she is, but her hands are gripping the podium and tears are running down her face. ]

[cyan_maid]

...Thomasin...

[Don't think she doesn't see you crying there.]

Their rules make this trial null and void. There's no point for us to vote on any of this.

[curdle]

Those in power will change the rules as suits them. Thou heardst her. Bolton was a Champion, though Xander never knew it. They'll kill us all.

[cyan_maid]

No one knew he'd been demoted to Champion at the time of death. C.E.C.E. even said...the change was not put into effect until the PIPs were properly online again. And if they really want to change the rules, do you want to end up like Bolton and Jamie did? Stuck in this place until someone you can't see decides to make you do terrible things?

[A pause, as she considers something.]

...There is no God or Devil in space, Thomasin. Seth doesn't count. The only person who can tell you what to do here is you. And I believe in you to do what's right.

[curdle]

You trust wrongly.

I never wanted my family to die. I want it not for this one, either. But I am not going with you! Bolton and Jamie were too soft to finish this game. I will win it, and I will go where I will, and--

[ ok but her entire face is a decorative fountain and she's cut herself off to cry more ]

[cyan_maid]

...And then what're you going to do? You'll just be alone again.

[curdle]

[ She's​ watching her own tears splatter her skirts, breathing hard. Thinking about getting Xander out in dodgeball when he was focused on Jane, about Father and Mother laughing at home in England, and the new baby smell of Sam, and a hundred other things.

We will leave together. I swear it.

Thomasin steps back and falls onto her knees. ]

[cyan_maid]

[Just going to come over and. Help you to your feet, and keep an arm around you.]

...To the podium, or away?

[Whatever you want, she'll respect your choice.]

[curdle]

Away.

[ It's a croak. ]

[cyan_maid]

[Then she'll bring you away and hold onto you with a comforting strength. If you die, Thomasin, it won't be alone. Teen Girl Squad rides together.]

[ratherdoweddings]

Nobody needs to win, Thomasin-chan. Nobody has to die in this spiral anymore.

[stitch_in_time]

If they're going to, then they won't need the excuse of a trial to do it.

[His tone is quiet, he's not going to force Thomasin into this.]

Hell, I might be a dead man anyway. But if I'm gonna die, I'd rather it be my choice, choosin' something good instead of choosing what's necessary, for once. ANd better to go surrounded by people I care about than get stuck on this damn station forever.

[refusedtoleave]

If this keeps going, then they'll only be two or three people left. Living in paranoia, constantly expecting the other to strike. What kind of life is that?