theairlock | sixth trial

[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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He reaches behind his neck, and unclasps a silver chain. Bringing his hand out, Serah's necklace dangles there.]

If things... go ill, I need you to take this. It is Lightning's sister's engagement necklace- if you can not return it to her, then it is yours.

...

[Goddamn it.

Jane reaches out for it.]

I won't have to return it to her. I'll be returning it to you.

[He takes her reaching hand, pulling her into a rough hug.

And low, muffled against the top of her hair:]

I know this hurts. But you convinced me to believe in you so I must ask you to trust in me. And bring the others over as well. Please.

[This is the thing that gets Jane to break, just enough to let out a shuddering, weak sob. She hugs Xander back as tightly as she can.]

...I will.

[And so she lets go, and turns around.]

Guys...hey. Um. Come...come over here for a second, alright? Please?

[ WELL HERE SHE COMES... STUMBLING ON OVER TO FALL AGAINST WHOEVER IS CLOSEST AND CRY SOME MORE ]

[Okay if no one's actually bothering to comfort the crying Puritan girl, he's going to at least offer a hand on her shoulder, a little cautiously.]

[ i mean he wanted her to suddenly cling to him like a spider monkey right, that's what that was an invitation for ]

[Well that's just a little unexpected, but if that's what she needs right now, sure. He'll wrap a hopefully-comforting arm around her at least until they all almost die.]

[The Doctor looks between Xander, and Jane, and Jamison, mind racing through the tiredness to work out what exactly is going on, besides probably something he's going to like even less than the usual results of these trials.]

[But. Whatever it is, he's going to trust these three. Or two, because Jane seems to be in the dark as much as they are.]

[Walking quietly over to Xander's podium, shooting Jamie a quick look as he passes. What are you planning, Champion Happy Trees.]

I'm not doing a group hug.

[Yeeeeeeeeeeeah no. He's just...going to approach and stand nearby, crossing his arms and looking like he's losing his patience with everyone.

You can't ask for an impossibility, Jane. He's not joining this willingly]

Oh for- Togami, pull the jewel-encrusted stick out of your high-born ass for once and get over here, they're doing a THING, dammit.

[He doesn't know what it is yet, but he knows a thing in progress when he sees it, and whatever it is apparently requires everyone being in bubbling and/or hug distance.]

[Togami behaves like someone who just got asked to endure a visit to the dentist for like a minute before throwing his hands in the air]

Fine!

[Here. He's close. Happy now, you group of sappy fools?]

[...As if she needs an excuse to fuck with him at any point in time. :B

Jaw set, Jane reaches out and tugs Togami in with surprising strength for a teenage girl. You can't escape, buddy.]

I don't know if that's what he wants, but if it is, then you're getting the fuck in here. I am not in the mood for your sass anymore.

[Better hope you're not back in the spades doghouse.]

I can walk by myself, Jane!

[FINE jeez what is this sappy bullshit he didn't ask for this all oh my god, hahaha]

Move your legs a bit faster and I'll believe it.

[Her touch might linger a hair longer than it would normally though. Fucking...dammit, shit fuck dammit.]

(no subject)

imnotfat - 2017-03-26 00:19 (UTC) - Expand

cyan_maid - 2017-03-26 00:21 (UTC) - Expand

[She stands firm, raising an eyebrow. It's going to take more than that to convince her.]

[Is a crying girl who asked politely really not enough Natsuhi]

...Please.

[Soft spot for children or not. Her own daughter's tears wouldn't sway her.

So, no, it's not.]

kingshaming - 2017-03-26 00:03 (UTC) - Expand

refusedtoleave - 2017-03-26 00:06 (UTC) - Expand

kingshaming - 2017-03-26 00:07 (UTC) - Expand

refusedtoleave - 2017-03-26 00:10 (UTC) - Expand

kingshaming - 2017-03-26 00:11 (UTC) - Expand

refusedtoleave - 2017-03-26 00:16 (UTC) - Expand

kingshaming - 2017-03-26 00:17 (UTC) - Expand

cyan_maid - 2017-03-26 00:03 (UTC) - Expand

refusedtoleave - 2017-03-26 00:07 (UTC) - Expand

cyan_maid - 2017-03-26 00:08 (UTC) - Expand

Natsuhi? I've survived a long time by relying on luck and instinct, and being very incredibly clever, and right now I think gettin' over here's a very good idea unless you're very good at holding your breath.

[Respect the Thing, dangit.]

[She stops wandering to look over at him. And then after a few seconds of stillness she glances and Xander and shrugs.

Slowly...She wanders back.]

...It doesn't really matter now, does it?

stitch_in_time - 2017-03-26 00:22 (UTC) - Expand

refusedtoleave - 2017-03-26 00:25 (UTC) - Expand

[Yurika hesitates for a second and bows in apology to Jamie.]

I'm here for all of you.

[She waddles over in the bunny suit and hugs them gently.]

[Jamie is still here but he doesn't look angry as he did a minute ago. He still looks exhausted but he lools more bright-eyed and alert than he has in days.]

Do you trust me, Jane?

...Xander trusts you. And I believe in him. I believe in everyone here. [A pause as she takes a breath.] Jamison Fell, I would be personally insulted if you didn't join us for whatever this is, because somehow you've spurned it on. Get your behind over here.

Edited 2017-03-26 00:05 (UTC)

[yurika's so proud of you, jane-chan]

[That's all he needs.

He comes back from near the middle of the circle and wedges himself between Xander and his podium, close enough to wrap one arm around Jane's shoulder in a one-armed hug.]

No matter what happens next, I need you to trust Xander and trust me. Please.

cyan_maid - 2017-03-26 00:20 (UTC) - Expand