THE TRIAL ROUND... TRIAL... YEAH I SHOULD'VE CHOSEN ANOTHER NAME.

[thegardeners]

[On Saturday morning, the gates of the courthouse fly open.

All character will be ushered-- or forcibly dragged, if it comes to that-- the the Courthouse by the various gardeners. The interior of the courthouse is spacious enough for any amount of vigorous discussion, whatever that may be. Who knows what's on the second floor and beyond.

Meng Po sits above the chairs, overseeing everyone below.]

Today, you have all been brought here to find the one who murdered Cagliostro. Once you have come to a decision over who is guilty, you will cast votes on who you believe is the murderer. If the majority votes correctly, the murderer is condemned to Hell, and you will all be one step closer to reincarnation. If they are not found, they will be reincarnated instead, and whoever else is voted in their place as the murderer will be scapegoated. The murderer's sins will be falsely imprinted on them, condemning the scapegoat to Hell.

Should you correctly identify the murderer, there will be a second round of voting: the mercy vote, or the exoneration vote. If you believe the murderer deserves to be reincarnated or the victim deserved to die for any reason, you can vote for exoneration, and the murderer will be reincarnated if the majority votes for it. However, I am not responsible for what happens afterwards to the rest of you.

[...That's... okay, sure.]

Without further ado: the court is in session.

[Do your worst.]

Comments

[ladyporthos]

The bruise suggested a punch. Unless you had something else with you in that shape?

[keepcomposed]

Sorry, not that one. [ He holds up his hand. ] I thought that was so obvious it didn't need mentioning. If you still need a confession, however... I punched her and she fell onto the bridge. There's not much else to that story.

I meant her ribs. If there was even a chance of Neku saving her, I wanted to stop it. It wouldn't have done me much good if she survived.

[ladyporthos]

Wait a minute...that wasn't from attempted CPR? [Damn, and she'd been assuming that all along.] So did you drop something on her after she fell?

[keepcomposed]

Oh, he certainly tried. What he didn't tell you is I stopped him—or how I did. That's why he's feeling so very guilty now, you see.

After he put his hands on her I pushed him down toward her and... [ ... he grins at Neku, much like the cat who ate the canary. He definitely sounds like he's bragging. Sorry to everyone who thought he was going to say something groundbreaking. ] ... kissed him.

It distracted him long enough for me to prevent him from trying again before it was too late.

[ladyporthos]

...how did you kiss him while pushing him down at the same time? [Her mental image might not be exactly accurate.]

[keepcomposed]

Do you want me to show you?

[ Where's Neku. ]

[ladyporthos]

...that would be useful. [And might give some more insight into just who the fuck is telling the truth here.]

[keepcomposed]

It looks like Neku's feeling the sting of stage fright. If I can't convince him to help me, it'll be hard to show you.

[ He puts his hand to his chin thoughtfully. ] Well, it was a very awkward kiss. My lips didn't even touch his. Honestly, you could barely count it as a first kiss. To think he'd be this embarrassed over something like that...

Hee hee. You're so cute, Neku.

[ladyporthos]

[Okay, if it wasn't on the lips it seems to make more sense.] You can flirt l... [Her voice trails off. Right...one of them is going to hell, or being reincarnated. There is no "later" for them.]

[keepcomposed]

Something wrong? [ As if he isn't perfectly aware of what she was going to say and why she stopped. He's a dick.

Somebody should stop him. ]

[ladyporthos]

[She just shakes her head.] You're so calm about all of this. [It's...not quite accusatory. More a mix between confused and impressed and suspicious.]

[keepcomposed]

Is that all? [ His oh-so-familiar giggle emerges. ] That's because this isn't the first time I've murdered someone.

After you've killed someone once or twice, you get used to it. And I can't say I feel sorry for murdering her either.

[ladyporthos]

[She stares for a moment, then nods.] You're quite outspoken about that. [Her voice sounds a little clipped.]

[keepcomposed]

Only when it suits me. Besides, most people don't take kindly to being told they're in the presence of a mass murderer.

Not that I mind their scorn. [ He raises his head as he idly says: ] That said, their judgment can get a little inconvenient. That must be why I'm so secretive.

[ladyporthos]

That's understandable, don't you think? Although I guess you don't really care who knows, since you're trying to get us to vote you off.

[keepcomposed]

I wouldn't know if it is. I'm too close to the situation for my opinion to have any weight. In cases like these, individual opinions of those who have the luxury of distance make up a whole. That whole becomes the "truth" and accepted as right.

So you see, if I find it reasonable or not doesn't matter. Society itself already decided it is—and that on the surface killing is wrong. [ Another shrug. ]

[unfashionable]

No-! That's not--that's not what happened!

[ what the fuck is even happening anymore ]

[keepcomposed]

Come on, Neku. There's no need to be so shy.

I know it wasn't the best kiss—but I can always make it up to you now.

[unfashionable]

No! That's--where did you even come up with that?!

[keepcomposed]

Where? [ He looks so confused! ] Reality, of course! Where else would it come from?

[shikiori_no_hane]

...

[ peanut gallery is wondering when this whole thing evolved. peanut gallery also wishes there was actual peanuts. ]

[keepcomposed]

...

[ Fight him. ]