Week 3, Saturday

[foundationmods]

This time, when everyone files into the studio, they aren't escorted to their seats. Instead, they are sent to podiums up on the stage arrange in a semi-circle. Everyone can see each other, and everyone is also visible to the cameras. Off to stage right is a jury box with 12 prinnies in it, all in various states of 'fancy dress'. One is wearing a suit top, another a blouse, one a huge Colonial-era wig. To stage left at box 0 is Dazai's seat, where he will be spending most of the trial, but he will get up to move around at times. And in the very center is a picture of Aqua. Once everyone is in their spots, one of the prinnies will hit a gavel against the podium in front of it, signaling the start of the trial.

It's time to find Aqua's killer.


EDIT: voting link

Comments

[eldritcheyes]

[He's just finished yelling at Alcor when he hears that, and his attention whips to Sandy instead.]

... what the hell, man... you two... did you plan this, or did Alcor just decide to cover for you on his own?

[merirut]

[He looks at Leo with cold eyes.]

Think what you wish. I've long lost any patience I had for keeping up this pretense.

[eldritcheyes]

... you didn't have to do it. I... I'm sorry you thought you didn't have any choice.

[merirut]

[His face just twists into something dissatisfied, with a hint of disbelief.]

You... are you showing me pity, even now? I just killed that girl and was willing to let someone else die for it.

[eldritcheyes]

[Softly:]

I never wanted to hate anybody here, Sands. I wanted all of us to be friends, not just to prove that we're worth protecting, but... life's really shitty when you're alone, you know?

[He's felt that too sharply lately, in a half-empty dorm and too many moments by himself.]

[merirut]

[There's something about what Leo says that just makes it seem like he's been slapped in the face, and he just grits his teeth and forces out:]

You're just like her, aren't you. Always too naïve...

[eldritcheyes]

[Leo shrugs halfheartedly.]

I'm only human.

[merirut]

Even most humans aren't like this... and besides, it won't matter anyway. Not anymore.

[eldritcheyes]

... before the gatcha pulled me here, my world was almost destroyed. My best friend was possessed and he made a girl that was really important to me betray me for the Eyes. We had to stop him. She... died to save him and the city. Losing her hurt a lot. But in the end, I had to let her go.

[The Eyes open a little, but they're dark right now, inert.]

Would Lucifer be happy with what you did for him?

[merirut]

[He gets what Leo's trying to say, but it's not that simple for him. Not when he has all this guilt curling around in his chest, and not when he knows that Lucifer deserves to be alive more than him.]

Of course not. But if he could live, then I'd take all his disapproval and hate.

[eldritcheyes]

... if you really care about somebody, that's not a state you want them to live in. It stains their good memories of you, and sometimes that's worse than being dead.

[merirut]

[He does open his mouth to say something, but...

He actually doesn't have a rebuttal against that.]

[eldritcheyes]

[Leo offers him a sad little smile, but it falters quickly.]

We'll do what we can to keep the Foundation off our loved ones' backs, okay? Just... take care.

[And he goes to make sure Silver is watched over.]

[merirut]

[He just watches as Leo leaves, staring at his back the whole way. And maybe it's just a trick caused by the stage's ventilation or something, but there's something that sounds a little like 'thank you' that hangs in the air.]