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

[houndumb]

[You know what? Nora isn't retreating here. He stares Moriarty right in the eye and glares bloody murder.]

I ain't going to stand down, and I ain't going to listen to you. This is between me an' that STUPID FLOATING ASSHOLE.

[There's a pause, a twitch in his expression but he doesn't look away.]

If he's going to do this then he should at least see it all the way through!

[hatesdeerstalkers]

[And moriarty isn't going to back down either - still staring himself, not looking away.]

Then we are at an impasse, because I will not let you pass by me.

[houndumb]

... Why? 'Cause you think I'm going to kill him or something?

[His magic's simmered back down by now, even if his temper hasn't -- it's settled instead to a dangerous low hum, not cold (it's never cold), but still fraught with magic and teeth.]

I don't care about any of that shit! I want him to just fuckin'-- use his words. For once.

[There's something a touch forlorn in that for the barest moment before it's subsumed under anger again.]

[hatesdeerstalkers]

[He notes that - But still doesn't step down.]

He is, Nora. Just because it is a different manner of speaking does not mean it's not full of meaning.

[There's more than just words to understand someone, after all.]

[houndumb]

[I guess at this point he'll just talk to Alcor around him, but it's possible dog has at least calmed down to the point where he isn't outright flinging spells. Apparently it is possible to talk him down?? Somehow?? Miracles.]

Yeah, well. I never was any good with languages.

[His shoulders relax a little bit -- or slump a little bit, maybe. Time to have a staring contest with the floor instead.]

[visionem]

That is probably a better description than the one you gave me yesterday, Nora.

[ ...absolutely self deprecating here but what can you do. ]

[houndumb]

... It was that bad, huh.

[Did you want a dash of self-deprecation in return for your self-deprecation, did you even know dog was capable of this, because have it anyway.

There's been plenty going on during the confrontation, enough for the others to sort out a few of the details -- and Nora doesn't even register most of it, letting it filter down and through everything else slowly, simmering with the magic that he's pulling back a little. Finally.]

Are you still treating everyone equally, d'you think?

[visionem]

...yes.

[ Box and dog are learning all kinds of things about each other today. ]

I try not to show favoritism, but I do have favorites. It is a very peculiar and unbecoming vice for someone like me to have.

[houndumb]

[...]

I told you I really sucked at it.

[What's an apology, honestly?? That's the closest thing you're getting at this point. Who knows how they got here.]

Yeah, well, I'm a demon, we're all about vice. Apparently. [there's a scoff, like he's remembering something he'd really rather not deal with at the moment] So too bad, I don't get what you're talking about. But...

I'm still not goin' to accept that answer either way.

[There's a brief flash of magic again, like the demon dog engine turning over a little, but he doesn't attack again. Just stares, stubborn as a wall.]

[visionem]

So are humans. And Septentriones.

[ Since stuff has calmed down he's resuming his humanoid form with a pop, opting to sit on his podium, knees drawn to his chest. With a long sigh- ]

I am not treating everyone equally.

[houndumb]

Septen...

[Yeah there's no way he's getting through that word on the first try. Maybe someday.

Nora grouchily positions himself against a nearby podium (RIP whoever is between them, which is luckily just Karen and Moriarty and Karen is gone so well. He stares at the floor some more because apparently that's the in thing right now.]

And 'course you're not. That ain't the answer I meant, anyway.

[It's the other answer, the one that started this whole mess. Surprise, dog can have long-term conversations.]

[visionem]

[ That is more than fair, and he understands. Alcor's just going to periodically scan the atmosphere around them. He's definitely keeping an eye on what's going on with Sandy, though.

Ah, that one. ]

It is not easy to surmise. But to attempt to put it succinctly...I was tired of only observing. I ended that part of my existence a while ago, but I have neglected it until now.

[houndumb]

[At least he'll remember the word. Let it bounce around for a while in there, and hopefully not mangle it, all things considered. There's a lot going on but Nora is focused for the moment -- he's got his spear in hand and that's enough for now.]

So you couldn't sit back an' do nothing, either. That's...

[How do you say same hat when you've barely ever worn any other hat than your own? Who the fuck knows. Nora's going to crash through this one, same as anything else.]

I hated this stupid motive too, you know?

[That's as far as he's going to take that. There's a lot of things tangled up in it, but Nora isn't going to examine any of them, because now is not the time for it. He's just going to put that out there anyway and then pretend he didn't, glaring at his spear as he spins it round and round.]

[visionem]

[ ...I mean same hat again. Alcor is Alcor and he is a unique existence even as far as the multiuniverse and parallel worlds go. ]

...it would not be true if I said I moved for that reason alone. But it was a potent reminder of the responsibility I accepted not too long ago.

[houndumb]

[Sometimes hats just happen. Nora slants him a half-curious and half-confused look.]

'Course you're a scheming one.

[It doesn't quite sound like an insult at this point.]

What, didja get a new job or something...

[visionem]

[ He smiles at it regardless. ]

I did, yes.

[houndumb]

[He grumbles a little bit because he's still loathe to accept Alcor smiles at face value at this point in trial disaster land but it's fine.]

So? What's the deal?

[visionem]

[ Maybe one day nora will acquire box's guide to smiles. Alcor pauses for a moment before answering. ]

If you truly wish to know, I will tell you Nora. But not here.

[houndumb]

[He'd probably still end up misreading it because legit what is social understanding and interaction but it's better than nothing. There's a cock of his head like a dog that's heard a whistle before he makes a grumbling sound.]

... Fine. Later, then.

[They still have a whole mess of things to attend to, and he's not looking forward to any of it, but at least there's some kind of resolution here. Maybe. There's enough to move forward for the moment.]