WEEK 3 - TRIAL

[foundationmods]

TRIAL

The morning seemed so far away yesterday - yet, it also seems too soon when morning comes and you are all yet again ushered to the third floor by The Lady. The Captain is there, in all of his....wait, no, he's asleep.

The doors close, and...nothing happens. There's still the box labeled 'VOTES' in his lap on the couch, but...

On the table is a letter, that reads 'Only one person may be voted for execution this week. Please figure out who that will be during the time limit.'

As you finish reading that, music begins to play in the room...


VICTIM: SHIROU EMIYA, HIMEKO INABA, AND MUNEHISA IWAI

23 GUESTS REMAIN.

Comments

[messianic]

[Minato's there! And watching Akira, expression calm and clear, eyes firm.

And, softly, he says plainly (so even if the words can't be heard, his lips form the words clearly):]

You can't.

[Akira can't give someone else that path. It's not who Akira is. Minato believes in him. He can find another way, one that doesn't involve undermining who he is as a person--even if Minato would love to see Akira relieved of the burden of that path.

It's not about them anymore, after all. It's about everyone else.

So... he smiles. Because he believes in Akira, with everything he has--and that's what really matters, isn't it? No deals with the devil--just Akira, exactly as he is.]

[purrtagonist]

[. . . of course. that's the answer he expected, isn't it? even if he took this deal, Minato would never forgive him for foisting his burdens onto someone else. he'd never forgive himself. and really, it's that path that's mucking things up here, isn't it? because if it didn't exist, Akira would've accepted the Lady's terms in a heartbeat]

[his grip on his shirt tightens, hands shaking, and he has to be quick, he knows he has to be quick, he was given not more than five seconds]

Would you walk it, Minato?

[he needs an answer asap]

[messianic]

[... Ha. So that's how it is, isn't it? Minato had asked Akira to share his burdens, and now that's so completely, utterly literal in the worst of ways.

Minato wants to. More than anything else, all he's wanted this entire game is to save everyone, and to relieve Akira of this burden.

But...

Not if it means Akira's dying in his place. In that case, more than anything...]

No. Not if it means I live instead of you.

[And, calmly:]

You can do more good here, Akira, than anyone. I believe that. So... I'm sorry. But selfishly, I have to ask you to continue.

1/2

[purrtagonist]

. . .

[he sucks in a deep breath, eyes slipping shut, brows slightly furrowed as his eyes slip shut]

[purrtagonist]

[and then he turns to the Lady, chin tilted up, voice firm]

. . . I accept. And I choose Minato Arisato to walk my path, because he wouldn't forgive me if I chose anyone else.

[messianic]

[Shock flashes across his features at that--and then a frown, tight and upset.]

Akira, wait, you can't--!

[justfists]

Akira!

[enter_the_darkness]

Idiot.

[whirlingmace]

You can't. Akira you...

[resortghosts]

[head slap]

[dolleyed]

You're crazy... you're so fucking crazy....

[ WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON. ]

[theycallhimmrpchan]

What the hell?!

[rosebridled]

[ ah. ]

[13thpromise]

[ ...... what. What's happening?? Is Akira just throwing his life away? ]

No! Stop it!

[wrongtiming]

Akira?!

[foundationmods]

....Very well.

[She lowers her left arm, and opens her right hand.]

Akira Kurusu. I impart upon you the role of The Savior. You have the choice to save someone at the expense of your own life.

....may I assume that you are using your role to take Minato Arisato's place as the Executed?

[purrtagonist]

[he can feel everyone's eyes on him, bearing holes in the back of his head, yelling his name and calling him stupid and telling him he's making a mistake. maybe he is. maybe people were right to call him reckless, and needlessly self-sacrificial. maybe he's letting down a lot of people like this]

[but. . .]

[. . . it's not fair for Minato to have to die twice, is it? and this. . . is what his heart tells him to do]

Yes. That's right.

[foundationmods]

[The Lady lowers her hands, and closes her eyes.]

Very well.

Akira Kurusu will be executed tomorrow, using the power of his role. None may overturn this - unless the Magistrate wills it, though they must speak now or allow the judgement to be passed. I will remain here for 20 minutes, to allow the Magistrate to come to a decision.

1/2

[purrtagonist]

[closes his eyes and breathes, relief washing through him, until--]

[13thpromise]

[ Roxas takes some more steps forward, and he's...not looking at anyone as he does it. This evening has been difficult enough. ]

I'm sorry. I can't just let you sacrifice yourself like that, Akira. You were the first person who was there for me, who gave me hope, when I thought ... we wouldn't have a chance.

[ ... ]

I'll overturn the vote.

[messianic]

[.... Minato's expression flashes between horror to fear to panic to betrayal, before his eyes slide shut, as he looks away sharply.

He drags in a shuddering breath, hands clenched into fists.

... He doesn't know what to do anymore... but this is horrible.

This isn't what he wanted at all, and that small smile on Akira's face is horrible as well.]

[13thpromise]

[ ....... ]

[latebluemer]

[... Her hand drops.

It tightens into a fist, even as her face goes stormy, even as she takes a reflexive step forward and then stops herself, even as she closes her eyes. Opens them. There's a clear fury in them, but she looks between him, and Minato, and doesn't say anything.]

[moonlightbeast]

Kurusu-san, don't-

[He reaches out towards Akira, but he's not fast enough to stop him.

Boy, this sure is familiar.]

[jumpedtheshark]

Kurusu-Kun...