Take...Responsibility?

[kingmakereffect]

Unlike previous weeks in the Vault, there was no specifically allotted time for investigation; for the first time, this weekend the elevator doors remain closed at the end of the first floor corridor. There's no getting down into the courtroom from here – but then, you don't need to. After all, no one is dead. Just the same, however, a crime has been committed; perhaps not one that warrants any sort of death penalty, but one of your number was attacked by someone else still walking among you. The dining hall has been chosen as the allotted meeting place for the day; it's not the same as the trial circle by a long shot, but even so, the portraits of the deceased watch the proceedings from the far wall. Ten Survivors still remain. Let's see who wanted to lower that number by one – or nine.

Comments

[captainobnoxious]

[... Sigrun sees that.]

Got something to add, Colress?

[It's... less of a question and more of a command.]

[pokexplorer]

[There's a grimace from Colress as Sigrun says his name.

There's really no way out of this. No one's going to believe him if he tries to deny it. He realizes that.]

...A week or two into this charade, he gave me an opportunity to do exactly what the others have done. At the time, I was more curious about the situation than anything, so I heavily considered the offer despite the possible consequences.

But I did not go through with it. I promise you that I have told him nothing.

[He sounds extremely serious about this, but it's up to the others whether they believe him or not.]

[goodforsomething]

Sounds like he gave that same offer to pretty much everyone he ever talked to more than twice.

[pokexplorer]

That would not surprise me.

[He has also suspected for a long time that the Kingmaker knows way more about them than he's let on.

If the Kingmaker knows Colress' history, then Colress would not be surprised if it was more of a direct offer.]

[sleepingkogoro]

...you know what, I'll just believe you and think no further about this.

[Mouri has no patience or energy to be around anymore, so he is going to leave now. This is all a freaking mess and he hates everything right now.

So much for trying to be hopeful]

[pokexplorer]

[Colress just...gives a nod in Mouri's direction as the detective begins to leave. It's a very, very solemn one.]

...Appreciated, Mr. Mouri.

[captainobnoxious]

[...]

I've the rug pulled under me enough, Colress. If you're lying to me, to everyone, then... I'm going to do something. Bad. To you.

[Nailed it. God.]

I'm choosing to trust you though. I've... been wrong to trust people in the recent past, apparently, but I will. Don't let me be making another mistake.

[pokexplorer]

[Colress' serious expression does not change, and his tone is firm when he responds.]

To repeat myself: I have told him nothing.

[Honestly...he's really annoyed that trust has become such an issue again, just after he was starting to get over his whole "trust is an unknown factor" hangup.]

[captainobnoxious]

[... Okay.]

Then I'll believe you. Might not mean much from me, but I do. I'm looking forward to talking to our ghost friends.

[pokexplorer]

[He...figures Sigrun meant well by that last bit, but it still probably wasn't the best thing to say to him right now. Especially after they've found out that the Kingmaker is definitely well aware of their ghost friends.

He takes a deep and shaky breath before slowly nodding.

He doesn't say anything. He doesn't know what to say.]

[amygdalae]

[JUST ANOTHER LONG SIGH FROM BRUCE

because jesus he did not sign up for this, please let him off]

I believe you.

[Though...]

What made you decide to not take up his offer?

[There are a few guesses... but Bruce doesn't want to confirm.]

[pokexplorer]

[He's...really glad to hear that, Bruce.

But the question gets a hollow chuckle from him. He's remaining serious, but he also just looks so tired.]

...I began to grow attached to you all, I suppose.

[amygdalae]

[Bruce is just as tired, he's probably going to actually drink after this. Which will be a first.]

...I'm glad you didn't take it up.

[The offer, he means.

Bruce doesn't know what to feel if there was one more person working for the Kingmaker.]

[pokexplorer]

[This too just gets a slow nod from Colress, because he really doesn't know what to say to that in a time like this. Saying "I'm glad too" sounds a little weird to say in front of the other two who revealed their status as moles.

Honestly though, he was really damn close to it- he had done it before, after all. So he still doesn't feel that great about it.

...Basically, he'd really like a drink too, honestly.]

[isafraid]

[Speedwagon just kinda

deflates a little.]

Just how many of us have gotten offers like that, would ya say?

[pokexplorer]

I...have no idea, Mr. Speedwagon.

[He's looking away now, because this is just so...ugh.]

Anyone who the Kingmaker figured would listen, I imagine.