trusthell | Take Responsibility.

The ride up to the courtroom occurs, as before, after an allotted period of time for investigation; the elevator waits patiently for you at each floor - third, second, first - before sending you upwards and on your way to the courtroom high above.

As always, the trip is a smooth one; granted, after everything that the morning had been, any small comfort that fact may bring is likely not helping much.

There are three less of you this time around, a fact reflected in the podium circle standing in the middle of the room; Alani, Milla and Chiyuki have all joined the ranks of the deceased, their podiums draped in black and their portraits in greyscale keeping a watchful eye over the rest of the trial circle.

There's still no one present in the lectern above; however, once everyone has found their place in the circle, the Wordsmith's voice can be heard throughout the room.

"I can see that matters are beginning to seem dire for you, Apprentices. I am sure that you all cared for Sympathetic in some measure—all except the guilty party.

And now it falls to you once again to determine who that is. For your own sake as well as Sympathetic's, hold her killer accountable and have them take responsibility for their actions."

Twenty-four Apprentices remain. We'll see how many remain at the end of the day.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

What kinda pastime do you enjoy?

That's a secret. And hardly one I'm willing to share.

Oh come on, seriously? So it's not an ordinary hobby you've got?

It's ordinary to me. I was born with the tastes I have, and so whatever I do with them is simply natural.

[.... GROSS???]

I feel like I'm gonna regret askin', but what's your taste?

[what indeed]

Was that written on the envelope you burned?

...Yes. I don't mind saying that much, since it seems most of you can guess I lied to Kimbley about my secret.

[SORRY KIMBLEY, YOUR BOYFRIEND CAN'T TELL YOU THE TRUTH, THAT MUST SUCK]

So you may or may not have killed over a hobby. What the hell!

Edited 2017-02-11 19:51 (UTC)

If that's what you want to think, fine.

I don't think that's just it.

I can't be quite sure yet, but I think killing is his hobby.

[Phi has backed as far from Kira as possible, hugging the railing that would have separated her from Christo were he still alive.]

You can't just say that and not tell.

... Mainly because I am sure everybody here could think up something much worse. [NOT THAT HE'S ENCOURAGING SUCH AWFUL BEHAVIOR BUT

HE KINDA IS]

You have no earthly idea.

...I think he likes fireworks.

[By now it's probably very, very clear that "fireworks", when Kimbley uses it, is a euphemism for something bad.]

I told him about what I've done. What my alchemy does. He knows almost everything.

He didn't react to any of it. Not like an "average" person would.

...You should have asked 'what kind of ability'. Not that I would have told you, but it would have been smart to question.

...Like I said, I figured that if you wanted me to know something, you would tell me.

[He doesn't sound angry about it, really; just sort of blank.]

From the sound of it, you still told me more than you were willing to tell most people here. I guess I'm flattered.

Don't be stupid. I only tell people what they need to know to believe what I need them to believe.

(no subject)

alchemicals - 2017-02-11 19:56 (UTC) - Expand

Maybe that's because his ability is nearly identical to yours.

Am I wrong, Kira?

You're exactly right, Jasper.

My 'ability'--Killer Queen has the power to turn anything he touches into a bomb.

A very interesting hobby for an ordinary human.

[she sounds more amused than anything else]

[Oh. Oh, well-]

...And you are the obvious person to look at, when it comes to explosives.

[...the guy you've been hitting on tried to frame you kimbley i am so sorry]

[ i will go down with this ship ]

...And that's all right with me.

[From the sound of it, it...weirdly is? It's still kind of blank but at least he doesn't sound pissed off.]

I like Kira. And I don't really care if I die.

If he was going to throw anyone under the bus, it's okay if it's me.

... Don't talk like that! [PLEASE LOVE YOURSELF MR GENOCIDE]

alchemicals - 2017-02-11 20:04 (UTC) - Expand

sportadork - 2017-02-11 20:08 (UTC) - Expand

alchemicals - 2017-02-11 20:17 (UTC) - Expand

sportadork - 2017-02-11 20:21 (UTC) - Expand

oyashiromama - 2017-02-11 19:58 (UTC) - Expand

alchemicals - 2017-02-11 20:02 (UTC) - Expand

iaspis - 2017-02-11 20:04 (UTC) - Expand

oyashiromama - 2017-02-11 20:04 (UTC) - Expand

That alone is suspicious. I think an 'average' person would act impressed or worried when presented with that kind of knowledge.