Take Responsibility.

[wordsmithery]

The time allotted for this week's investigation passes fairly briefly, but not easily - what with the state of the body and the things that have been found, the mood is perhaps oddly sobering. Either way, eventually the elevator will be waiting for you at the exit of your floor of choice, bringing you up to the courtroom swiftly and easily. There are so few of you now. Two more portraits have joined the ranks of the dead, watching over the proceedings. Gangrel and Orihime's images watch over you with with eyes that see nothing, all colored in greyscale and set up on their places in the podium circle, black fabric draped over each setting. As always, the lectern remains empty and unaffected by what's happened here. After a while, however, once everyone has found their place in the circle, the Wordsmith can be heard addressing the group, voice audible throughout the room. "Sacrificing one to save many—that is ostensibly why Harmonious is no longer among you. Truly, that is the most pragmatic of options in a situation with no chance of victory. I may even come close to commending such a decision. But I must also wonder if the dead can be said to have been 'saved', when they have passed beyond your reach in all but mere messages. Unless you should wish to follow Harmonious and join them, hold the guilty accountable for their practicality." Eleven Apprentices remain. However many leave this place is up to you.

Comments

[tsugomori]

What do you mean "what did I intend by this"?

[ His eyes dart to the side. He can't look at her. ]

[elepe]

Why did you do this? You...you had a reason, something to gain. You must have.

[She wants to go over there, but--]

Mikazuki. I don't judge you for what happened, because I had the exact same worries about my own love...but you are not cold-blooded.

[tsugomori]

I did have something to gain.

[ ...he gazes at the podiums intently. ]

I sacrificed her so that the dead would escape threat of eradication, that's it.

[elepe]

[...

Lusamine's gaze falls to the ground. She's...shaking, very badly.]

...And what if this isn't satisfactory enough for him?

[tsugomori]

The Wordsmith?

[ He laughs ... out of habit, but it's not a happy one. ]

I have no doubt it was enough, he made that clear, at least. Why would he change his mind now?

[elepe]

I'm scared that he'll simply eradicate them if--

[Lusamine stops herself, cold in her tracks and keeps her gaze off of him. She doesn't trust the Wordsmith, that much is clear, but...

Her tone just dies down where it stands.]

...Forget it.

[tsugomori]

[ He'll almost laugh. ]

There's no way...

[ Mikazuki hadn't considered that, clearly enough. But he'll just hold onto hope. ]

There's no way that would happen.

[elepe]

[Lusamine finally looks up, after a moment.]

...Do you swear it, Mikazuki?

[tsugomori]

I swear it.

[elepe]

Then...I trust your word.

[It's said solemnly.]

...Keep them safe. Not just...ours, so to speak. All of them.