trusthell | Take Responsibility.

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I think you have all seen enough to make a decision.

Select the title of the Apprentice who took Harmonious' life to save those beyond salvation, so that you may add another to their number and subtract from your own.

Though I do not care to advise your course of action, I would point out the fact that the majority among you is an ever-shrinking number.

Beyond salvation? We shall see, my Wordsmith.

[ That said, Elda Marker refused to hesitate from the first week. She goes over to her platform and she jams down on

> Elegant ]

Nobody is beyond salvation.

[But still, he does not hesitate to hit that button.]

>Elegant

[...She can't blame Mikazuki for what he did. If she hadn't made Elda judge her, as cruel and selfish as it was, she would have done the exact same thing. And even then, she's freaking out on the inside.

But...]

> Elegant

[This is what they have to do.]

...I refuse to believe such a thing, Mr. Wordsmith.

We'll see about that, Wordsmith.

>ELEGANT

[Seems they all have some choice words for the Wordsmith today, don't they? Hanyuu for a third time turns her gaze to the lectern.]

You... There's no such thing as beyond salvation. This is not a hopeless situation. I will not let it be.

[But... Well, she returns to her podium, and she looks at the button. Part of her still desires to take these sins - especially, especially this one but--

But they're watching her. But...this is something she can't do. It's not just her life riding on this. All of theirs are.]

>ELEGANT

[And... Now, with that...]

Mikazuki Munechika.

[For you too.]

[ ... Mikazuki looks down and for a moment he doesn't seem to respond, but he will look at Hanyuu, somehow. ]

...

Child...of man. [...Hanyuu smiles at him.] That's what I've said to most everyone, isn't it? I... I realized- you, who were forged by man, are a child of them as well...and it is my lifelong duty, my obligation, and...my joy to watch over all children of men who enter my domain.

We...aren't in my domain, I know. But...the children of men...and the ones who are of different species...I think of you as my own. I told Kyrie all those weeks ago, I am one who forgives sins. Even if you don't want to be forgiven...I think you're one who shows some of the most repentance, Mikazuki. [No arguing. No fighting. A confession.] Though you do not ask for it, I will give it to you. ...I will tell you...to tell Orihime that I will keep her hairpins safe. To keep up belief, where you will soon be. ...To hold strong, until we next meet.

[...]

I've known many good people who've committed sin for love, and I've forgiven them all the same. So, Mikazuki, I forgive you your sins, and I will carry them with me. May you find peace. ...May you find the one you love.

...Alright.

[ Mikazuki almost smiles, but it's too painful for him to bear, so he doesn't. It's...something to do at least-- telling Orihime those things, that is. ]

You are too kind, as always.

[ Of course it's not an insult, as it was said too softly to be that, but he appreciates it anyway. ]

I choose to be kind, rather than the alternative. I told Estellise something of that nature, awhile ago.

...You know, I...

[She...takes a moment, then, and looks around, again and everything and nothing. She doesn't know where to look, who to address, but-]

Yoshikage Kira? ...If you are here. Or if anyone can tell him... I know it probably doesn't matter to you, one way or the other, but...I forgive you. [This is much less ceremonious than usual. More flippant. She looks a little sheepish-] I know all of you were pleased with me for not, but...it's not in my nature. Not with what I've remembered, or experienced, and... Especially...not when I have people asking for goodnatured requests.

...Hey, Mikazuki.

[He's going to vote. He's going to vote for Mikazuki. But before that, he pulls a weird looking jar out of his jacket pocket. It's got duct tape around it for some reason?]

You want a fighting chance?

[ ... What the heck is that. ]

I don't know I...I don't think it will do anything.

[ he murmurs quietly: ]

... what is it?

...If the one Gold had was fire, this one's... Well, it isn't ice, but it's cold. I can't guarantee that it will help, but...

[Well, whether or not to chuck the thing at the shadow guy is up to him. He's going to leave it with (or next to) Mikazuki.]

Do what you'd like with it.

[With that, he heads back to his podium.]

>ELEGANT

Edited 2017-03-11 21:16 (UTC)