Take Responsibility.

[kingmakereffect]

And after a given amount of time, those elevator doors at the end of the first-floor corridor open up; as it was last week, the ride down is smooth and quick-moving, even if there are less of you this week. (Technically, you're only down by one in the elevator; Bruce has ensured that Pearl is with you in some way, albeit unconventionally and by the grace of Ziploc.) However, when the doors open up to the podium circle standing in the middle of that black void of a courtroom, there's no mistaking the fact that there are fewer people present than there were last week – Kamui and Pearl have joined those with podiums draped in black, their framed profile portraits watching the proceedings in shades of grey. It's still impossible to tell exactly where the Kingmaker is watching the proceedings from, though it's obvious that he is; he'll wait until everyone is settled before he speaks, his voice coming from everywhere and nowhere all at once. "Devoted has been taken from you. All of you know what the stakes are now, but this happened anyway – looks like someone's determined. Whether they succeed or not is up to you." Twenty-four Survivors remain. We'll see how many are still standing by the end of the day.

Comments

[pokexplorer]

[Colress had been watching with disappointed silence while the others questioned Caren about her sketchiness, but uh.

What just happened.]

Miss Caren...what are you, exactly?

[HE'LL GET BACK TO THE TRIAL SOON ENOUGH BUT-]

[lackinginfaith]

I'm what's called a mermaid. The profile was right that I was secretly a princess. The Kingmaker just neglected to mention which country.

After all, nobody's supposed to live in Antarctica, much less in the ocean.

[pokexplorer]

A mermaid...

[Possibly another humanoid ocean dweller then, from what he's gathering. And she had to hide this fact? But as he starts pondering this, he sighs.]

As much as I wish we could be having this conversation elsewhere, that is unfortunately not the case. You've made it clear yourself that you were involved in this murder. I only wish it was for a reason I could understand.

[He had feared others with loved ones would be enticed by that incentive. But for some reason he was under the impression from past conversations that Caren would've tried to find a way out through other means than this.]

[lackinginfaith]

I tried to get out and failed. What else was there but to go for the incentive?

[pokexplorer]

I believe there is more to this place than we know just yet. There has to be an exit somewhere.

[He wants to believe, anyway.]

It has only been two weeks, Miss Caren. This just seems...hasty.

[lackinginfaith]

That's two weeks more than enough. I spent a year searching for other people like me and found a bunch of ineffectual kids. I'm not waiting anymore.

[pokexplorer]

Indeed, I suppose you won't be waiting anymore.

[That came out a little coldly, but it's...not wrong.]

Though I don't blame you for your lack of trust, I'm afraid your actions have not helped your cause very much in this case.

[lackinginfaith]

I thought for sure I'd have been safe thanks to the extra hammer.

[pokexplorer]

That was clever thinking. If only you had changed your bandages.

[Since that was the catalyst from what he can see.]

...That said, it was enjoyable speaking with you these last few weeks. I'm not sure what can be done about your sister, but we may find out more as time goes on.

[lackinginfaith]

Let's hope so.