trusthell | Take Responsibility.

For the third time, those elevator doors at the end of the first-floor corridor open up at the end of the allotted investigation period; the ride down is, as ever, smooth and quick-moving.

You're down by five.

When the doors slide open, the podium circle still stands in stark contrast to that now-familiar black void of a courtroom, and once again, it's changed to reflect your losses – Caren and Mion have joined those with podiums draped in black, their framed greyscale profile portraits staring out at the rest of you.

(The portrait of Pearl hasn't been removed from her room, but it seems the Kingmaker has replaced it with another; either way, her photograph is in the courtroom along with the rest.)

As before, the Kingmaker waits until everyone is settled at their podiums before he speaks; he still isn't visible, but he can clearly be heard, his voice coming from everywhere and nowhere all at once.

"Capable has been taken from you. I'll confirm one thing for you so no one will waste time asking – the killer wasn't me. Looks like the guilty decided to take a shot at Rule Seven after all – and whether they succeed or not is up to you."

Twenty-two Survivors remain. We'll see how many the group has lost at the end of the day.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

...

That's what you guys are here to figure out, isn't it?

But thank you for the directness, yes! I appreciate it.

...You know, even if you didn't kill her I kind of want to punch you right now.

I do try sometimes.

[...They may be literally across the circle from each other, but Cherryblod's just going to start walking around the podiums with a very blank smile on his face.

Anyone want to stop him before he socks a god in the face?]

[Yoink]

Cherry, don't.

Why not?

[Just... tugging a little at Yosuke, but not hard.]

You're better then that.

[Good Son and ~~Evil~~ Morally Gray Son]

...It's just a punch in the face. I've done worse.

You can let him go, Yosuke. You see... I highly doubt he'd even be able to touch me if he tried!

What, because you're a god? Trust me, I've seen gods go down, don't get cocky or I will let him slug you.

No, it's the difference in combat experience.

(no subject)

garudynamic - 2016-03-19 21:42 (UTC) - Expand

capyper - 2016-03-19 21:45 (UTC) - Expand

garudynamic - 2016-03-19 21:45 (UTC) - Expand

But being a shit isn't a crime. It's just annoying. Can't you see he's baiting you?

A child is dead and he's either responsible or willfully obstructing finding the killer in an attempt to get the rest of us killed along with her.

Of course I know he's baiting me. Until the voting begins there's not much else I can do about that.

garudynamic - 2016-03-19 21:41 (UTC) - Expand

cherryblooded - 2016-03-19 21:42 (UTC) - Expand

garudynamic - 2016-03-19 21:44 (UTC) - Expand

cherryblooded - 2016-03-19 21:45 (UTC) - Expand

[ SHRIMPDAD, NO

aqua's going to have to help hold him back, too, even if she's shaking a bit ]

Yato...

[Why do you not want him to get punched in the face, you have the worst priorities.]

If we lose our heads now, that won't solve a thing.

[...You know, on the one hand he's right next to Yato and if no one stops you, he probably should.

On the other...nah, go ahead and punch him if you get that far.]

[You are one of his top two favorite sons.]

... It's not worth it.

[but y'know he's certainly not gonna stop him.]

It's not as though he's going to be suffering the pain very long. Either he'll die because he's the culprit or he'll die because he's trying to get us all killed.

[And it would make him feel a lot better, personally.]

Still. I think he wants it. D-Don't give it to him.

...well, you may be right.

Oh my god.

[Well, that's getting the slowest of claps out of Mettaton over here, holy shit.]

Well-played, darling, your passive-aggressiveness is absolutely breathtaking! At the same time, I'm not hearing a "no", which would be the easiest way to get out of all of this.

Like I said... I do try sometimes! Enjoy the entertainment, if you're the type to enjoy this kind of thing!!

Oh, you'd better believe I am, baby. Make it good.