Take Responsibility.

[kingmakereffect]

The elevator doors slide open at the end of the allotted time for investigating, and the ride down is quick-paced and smooth; there's a lot more space in here than there was at the start of the game, that much is obvious. But then, perhaps that's to be expected with almost a third of your original number dead. The doors slide open when the courtroom is reached, the podium circle waiting as always in the middle of what still seems to be an endless dark void; Yato, Taichi and Megumi have joined the ranks of the dead, their podiums draped in black, greyscale portraits set upon them. Watching the proceedings. And as always, they aren't the only ones watching. The Kingmaker waits until everyone is settled at their podiums to begin speaking; it's still impossible to tell where his voice is coming from – other than, perhaps, 'everywhere.' "Protective has been taken from you. Looks like the guilty thought their secret was worth more than her life... Or maybe they just wanted out and decided to be the one to succeed at Rule Seven where everyone else has failed. Whether they succeed or not is up to you." Nineteen Survivors remain. How many are still alive at the end of the day is your decision.

Comments

[psychoh]

You try spending years locked away, only having your awful child to speak to, and see how you like it! [100% READY TO FUCKIN BRAWL]

[captainobnoxious]

[-- SERIOUSLY, THIS KNIFE, LOOKING REALLY GOOD TO GO BETWEEN YOUR EYES.]

You don't even know what it means to be a mother if you think like that!

[goodforsomething]

Don't!

[Stan snaps, then runs at his eyes.]

Don't even bother. It ain't her.

[captainobnoxious]

Even if it isn't, this shit she's spewing is wrong and whatever that thing is needs to know that!

[notjustawriter]

Stan's right. I was wrong.

All of this is just...

[goodforsomething]

I'd really like to punch an old lady too right now. Trust me.

But he's gonna be dead soon anyway. It ain't worth risking your neck.

[penduli]

It is, but it and Inviting aren't worth possibly throwing your life away over, Miss Sigrun.

[cherryblooded]

If he's so awful then you should have helped him, Miss Bates, as any good parent does. From where I'm standing it seems like you prefer to sit back and watch, and only step in when you have the chance to make things worse or degrade your own son.

You want to put yourself above the rest of us? Please. You're the lowest form of trash.

[psychoh]

I should have. I should've locked him away in that asylum years before.

[shrugs lightly]

At least he won't harm anyone else, where he's going. Right to Hell, where he's always belonged.

[cherryblooded]

Oh, good. Then I'm sure we'll all meet again.

I'll have some words for you two then.

[penduli]

They say the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree, so I'm sure that's where you've always belonged too. With all due respect.

[goodforsomething]

Hell ain't real. It's just gonna be over.

[bloodisthicker]

...don't try to engage with her, Cherryblod. Even if she's actually some sort of ghost and not some bizarre personality disorder, it's pretty clear that she never saw her child as anything but a tool.

The only thing she'd care about was that he wasn't obedient enough.

[cherryblooded]

I know that.

...It would probably be better if you handled the gathering tonight. I may not be up for it.

[bloodisthicker]

...

[He's... kind of silent for a moment before he forces something in the ballpark of a smile.]

It might be a little late, though, because I'm thinking about trying out those pork buns.

[cherryblooded]

Maybe I'll be able to make it, then.

[After he goes back to his room and tears something apart.]

[bloodisthicker]

It's probably better that way, anyway. We might need some time to ourselves after this one.

[cherryblooded]

[A silent nod.

At least it's almost over.]