FIRST TRIAL

[whimsicalism]

Honestly, if all you're going to do now is try to smoke out the castle I think it's time for a trial.

A trial, yes, a trial, Alice! Let's find out who it is. Come to the stairwell, everyone. I'm feeling better so I'll even be able to meet you there.

[The wall at the top of the stairwell is gone by the time everyone arrives. In it's place is a giant teacup being held by a doll's hand. For some reason it has a hinged door that swings out and closes shut once everyone gets in. It's big enough to hold everyone inside comfortably. Well, at least, as comfortable as you can get with a possible murderer in your midst.

While there are buttons for various other 'floors' in the castle none of them currently work. It takes a moment before the giant doll arm begins lowering. The visible area around you is just a dirt hole. It's as if you're descending down a rabbit hole as the teacup starts to descend quickly.

Eventually the teacup lands with a thunk in a room that's definitely more suitable as a place for a party than a park. It's a large outdoor room with great hedges surrounding the entire area. White roses dripping red paint (blood?) stand out among the green foliage. In an elevated area, safe from any potential angry 'friends, the Alices can be seen behind a desk emblazoned with a familiar symbol.

Down on ground level, though, there's a circle of podiums with a copy of your portrait to tell you where to stand. Both Ib and Violet's portraits are currently crossed out in red.]

Welcome to the trial room! Well, trial court? Mm... doesn't matter, I guess. I'm feeling better today so I'm glad that I can at least make sure that someone doesn't mess everything up for everyone.

[The cat, in Alice form, looks away.]

That said, time to find out who killed Violet. Trial, begin!

Comments

Bargaining.

[seventhlittlemonster]

It... it was a misunderstanding... a mis-misunderstanding-

[The tears rolled from his eyes.]

This isn't fair, this isn't right- This shouldn't be- this is wrong- THIS IS WRONG!!! [He turned and yelled out to Alice] DO YOU HEAR ME?! WRONG!!!

[strictura]

They didn't care about that last round, you know.

[whimsicalism]

[Queen Alice looks... sad but she shakes her head.]

She still hit her. I didn't tell her to.

[littlebratziska]

Even if it is she still murdered her, Seven! She chose to do that, instead of trying to do anything else, like disarm her!

[Not that she agrees she should die but. Jail, maybe.]

[seventhlittlemonster]

B-But- But... but... [He can't refute. He can't even keep himself from seeming strong.]

[littlebratziska]

There's no buts! The only thing unjust about her being charged for her crimes is that it's happening here, instead of her getting a real trial. And... and that I think there's only one punishment, because this isn't even supposed to be a real trial, it's only supposed to be a game.

[This, to her view, is by far the worst part of this. Not even Cori being sentenced to death, but that it is happening like this.]

[rhododendronhoney]

[She slowly takes the water drop necklace off her neck, before holding it out to him.] ...hey Seven, could you...look after this for me?

[seventhlittlemonster]

...why should I...? It... It will only be a burden upon my own shoulders.

...and besides... it looks prettier on you.

[rhododendronhoney]

[...ah. She draws her hand back, but lays it on the podium.] It'll probably end up breaking, whatever happens to me. I'd rather...it stay whole, as long as possible.

Acceptance

[seventhlittlemonster]

...If I keep you with me forever, I will only drive myself further into darkness.

To which the Hell I suffer seems a Heaven [...Dante's Inferno.]

[rhododendronhoney]

[A slow nod.] Then...you'd better not come to meet me, in the land of the dead.

[seventhlittlemonster]

...Yes. [That's all he could say.]

[scratchitti]

...I can hold onto it until you're ready if you want Seven. If it's important to her probably better it stay safe.

[seventhlittlemonster]

By all means. [He didn't want to say it even though he knows her first solution was murder.

He couldn't take it from her and keep it safe in good faith.]

[scratchitti]

[He gets it- and this way if he changes his mind there won't any regrets... at least in this regard. So he goes and take the necklace and hides it among his many early 00's giant pockets]

[rhododendronhoney]

[...almost a real smile, there.] Thanks, Neku. [She looks kind of like she wants to hug him, but isn't sure how well he'd take that.]

[scratchitti]

Don't worry about it.

[He can tell she wants to do... something. But his read on body language is still pretty shoddy. So he kinda... awkwardly pats her shoulder- trying to offer some kind of comfort. He might be new to this opening up thing, but his empathy has always been strong]

fuck man i don't have a hug icon either

[rhododendronhoney]

[Well...she takes that shoulder touch as an opening to reach around to his shoulder for a very quick hug.]

Please...look after them, okay?

[scratchitti]

[he's startled but doesn't push her away. In fact, his eyes finally start leaking.]

I will. I'm sorry for... everything.

[rhododendronhoney]

...it's alright. You did nothing wrong...