THIRD TRIAL

[whimsicalism]

To the court room. Make it quick, alright? I don't really know about any of you but I don't want to waste more time on a couple of bratty teenagers.

[The Queen still is silent as you descend to the court room. There are ten less of you than when you began. The podiums look empty as you go to them. Even if the podiums are getting empty, though, there is a new jury box near the Alices that is rather full... of ghosts of all the participants of the previous round you've discovered and of your dead compatriots. They don't talk but they're there. Judging. Always judging.

There is someone who doesn't notice this addition, though. Queen Alice.

The Queen is quiet but she's next to the Cat. Her head is bowed to her chest as she seems to sleep quietly. Then as movement she jolts up, smiling vaguely as she nods.]

Yes, a tea party--that's what we...need...

[Her head drops back to her chest as she falls asleep again. The Cat glances at her then back at the crowd with agitation.]

Someone is responsible for Lena and Neku's deaths. Do something about it, will you? Why did you even bring one of those ghosts in with you, anyway?

Comments

[golden_king]

I think shadow could mean darkness in this case, since I was able to detect dark magic from the amulet.

Though I guess if you want to get technical, that shining from the amulet could've been a "dark light"! Which could've definitely been enough.

[ What We Do In The Shadows: Murder version. ]

[golden_king]

...You know, I think it's important to say if you noticed something suspicious, isn't it?

[ballooncaged]

But if it was that strong a scent of fireworks then smoke would still linger in your hair. And it's gone now.

[The steadiness of Niko's hand makes Mizuki stronger.]

So, tell me. Tell me the last time you had something that would blow up in your hand!

[soverainty]

Seems like I've got one right now, actually. Pipe bomb?

[There's a slight curl to her lips that doesn't resolve into either a smile or a sneer.]

I wash my hair pretty well. It just so happens that I was holding a lot of fireworks. They're in my room.

[ballooncaged]

[Tears her gaze away from Niko. Not her hand.]

Dark Dream, how do you feel? Are you still feeling like last time...?

[nothingposh]

Fireworks and gunpowder ain't the same smell, princess. Which one is it, Mizuki?

[seventhlittlemonster]

[Taking into account what Gavroche said...]

...murderer... MURDERER... [He tried to keep his rage subdued this time.]

[nothingposh]

[For the record, as last week, Gavroche's clothes are just stains. They are, at least, old-looking stains and not like. Super fresh ones.]

[ballooncaged]

But I'd only actually have to blow up if...

[Mizuki goes through another emotional journey at the nickname, then rallies.]

How many? Can you get a three-foot tall box of fireworks and carry it across the room without having to drag it against the floor? [Lowering her eyebrows.] Before you answer, keep in mind that we could make you do it to Amdi instead.

ai spoilers

[ballooncaged]

[Holding up their tightly linked hands.]

It's just her hands. It's nothing like what was out last night. It's like the time Date took a bullet for me.

[imozon]

...I feel the way I really felt then. Like there's an empty space in my chest.

[soverainty]

Are you saying a duck and eight dogs and a three-foot tall box of fireworks weigh the same.....

[Niko actually seems mildly baffled by this.]

I'd rather not carry dogs around. Are those your only leads?

[nothingposh]

Shouldn't smell powder on your hands if it was just fireworks. Unless you packed the fireworks yourself, that is.

[We're not unpacking Mizuki's probably-boyfriend's literal interpretation of "I would die for you" right now thanks.]

[ballooncaged]

[EW!!! OH GOD!!!! BUT SHE HAS NO IDEA SO!!]

I didn't examine the fireworks closely, so I didn't want to say for sure they weren't hand-packed, but there are a lot that are set up really easily to light with a match, so this is definitely important.

[prescience]

Did you have trouble sleeping last night? I'd at least have thought you'd have changed to get into bed.

Or maybe you did change?

[Is the sand wet at all, or any like, water indicators or places that suggest kneeling? Is her PSP soggy (this is a joke, maybe).

Actually as she gets closer to look at this, Oriko says, a little quietly,]

I do hope you'll deign to answer my question from earlier. Which part was the "pain in the ass"?

[strictura]

Well, you gave me those two nonsensical alternate suggestions both implying that there wasn't a third party involved in what happened to Sakuraba and Lena. But if you're going to argue that you're really that stupid...

[soverainty]

Changed to get to bed, changed to get out of bed. What, you never recycle outfits in a murder castle?

[She has not carried her PSP into this hellhole, and while the sand is dry, as she gets closer she may notice something unusual about her hair ribbons. If she's looking very closely, that is.]

Mmm? All of it. I was really hoping this sector wasn't going to get caught up in the mess.

[ballooncaged]

I don't actually know what you're supposed to call it when it's just to one dog...

[ALIENS REALLY MAKING THIS AWKWARD]

I don't! I don't understand this case AT ALL! Show me how the bullet on the slide struck too high for someone your height! Tell me... tell me you only shoot in video games so in real life you would waste a whole magazine without hitting Lena! Call me a musclehead like you always do!

[soverainty]

[She just smiles brilliantly at him.]

I'm afraid I'm not some kind of crime scene investigator like you, Morgue-kun, so I wouldn't know the ins and outs of things like you would. I'm just a normal grade-schooler, after all.

[Said very, very sweetly.]

[seventhlittlemonster]

STOP PLAYING STUPID WITH US ALREADY YOU FUCKING FREAK!!!

[...holy shit seven]

[prescience]

[She is like basically murmuring in her ear at this point so yes. The ribbons let's goooo.]

Indeed... You were really concerned about looking out for us. That's why you volunteered to lead. [We all know that everything Yuniko says is a lie! Even...]

I don't know...maybe it didn't make you angry at all. You might not mind being a playing piece.

[whimsicalism]

[The Cat covers the sleeping Alice's ears.]

[soverainty]

What is it with you guys and personal space? Huh??

[Niko does move back a half-step, eyeing Oriko but unwilling to back off totally -- but the way one hair-ribbon moves is a little stiff. If you look super closely: there is the smallest dark patch on it, near where the hair is bundled.]

I didn't volunteer. I just felt like playing house for a while -- but it's my game. I'm not here to be a playing piece for anybody else.

[imozon]

...you've really been saying a lot today about how you don't like the motive and how stupid you think they both were.

[soverainty]

[... She sticks a little finger in her ear and scours it out. That's all the reaction he gets, unfortunately.]