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

[whimsicalism]

No one would believe you anyway. That's why you're Cassandra.

[xxxx_me]

[Watching this play out with a small frown.]

...I'd believe her.

[golden_king]

I would too. Magical girls do a lot for the sake of people they care about, after all.

[imozon]

I'd believe her, too.

[She probably doesn't have to explain why, in context.]

[prescience]

[She looks legitimately surprised by those words from all three of them, and then a little moved, one hand hesitating over her chest.]

[whimsicalism]

[Why do you have so many supporters, Oriko?!]

...I'm sure she'll be glad to hear that she really has no friends.

[The Cat is looking at the Queen.]

[xxxx_me]

I can be friends with both of them.

[whimsicalism]

I'm sure she thought Neku was a friend, too. That's why she became his partner.

[xxxx_me]

-Huh?

[whimsicalism]

She told me he asked her.

[battlestations]

...Is that why she's been asleep this whole time??

[He remembers this whole SHARED LIFE thing]

[whimsicalism]

Exactly. He's very lucky that it didn't kill her. If it had, he would been Disqualified.

[xxxx_me]

...Are you saying he can't be her friend because someone killed him?

[whimsicalism]

Isn't it obvious, Allen? Why he asked her? He told her that 'he wanted to end this game'.

[xxxx_me]

...

Was that his wish?

1/2

[whimsicalism]

No... I think he thought killing her would end the game. Force me to stop. I don't know if he was planning on killing any of you at all. If he had, why partner with her at all?

[whimsicalism]

How an idiot like him realized that, I don't know.

[strictura]

[ ... ]

[imozon]

What?!

[whimsicalism]

Killing Alice is the one thing I will never forgive.

[imozon]

She could have died?!

[soverainty]

... Really.

[Just. Deadeyes.]

I figured he was an idiot already, but really?

[imozon]

What? Yes she does!

[whimsicalism]

[The Cat sideyes her. Really?]

[imozon]

[Really!]

I know I might not be good at being friends, but I really want to be!