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

clothes check

[golden_king]

Well I think we should probably be looking at something. So let me take a peek at what everyone's wearing.

[ Gil will be checking people to see if they got unusual stains on their clothing ... or on them in general because there were dogs. ]

Re: clothes check

[seventhlittlemonster]

[He had a cut in his sleeve.]

I had to reach into the knife pit to investigate and get evidence.

[ballooncaged]

Ah, that makes sense.

...can I take a look just to be sure? I don't suspect you at all, but if it were a bullet graze, it might smell different—

[Reaches out hand for Seven's arm to bring near her face.]

[seventhlittlemonster]

Wouldn't it be more burnt? I don't think grazing is this clean either... [still he let her]

[strictura]

...It would be a good idea to check everyone for any noticeable traces of gunpowder, actually.

[ballooncaged]

[Over the hours of the trial, Mizuki and her swimsuit have dried almost completely.]

[octopups]

[The doggos are naked as usual but he will submit meekly to being examined.]

[Nothing unusual on his pelts, just some carnival dust on his paws from earlier.]

[prescience]

I changed clothing because I was in the water, but you're welcome to look at the rest.

[As mentioned earlier her hair is probably still slightly damp, though drying out as the discussion has continued.

Her hot grandma clothes are clean, with no rips, tears, or stains. Same with her hands and shoes.]

[soverainty]

[She's still more or less in the outfit she wore to the party, possibly because picking out a new outfit is Difficult when trials are right after partying hardy.]

And what is it you're looking for?

[Her raised eyebrow says she's watching him back.

Sizing each other's clothes up, go?]

[golden_king]

Stains, obviously.

[ He'll let her check him too. He's got no stains at all here.

Gil will just be observing to see if there's any stains, etc. on her outfit as well. ]

[soverainty]

Well, you switched from stains to something, so it's better to be straightforward about these things.

[Given that half her outfit is, in fact, black -- ribbons, vest, stockings and so on -- he'll have put a little more effort in. Niko isn't about to let him get super close, either, but he can look.]

Any closer and I'd rather one of the girls do it. You understand.

[strictura]

[ No stains or dirt or anything! ]

[ballooncaged]

[And a consistently clean boy, right?? RIGHT???]

[strictura]

[ y-yes ]

[whimsicalism]

[He's a clean boy.]

[battlestations]

[his clothes are spotless.... But if you want to check his pockets, you'll be at it for a long-ass time]

[ballooncaged]

[MIZUKI IS KIND OF SCARED OF HOW MANY DIFFERENT INGREDIENTS ARE IN THIS STUFF so maybe she'll lead with... sleeve????? For backfire??? Like literally there's a jalapeno laser in there but here we go]

[whimsicalism]

[He's free of gunpowder, at least.]

Re: clothes check

[imozon]

[Dark Dream transforms and transforms back so he can inspect both outfits. Both look normal.]

[ballooncaged]

[expectations from magical girl genre: candy, flowers, fruit

reality: ????]

[whimsicalism]

[Magical girls aren't made out of gunpowder, thankfully.]

[xxxx_me]

[He's in his usual outfit, and he's quiet but willing as he's checked.

No stains here, nor any tears, etc.]

[ballooncaged]

[bless you Allen you make everything easy]

[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]

[truly Mizuki is grateful she did not have to smell you]