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

[soverainty]

I don't know how I feel about being a substitute for the dogs (or the dogs in the first place), but sure. Why not.

[She'll hold out a hand delicately and wait for Mizuki to do the same.]

[whimsicalism]

[Hm. This smells a bit off, Mizuki.]

[ballooncaged]

Do we even know if his planet blows stuff up with the same chemicals?

[Are Niko's hands soft or callused from video games? Mizuki's are hard from punching, but only for a year. She takes the hand and leans in, head over the other girl's shoulder.

The water lingering in Mizuki's enormous ponytail is the only arguably suspicious scent.]

[whimsicalism]

[Her hands smell faintly of gunpowder.]

[soverainty]

Hell if I know? I didn't ask about the chemicals--

[Also she's not a chemist!! There's a little callousing around the thumb and side of the palm, probably from controller and buttons.

Niko jumps a little at the leaning in.]

Whoa, hey, I was fine with just a whiff, you know!

[Apparently startling her with sudden hair in her face is a go.]

[ballooncaged]

What, are you keeping your distance on purpose or something? [She retreats far enough that the ponytail's pressure is off from Niko's face at least.] I thought you were making this some kind of joke like at boarding schoo—

[Mizuki has been bringing their linked hands up higher, about to deliver the punchline of the joke. But in that moment she senses everything about Niko's presence.]

...

[soverainty]

[...]

What? Cat got your tongue?

[She doesn't seem like she has an issue with Mizuki's sudden change of demeanor. She also doesn't take back her hand.]

[ballooncaged]

H-hey, Niko?

[She should say something. Anything. She doesn't let go. There's got to be some kind of—ah, that actually makes sense! It should be enough.]

Just how long were you... firing cannonballs that day?

[xxxx_me]

[...? That's a weird question. Unless...]

Mizuki? Does she...?

[soverainty]

I tried out the cannons, then the fireworks. I figured there would be another dumb thing for Halloween, so I picked some out.

What, you didn't see the fireworks during the party?

[Her eyebrow is raised. If Mizuki wants excuses, she's got 'em. Maybe that's why she still hasn't budged, except for that one moment before.]

[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.

[nothingposh]

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

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.

[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.]

[seventhlittlemonster]

[Taking into account what Gavroche said...]

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

[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.

[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?

[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...

[golden_king]

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

[ballooncaged]

How can you smile that brightly right now?

[golden_king]

Why not? It looks like the trial's coming to an end, considering we're onto the trail of the person we need to vote to end said stupid trial, so of course I'm happy.

[ S M I L E ]

If you have a problem with that, that's really none of my concern.

[imozon]

Mizuki?

[ballooncaged]

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

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

[imozon]

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