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]

[...]

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.]

[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.

[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...

[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]

[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.

1/3

[strictura]

Hm? A normal grade schooler who was actually worried about the friends she was supposed to protect would at least look a little sad upon finding one of them dead, right?

2/3

[strictura]

[ ........ ]

3/3

[strictura]

[ ..............anyway ]

I don't recall you ever looking upset about losing Lena.

[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]

[ALIENS ARE SO AWKWARD, BUT ALSO, SPACE DOGS WITH A GUN]

Amdi-wan the 1st, of course.

[It's kind of sarcastic. Actually, it's all kind of sarcastic, Niko narrowing her eyes slightly.]

You really are a musclehead. I play videogames and there are fifty different ways a bullet can get into a slide. But I'm not here to think for you.

That's a really bad idea either way, Okiura-san.

[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.