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]

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]

[whimsicalism]

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

[soverainty]

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

[ballooncaged]

WHY ARE YOU ALWAYS CALLING PEOPLE STUFF LIKE THIS NOW? Do you think it will HELP or something?

1/2

[seventhlittlemonster]

Sh-She killed Neku! She murdered him in cold blood and... and...!

[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]

I don't say anything that isn't true. Does that mean everyone who doesn't like the motive is the murderer now?

[Why is she like this.]

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.

[soverainty]

You've obviously never met a real grade schooler in your life.

[There's something biting in that, though she pulls it back.]

Besides, there's a difference between being responsible for somebody and letting yourself lose it just because things don't go your way or theirs.

And if people don't like that? Not my problem.

[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.

[ballooncaged]

[...that's right.]

I never should have relied on you like that. It was pathetic.

[She releases her grip slowly and deliberately, ordering each one of the muscles in her hand.]

[soverainty]

It was. Weren't you supposed to be a leader on your own merits?

[She looks like she might say more, but the freeing of her hands distracts her and she shakes her head and does her best to snatch them back like she's just remembered she should, in fact, do that instead of getting into more drama.]

Jeez. I can't hold your hand literally and metaphorically. Get a grip.

[Or don't get one, as it were.]