PROLOGUE : TRIAL

[themodsgrimm]

The Story Continues... PROLOGUE - WEEK 037 Narrators Remain ; Wakey wakey, naughty murder children. It's a lovely Saturday, after all. Breakfast is served piping hot at its usual time and all of the evidence has been removed from the scenes of yesterday. No matter how you choose to spent your morning though, the clock will begin to chime the moment both hands reach the large, ornate twelve. Before your eyes materializes a door...but not just any door. Unlike the door leading to the festival, this door sits primly and properly right in front of the foyer. Whether you exit the castle on your own or you feel a friendly, invisible push, you begin to walk under an arc of wisterias. Behind you, the clock continues to chime with every step you take. By the time the time the clock strikes twelve, you've entered a beautiful garden. In front of you is a long table, 19 seats on each side. Around the garden are several glass cases containing evidence collected yesterday. As noon intensifies on the sun-shaped clock, you'll find Dragon at the head of the table, a glass-covered rose near her right hand. Tick tock, Narrators. You have nine hours to deliberate. Welcome to your first trial post! Please see here for the OOC summary of events from yesterday's investigation. In addition, please be sure to vote! Please see the voting page on how to vote, as we will have two special things to vote for. Voting will close at 9pm EST/6pm PST! If you have any questions, please ask on our Discord server or ping us on plurk. Please direct pings for the NPC to Dana (decals), as she will be taking point for today's NPC, and the moderator team will be on deck for all other questions. full navigation. locations taken (statuses) stories (profiles) info & faq wishing well private conversations

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[alttitude]

[Jae-ha glances between Sharpay and then again to the glass case where Gi-gan rests. A stray hand goes to his new impromptu hair ribbon and he exhales a breath, like he's been holding onto it for the past few days. His shoulders relax and he hums a musical little note.]

Well then!

Thank you for all your hard work, everyone.

If I could be so bold as to speak on behalf of both myself and the Captain.... You all did well, in the end.

[axilium]

Including the licking and Natsuo spitting up hot pink?

[alttitude]

Some parts were less stunning than others, obviously, but.

Well, it got the job done.

Maybe I should apologize to him for that remark about lack of critical thinking...

[it uh

worked out in the end that he didn't give a fuck about hallucinations]

[alchemenace]

... What's going to happen to you?

[ and. sousei. maybe some day varian will be nice to him ]

[alttitude]

The Green Dragon returns to the skies?

[For what it's worth - he is feeling in higher spirits than he had all trial.]

It's been a while since my fate's been written out for me. It makes me excited to find a new way to defy it.

[alchemenace]

What if you can't?

[ it's nice that jae-ha is feeling happy. but. ]

[hairbrain]

We can't really do well unless we find a way to save you and Sousei.

[ :( ]

[alttitude]

Oh - you really should find something to do about that beautiful, grumpy man.

[did you need the first adjective, jae-ha]

It'd be a shame if something happened to him.

[hairbrain]

[ puts her hands on her hips. ]

It'd be a shame if anything happened to either of you!

[discardia]

...

[ So hey, guess who looks thoroughly miserable? ]

[alttitude]

[ . . . oops.

Jae-ha moves to take the seat next to Cardia, simply offering his hand to her, palm up. His smile is soft.]

I'm sorry I didn't make good on my promise of showing you another festival. I'll still try, of course - but we might have to see how much time I'm allotted.

[discardia]

You don't... have to worry about something like that. Other people are... going to want to see... y-you...

[ Look. She'd take his hand, but she's kind of a little preoccupied clenching them into the fabric of her pants.

And, you know. Crying. ]

[okitactless]

Jae-ha-kun...

[And that's... all he says, really. It's all he can say. But the look in his eyes conveys enough--the sense of understanding between two who've shared similar experiences.

Captain. Master. Someone close, made untouchable.

It's not a feeling that can be explained with words. So after he stares for--probably a little too long to be comfortable, he bows slightly. If Jae-ha doesn't speak, he'll walk away without comment.]

[alttitude]

[Admittedly, the bow gets him to blink.

And tilt his head.]

... Mm? Did I do something worthy of that?

[okitactless]

Didn't you?

[Yasusada isn't really the sort for quips, but this question is rhetorical.]

Even now, you're protecting her. [And whether she's really become a spirit wandering these halls or not, he's certain she's aware of that.] You're serving your master well. That's worthy of respect.

[fonlines]

That your fate should be decided by others seems...

[ unfair? unjust? cruel? in the end it doesn't need saying, does it? ]

... Are you simply willing to accept it, then?

[alttitude]

Not in the slightest.

[Said with confidence, because of course it is.]

This isn't the first time that I've had to run away from my fate - and I don't expect it to be the last.

[nivation]

[ Kyouka looks like she could cry, but she doesn't.

All she does is shake her head. She doesn't want to hear something like a goodbye from him. ]

[alttitude]

[Ah, there she is.

Jae-ha's expression softens as he opens his arms and moves to just bring her into a hug quietly.

It's alright - she doesn't need to say anything. Neither does he. Not until she's ready.]

[function]

[ hm. ]

You'd rather have it end like this than live without her, huh.

[alttitude]

[Actually:]

On the contrary, I'll be fighting tooth and nail until the last breath has left my body.

It's not in my nature to become resigned - but I don't care to hide my gratitude for the correct killer being found.

[melancoffeea]

You're awfully calm.

[Considering all that's transpired, it's quite impressive.]

[alttitude]

I got what I wanted after one of the worst things I've ever experienced.

It's satisfying.

The rest of it - being told that I'm going to die tomorrow? A sooner deadline than I'm used to, but it's hardly anything new.

[londonstar]

So have you. I may not be the Captain but... [ he nods ] You've done well; you're strong.

[alttitude]

[don't distract him like this]

You think I'm strong? Really?

... I don't see anything particularly strong about what I'm doing - what I've done today. It's merely taking life as it goes, and now taking my life into my own hands.