CHAPTER SEVEN ; TRIAL

[themodsgrimm]

The Story Continues... CHAPTER 7 - WEEK 711 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. The garden is strangely silent and there are no snacks today...it seems as though you'll be left to your own devices. Welcome to your 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 or sooner if the game ICly elects so. 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

Comments

[concasse]

[This is honestly not how he wanted some of this to go...!

But he won't be sour about it, they're at the home stretch. Sanji folds his arms and nods]

Alright.

[sanguinairy]

[THIS IS A BAD TIME HONESTLY??

But if Sanji's giving the okay and no one has any objections, i guess he's just going to unsheathe his blade here and now?! With no tremor in his hands, it's a ridiculously fluid motion.]

--Then, are you prepared?

[Just a standard executioner's question.]

[concasse]

... Yeah.

[Closing his eyes. He doesn't move.]

Go on.

[sanguinairy]

...

[He thinks to say something, but apparently decides against it and just nods instead.

And then, with speed that is Truly Ridiculous, he pulls the blade back in one hand and aims with perfect precision through the gaps of Sanji's ribcage, piecing his heart through.

At least it's not a decapitation.]

[concasse]

[Ah.

There's a point where Sanji opens his mouth, perhaps to say something in turn, and instead he simply looks surprised and amused that he barely saw the sword move. Really, Souji, what a power move.

It didn't hurt at all.

His body remains in place for a second, caught in its mute surprise, before the body just... tips over, crashing into the ground.

At last. Sanji is dead]

[sanguinairy]

[After clearing his blade of blood and sliding it back into its sheath, he'll just... crouch down for a second, so he can close Sanji's eyes and arrange his body respectfully so that it's not just sprawled out there.]

...Thank you.

["Please rest", normally, but. Well. Considering what's going on, he unfortunately might not get to rest so easily. For now, this is all he can do.]

[discardia]

[ Is she just watching sadly? She's just watching sadly. ]

[okitactless]

[It's obvious Yasusada wants little more than to run over here, but he won't interrupt. Not this.

He is standing by Cardia's side, though, a gentle hand on her shoulder.]

[discardia]

[ She appreciates it. After a few seconds, she'll reach out to rest her hand on top of Yasusada's. ]

[sanguinairy]

[Oh hi y'all. After Souji's done over here, he'll just... SMILE... AT THEM. WHAT ELSE CAN HE DO. SORRY.]

--It's good to see you both again.

[discardia]

... I'm glad you're all right.

[ surprisingly healthy, but sure. ]

[okitactless]

[Yasusada's returning smile is tired, but it's genuine all the same.]

Okita-kun... thank you. I can't say I'm happy about it, but-- thank you.

[For proving him right--even though he didn't have any doubts.

A gentle pat to Cardia's shoulder. He doesn't say "see? I told you" again, but it hangs in the air anyway.]

[sanguinairy]

[Yeah waking up healthy was a surprise to him too IT'S FINE. In any case, he gives Cardia a smile that's briefly strained before it manages to smooth out.]

...I hope you've been as well as possible, too.

[SHIRASU!!!!!!!!!! GOD.

He also has no idea what tomfoolery Yasusada got up to in the graveyard or why he's thanking him??]

--You don't need to thank me. [Whatever it's for.] I'm only doing what I can do.

[discardia]

I've had support.

[ softly. Yeah, she was kind of upset, but she's largely okay now!! ]

But I really hope if they vote for you, that you won't have to suffer.

[okitactless]

I know. [That's the point!! He doesn't say that, but he does reach out--before he catches himself, dropping his hand back to his side.

...Though, that reminds him--]

Ah, and-- Varian-kun recommended choosing "Happily Ever After". To prevent any chance of messing up all of our efforts, I assume. [Because it would be just their luck that "To Be Continued" would fuck everything up!!]

[alchemenace]

[ honestly it was just because to be continued sucks 0% recommendation but he won't contradict yasu ]

[sanguinairy]

[that's fair and real, thanks voreian]

[alchemenace]

[ VOREIAN IS THE ENTIRE REASON FOR THE 0 STARS RATING ON TBC ]

[sanguinairy]

I'm glad.

[For Cardia's support, first and foremost. His smile is soft, and his expression seems grateful that she's wishing he won't suffer even now. He doesn't address it directly, though.

He'll also leave Yasusada's "I know" unaddressed, though his hand twitches at his side almost reflexively when he reaches out, like he wants to reach back. He doesn't.]

Ah... Well, if that's the recommendation, then I'll see to it.

[discardia]

We're close to the end, Souji.

[ looking between him and Yasusada, and with a faint smile-- ]

And then I'm sure you'll be able to touch each other again.