WEEK 2; TRIAL

[killerwaves]

TRIAL

Whether you investigated or decided to take it easy, before you know it the speakers crackle to life instructing you to head to the beach. This is a demand not a request, and anyone who doesn't comply will find themselves forcibly moved there by the kitty bots—even if it takes a whole swarm of them.

Once you get there, you'll see that this isn't quite a beach party, instead a gigantic sandbar dotted with some type of constructs has risen out of the sea and tides. The path to the sandbar is solid enough even if it is relatively narrow, and once you arrive you'll find that you're far out in the ocean, way farther than it's comfortable to swim.

And once everyone is gathered, the pathway recedes back into the sea leaving you trapped here, all twenty-eight of you. At least there's ample seating, a kind of amphitheater made of sand with space in the middle for grandstanding or dramatic revelations. Though the area is mostly open, there are lone pieces of sand wall around the edges, maybe to dissuade you from tossing someone into the ocean without stopping you entirely. Thankfully, a lone outhouse rests again one of the walls just in case you need to use the bathroom, though it's not much in the way of actual privacy.

Settle in, get comfortable or just complain about all the sand you'll be tracking back, if you make it back that is. There's still another sacrifice to be chosen after all according to your administrators and—

Maybe you've noticed there's no palm trees or speakers here? It's just you, and the sand. For now.

(( OOC: Welcome to your first trial! You'll have 7 hours (8PM EST/5PM PST) to find the killer and send them off their death, if you believe in justice at least. Since this is scapegoat style, finding the correct killer is not mandatory!

Please remember to vote before then unless you've spoken to a mod, as votes are our stand-in for AC. ))

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Comments

[stilllovesyou]

Don't -

[Her objections trail off as she watches this altercation happen, and she squeezes her eyes shut in desperation.

She can't do anything.

But she doesn't know if she understands, or if she can pass judgement?

Instead she just murmurs.]

I hate this...

[plunges]

[ He sees Nona, and Xiao moves to step in front of her, shielding her from the fight itself. ]

Stay behind me.

[stilllovesyou]

I'm not in danger...

[She says quietly, but she does as she's told. After all, she loves him.]

[plunges]

I know. But if it is too much for you to bear, you do not need to see it.

[ Especially since someone may get seriously hurt, or worse. ]

[stilllovesyou]

You don't have to shield me from the truth. I always know anyway.

[plunges]

[ ...

He'll step aside, then. ]

I...can stay here with you, then, while it happens.

[stilllovesyou]

Thank you, Xiao. [She reaches a hand out for him to hold.]

I won't look away. I love you.

[plunges]

[ He looks down at Nona's hand. When was the last time someone extended a part of themselves to him like this? The Traveler, surely, and he remembers the hand of the Archon that saved him all those years ago.

For a mortal to do this -- he's not sure if it's a good idea. He doesn't want to hurt her.

But he doesn't want to be alone.

Carefully, Xiao places his hand in hers. He can't say he understands emotions as complex as love in any form, but he cares about her and wants her to be safe. ]

I will look out for you.

[stilllovesyou]

[It aches every time.]

We'll look out for each-other.

[Until the end, she can look out for them.]

[gluttoning]

[Gently putting a hand to her shoulder and turning her around.]

Don't look if you don't want to.

[plunges]

[ Dodo Squad showing up for one of their own.

Speaking of which, Xiao shoots Beel an apologetic look before he turns back to look on at the fight. He says nothing, though. ]

[gluttoning]

[If he notices, he's not saying anything.]

[stilllovesyou]

I can't understand.

[There's a desperation to her tone. She's not used to it.]

I can't see, Lord of the Flies.

[gluttoning]

Sometimes it's okay not to see, Nona.

[That said:]

Do you want to watch, or not?

[stilllovesyou]

I don't, but I should.

We killed him, didn't we? All of us.

[gluttoning]

...Okay. [His grip will lift, so she can do so if she wants as Billy headbutts Sonya.]

...Which "him", Nona?

[stilllovesyou]

Both of them.

Maybe everyone who dies. Maybe Merlin too.

[She turns back and watches, though she craves the human contact so she'll cling to Beel's arm too, watching with wide bright and haunting eyes.]

[gluttoning]

[...

He won't respond at first. But he'll wrap his fingers against hers.]

Then we have to live with that guilt.

[stilllovesyou]

[She understands. And she nods.

She just repeats to herself...]

I hate this.

[gluttoning]

...I know, Nona.

No one likes loss.

[stilllovesyou]

We didn't lose, though.

We won.

[That's the problem. But if they'd lost, would it be better? If they didn't play, would it be better?

There's no choice.]