[ WEEK ONE – TRIAL ]

[sheriffexe]

TRIAL

In the morning, the town comes back to life. Birds crow overhead, a snake nearby hisses, a lingering coyote dips behind a shop before disappearing into the wild. It's a frightening contrast to the stillness of yesterday but it doesn't mean it's over yet. After all, today is the trial. The Sheriff stands on the porch of the Town Hall and brings his hand up to his mouth to let out a whistle. He'll thumb back to the Hall behind him and very clearly state -- "Trial time, folks. Get in here and figure out who did it." And then he'll turn to leave before pausing and adding on, "Bring a snack or somethin' too. The Town Hall is set up more like a court house, a Judge's bench at the front but instead of at center, it's off to the side as if more for observation than participation. There's a table at the front of the room already holding a small box and a pad of papers and pen, for voting apparently. A side room containing only a metal gurney is next and today it's obvious why there's a gurney there at all with the corpse, resting right on top of it. Aside from that, there are rows for everyone to take a seat and it's only after everyone is inside and settled, that the doors close and the Sheriff speaks. "Well, have at it. You've got till nine." And then, he points to a clock on the wall that reads 12:00. Good luck. Welcome to the trial post! Characters are free to discuss everything related to the trial here. They won't be let out of the room until 9PM when voting ends. Every character must vote and the voting post can be found here. If there are any questions, please shoot a message to this journal or to robowest.

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Comments

EXECUTED

[abasing]

[So this is no surprise to anyone really--it was always going to be Tiara and everyone knew it. She's chucked back into her jail cell and left there.

BUT IF ANYONE WANTS TO COME BY AND SAY FAREWELL there she is, sitting in a corner of the cell with her head down.]

[flippity]

[ papika definitely comes by, as soon as she wakes up, although judging by the lines under her eyes it doesn't seem like it was a very restful sleep.

she grabs onto the bars and rests her head against it, looking sadly at the other girl. ]

This isn't fair...

[abasing]

Miss Papika... please do not mourn too much.

[She can see those dark circles.]

We must accept what has happened. I fear you will have much yet to deal with in the future. [Which saddens her too--Papika doesn't deserve this fate.]

[flippity]

Even if we accept it doesn't mean we have to be happy about it!

[ also she does not accept this? it sucks?? life sucks and then you DIE etc

she starts digging into her pocket and pulls out... not a cracker, for once. it's a bracelet? made up of her school uniform's tie and flowers wrapped together. it probably would not sell on etsy but she did her Best. ]

This is for you.

[guiltlevel]

[ So Russell isn't good at goodbye stuff, so be prepared for a really bad one. He's curious about something though! ]

You kept talking about your 'purpose' ... Does that mean you're meant to die?

[ Hey, ]

[abasing]

[hey]

Oh... it's... you.

[ew]

...Yes, that is correct. I believe it was made rather clear exactly what Miss Ao's and my purpose were. [She sounds pretty bitter!!]

[elemancy]

[even if they said... probably all that could be said during the course of the trial, noct isn't going to let this go without last words and goodbyes. he can't—even if it's only been a few days, he still wanted to help her.

so the least he can do is this much, for both their sakes.]

...Hey. [#articulate

or maybe it's just that he doesn't know what to say. goodbyes of this nature are not something he's ever been given an opportunity to have.]

[abasing]

[... Super #articulate

Still, she brightens a little to see him, even if she's not thrilled for him to see her like this. And, weakly:]

Good day, Sir Noctis... I suppose in the end, we were less successful than I thought.

[...in getting her out of this cell]

[bittybat]

[Well, he's back again. Like before, he doesn't say anything when he approaches. He also doesn't really acknowledge Tiara. Something else has his focus: the jail and the gate.

Really, he could try to attack the Sheriff to get the key, but he'd rather keep a low profile. Instead, he's going to attempt to get Tiara out himself. He feels and tests the bars. Checks the outside perimeter.

Then he goes to work on the lock with the small hand dagger he has.]

[abasing]

[good luck with that, friend--she's gonna go ahead and stay back on the back wall in case the sheriff turns into a transformer or something]

[sheriffexe]

[ ALL I DID WAS GO TO GET BREAKFAST BUT FINE!!!!!!

The dagger isn't going to work. The lock will unpick but weirdly enough, the door doesn't swing open. ]

[hydrokinetics]

[It wouldn't be right to let her die without a proper farewell, which is why Percy shows up sooner or later. His hands are in his pockets and his own head's down, but his voice is as clear as ever.]

How're you holding up?

[abasing]

Mister Percy...

[Wow, she feels so loved??]

I must confess, I am not used to receiving so many visitors.

[Her attempts at humor kind of fall flat, but she's trying.]

[leadastray]

I'm so sorry that it's turned out like this. It's wrong, and unjust and-

[If she just had access to tears she could do something but instead she feels helplessness.]

I promise you this, whoever did this to you, to Ao, i'll find them and i will stop them. Enough with men in high towers treating people like their playthings.

[abasing]

... That is much appreciated, Miss.

[Honestly, she knows--this is wrong and unjust, but even so... it feels strange to have so many people caring about it.]

Your ferocity is quite inspiring, truthfully. I... would like to leave something in your hands, if I may.

[ceded]

Tiara...

[ Of course Xion has come. She didn't get a chance to talk to Tiara before the trial. But after yesterday, she feels ... so strongly about the other girl, she isn't really sure what to do.

It's pretty clear that, like others, she had trouble sleeping, too.

She actually sits on the floor and leans against the bars. ]

... good morning. I... I know it probably doesn't help at all, but we're here. [ Her smile is shaky. ] As long as we can be.

[abasing]

Miss Xion, good morning.

[So many visitors... she wishes she could offer tea.]

I... wish to tell you that... I will not be offended if-- if you do not watch. I wish for you to be...as happy as you can be, considering the circumstances.

[dubiousalignment]

I'm sorry I couldn't do anything to help you.

[Tarvek, you didn't even try. You haven't even talked to her ever before! But yeah, there he is, all contrite and, if Tiara is observant, she may not that he also seems uncertain and maaaaaybe a little bit indifferent]

[abasing]

[.... Yeah she has no idea who this is??]

I-- [???] --There is no need for apologies, sir. The situation is...what it is. It is clear it was never to be any other way.

[alcobrawlic]

... [ Well, this is a pleasant mood, ain't it. ]

Was there like... a last wish, or something any of us could do for you?

[abasing]

[...]

Miss... actually, if you would not mind, there is something.

[robitussin]

[So here she is, in the cell next to Tiara. She's moved towards the side so she can lean against the bars that separate them, back pressed against the metal.

She doesn't really know what to say, but...]

You need anything?

[Anything that she can give, at least, which she knows isn't much.]

[abasing]

Miss Natalie...

[Tiara shifts, until she can lean against the same bars. It's warmer, somehow.]

You have already done more than enough for me. You...truly did not have to stay here with me, in these dank cells.

[cherrypuncher]

[Yuna stays the night. She brings her blankets and pillows, sleeps on the floor by the cells, goes back and forth between here and the rest of the town for food and flowers and anything Tiara or Natalie would ask for. Every now and again, she fusses with the locks or the doors or she paces up and down the station as if in search of something, even knowing it's useless.

Morning comes, and people are starting to bustle outside the station, but Yuna thinks better of saying anything about it.]

[abasing]

[... It's been... not as terrible a night as it could have been. Honestly, the cells are less lonely now that she has friends with her, like Natalie and Yuna (but also more lonely, because Ao is--), but it also means she doesn't really have the space to cry.

It's fine.

No room for tears, not now.

Still... she can hear the bustle, and knows she's running out of time.]

... Miss Yuna... may we speak for a moment?