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 ![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico) robowest. |
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robowest2017-02-04 12:00 pm
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she screams. again. because she can't. she can't. she should have objected sooner. she should have tried harder. the lack of alibi for her and tarvek-- ]
Why won't you kill me too?
[ her voice is so small, so choked by tears, and she just
sinks to the floor and cries. ]
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[Tarvek isn't afraid. Sure, he's angry and immensely frustrated, but he isn't scared. That's why he approaches and puts his hand on Xion's shoulder]
We did what we could. Don't blame yourself for what happened today.
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[ she tries to speak but she's crying too hard to get the words out. She presses her hand over his and grips his wrist too hard and just sobs. ]
Please... please--
[ The last word is a wretched sob.
Don't leave her. ]
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[It isn't like Tarvek is going to kneel and let Nisha shoot him to death, but he isn't betting on surviving, either. Nisha knows how to handle a gun, and although Tarvek has very impressive agility, it doesn't mean he'll be able to defeat her. He doesn't even know if surviving the duel is an option]
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[ She manages to look up at him finally, tears just streaming down her face. ]
It's not fair!
[ That last word isn't loud. It's actually very soft, but her voice chokes up high. ]
I should have-- I should have stopped them, I should have told them to accuse me sooner, and maybe this wouldn't be happening, I--
[ She breaks down all over again, gripping his hand very hard. ]
I'm so sorry....!
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[Maaaaaybe it'd have reduced the suspicion on Tarvek, but he doesn't really believe that. Ouch, she sure grips his hand rather strongly, but he endures it because who wouldn't]
It's not your fault. I fully expect you to not to give up no matter what happens to me. Please don't defy my expectations.
[It's a bit blunt, but what's one going to do?]
(no subject)
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Ideally, she'd like to coax her up and away from this room, but...
Whatever happens next is up to Xion. ]
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as soon as chane kneels beside her xion immediately presses into her, sobbing so hard she's actually wailing into the other woman's shoulder.
she'll cling as hard as chane lets her and cry so hard she, once or twice, dry heaves.
a little doll like her isn't meant to handle so much pain. ]
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(Wondering, later, when she decided she wanted to, and why, and how to want otherwise -- )
She ends up letting Xion cling to her for as long as she needs to. This time, there's no room to question her reciprocating the hug, even as it's awkward and slow. ]
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Somewhere in the back of her mind she's aware that Chane is probably uncomfortable. She's not much one for contact or sentiment. But she's so tired. Too tired, too broken up, to make herself let go.
Eventually, Chane will hear a whisper: ]
Thank you.
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When it seems like her torrent of emotion is easing, Chane slowly peels herself away. Nothing too sudden. She's being overly careful.
However, if Xion is willing to allow herself to be led, Chane will try to take her out of here. ]
(no subject)
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[she can't look at her]
[will she ever look at Xion again??? probably not]
[I'M SORRY. . .]
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maybe because she is too busy crying. ]
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[. . .]
[maybe]
[she'll come see Xion later]
[not tonight]
[tomorrow, after the shock of tonight's trial wears off]
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[ he's as cold as ever, but it's weird enough that he's even responding... it's probably because she thanked him earlier. even if he's not aware. ]
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[ legit screaming at him even despite whoever is crowding around her or holding her right now. ]
If he was guilty I should have been too! Why didn't you kill me?!
[ at ... which point she dissolves back into incoherence. ]
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That's not how it works, you idiot child. They didn't vote for you. If you really feel so guilty, then perhaps you should try to change things instead of crying and begging to be put out of your misery.
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[ she's ... like, snarling at him she's so furious, all at once. the injustice of it, her pain, the friends she's losing-- ]
I'll keep fighting! I'll never, ever give up!
[ ... good job, ash? ]
My friends need me ... to keep living! So I'll live ... as long as I have to, and I'll put a stop to this once and for all!
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At least someone has finally learned to listen to me.
[ he puts a hand on his hip. ]
The world won't change for you. You need to fix it yourself. If you want next week to be different, I suggest you change tactics.
(no subject)
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I'm having a meeting on Tuesday. We can't keep going like this. We're going to find a way out of here, okay? [He settles a hand on Xion's shoulder.] Can you tell people about it for me?
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He's giving her ... something to do. Something to focus on. Somehow she recognizes right away what he's doing.
Shivering like a leaf in a high wind, she slowly nods. ]
Okay.
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It'll be Tuesday around noon, at the church. The town hall is too risky. We'll compare notes and go from there.
[and. get nowhere. they're not exactly a competent bunch.......]
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She'll make it happen. ]
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While Xion's crying, he quietly walks up to her, lets the note fall on her head, before he walks away.]
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It's not hard to spot who.
Xion stares after him, then looks down to read the note clutched tight in both her hands.
Whatever is contained within it causes her to dissolve into fresh tears, though these are far quieter, and she hugs the note to her chest like it's the most precious thing in all the world. ]