[ WEEK THREE – 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

[tightly]

[ Chane moves eventually because if the trial had been stressful for her, there's no telling how it's affected Xion -- although her limp and devastated posture spells it out somewhat. She ends up kneeling beside the girl, a hand that's visibly hesitant and lingering in the air before settling down on Xion's shoulder.

Ideally, she'd like to coax her up and away from this room, but...

Whatever happens next is up to Xion. ]

[ceded]

[ sorry chane you just volunteered for hug the crying girl duty because

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. ]

[tightly]

[ Her instinct is to recoil and draw back. It takes every ounce of composure in Chane's muscles not to quiver away from the abrupt embrace, but it doesn't feel good when she manages. Xion's anguish takes the form of broken, hiccuping sobs, and it's an ugly sound. A tense moment in an equally ugly place, and none of it is anything she can protect Xion from.

(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. ]

[ceded]

[ It takes her a long time to cry herself out. She hugs Chane with all her strength and slowly, her wails turn into sobs turn into hiccups turn into gasps, and finally, she quiets. Her hands fist in Chane's top, and eventually she buries her face in the other woman's shoulder.

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.

[tightly]

[ All of those things are true, which is why... Which is why Chane endures it, really. She can live with a few moments of discomfort if it brings Xion some relief from her stricken.

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. ]

[ceded]

[ Xion does allow herself to be pulled to her feet, at the very least. She pauses there, trying to collect herself, using her arms to rub at her face.

Then she'll smile up at Chane, tearfully grateful. ]

I want to stay. [ There's a few people she needs to speak to on her way out. ] But ... I'll see you later?

[tightly]

[ if Xion wants to stay, then Chane's not going to speak over her. Metaphorically. Relaxing her grip, her hands fall back to her sides and she gives a short, confirming nod, not entirely without warmth. ]