[ WEEK FOUR – 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

JAIL CELL

[combattente]

[Good job everyone?

He's sitting casually in the cell, not seemingly very bothered by the news. More than anything, he's tired. Sorta wishing he had done this before Lust died so maybe something could have come of that? Oh well.]

[flippity]

[ she does not show up immediately after he arrives in the cell! for good reason to. papika made a quick stop at the kitchen, so when she shows up it's holding a cup of coffee. she also has another cup of some milk and also sugar?? ]

Hi mister.

[combattente]

[His face lights up at the coffee, a bit of a forced reaction but it's something.]

Ah, grazie! I've heard this keeps you up all night, which I suppose is a good thing now...

[flippity]

[ she smiles. it doesn't quiet reach her eyes, but ah well. that's to be expected considering the circumstances. ]

You didn't have to confess.

[combattente]

I didn't have to, no. And I did refrain from doing so for two weeks, at least.

[flippity]

You said that you're used to doing things like this though, so... if you felt bad enough to actually tell us, then...

[ she hands over the coffee cup, then the rest of it. ]

You're not a bad person.

[combattente]

There's a certain creed I follow... One of our tenets is: Stay your blade from the flesh of an innocent. I don't feel any regret for murdering von Karma, but I realized that my actions could cause the death of an innocent person. That's all.

[alcobrawlic]

[ She's sitting outside the cell.

Just sitting.

Seething. ]

[combattente]

I won't mind if you'd like to yell at me. Even a stream of curse words would sound beautiful in your voice, of course.

[alcobrawlic]

I don't have curse words strong enough to express myself right now.

[ Ezio was the person Higekiri was trying to protect, the one who'd gotten away as she pulled the trigger to end his partner's life, and not only does that piss her off, but then he goes and offers himself up on the chopping block instead of letting them figure out who'd actually killed Lust and Simon and yes, they're getting a killer but all the same

she's really not happy. ]

[combattente]

So I suppose a goodbye kiss is completely out of the question...

[alcobrawlic]

[ THE FLATTEST STARE. ]

I can't say this is really doing it for me.

[leadastray]

[Well. She is pissed. Elizabeth stands at the bars, arms crossed and unable, for the moment, to look at him.]

There's a saying for moments like this, Mr. Auditore: Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

I guess that makes me quite the fool.

[combattente]

You are not a fool, Elizabeth. I...

I truly had no intentions of hurting anyone. Although I suppose that's impossible, isn't it?

[leadastray]

Yes, I suppose so, considering-

[She gestures to the space around them but nothing in particular. Finally she looks up at him.]

I hope it was worth it.

[combattente]

If my sister and mother are alive... then yes, it definitely was.

[leadastray]

Was that your reward?

[thatsthespirit]

[Milla's annoyance has already faded when she comes to visit Ezio at the jail cell. she immediately takes a seat, because ow does her ribs hurt after all that stress]

Ezio. . .

What was your reward?

[combattente]

I refused the offer of rewards. I may be an assassin, but I... the work I do isn't for the enjoyment of someone too cowardly to show us their face.

I refused until I was threatened. First, it was my life. Va bene, I'll die then. Then... it was the lives of everyone I knew.

[thatsthespirit]

[ah. her mouth curls backwards into an unfriendly frown]

So you were protecting the lives of those you care about.

It's disturbing to know the Sheriff and his employers have that sort of leverage over us.

[combattente]

Sí, my family. I would do anything to protect them. Even now I worry that somehow I've broken the rules, and... and it will have been for nothing. I'm trying to forget that, honestly.

[thatsthespirit]

There is no rule against confessing one's guilt a few weeks after the case has been tried and they weren't acquitted.

[not any rule that she knows of anyway!!]

It'd be cruel of them to kill your family just because you took responsibility for your actions.

[cherrypuncher]

Mister Ezio?

[She's come with her pillow and a blanket gathered in her arms, and her voice is low. She stayed with Tiara, stayed with Higekiri, stayed with Tarvek. She wants to stop having a reason to stay here.]

You shouldn't have to be alone in here. Is it okay if I stay the night? If you want anything, I can bring it to you, too.

[combattente]

You're too kind, Yuna.

[He nods, smiling.]

You don't have to do this now, but... I would appreciate it if you could bring me my robes. They should be in Sara's room. I... they belonged to my father originally, and I'd rather be wearing them than well-

[Ezio gestures to the cowboy clothes.]

This.

[cherrypuncher]

I could bring them now if you wanted, unless you'd rather I stay here right now. And if you want anything to eat or drink, I'll bring that, too.

[She pauses, setting her bedding up in a little pile on the floor in front of the cell.]

Anything I can do to make you comfortable, okay?