fourth trial

[stagemanagers]

[When the investigation finishes, the lights begin to flicker on and off as that low, gentle rumble echoes through the opera house. Again for those investigating the grounds the outdoor lights illuminating the still night flicker to get their attention.

Your intermission is ending. Please return to your trial room.

The court room looks just as it did before: the grand chandelier glittering above your heads, the dusty red velvet seats. In the orchestra pit your circle of wooden podiums are waiting. Angus, Riley and Shilo's podiums are draped in black crepe with their greyscale funerary portraits, just like your friends before them. The ghost light glows softly behind the podiums.

The curtain is closed, waiting to open when a decision has been reached and the execution can commence.

When everyone is in their places, the Phantom's voice echoes loud and clear through the theatre from his place in box 5. He still sounds distracted, just as he was for his other public appearance this week, like there are other things weighing on his mind.]

You must now determine who was responsible for the death of Shilo Wallace. Submit your vote on the podiums when you are certain of your choice.

[Gather your evidence and let's begin.]

Comments

[madgiganticfeelings]

That's... terrible. Who would go through all that work to mourn us, and still wouldn't tell us they were responsible?

[heathencall]

Someone who felt they had everything to lose back home?

[37773972]

Don't all of us?

[heathencall]

Not necessarily. Are you saying your life and what you are dealing with is enough to make you willing to damn seven people?

[37773972]

[I MEAN ALL TOLD...but Stephen just makes a face.]

Trolley problem. Maybe it isn't about damning seven, but saving more.

[He still looks distinctly uncomfortable with the thought]

[holyspit]

...You probably don't mean literal trolleys, right.

[justmeheere]

There's a train going for a split. There's one person tied on the left track and five people tied on the right track. Which direction do you send the train?

[holyspit]

I pull the brakes.

[Is that not obvious?]

[37773972]

The idea is those are your only two options, Steven. Not that we wouldn't love to pull the brakes on this, but- if you had to choose.

[justmeheere]

It's a train. Even if you pull the brakes, it won't stop in time. Which direction do you send it?

[heathencall]

That's what I was thinking.

[A beat.]

We remember new things every week. Perhaps this killer remembered something even more dire. The needs of the many versus the needs of the few.

[You've never even seen Star Trek Mephisto, how tf do you know that line.]

[37773972]

[He lets out a long breath. May as well volunteer...]

I've told a few of you already about what's going on with where I come from, so if you think that's reason to ask me any questions- go ahead. I can't really do much other than say it wasn't me, and that I'd rather figure out another way of escaping.

[And say that he didn't leave Mephisto's room last night, but.]

[heathencall]

I discovered that I succeeded. Ariel's soul was mine for the taking, meaning that I could return to Heaven.

... Eternal paradise after striving for an eternity to get back would have been enough to tempt me at one point, at least.

[musacal]

[ ...okay fine, if we're going to be open with things, she's gonna actually talk about this now. ]

...This week I remembered losing a Revue.

I'm not yet out of the running for Top Star, but it's the first time I can remember losing in all my time participating in the Auditions. But I also lost to someone who had never been in any of my cycles before. She literally just... had never been there until this time.

Clau-chan was from a time beyond when my cycle would end and restart again. I thought at first that maybe she was just from another timeline, maybe one that continued after I went back in time. But now I'm starting to think I might have actually lost finally.

...I wouldn't take the risk now if I can't guarantee my title as Top Star. I know it might not mean much, but I can promise you that.

[ so just laying it all out ]

[heathencall]

I trust you.

[No hesitation. He was a little worried at first but.]

[holyspit]

The last memory I got back actually ended pretty well?

[heathencall]

No more war?

[Does he have permission to kill God now?]

[holyspit]

I don't think so? And, uh. The Diamonds definitely know I'm me and not my mom anymore.

[likemypicture]

Still a pop concert.

[madgiganticfeelings]

I... I remembered some things that were bad, but I already talked to Stephen and Santana about that. Besides, Jeremy is from my world! Why would I hurt him for-

It doesn't make sense.

[37773972]

-Christine, Jeremy's right here.

[holyspit]

He'd get hurt if we didn't find the culprit though, right?

[heathencall]

She means if she succeeded. Jeremy would die if she had killed and managed to get away with it.

[... Right?]

[madgiganticfeelings]

Yeah? I know that. I'm saying I wouldn't kill someone from my world just to go back to it! I don't understand...

[Listen, she's panicking, explain it to her slowly.]

[garbageface]

The worst thing I remembered was people talking shit about me, and, like. [ Santana shrugs. ] I can deal with my haters, it’s whatever.