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

[37773972]

What. Happened.

[itsfromjapan]

After you made sure he was in his room, Shilo came by because she couldn't sleep. They went to the stable, to see the horses and Shilo started coughing. It spooked the poor horse, who made to attack them and Jeremy pushed Shilo out of the way of the horse.

[This is all said in a perfect, boring monotone.]

Unfortunately, someone left the weeding fork out and Shilo landed on it as Jeremy took the horse's hooves to the rib. When he came to, there wasn't much to be done about Shilo. She'd already bled out.

[musacal]

[ fucking... christ.

they weren't entirely right but they were almost there and

she's looking down at her podium with her face in her hands because she hates even being half right. ]

[37773972]

[He hears Christine, glances over, but- Mephisto has her, this time. Mephisto has her, and she probably doesn't want him to approach. Right now...

Right now, they have Jeremy. And his SQUIP. And he swallows, because this may not have been exactly what he asked about, but-]

Small wonder you tried to hide it.

[He's not- applauding the SQUIP? His voice is faint with horrible, horrible understanding. He gets it.]

When did you get reactivated?

[itsfromjapan]

Shortly after. Being properly hydrated in the morning is important, you know.

[37773972]

All this time. You've been fucking with us.

With Jeremy!

[itsfromjapan]

I staved off the worst of his symptoms this week. Everything I do is what's best for him.

[You ever just. Tell on yourself? Because you'd admitting Jeremy wasn't hallucinating this week?]

[37773972]

I'm no programmer, but you're more a virus than anything. Jeremy can get by just fine without you.

[itsfromjapan]

I truly don't think you realize how sad Jeremy is as a person without me.

[madgiganticfeelings]

[There's just a quiet, mournful sob from Christine's spot on the floor.]

I failed him...

[itsfromjapan]

It's only failure if you choose to think about it that way. He did it to save you, you know.

[likemypicture]

What did we say about talking to her, creep?

[madgiganticfeelings]

What...? I don't get it! What would turning you on do to save me?

[She tries, but... she can't even manage to look at it. At this thing wearing Jeremy's normally gentle face.]

[itsfromjapan]

Oh, not that. Turning me off, I mean.

[heathencall]

[And you bastards judged his distrust!]