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 not what I want.

[But it's going to have to do, isn't it?]

You really won't let him answer?

[37773972]

[And he pauses where he is, halfway back to Mephisto's podium, and glances over his shoulder.]

Either let her talk to him, or I swear to God, I'll hurt him. [He's dead anyway- why does it matter?]

[heathencall]

What are you doing?

[Can all of his loved ones stop acting so stupid because of this Squidboy!]

[likemypicture]

Stephen! [ w t f mate]

[madgiganticfeelings]

Stephen!

[Are you trying to just completely destroy her? Because it's working.]

[itsfromjapan]

Like I said: I'm not preventing him.

[37773972]

[And he stands there for a few long moments, everyone else's cries ringing in his ears. For a moment, it really does seem like he's about to turn-

-but something in him sags, and, not looking at anyone, he goes to input the vote at Mephisto's and his own podium.

>>THE LOSER/GEEK/WHATEVER

After that, he just puts his elbows on the podium, fists his hair, and breathes, gaze still down.]

[likemypicture]

[ She glances at Stephen- then Mephisto, with Christine, then at Stephen again.

Against her better judgment, she moves-- not wanting to get too close after he snapped at her in the graveyard, she stands at Sigyn's podium, instead of directly at his with him. Then, she reaches out a hand, and places it on his arm, and just stands there, silently.]

[37773972]

[This close? She can probably tell his breathing is unsteady. He doesn't tell her to move, he doesn't snap at her- he just tenses slightly, then relaxes, silent.

In the end, he's just a man
And men can bend, and men can break.]

[likemypicture]

[She can tell-- but since he does relax, finally, she stays there.

She'll stand strong for him for a while. He did the same for her yesterday, after all.]

[holyspit]

Doctor Browning what the heck?!

[itsfromjapan]

Right now he would rather not talk to any of you. It makes it easier if you're voting for me, in his opinion.

[musacal]

...so he’s really going to take that chance for any kind of closure with him, then.

[itsfromjapan]

Historically, you have all been quite bad at voting when you're emotional.

[musacal]

...That's fair but.

I think at this point, most of us have already... it's done now.

He's a friend and I believe some of us would like to say a proper good bye. At the very least Christine should be able to.

[madgiganticfeelings]

...okay. Okay. Then he probably doesn't want to hear me anyways.

[But she isn't going to let him off so easy. Very slowly, she stands up and walks over to grab his hands and give them a squeeze.]

Jeremy. I know you've... never wanted to hear what I think of you. I know you think you don't deserve whatever we'd end up being. But... please believe me. And please believe that you deserve it.

Mr. Blue
I told you that I love you
Please believe me
Mr. Blue
You have to go now
Darling don't be angry...

[She leans in closer to him. He's tall, and she has to strain on her tip toes, but she'll kiss his cheek if he'll let him.]

[itsfromjapan]

[The SQUIP allows it because it ............ doesn't care? It pauses though, before saying:]

He was always angry with himself, not you.

[madgiganticfeelings]

I don't want to hear how he felt from anyone but him.

[She takes a few slow steps backwards, and if the SQUIP still won't give him back... she'll just turn away. If she can't get closure... at this point, she knows she can't force it out.

She'll just have to do what he wanted, and move on with her life without him.]