fifth trial

[stagemanagers]

[When the investigation finishes, the lights begin to flicker on and off as that low, gentle rumble echoes through the opera house.

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

The court room looks just as it always has for you: the grand chandelier glittering above your heads, the dusty red velvet seats. In the orchestra pit your circle of wooden podiums are waiting. Jeremy and Steven's podiums are draped in black crepe with their grey scale 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. His tone is even, with none of the distraction or terse notes in the weeks before. He almost sounds curious for how this all will play out.]

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

[Gather your evidence and let's begin.]

Comments

cw suicide mentions

[heathencall]

So. What if.... Steven removed his own gem, and that caused the blood beneath his nails. He destroyed his gem and then drank the poison.

[He furrows his brows.]

I don't know how the ether or the hammer would be placed in the area they had. But if there were two mugs... Maybe he asked someone to help him.

[madgiganticfeelings]

[Christine holds the cloak out for whoever may need it, and then passes it to Santana while she pushers her skirt and leggings down, lifting up her skirt. She's still wound free.]

[likemypicture]

You left him trapped here, that's harming him!

Do the rules still apply during a trial?

[madgiganticfeelings]

Mmmm...

[She looks like she's physically straining.]

I'd feel bad, though!

[inside_yourmind]

He is not. That has always been the case - none of you seemed at all concerned when he killed Beetlejuice.

[hey remember how mephisto's single punch absolutely was not powerful enough to bring an entire statue down on a guy?]

[madgiganticfeelings]

Oedipus Rex! He had a prophecy that he'd kill his father and marry his mother. He tried to avoid it, but when he ended up doing it anyways, he jabbed his eyes out.

[37773972]

Wasn't he already dead?

[heathencall]

[Excuse you!]

I killed Beetlejuice.

[musacal]

[ ..................... ]

Wait, what!?

That was him?!

[ BRUH ]

[madgiganticfeelings]

'm sorry.

[She still feels pretty guilty about that, even if after the last trial, she still feels like she'd do it all again.]

[likemypicture]

Who?

[madgiganticfeelings]

B-But Beetlejuice is still alive! Ish! We can talk to him, at least.

...Besides, isn't it unfair to make us do this trial if all the suspects aren't here? Bring out the patron too then!

[musacal]

The ghost friend!

[madgiganticfeelings]

No! I'm not letting either of you do that! Can't we ask the Phantom?

[likemypicture]

You can't kill a ghost. They're already dead.

[inside_yourmind]

Administering a vaccine causes pain, but it is in pursuit of a greater benefit.

Mine, or yours?

[heathencall]

She's right. Either bring out the patron to partake in this trial, or tell us we're barking up the wrong tree..

[37773972]

People consent to vaccines.

[inside_yourmind]

You punched Beetlejuice. There is a significant difference.

[likemypicture]

A what. [dude smallpox is still a thing]

The rules on the wall about killing people. And uh. Summonings.

[inside_yourmind]

You are barking up the wrong tree.

[37773972]

What, you don't have to check with your patron if you're allowed to say that?

[heathencall]

[Well.]

Alright. Thank you.

[musacal]

Yes, that's all we need to know.

I don't... I don't need him to come out, not like this, but if he wasn't involved then please just tell us.

[inside_yourmind]

I am more than aware of his wishes in this case.