third trial

[stagemanagers]

[As the investigation ends, you'll hear Hester's voice inviting you to the auditorium. As this happens, the twin doors on either side of the concession stand, across from the gym, will click open. You can enter on either side; both go to the same place. Some of you have a detour to make beforehand- Hester lets you in to her office to drop off the precious cargo without incident. She then slips off to in the direction of the scene shop.

When you enter the auditorium, it's dark. There's only the small lights along the walkway behind all the seats, just enough to illuminate where you're going. There's a central path between the seats, down towards where you know the stage must be. That's where you must be going, right? As you pass each row of seats, the lights at their ends flick on, marking your procession and slowly making more and more of the room visible. Shortly, you can see your destination: a circle of podiums stationed in the orchestra pit, below the lip of the darkened, curtained stage. They're all identical, labeled with a cast member's name. The SQUIP, the Balladeer and Rina now have theirs draped in black crepe and with a framed monochrome photo of them on top.

When you reach the podiums, the lights above the stage finally come on. the Wizard is once again waiting for you. Beside it Hester is slowly lowers in on her bubble. Either she was magicked up there or the catwalk repair had a very impressive turnaround time. The Dad Squad and Peregrine have already seen this week's look but those who haven't might notice the braid bun her hair is in has half-fallen out and her little white heels are covered in dirt.

The mechanical head, with glowing green eyes, is installed above the stage and the still-closed curtain. Even if you were standing on the stage, it'd be well out of reach. It peers down at all of you, its motions fluid, and speaks with a booming, artificial-sounding voice:]

Welcome to your third trial, everyone. It's time to determine who was responsible for the murder of Rina. Feel free to talk amongst yourselves and work together - you'll have to show teamwork if you want to leave this room alive.

Comments

EXECUTION: Ready As You’ll Ever Be

[stagemanagers]

[When the final vote is cast, the lights in the auditorium drop to pure darkness save for a narrowed spotlight on Hester. Anyone who might still be holding onto Varian will feel him unceremoniously vanish from their arms. A short hush falls over the room until the music and Hester starts to sing. But despite the accusatory nature of the lyrics, she just sounds so gently mournful to have to sing it.]

Believe me it’s known, you've sunk pretty low
But whatever is done, it’s deserved

[The green curtains open and the tragic mess that transpired there just two days ago has been swept clean away. In its place looks to be some type of obstacle course made entirely of black stone that spreads horizontally across the whole stage. Varian stands at far stage right, slightly dazed and confused. Sticking out of his pocket, the white chloroform-soaked rag given to him by Benjamin is clearly visible.

On the opposite side of the stage, shrouded in shadow from the shoulders up, is a figure dressed in a buttoned-up flannel and jeans. In their hands is an acoustic guitar that they play along with the booming horns and strings from unseen other musicians that melds into a perfect melody.]

You’re the bad guy, that's fine
It's no fault of mine and some justice, it now will be served

[Behind Varian an amber-gold light fills the stage right wing and slowly begins creeping toward the stage. He looks behind him, his eyes widening, and starts to climb the wall in front of him. It’s not difficult persay, there are lumps of stone for him to grab and pull himself up while behind him the parts of the hardwood stage the light touches begin to ice over with smooth amber.]

Now it's time to step up or it's time to back down
And there's only one answer for you
And you'll stand up and fight 'cause you think that you're right
And you're ready, you’re ready, you’re ready
Ready as you’ll ever be

[Varian makes it over the wall just in time for the amber light to touch the base of the climbing wall. He scrambles over a solid stone hurdle, throwing all his weight gracelessly over the top and then crawling under a slightly raised slab. As he emerges from underneath it, the shadowed flannel figure steps into the light, revealing exactly what it looks like. It strums the guitar one last time before reaching into it’s pocket to produce a harmonica. The mannequin lifts it to it’s sealed plastic mouth and blows a flourishing note to go with the triumphant horn.]

Now it's time to rise up or it's time to stand down
And the answer is easy to see
And you swear by her sword now you can’t be ignored
Are you ready?
You’re ready
You're ready, you’re ready
Ready as you'll ever be

[On the course Varian meets the final structure: a slanted wall with a dangling rope and a flat top. He glances behind him again to watch the light slowly move across the stage, turning every inch of the black stone into glittering amber. He takes a breath and grabs the rope to start climbing. After several feet he heaves himself to the top of the obstacle, sitting on his knees as he looks down the other side. It’s a steep drop, steep enough to hurt him for sure but not enough to kill him. Either way, stay here or drop down, he’s stuck.

From her bubble Hester locks eyes with Varian, her face a mask of pained sympathy.]

We never wanted to do this
But we will if it guarantees...

[With nowhere else to go and the amber light creeping ever closer Varian’s shoulders slump in resignation to his fate. But at least...at least it doesn't have to hurt. He reaches into his pocket for the rag- and finds nothing but the two silver coins Orpheus had gifted him. He checks the other pocket- nothing. Panic starts welling in his chest and he looks back over the stage left edge at the hardwood floor. Then the song turns, for just a minute, and Hester’s voice is so soft it’s difficult to really hear her.]

I will make you proud
Get the answers and set things right
Don't you worry, whatever it might take, we’re finding a way

[The music swells again, switching back to the horns and strings. Behind him Varian feels a heavy land lay on his shoulder and he startles, nearly falling off the edge if that hand didn’t grip the back of his shirt to keep him steady. The mannequin has abandoned its guitar and now sits beside him, it’s blank expression giving away nothing of its intentions. Tears once start again welling in Varian’s eyes and he hiccups once before the mannequin extends it’s free hand to give him the rag that had fallen from his pocket in his haste across the stage.]

Now the line's in the sand
And the moment's at hand

[Varian hesitates, one hand raised and trembling, before he slowly reaches out and takes the rag. The mannequin nods solemnly, it’s grip loosening on Varian’s shirt. Varian takes one last gulp of fresh air before turning to look out at the audience, at his family, one last time before squeezing his eyes shut and lifting the rag to his face. He takes a few deep breaths, swooning a little, before he starts to slump off the edge again.]

And you're ready
You're ready
You’re ready

[The mannequin isn’t about to let that happen though. It holds him by the shoulders, gently pulling him back and laying him across the flat top of the climbing wall. It lays a light hand on top of his hair and Varian is fully and peacefully unconscious as the amber light washes over him, leaving behind a sleeping boy and mannequin encased in amber.]

Ready as you'll ever be

[The curtains close. The house lights come up. The auditorium doors softly click unlocked. You are now free to go.]

[brokeforgood]

[For the very first time, Farrah watches. If anyone tries to shield her from it, she’ll fight back with every ounce of strength she has—- which isn’t much.

Her head swims with the alcohol, and the sheer, raw emotion. She doesn’t know if she breathes during it—- but she does sway, and when she makes eye contact with Varian, she can’t even mask her terror.

She won’t be able to leave without help.]

[barberic]

[Here comes help! Cause her and her dad probably need it.

Benjamin puts a hand on her shoulder.]

Come on, love. Let's go.

[mcfife]

Angus tenses at Varian's appearance on stage, gripping Elle's hand as the amber light creeps closer and closer. With each close call, Angus prays that he won't be continously tortures like this.

Then the mannequin shows up. Angus manages to speak despite everything that's happening.]

Is that...?

[In the end though, Varian is offered the small mercy gifted by Mr. Barker. He almost looks like he's only sleeping.

At least he did not suffer in the end. That's all anyone can ask for here.]

[whatyouwant]

[Elle grips Angus' hand tightly. As Varian moves through the course, her other hand comes to grip his arm as well. She wants to look away, like she had in the others, but she doesn't. Varian needs them all, and she will be there for him as much as she can.

When the mannequin appears sporting the familiar flannel she gasps, tears springing to her eyes.

In the end he's sleeping, it's painless. At least she hopes it was.

Elle doesn't move when the doors click open, just stands there staring at the drawn curtains.]

[comeandfindme]

[ The mannequin. The light that Varian's so afraid of. The mockery of the song, no this isn't fair he was just trying to make things right fuck whatever the Wizard wants—

The moment Varian looks out at them.

It's like he's falling asleep. But still.

Peregrine has the thought, next time, I won't watch and then the implications of that settle in on her.

She doesn't wait for Janis or Maya or anyone. She storms out, before she can collapse from how much she's shivering. ]

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[For the first time, Cassandra looks away. Wrapped in Elsa's embrace, she waits out the execution, even as she bristles once the music starts. She doesn't look up until it's over.

She catches it before the curtains close. The peaceful form of Varian, submerged in an amber light. It's disgusting. A mockery of what he had to deal with, on top of the music.

Surely the Wizard was proud of himself.

And once it is, she makes for a silent exit.]

[barberic]

[If the Wizard won't do Varian the decency of watching his execution, Benjamin will. He stands right where he was when the voting ended, at Discord's podium rather than his own, his jaw set and his grip on the podium so tight that his knuckles are bloodless white.

But he watches. And of course it's needlessly cruel. And of course it's merciless.

But still he watches.

His jaw tightens so much that his teeth creak, when the figure that looked like the Balladeer is revealed to just be another fucking mannequin. But the mannequin saves Varian. In the only way that he can be saved, right now.

That's what makes Benjamin finally, for the first time since the first death this week on Wednesday, finally cry.

When the execution is over, he moves immediately to help anyone who doesn't seem capable of moving themselves, and vacates the trial room with haste.

He has a long night ahead of him.]