fifth trial

[stagemanagers]

[As the investigation ends, you'll hear the Wizard'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.

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. Discord, Elle, Orpheus and Eurydice now have theirs draped in black crepe and with a framed monochrome photo of them on top. At Maya's podium is a stool with a fresh amaryllis flower carefully set on it.

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. She's still in her pretty pink prom dress, her hair restyled and make-up freshened to not be so messy from sleep. It's also worth noting the blood on her skirt from when she assisted in helping Maya with her injury is gone.

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

Comments

[mayavericks]

[She... should have expected as much.]

I did not expect the Wizard would let me up there without a believable trial. But -- [She makes a face. Maybe a rueful smile.] I would have bled out all the same, if not for you.

You did save me. Just... not for very long.

1/2

[comeandfindme]

Did...you know?

[ It's still small. Still rough. ]

Did you...know I would...

[ "It's like I'm a curse—" ]

Did you—

2/2

[comeandfindme]

[ Push into the pain until it shatters.

And then it's like a switch flicks in her head. And she's yelling. ]

Did you prepare for it?! Did you lay outside our door so we could find you, so we could think— so we could find you, and save you, and lose you all over again?!

Did you for a single second think about what this would do to us?!

[mayavericks]

[She deserves this. She knows she does.

Her smile is sad.]

I have always been a selfish woman. And you have always been so smart. [A shaking breath.]

That's exactly what I did.

[mcfife]

[Angus is

Well, he's not shaking anymore, but he's holding the Gloryhammer and not looking at anything in particular.

At least that's better?]

[sugarlumps]

We're supposed to lumping fight him together, globbit!

[comeandfindme]

I—

[ I love you.

Peregrine takes a step back. It's shaky. But she takes another, and it's more steady. And another.

"And never forget to believe in the strength of this bond. It will hold us together, I promise."

And another.

I hate you. ]

I never should've trusted you.

[mayavericks]

[There's a twitch on Maya's face -- the brief parting of the lips, the widening of the eyes. And then... she sets her face once more. Ever the actress.]

Perhaps not.

[comeandfindme]

[ Peregrine turns away. If Maya's reopened her wounds...she's not going to tend to them. She goes back to her podium, not over at Connor's, where she stood with Janis and watched over Maya.

She doesn't speak another word to Maya. ]

[fourbutts]

[ Janis winces, drawing in on herself.

Sometimes people leave you
Halfway through the wood

She still wants to trust Maya, still has faith in her, but. Maybe this really is the part where everyone leaves. ]

[mayavericks]

Janis.

[Maya holds out her hand. Not to be held in kind, though. There's a folded piece of paper there.]

This is the code to my locker. Will you... give everyone what is in there?

[fourbutts]

[ Janis takes it, tucks it away in her pocket. ]

Yeah. Alright.

[mayavericks]

I'm sorry.

[fourbutts]

Me too.

[ And then: ]

I'm bringing you back. Here or...

[ Well. It's nebulous, but she has a back-up plan! She learned it from Maya, even! But she's not saying it. She's pretty sure Maya wouldn't want her to. ​]

I'm going to find a way. I'm not giving up on you.

[mayavericks]

Please don't, my starlight. [And even if her eyes are filled with stupid tears.] Someone has to have my babies, right?

[fourbutts]

[ That uh. Takes her by surprise enough to shock her out of planning terrible choices. Janis lets out a noise that's almost a laugh. ]

If you give up for a fucking second on your end, Maya Tendo, I'm not doing it.

[mayavericks]

Give up on seeing your smile again? I-I would not dream it.

[fourbutts]

[ She tries to smile, she really does.

It doesn't happen. ]

It's been said the world's a stage
And everyone must play their part
Well, if that's true, go act with all your heart
If it's your cue to go
Stand 'neath the spotlight's glow
And give him one hell of a show

[barberic]

[Benjamin's gaze drops from Maya, to the floor.

He doesn't move, or say anything else. There's nothing left alive inside of him.]

[brokeforgood]

[Well. Angus seems... Better off than Benj does right now. So she's just going to slowly cross the room, and crouch down and just kind of lay a hand on his back.

It's okay if he doesn't say anything or move. She'll just wait with him.]

[barberic]

[He doesn't react to her touch.

Is that better or worse than crying?]

[brokeforgood]

[probably worse


but i guess for once in her life, farrah gets this isn't really about her. so. she'll just hang out.]