fourth trial

[stagemanagers]

[For a fourth time, the doors of the trial room unlock with a loud, echoing click and creak of the doors opening.

The time has come for your fourth trial.

The courtroom looks as it always does, with Hook and Javert's podiums are have been decorated just as the other dead performers are. The added lights cast even more shadows across the room and the chandelier above glitters and hangs ominously overhead. The Balladeer is nowhere to be seen again, presumably waiting behind the curtain to be needed. Once everyone is in position, his voice rings out across the courtroom.]

You guys know what to do. Let's get this over with.

Comments

VOTING

[tellthestory]

[After this little exchange, the Balladeer calls out in exasperation.]

That's it, cue the hook!

[You know those vaudeville canes used to drag people offstage? Well, a very large one is now emerging from the shadows at the edge of the circle, coming for Cain. Better vote fast if you're gonna do it, buddy.]

That's how you really use boldface, asshole. [The grumbling is almost barely audible. So is the sigh that follows, and then he's speaking loudly again, the anger drained out of his voice.] Everyone else...I'm on my way down. We're gonna wrap up soon.

[1/???]

[cainthedark]

...You really think this will stop me?

> The Princess

All of you. I know who you are. I know you have loved ones. Children. Parents. Friends.

[That last one is spat out.]

[2/???]

[cainthedark]

I come back. I must always come back. It is my curse. And when I finally do, I will find you. I will find those you care about. They will die before your eyes. And then, when I am finished, your deaths will also be long, and slow.

[Smirk.]

And I will watch you all squirm.

[3/???]

[cainthedark]

Do you really think you are better by killing me? Do you really think this will make you feel better? Don't you know?

Chosen by the will of the Cosmos!
With my hands, when darkness takes control
The Neo-Apocalypse shall commence

To the destruction of all of humanity!

[3.2/3.2]

[cainthedark]

Destruction t-

[Y O I N K

Out he goes into the shadows.]

[tellthestory]

[Somewhere, above and in the shadows, there is a sarcastic slow clap.]

[sunshineprincess]

[Well, voting will happen if Billy decides it's safe enough to actually let Anna down without her going all rage-y on Stabby.]

[inforapenny]

[So basically when the hook drags her away tbh

but ok smol girlfriend are you good? are we good?]

[sunshineprincess]

[Weeeeeh not fair she wanted a few more hits in but yes we are good.

She'll behave for now.]

[inforapenny]

[Good then she can vote and he's going to give her a kiss on the cheek before he goes back to his own podium to vote]

[sunshineprincess]

[Aw you're so cute you'll get a proper kiss later Billy.

> The Vessel]

At least I got one hit in. [Yup. That's said mostly to herself.]

[inforapenny]

> The Vessel

[Sorry Astarte, but also fuck you Cain

Billy's glad Anna got a good wallop in on him]

[dontfeedplants]

>The Vessel

[He sighs as he stares at the podium. He's just... sick of everything. The murder, the innocent people dying for no reason, the fact that he's just growing so numb to this.

Cain's half speech, however, stirs a small reaction within him, and he speaks without even realizing that he's saying this out loud.]

There's nothing you can do that that damn plant hasn't already done to me.

[allicareabout]

[...Sorry, Astarte, but there's not going to be any hesitation here.

>The Vessel

...You still did good, kid.]

[robitussin]

[She glances over at Cain for a moment, hesitating. It isn't Cain that she addresses, though.]

...I don't know if you can hear me at all in there anymore, but I'm sorry it had to come to this.

[> The Vessel]

[aflatouttahell]

[Astarte didn't deserve this. Cain... Cain absolutely does. Under the rules here, anyway. It worries her a little, how angry she is, but...

"See you in hell."]

I'm sorry, Astarte. Say hi to the other victims for me.

>The Vessel

[trettende]

[ >The Vessel

She truly was a Vessel to some old, deranged fool. If there's one thing Hans has learned here, it's that the Management wins and the killer always pays. ]

Let's see those powers of yours save you now.

[dieformymusic]

[In a sad way, Astarte reminded her of himself...too much of himself.

He couldn't shake off the fear and suspicion that he truly sold himself to Swan when he cast his votr.]

>The Vessel

["I'm sorry."]

SHUT UP I'M NOT LATE

[dechagny]

[On one hand this kills him inside but on the other, just. Cain. Fuck you Cain.]

>The Vessel