A pile of votes appear in front of the Sergeant, votes he quickly counts. When he's done, he stands up and looks at them. For a moment the silence is thick, he looks at the clock again.
In other words, Mira has been named the culprit responsible for Lovepon's death. As if that's correct or not...
...it is correct. Mira committed this crime, and fulfilled the requirements I was looking for. For that she has my gratitude.
Congratulations, everybody. You successfully completed the four days schedule, and just in time -- ten minutes before noon. Take a moment to breathe while I prepare her punishment. This one time I will take care of this myself. That'll be quicker.
You can blame Lovepon for the location. I was just getting sorbet, and she tried to 'execute' me with that saw. After I shot her, I thought I might as well use it. I figured it would mess with everyone's emotions so they couldn't think... and hey, only six of you actually voted for me, so I'd say it worked.
[Six is hardly a majority, she sure feels cheated that she's not getting off the hook for this! But whatever.]
That, and I didn't really want the gun traced back to me, so I might as well try and lose the torso in the lake. I didn't think anyone would care that much. I would have tried a bit harder if I knew there would be all this fanfare.
No, I've never tried killing anyone for money, though it's an interesting idea. I don't think I'd get what I was looking for out of it though.
[She muses. Should she tell him? Well, a couple people already know, so one more can't hurt.]
The truth is, I do it for my personal benefit. It's so I can touch people's hearts... though Lovepon was a little different, since I didn't have much of an interest in hers. ...I know that won't make a lot of sense on its own, but it's a long story.
[ It was self defense, after all. Even if what she did to the body afterward was horrible... Alfin just wasn't the type to hate people. She truly believed in second chances. And here... there were no second chances. ]
I didn't vote at all. I didn't know for sure it was Will. I only acted like I was certain because I thought if I did, and he was the culprit, he would crack...
[She's kind of surprised she answered that earnestly.]
Well, I guess not voting in this situation is fittingly Princess-like.
I thought I was going to get away with it... None of you came close to noticing what I was really worried about. Those six people must have been tapped into something I wasn't aware of.
And what is her punishment, exactly? [ matoba takes out his bow and aims an arrow at the sergeant, smile ever present. ] If it's death, sorry to say I can't let you do that.
Is there a fairer punishment for a murder? Is that not how society solves their problems? Eye for an eye. It's a very basic concept, and one the world has been built upon for millenia.
[...]
Why do you want her to live? Hasn't she shown the darkness in her heart?
You weren't brought here by mere coincidence, Mira. I have the feeling you wouldn't be amused if I said my reasons -- and this isn't the time to say it, anyway.
[...]
I did think you'd kill someone without it having to be in self-defense. That I am disappointed about.
That doesn't make sense. If you get a bunch of people together who are as likely to murder as you say, it should be more natural that this situation would occur.
Were you hoping it was someone else? In the middle, the profile you all made up was sounding like a poor child was the killer.... [She actually sounds a little amused by that.]
Huh, I wasn't expecting a compliment... but I guess I did technically spare you all from the motive, so that's fine. I'll give you one back. You came the closest to finding it... the piece of the puzzle you were missing.
[She offers him her hand. There's nothing on it, though... but if he brought it closer to his face, he would catch a fragrance of cherries.]
I used scented remover for the gunshot residue. Call me a sucker for feminine marketing, but it's not like anyone noticed.
[The clock shows 11:57 AM when the bailiffs enter their room, their faces looking just like the Sergeant's: no distinguishable features, due to the shadows covering their faces. The Sergeant points at Mira, who steps back, tensing and looking for any escape routes. The bailiffs, undeterred and fearless, grab her from the arms, pulling to drag her towards the entrance of the trial room.
Smirking, Mira struggles, getting an arm out of one of the bailiff's grip, she shoves the other against the tribune, the wood shaking and creaking under the weight of the bailiff. Pleased and thinking she was making progress, she punches the other in the gut and runs towards the door--
--until she's flung back. The Sergeant got off his spot, walking quickly towards her and holding a hand in front of him. With a flick, Mira levitates a few inches over the ground, as if she's being grabbed by the back of her jacket. Without nary a glance at the rest, the Sergeant leaves the courtroom, Mira floating behind him.
The police station is right in front of the courtroom, and there's no agent in sight. Without anyone to stop him, and with the other arm extended towards the rest of the participants, the Sergeant enters a large room, barren and very gloomy: the execution room. A large electrical chair is in the exact center of the room, ancient and decrepit. When Mira sees the electric chair, Mira struggles again, trying to reach the floor with her feet, but an electrical arch comes out of the Sergeant's hand, hitting her right on the forehead, stunning her. That moment is enough for the Sergeant to fling her onto the chair, the restraints snapping onto Mira as if the chair itself is alive and eager to get its prey]
For the crime of murder, you have been sentenced to death. The world will mourn your death for a few minutes, and then life will go on. Let that be your last thought. Goodbye.
[With a flick of a hand, the chair activates. The noise fills the room, wild, threatening to pierce everyone's eardrums. Mira immediately starts shaking on her seat, for a moment she tries to grip the armrests of the chair, but it feels like her fingers aren't cooperating, like something wants her to not show even the smallest bit of resistance. Despite her movements for a moment she sees the Sergeant, standing right in front of her, hands behind his back. No doubt it's him, he's the one denying her even a moment of reprieve. For a second she holds his stare despite her movements, looking at him straight at where she's sure his eyes are, and chuckles. Her soft laughter sounds unnatural, almost inintelligible among the electricity, but it's there, one last show of defiance before her mind starts getting clouded.
The moments of lucidity lasted only a few seconds, but Mira's body kept moving under the electricity's control for what seemed much longer. After a minute or so of continuous electricity, the chair turns off, releasing the still smoking body of Mira. The Sergeant approaches and crouches to take a good look at her face. He seems to be thinking. Whatever crossed his mind he doesn't reveal, he just stands up and addresses everyone else]
It's over. You all fulfilled these four days' events in an admirable way. I'd even dare to say some of you surpassed my expectations. You are such a promising group of people...some more than others, from what I saw...
[The sentence isn't completed. He gestures at the door of the police station]
I'm sure you're anxious to return home, but can you give me a moment? I need to think.
[Once everyone leaves the execution room, the door slams shut, leaving the Sergeant and Mira's body inside. Looks like all you can do for now is wait.
[ waver forces himself to look. he refuses to turn away for a second, even though it's painful to see someone die in front of him for the umpteenth time.
once it's over, he sighs, a thousand times more exhausted than before. ]
Perhaps there was something to her saying she was tougher than she looked all along, because she doesn't so much as flinch. It might actually be kind of unsettling, how neutral her expression is during the whole thing.
Once it's over and done with, she doesn't make a sound as she exits the room. It isn't until the door slams shut that she finally does, giving a long sigh as she flops back against the nearest wall.]
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[]
In other words, Mira has been named the culprit responsible for Lovepon's death. As if that's correct or not...
...it is correct. Mira committed this crime, and fulfilled the requirements I was looking for. For that she has my gratitude.
Congratulations, everybody. You successfully completed the four days schedule, and just in time -- ten minutes before noon. Take a moment to breathe while I prepare her punishment. This one time I will take care of this myself. That'll be quicker.
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[She's acting the same as ever. Or maybe she's still scheming about how to get out of it, if she can figure out what was coming.]
You guys got lucky.
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Why'd you go and hack her up like that, you sicko?!
And why'd you ruin the ice cream?!
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[Six is hardly a majority, she sure feels cheated that she's not getting off the hook for this! But whatever.]
That, and I didn't really want the gun traced back to me, so I might as well try and lose the torso in the lake. I didn't think anyone would care that much. I would have tried a bit harder if I knew there would be all this fanfare.
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[Sigh.]
...I don't want to see what's about to happen to you. But after what you did, there needs to be some justice.
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Bubblegum is a terrible flavor anyway. I thought even you wouldn't get to the bottom of it by the time we were meant to leave.
Well, I suppose I had to get caught eventually. I guess it's fine... I already found what I wanted before I died.
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What was it that you wanted?
[She's being serious again, studying Mira carefully.]
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Come to think of it, that was part of her name, wasn't it? It's sort of funny.
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...You know, I'd agree with you if you hadn't hung her head from a freakin' tree. That's just gross.
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[ He wouldn't be surprised if she was. ]
Couldn't find a thing. But you seem cool-headed about this, so I'm guessing this is not your first rodeo. Killing-wise.
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You did a pretty good clean up job.
Zero Time Dilemma spoilers
[She muses. Should she tell him? Well, a couple people already know, so one more can't hurt.]
The truth is, I do it for my personal benefit. It's so I can touch people's hearts... though Lovepon was a little different, since I didn't have much of an interest in hers. ...I know that won't make a lot of sense on its own, but it's a long story.
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[ Alfin's voice is quiet. They almost didn't get her. ]
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[That doesn't make her feel better, but she hopes it helps Alfin a little.]
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Is it really justice, if it happens here?
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But it's the best we're gonna get, isn't it?
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I should be able to do better...!
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Hmm. If you don't want that 'justice', then would you rather forgive me?
[This question is pure indulgence in curiosity.]
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...I already do forgive you.
[ It was self defense, after all. Even if what she did to the body afterward was horrible... Alfin just wasn't the type to hate people. She truly believed in second chances. And here... there were no second chances. ]
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I didn't vote at all. I didn't know for sure it was Will. I only acted like I was certain because I thought if I did, and he was the culprit, he would crack...
[ She sighed. ]
I owe him an apology...
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Well, I guess not voting in this situation is fittingly Princess-like.
I thought I was going to get away with it... None of you came close to noticing what I was really worried about. Those six people must have been tapped into something I wasn't aware of.
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[...]
Why do you want her to live? Hasn't she shown the darkness in her heart?
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[He's with Matoba on this. Not about to allow another death.]
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It is simply that her death is a natural result of these developments.
[The Sergeant shrugs, putting a hand to his ear, and murmurs a few things before adding:]
Blame me all you want, I just follow orders.
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Rated R for Restricted Enjoyment of Violence.
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The satisfaction of a job well done, that is.
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[For the first time since he arrived, there's a small hint of a grin underneath the shadows over the Sergeant's face]
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[...]
I did think you'd kill someone without it having to be in self-defense. That I am disappointed about.
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[This one time.]
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[ he sighs. his expression is irritated...towards everything. ]
How regrettable.
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[ he looks a little embarrassed by that, honestly. ]
Nevertheless, you were skilled in covering the crime. It's regrettable, but impressive.
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[She offers him her hand. There's nothing on it, though... but if he brought it closer to his face, he would catch a fragrance of cherries.]
I used scented remover for the gunshot residue. Call me a sucker for feminine marketing, but it's not like anyone noticed.
EXECUTION: THE OLD CLASSIC
Smirking, Mira struggles, getting an arm out of one of the bailiff's grip, she shoves the other against the tribune, the wood shaking and creaking under the weight of the bailiff. Pleased and thinking she was making progress, she punches the other in the gut and runs towards the door--
--until she's flung back. The Sergeant got off his spot, walking quickly towards her and holding a hand in front of him. With a flick, Mira levitates a few inches over the ground, as if she's being grabbed by the back of her jacket. Without nary a glance at the rest, the Sergeant leaves the courtroom, Mira floating behind him.
The police station is right in front of the courtroom, and there's no agent in sight. Without anyone to stop him, and with the other arm extended towards the rest of the participants, the Sergeant enters a large room, barren and very gloomy: the execution room. A large electrical chair is in the exact center of the room, ancient and decrepit. When Mira sees the electric chair, Mira struggles again, trying to reach the floor with her feet, but an electrical arch comes out of the Sergeant's hand, hitting her right on the forehead, stunning her. That moment is enough for the Sergeant to fling her onto the chair, the restraints snapping onto Mira as if the chair itself is alive and eager to get its prey]
For the crime of murder, you have been sentenced to death. The world will mourn your death for a few minutes, and then life will go on. Let that be your last thought. Goodbye.
[With a flick of a hand, the chair activates. The noise fills the room, wild, threatening to pierce everyone's eardrums. Mira immediately starts shaking on her seat, for a moment she tries to grip the armrests of the chair, but it feels like her fingers aren't cooperating, like something wants her to not show even the smallest bit of resistance. Despite her movements for a moment she sees the Sergeant, standing right in front of her, hands behind his back. No doubt it's him, he's the one denying her even a moment of reprieve. For a second she holds his stare despite her movements, looking at him straight at where she's sure his eyes are, and chuckles. Her soft laughter sounds unnatural, almost inintelligible among the electricity, but it's there, one last show of defiance before her mind starts getting clouded.
The moments of lucidity lasted only a few seconds, but Mira's body kept moving under the electricity's control for what seemed much longer. After a minute or so of continuous electricity, the chair turns off, releasing the still smoking body of Mira. The Sergeant approaches and crouches to take a good look at her face. He seems to be thinking. Whatever crossed his mind he doesn't reveal, he just stands up and addresses everyone else]
It's over. You all fulfilled these four days' events in an admirable way. I'd even dare to say some of you surpassed my expectations. You are such a promising group of people...some more than others, from what I saw...
[The sentence isn't completed. He gestures at the door of the police station]
I'm sure you're anxious to return home, but can you give me a moment? I need to think.
[Once everyone leaves the execution room, the door slams shut, leaving the Sergeant and Mira's body inside. Looks like all you can do for now is wait.
The clock says 12:00 PM. Noon.]
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once it's over, he sighs, a thousand times more exhausted than before. ]
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Alrighty then.
[ Also that shit's creepy and he's glad he didn't try anything so far. But they really need to get out of here. Seriously. ]
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Perhaps there was something to her saying she was tougher than she looked all along, because she doesn't so much as flinch. It might actually be kind of unsettling, how neutral her expression is during the whole thing.
Once it's over and done with, she doesn't make a sound as she exits the room. It isn't until the door slams shut that she finally does, giving a long sigh as she flops back against the nearest wall.]
...I hate waiting.
[Is that really all she has to say?]