cartesianism | Week 3

Week 3: Trial

April 20th. It was now time for the trial.

When everyone arrives at the trial room, the tribunes are already filled with townspeople. Compared to last week, there's less morbid curiosity and more quiet outrage. Everyone's glaring at the visitors while they enter the courtroom.

The number of podiums draped in black has increased dramatically. Nine's, Mako's, Sandalphon's, and Bakugou's have joined Moloch's, raising the number to five. That's one sixth of the available podiums. How many more will be covered in black velvet before these two months end?

Once everyone is at the right podium, the Sergeant bangs his gavel. He doesn't seem to be in better mood than before.

"Today the victim is Katsuki Bakugou. Solve it."

Without even bothering to taunt or be as antagonistic as usual, he waves the gavel. Five small photos appear on the podiums.

"When it's time, you shall cast your vote. Write it on paper or put the photo inside the slot, I don't really care about how you do it. What matters is that you actually do it. Start your discussion."

The trial room went completely silent, all the visitors can feel the attentive stares of the townspeople gathered to watch. It's up to them now to find the culprit.

Let the trial begin.

Links

Evidence
Guestbook
Voting

[Welcome to the trial! Please remember to cash your votes here!. Your deadline is 8:00 PM EST. Good luck!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Both of them normally. This? As far as I can tell, I don't have access to any of my other magic like this.

Okay. So... I know it isn't working right here or whatever, but back home, what did looking all weird like that allow you to do differently?

Different stuff. My element is light, so beams. Some small, some big. Using it to enhance my attacks. Light is pretty versatile.

But you couldn't do any of that here, other than the glowy stuff?

Yeah. If I could, I'd show you.

Okay.

[...]

And what's a Guild Master?

[She's going somewhere with this, maybe.]

A guild master is basically the leader of a guild. They help organize people, keep order, and keep the guild running.

Keep order. So, making sure people got along, handling disputes fairly... Would that have been part of it?

Yeah. It isn't easy, especially with a rowdy bunch like Sabertooth, but somebody has to do it.

It just seems weird to me that someone who's used to handling disputes and making sure things are fair wouldn't wait until we have conclusive evidence, or until we're running out of time to vote, to accuse someone pretty strongly like this. I mean, I'm not discounting the idea that she could have done it, and I dislike her as much as anyone else, but....

[A shrug.]

Sometimes as a guild master you have make quick decisions, and... hard ones too. I honestly I don't think we're going to find anything against Clarisse or anyone else. If I thought we would, I would have waited to see it before making a decision. A guild master is a lot of things at once, it's hard for me to sum up exactly what it is for you guys. What I can tell you is: I don't have the same experience as most other guild masters. Most of them are a lot older than I am, and a lot stronger too. But... I'm learning, one day at a time.

I can also tell you: Clarisse killed Bakugou, I'm positive of it. I'm sorry... I really do wish it were clearer, but I don't think this is going to become any less of a mess and I don't believe she's going to confess.

[She listens to all of that and considers it, but in the end:]

I'm not certain either way, but... I still think the fact that you're trying so hard to convince people of that now is pretty suspicious, considering you're up on that list too. That's all.

If you or anyone else thinks it's me, I don't think there's a way I can change your mind. I can keep saying I didn't kill him but Clarisse will keep saying the same thing. It's up to you guys to figure out who you believe more out of the two of us—because it really is down to the two of us.

Just saying, I don't know that anyone else has decided it's just us two except for you. Maybe birdbrain, I guess.

I'd place my bet on you, Clarisse, but Wayne seems to just be thrown on the list, Keith maybe has the combat prowess if Bakugou didn't have his quirk, and Olympia would have received damage if it was her. You and Sting are the only ones left, and you're the one that makes the most sense.

I already said this, but you'll pin the blame on anyone in this list. If it's gonna come down to one of the others? I'd rather you guys vote for me. I didn't do it, but neither did Wayne, Olympia, or Keith. Don't punish them for something Clarisse did.

I already admitted I don't care who killed him, and I don't care who takes the fall so long as it's not me, since I didn't do this.

Talk like that is real close to how Nine started off his confession, though, isn't it?

I'm sorry, but it doesn't matter how many times you say that to me. I don't believe you.

[You know. As annoying as this whole fucking trial charade has been? He can kinda respect that she's not giving up.[

Is there really a point to talking to you anymore? You're gonna deny this shit until the very end.

Seriously? Of course I am! It wasn't me! All you idiots have to go on is circumstantial bullshit from another suspect who has my same skill set, but superhuman, and every reason to implicate me.

(no subject)

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You're positive of it. We're not. Makes you wonder why you're so set on the point.

You think he's that good at lying? [ They've uh, talked a fair bit so he feels somewhat ok vouching for Sting's moral integrity here. ]

His secret wasn't worth it either.

She has the skills and the disposition. That's more than I can say for anyone else on this list.

The disposition makes it easy to pin the blame. We barely know each other here. It's more convenient to choose the person who fits the 'type', isn't it?

[It's been three weeks. You could know someone for years and still not be able to make that call.]

I already said why I think it's her. I'm sorry, I don't have any more answers than I've already given.