THIRD TRIAL

[keyofimagination]

[This is all becoming routine now, to the point that maybe the thought of the elevator dropping suddenly doesn’t bother you. Or maybe you’re just so numb to four people dying already that the thought of dropping isn’t as bad.

Or heck, maybe you’re still dreading the drop, who knows?]

Submitted for your approval, Amanda and Thalia. Two girls who deal daily outside the normal world. They’ve dealt daily with fighting dangerous beings, only to have been struck down suddenly by the mortal coil. For even experience with these terrors couldn’t prepare these two young warriors for the kind of terror one finds… The Twilight Zone.

[And there’s the drop again. At least this is the norm now, and at least once it’s finally done you get access to that sweet open bar.

The Tip Top Club, is, like, usual, the same except the new grayscale pictures of Goofy, Roxanne, Stitch, Amanda, and Thalia. The Narrator is in his usual spot, but it seems like he’s spacing out a little. He does acknowledge the guests once they enter, at least.]

Take as much time as you need. I’ll be quiet this week.

[Have fun, everyone.]

Comments

VOTING TIME

[keyofimagination]

[Rod folds his arms, somehow looking even more tired than when the trial started.]

I guess it's time to vote, then. Remember it's majority rules and a wrong vote counts as a vote for yourself.

[darthfanboy]

What if we were to write down your name.

[anasty]

I was wondering the same. If we all misvote, then there is no majority, is there?

[stenchus_rodentus]

He did commit those other crimes didn't he?

Or is he exempt from those same rules?

[Now things got interesting.]

[keyofimagination]

Then everyone but Reyna will die.

[darthfanboy]

You and your master, Disney, have created this situation.

[darnsitall]

But you're a murderer now, too. We were all witnesses.

[darnsitall]

[politely folds her hands in her lap.]

I don't want to play this game anymore.

[keyofimagination]

I understand.

[theduck]

[Just. Crosses arms stubbornly and slouches down as far as he can at his table.]

No.

[keyofimagination]

I'm sorry, but that's the rules.

[audentiae]

Listen to me, all of you. This isn't going to stop unless you all make it stop. Please, if this... if our deaths teach you anything, let it be that you have to work together to leave this place. I've seen mortal enemies come together to fight greater enemies on a greater scale than this. Break this cycle. I believe in all of you.

[ She picks up her pen and paper, writes on it: ]

REYNA RAMIREZ-ARELLANO

Don't let this happen again, alright? Stay safe, and stay alive. And for the gods' sake, don't get yourselves killed for me. If you need help voting, I'll offer you my courage.

[ And, a little later: ]

Narrator?

[keyofimagination]

Yes, Reyna?

[audentiae]

Can I make a request for... when you kill me?

[nocasetoobig]

Reyna...

[audentiae]

May you make it home safely, Chip.

[theduck]

...I’ll hold onto your knife for you.

Maybe the Narrator’s benefactor is a werewolf.

[hallotween]

... Next time, I'm locking all you jerks in a closet.

[Reyna]

[tadaishi]

[Tadashi's not joining this riot. They don't have any advantage and it's mostly a lot of pointless arguing, so he's just staying out of most of it.]

REYNA RAMIREZ-ARELLANO

[Fite him.]

[greatwidesomewhere]

[As much as she wants to fight this, tooth and nail...she knows Reyna is right. They can't all die. They have to try to fight this, but now is not the time. She bows her head and writes:]

Reyna.

[A couple of alligator tears drop to the paper, blurring the ink, but the deed is done.]

[forgottenfounder]

[....Oswald's so tired. He has no energy to argue, not that he would. It's all just silly rules. They have to play by the rules, or accept whatever consequences that would come with disobeying.

It burned in the pit of his stomach like a hot rock, but... at least, out of everyone, Reyna wanted to remain strong.]

Reyna.

[That much they should be able to do for her.]

...I'm sorry we can't give you some of our courage, Reyna.

[anasty]

[ And to think she was actually considering offering up her life up this time to call a bluff. Well, she's not going down without the pack of you risking it all too.

She doesn't look at her notebook, instead bottoming up her drink as she writes: ]

Reyna.

[geomanctic]

[She can't make eye contact with anyone. She keeps her head bowed- scrawling:

Reyna]

[stenchus_rodentus]

[Ratigan is just here for a laugh but if you losers don't wanna kill yourselves while he attempts to bargain out of it fine.

Ratigan rolls his eyes as he slurps down the rest of his drink.]

Reyna.

Bad luck for both of them, really.

[lusito]

Reyna

[A pause, and then]

Now if you children are finished pointing fingers and yelling over nothing, can we move on already? I'd like to get this over with soon.