SIXTH TRIAL

[splitaseam]

[The whole trial thing must feel like the norm to everyone right now, and one can't help but wonder if this will keep happening until everyone has died.

There are three new epitaphs for Star Butterfly, Maui, and Fiddleford.

Here lies Star Butterfly
One of our most toughest girls
Went out with a pretty twirl

Here lies Maui
Claimed to be a great demigod
But it turns out he was a fraud

Here lies Fiddleford McGucket
He tried to wipe his mind
And ended up getting left behind

Well you all know what to do by now, huh?]

Don't spare any of the gory details.

Comments

[whistlenotchirp]

Ford, you're a smart man.

What... exactly is bleach made out of?

[sixfingeredstan]

...Sodium hypochlorite? What's your point?

[whistlenotchirp]

Sounds pretty deadly.

I made a sort of guess at it, it sounds like I was right.

[sixfingeredstan]

But why. Why did you kill him. Why kill Maui? What could he have possibly done to you—?

[He's actively sobbing by now.]

[toogoodforhim]

[Lefou reaches for Ford's hand. This is beyond shoulder pats. This is platonic handholding levels of comfort.]

[whistlenotchirp]

[He finally looks up at Ford.]

Ford...

Would sodium hypochlorite kill a cricket my size?

cw suicide???

[sixfingeredstan]

[.....It all dawns on Ford, as easy as that. And he feels all the blood drain from his face, feels himself go cold.]

...You weren't trying to kill him.

You were trying to take your own life.

cw suicide

[whistlenotchirp]

Wasn't any use here. More at risk of falling for Oogie's motives the longer I stayed. I'd put my friends back home in danger the longer I was here.

It was the moral thing to do.

[sixfingeredstan]

Well—

[He's so torn. He wants to be sympathetic, but...two men are dead because of this. The love of his life, gone. He shakes his head.]

You put Maui and Fiddleford in worse danger. They're dead because of you.

[whistlenotchirp]

I know.

If I wasn't so... [He sighs.] I know.

[sixfingeredstan]

[Ford draws in a deep breath, squeezes his eyes shut, and exhales. It's physically painful to say this, but.]

I forgive you.

[whistlenotchirp]

You shouldn't.

[sixfingeredstan]

Too god damned bad. I forgive you. You're still going to die for what you did, but you at least deserve to be shown some compassion before you go to Hell.

[kindaruledatit]

....You were listening to your conscience.

[This all hits Wendy far harder then it would seem. She's... not looking too great.]

[outsidethecircle]

... I don't think I understand anything.

[whistlenotchirp]

Its... a long story.

But I made a mistake. I need to pay for it.