#yes she's still the same Keiko but her body is 11

[youngpettyqueen]

de-aging isnt a trope ive watched a lot of and its not one I particularly seek out in fic where I know its more popular (ive read a few for TMA when I was fixated on that) but TNG's 'Rascals' episode is a fascinating exploration of the concept

[wlwkiryuu]

nanami is a closeted lesbian

this was a theory of mine i used to have just minor evidence for, but after i tried to search up that evidence to compile i realized i actually have a LOT more than i bargained for! so heres ALL the evidence i have so far under the cut :’)

(also please note that i am adding my own personal experiences as a lesbian to this to derive this headcanon, so as they say: your mileage may vary! this is just for fun although i certainly wouldn’t put it past ikuhara + the producers of the show to hint that nanami isn’t straight.) 

OK first off nanami seems to have a crush on miki waaayyy back in the sunlit garden prelude, when he's first introduced. but then she gets jealous when it turns out he’s too busy crushing on anthy.

she then decides to do everything she can in that one episode (snails. garter snake. octopus. you know the one) to get anthy out of the picture, 

but then eventually it turns into her getting obsessed with utena and anthy themselves rather than getting them out of the way between her and miki.

compare nanami trying to humiliate anthy in front of miki vs her trying to ardently spy on utena and anthy to the point where she knows their schedules in order to sneak that curry into their class. it’s because of her own personal vendetta against them at this point. and THEN compare THAT to nanami trying to warn utena about akio in season 3 near the series finale even though there was literally nothing that required her to do that.

what's even more interesting is that nanami’s repeatedly been said to be one who never gets her own hands dirty when she’s up to no good; and yet in regards to utena and anthy?

she’s DEFINITELY more than willing to get her hands dirty. these two are just that special enough for her to be worthy of her attention.

(and even after touga is out of the picture—that is, once he’s basically revealed himself as the manipulative asshole that he was towards his sister all along—utena’s still deemed worthy of attention by nanami, who goes so far as to warn her about akio, which is...hmm! interesting!)

and what's even more worth mentioning on top of this is that whenever nanami humiliates someone? she usually succeeds in it! a prime example would be keiko in her black rose episode. even at the end, she just comes crawling back to nanami. but utena and anthy...they really end up testing nanami to the bone. and of course, that’s what makes their dynamics with nanami so interesting!

 but more on that later. the main point here is that this is one of the first (if not the first) times nanami’s bullying has ended up hurting her rather than her victims. and it consequently opens up nanami’s eyes. she begins to regard these girls in a whole other way, on her own footing. which is kind of a major step in her making tensions with her brother reach a peak, until the season 3 arc comes crashing down on her. this makes her eventually realize she will never be able to see touga in/be with touga in the same way ever again, causing her to resolve to cut ties with one of the only men she has a eminent relationship with.

buuut back to the miki episode. notice nanami’s word choice when she praises miki! pride of the school. almost like she's inclined to like/settle for miki because of this, because she considers herself a pride of the school as well. she focuses more on his status and supposed superiority than anything; that’s the kind of thing nanami’s after/the kind of status she thinks makes her better than others as well. and you know who else she/the rest of the student body considers a pride of the school...?

yep! this asshole! and obviously she can't fulfill being loved that way with her brother bc a) she’s explicitly screamed and shoved him away when he tried to make an advance on her because she knows that kind of relationship is not right and b) her devotion to him to the point where she completely ignores other guys is a product of her idealization of men + compulsory heterosexuality.

(for clarification: touga is saying the top half after nanami pushes him away when he tries to advance on her, and nanami is saying the bottom half).

and here we have obvious proof that nanami does NOT want him as a partner and NEVER wanted him like that all along. so what am i trying to get at here? that she KNOWS touga kiryuu is unattainable. a significant aspect of compulsory heterosexuality is getting crushes on/idolizing guys who are idealized/unattainable. you can't get the guy anyways, so it's both “proof” that you're straight, and no one can say you never acted on that “crush” because getting that guy is impossible anyways.

this matches the theme in revolutionary girl utena surrounding the generalization/idealization of men by women forced into compulsory hetereosexuality perfectly (i mean miki’s literally called a “prince” because he has all these “ideal” noble qualities: rich, kind, good-looking, honest, talented, good grades/prodigy) and honestly provides a great parallel to utena and her “prince” (i say “prince” and not simply akio because touga toys with this idea as well in order to make utena lose her duel with him in episode 11!)

you know that scene where anthy’s wearing the dress nanami gave her and she watches it get wet and tear away at anthy’s clothes? you know, the classic introductory oh shit, nanami’s actually a huge asshole moment? 

yeah, so upon rewatching that scene i realized the entire scene PLUS the part where utena rescues anthy and starts dancing with her is cut in between in various places by nanami’s commentary:

so its safe to say this whole scene is from nanami’s point of view.

...yeah. NANAMI’S point of view. and its ALSO worth mentioning that this is the first time nanami’s ever seen or heard of utena at all. thus begins our closeted disaster femme icon’s first taste of lesbianism.

oh and of course, the iconic scene from nanami’s egg where this happens.

ok WOW lots of good stuff here. yes, on the surface level, of course, the specific moment in context is where nanami confuses preferring to have a girl as a child to preferring girls romantically. but then again, it’s not like nanami actually laid an egg. revolutionary girl utena’s metaphor soup! there���s more to things than just face value.

what i’ve seen as the most universally accepted interpretation of this episode is that it’s about puberty, and specifically, the taboos involving menstruation. and of course, this completely makes sense! egg motif? check. tsuwabuki literally mentioning that nanami has to attend a health class? check. the episode starting out with a dream where nanami is a child, then paralleled throughout the rest of the episode with current, teenager nanami? check. touga talking about “eggs” disparagingly? check. the episode is about puberty, maturation of feelings, and adolescence, meaning that discussing sexuality is really not too far of a stretch in an episode that pretty much covers puberty in general! it totally matches the whole “coming of age” theme in both this episode AND the series (albeit it’s done in more serious undertones in the non-nanami bits of the show).

and you know what’s even more interesting? when touga hints that nanami liking girls is wrong, she doesn’t immediately jump to the fact that she likes guys as her defense. rather, she jumps to her specifically loving touga as her defense. and as i pointed out earlier, she knows she doesn’t want touga romantically. miki whom?

not to mention this gem:

...yeah. nanami’s first time seeing the “eggs” in question being put to use is by guys, and she’s visibly disgusted/horrified by it. not subtle at ALL, ikuhara.

and what’s MORE that i realized just from this one iconic episode? the alien motif. 

ah, nanami’s incredibly absurd imagine spots. gotta love those! and they all fit a particular theme: alienation. and it’s honestly really odd to think about how nanami has this constant fear of alienation throughout this episode (and arguably throughout the series); she’s rich, popular, and consequently has the whole student body in the palm of her hand. and yet she STILL believes she’s not normal. really kind of parallels being closeted/”hiding something,” doesn’t it? and it’s cleverly referred to again upon nanami’s big arc in season 3, when her entire world comes crashing down as she believes her and touga aren’t actually siblings.

(the scene in question is right when keiko slaps nanami because she tells touga that “he shouldn’t go out with a girl like her [keiko].”)

ostracism/fear of ostracism seems to be a popular theme for nanami throughout the series.

so in this episode, nanami soon transitions from imagining being alienated to being behind her peers instead. 

it’s constantly established that nanami only has eyes for her brother; the “only one she loves” is him. she’s never shown interest for any other guy, which is paralleled especially well in keiko’s black rose episode; nanami’s vicious attitude towards keiko manifests because keiko turns out to have eyes for the only one nanami has eyes for. 

keiko’s the one acting “normally”; nanami’s the one seen as overtly possessive.

and, of course, knowing the nature of nanami’s character, her idolization of her brother is painted to such absurd extremes that she essentially shows she absolutely refuses to find another relationship. she’s in a “fairy-tale world”; she refuses to grow up, which even her brother admits at times.

another common aspect among closeted lesbians is the feeling that we’re “late bloomers” for failing to find any sort of interest in men. and so, thus, the line mentioned earlier that describes nanami’s fear, “being late compared to most people,” could very easily fit into this context.

and regarding tsuwabuki? yeah, this just sums it up perfectly.

miki’s so brutal in this episode, i love him. brutal but accurate!

and then, of course, we get that sweet, sweet confirmation again:

immediately followed by miki spitting out the truth yet again.

oh and interestingly enough, even with tsuwabuki, where she blatantly treats him like her personal servant, she still doesn’t want to let him go; particularly, she doesn’t want to let him go to other girls.

even with a (give or take) 10/11 year old child, nanami refuses to acknowledge him interacting with another girl. simply because he’s a guy.

an extremely common and integral part of nanami’s character is her constant desire for acceptance (lots of episodes showcase this! namely nanami’s egg and cowbell of happiness). she’s a “late bloomer” who shows no romantic desire for men whatsoever; therefore, she fulfills this criteria for “normalcy” by having literally every other relationship with guys except for romantic, as shown with touga, tsuwabuki, and even saionji and miki to some extent. but for the most part —it’s shown with touga and tsuwabuki, simply because they’re the most obvious examples of non-romantic relationships: siblings and a literal elementary schooler. it’s kind of funny, almost; it’s like nanami thinks “having relationships with guys” is just one of many things she’s obligated to cross off on her checklist for societal acceptance, and literally goes in the most roundabout way to achieve it without realizing what it even means (i.e., romantic relationships with a guy, not just a relationship in general), and completely failing. 

and all of this leads me, of course, to the final aspect to analyze: nanami’s relationship with utena.

yeah, it’s pretty safe to say they don’t get along on the best of terms at first. nanami even tried to kill utena during their first duel!

so it’s incredibly interesting to see their relationship evolve after the events of that skirmish.

regarding their first duel in particular, the duel lyrics have a LOT in them to unpack.

My eternal self The eternal stranger Two relations Two births Scales of mystery Human constellation

“my eternal self” versus “the eternal stranger” brings up some interesting parallels. touga seems to be the eternal stranger, with whom nanami believes she is closer to than anyone else, and yet she seems completely unable to figure out his inner workings and who he really is as a person. no matter what she’d like to or not like to admit, touga is and always has been a complete mystery to her. this “human constellation” can thus never be truly connected. but you know who else is a mystery to nanami?

yep! the boy-girl of ohtori herself. you have to consider this isn’t only a duel provoked by touga; it’s a duel with utena. a duel between nanami and utena. their relationship is bound to be mentioned in the song as well. which is exactly why i believe nanami says this right after utena technically “wins” the duel by slicing nanami’s rose off.

nanami’s essentially setting herself up for a long, long rivalry spanning the rest of the series with those five words. it seems like nanami’s more interested in seeing what makes utena tick than her own brother, whom she claims to be the “only one she loves.” simply challenging utena isn’t enough; she has to understand her in order to defeat her. and this ideology is called back to later in nanami’s second duel with utena!

nanami ends up giving one hell of a fight the second time around. despite only fighting her once prior, she ends up knowing all of utena’s moves beforehand and dodging them. that’s how well she knows utena’s fighting techniques.

now lets look at the nature of the duel itself. what exactly makes nanami want to challenge utena a second time?

individuality! distinction! that’s what nanami wants. she dreads the thought of being “one more fly in the swarm.” now that she’s discovered her relationship with touga’s been lying on top of a foundation of lies the whole time, her world comes crashing down. she doesn’t want to adore her brother anymore. she wants to surpass him, and so, essentially, escape her problems. and so, in a sort of roundabout way since utena was the reason behind nanami’s meddling and tensions with her brother, she believes defeating utena will be the key to defeating all of her problems.

and, spoiler alert: it isn’t. the fact that nanami isn’t able to win this duel is especially important. even after she’s able to jump the hurdle of her brother, she fails to jump the hurdle of utena. she wants to “surpass everything,” that is, leave the old her behind. and at first it seems like she’s succeeding to leave everything behind...except for utena.

touga serves as the last link nanami has towards any sort of affection towards a guy. and in this duel, she straight up BREAKS it by admitting there was nothing between them at all. 

and THEN utena asks if nanami feels better. even though she, like...literally just lost the duel. given utena’s character it’s probably just her naivete showing through, but given the underlying messages this series is ridden with, it probably refers to how nanami “defeating” touga was FAR more important than her actually defeating utena—that is, she never needed to defeat utena in the first place to feel better.

so, what we get from this is: a) nanami succeeds in breaking her bond towards touga, but b) fails to break that bond with utena. 

🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

and of course the lyrics here in this dueling song as well:

You, me, our nature Our nature, our nature Free will and existence

who’s it about? the nature of the kiryuu siblings? the nature of nanami and utena as they act as foils? the ambiguity of the song is what really makes it interesting. not to mention—free will and existence. nanami wants out of this oppressive system. and she believes utena is the key to it (and, well, she’s not wrong!). take of that what you will symbolically, metaphorically, ikuharaesquely, etc.

and that free will and existence line just leads me to believe that nanami’s a foil to anthy in regards to utena, since free will and existence is essentially what utena fights for anthy to achieve in the end, and what anthy desperately desires: autonomy. and, so, given that these two are foils in regards to utena...well, we all know what anthy is in regards to utena.

...yeah. exactly. imagery/parallelism they didn’t absolutely HAVE to do, but did regardless.

and, so, by the end, even nanami’s seemed to have caught that inescapable sense of fondness for utena. she comes entirely out of good will on her own accord to warn utena of akio, and doesn’t even consider giving up when utena brushes her advice aside.

she’s insistent on drilling into utena’s head that she should get out of that house—even though doing so wouldn’t benefit nanami at all. utena promptly points out how uncharacteristic of nanami this is:

to which nanami immediately snaps back with:

nanami’s essentially admitting that utena’s the one who’s permanently altered her character and made her much less of a selfish brat (although she still has a loooonnggg way to go, obviously) than she was prior to the series canon. utena’s the cause for everything, direct or indirect: clashing with touga, getting over her brief crush on miki, developing a sense of empathy while transitioning from a desire for social acceptance to a desire for social independence...it’s all been catalyzed by utena at some point.

so, in brief?

utena revolutionized nanami’s world (see, i can’t even look at that sentence without thinking about how gay it sounds).

OKAY, so first off: thank you so so much for reading this far! i want to get into my last point of contention now, which is a super subtle conversation between utena and nanami near the end of the series but speaks VOLUMES, but before i do, i just wanna show two marginally interesting screencaps that fit this theory suspiciously well because i really want to save the best part for last.

exhibit a:

nanami + physical contact’s only ever been shown in regards to her brother. and yet the second utena comes into the mix...well, despite how trivial this scene is, the reaction is pretty satisfying.

exhibit b: nanami’s reaction to juri in the video game.

just tattoo i love women onto your forehead next time, nanami.

now on to what is possibly my favorite exchange in the entire series—that’s how much i love the underlying subtleties in this scene. utena brings up having “blood type-B” when talking to nanami in said scene. why? because just a few episodes earlier...

nanami finds out touga’s blood type never correlated genetically with her family’s. 

which, later on in the episode, she ends up telling utena (and the fact that at this point she’s trusting utena enough to even marginally tell her what this whole mess is about is gratifying in itself). 

so basically, the importance of this conversation?

(for clarification: utena’s saying the first half, and nanami’s saying the dialogue on the bottom-most screencap).

it shows the COMPLETE 180 nanami and utena’s relationship has gone through. misunderstandings and petty arguments and hostilities into something that’s blossomed through adversity to a relationship of mutual understanding. and, it feels like, for the first time in either of their lives, they’re actually in the loop on something, rather than being hopelessly confused in a maze of the bells and whistles of student council, the mystery behind the eternity duelists seek at the arena, the end of the world, the complete enigma that is touga kiryuu, and can finally just interact in this sort of liberating way that shows both of them at their best with one another. 

and what i love about this is that nanami doesn’t get mad at utena. she doesn’t snap about how she spoke too soon about the whole incident. it’s questionable if she even cares about the whole incident now, considering the ties she broke off with touga at the climax of her second duel. rather, she knows what utena’s jokingly pointing at, and the two are in a mutual understanding of how much they’ve been through together in the hellscape that is ohtori academy.

but, the BEST part of this entire exchange? the part that shows probably the first time nanami’s ever gotten actual happiness from someone, something that shows that she’s finally past the superficial happiness from her unwitting adoration of touga that’s essentially been crumbled to dust by the end of her character arc, allowing her to finally set aside pleasing others and end up potentially discovering herself, far from when she first met utena?

nanami’s final reaction to her.

[putschki1969]

Kalafina 10th Anniversary Film Interviews ~ Highlights/Summary/Translation

Source 1: https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1520904726 Source 2: https://spice.eplus.jp/articles/178230 Source 3: https://news.walkerplus.com/article/139920/

Note: These interviews contain quite a lot of interesting info so I thought I’d provide a summary/translation of all the juicy bits (details regarding the movie’s content, some background info on their 10th Anniversary Live, a glimpse at ‘their future’!)

~ Regarding their 10th Anniversary Film ~

The film will have a runtime of 1h 40 minutes

According to Keiko it apparently contains a lot more live footage than anyone expected

Wakana says the film is packed with live performances from their 10th Anniversary Live (which has me quite worried because maybe all these cameras were only there to film footage for the movie after all o.O I definitely didn’t expect them to show THAT much of the live in their documentary. I am assuming this will be similar to their 5th Anniversary WOWOW release which showed a total of 11 songs...)

One of the songs is most likely “sprinter”

This film will include solo interviews. Aside from that there will also be an interview with the director 河東茂 (I have no idea how to read his name, my best guess would be Kato/Kawahigashi Shige.) Seems like the girls have become pretty close to the director, they were a bit intimidated by the prospect of having a director around them all the time but he immediately let them know that formalities were not necessary. They are even on a first name basis! The girls have only good things to say about him, apparently he always made sure they were comfortable.

Big sections of the movie will be dedicated to following each member to important places of their past. Hikaru considers those parts the most interesting aspects of the film. Seems like they learned a lot about each other while watching these solo scenes. This also applies to the footage we get of their solo rehearsal sessions.

On the day of their Fukuoka Acoustic Tour performance they filmed Wakana’s section. Wakana is taking us along to visit Tenjin, a popular downtown area in Fukuoka. Apparently we will get a glimpse at a place where she used to work part-time and a club where she used to perform on a regular basis.

Keiko is taking us along to Shibuya. However, it seems like it wasn’t a particularly nostalgic experience for her. She says everything in Tokyo changes so rapidly, none of the places she used to frequent exist anymore. She actually felt quite lost when she walked around the area. However it did feel nice to walk down the streets where she used to go home from vocal training school back in the day.

Hikaru says that contrary to Tokyo, nothing ever really changes in her hometown in Toyama. She takes us along to a YAMAHA place where she used to take vocal lessons. She says everything still looks the same. Keiko comments that after watching the movie, everyone will want to go there and take lessons. Alas, the music classes are no longer offered but you can still check out the place. As we have already seen in the trailer, Hikaru’s section also includes footage from their acoustic live. It’s very special because we get to see Hikaru cry which is a rare thing to happen. Both Keiko and Wakana think it’s great that this special moment will forever be captured on film. Even staff and band members were surprised to see her cry this much. Hikaru suspects it’s because she was visiting all these nostalgic locations earlier in the day. There’s also mention of a funny moment during one of the MCs when Hikaru was talking. Keiko is seen turning away and seemingly ignoring Hikaru. Keiko was quite shocked to find out that scene had made it into the final cut. She was like, “why are you showing this moment where you can only see my back? Why couldn’t I just stand there and support Hikaru the same way as Wakana? Why was I talking to the freaking wall???” (LOL at Keiko worrying about such things) At the end of the day Keiko is happy though because they managed to include so much lovely footage from Hikaru’s “triumphal return performance”.

Hikaru’s favourite scene in the movie is the opening scene when we get to see them walk up the stairs onto the stage of Budokan. She thinks it’s so perfect because it somehow symbolises the progress they have made. Just looking at the backs of the other two members conveys their will to move forward. She doesn’t even have to see their faces to be motivated, she will pretty much follow them everywhere. It’s so funny because the interviewer gets all cheeky and says, "but it’s not really your backs we are seeing, it’s your legs!” Keiko thinks that’s hilarious and explains that Hikaru is just too innocent to talk about legs so she would rather use the word ‘back’. Anyways, Keiko agrees that it’s very fitting that a movie about all the progress they have made would start with a ‘leg scene’.

Another scene that’s precious to all of them contains footage of one of their Janken sessions for the recording of their regular radio show Kalafina Club. Apparently something super funny happened, something that has NEVER happened before, Everyone should be looking forward to that scene because it's absolutely hilarious. And Keiko wants us all to know that it definitely wasn’t staged or anything. (I wonder which episode it was and if that incident made it into the final cut of the episode. In the trailer when you see them playing Janken, it says it’s the 25th on that ‘face training’ calendar but I am not sure which month.)

Something else to look forward to: A detailed scene of them changing outfits during their 10th Anniversary Live (including all the mistakes that can happen in such situations). Wakana explains that everything always seems so peaceful to the audience while the band is playing but their outfit changes are actually crazy stressful (I guess we already got a glimpse of that during the Best Documentary but this time we’ll get to see even more). Apparently Wakana had quite some trouble with her outfit, first she forgot something (I am assuming it was her big tulle skirt attached to the corsage thingy) and then the zipper wouldn’t work. *poor Wa-chan*

~ Regarding their 10th Anniversary LIVE ~

I am guessing these are things that will be mentioned in the film in some way, shape or form but for all of us who won’t be seeing the movie any time soon, here are some background infos regarding their anniversary concert.

Hikaru was the one who chose the BGM for the intermission. (I wonder if that means that she always gets to pick it)

Wakana says that even though they sang 27 songs (without really getting any proper breaks) she never felt tired or exhausted. Her throat and singing voice may have gotten a little tired throughout the live (she is only human after all) but her body seemed to have endless energy. She says it’s thanks to the past year where they kept creating amazing lives together with their audiences.

The setlist was changed quite extensively shortly before the live. There’s a scene in the movie where they talk about their setlist and apparently that is quite different from what they actually ended up performing (I think that mostly refers to the order of the songs).

Originally they had planned to start their live with “oblivious” but in the end they thought “ring your bell” would be more fitting because it pretty much represents the theme of putting their flag in a new place. The whole “flag” theme first came up when Yuki Kajiura mentioned it a few years ago while they prepared for their first Budokan Live. Yuki Kajiura told them that they should be proud that they finally get to plant their flag in such a special venue. Seems like this talk also inspired the PV for “ring your bell” (and possibly even the lyrics for “Koibito no Mukashigatari no Yuugure no”??). Following their first Budokan Live, the flag theme became a pretty big deal for them. From then onwards the act of putting their flag in new places became a manifestion of their intentions. That’s how they came up for the theme of their “far on the water” tour. So yes, it seemed very appropriate to them to continue with this flag theme for their 10th Anniversary. And that’s the story of how “ring your bell” ended up being the opening song (because it’s their trademark “flag” song :P). [I was right all along about the whole flag theme]. They decided to pick “Mirai” as their second song because they thought it was perfect to go out and greet the audience with smiles on their faces. It was also a nice way to reflect upon their past.

~ Regarding Kalafina’s future ~

There’s one section in the SPICE interview where they talk about their future. In light of recent events there are many ways to interpret this part. I am not sure what to make of it but I thought I’d provide a translation so you can all decide for yourself what their answers could possibly mean. As always, please be aware that my Japanese is not perfect (this was a pretty quick translation and I might go back later to edit it).

―― Now that you have celebrated your 10th Anniversary, how will Kalafina spend the rest of 2018, how would the three of you like to spend 2018?

Wakana: The ten years we have exprienced together are precious to us, right now we are living a future we couldn’t have ever imagined when we first debuted. I never thought we would celebrate our 10th Anniversary together with everyone at Nippon Budokan. Originally we didn’t even expect to ever perform live with band members. To think that we have come this far and that we got the chance to introduce Kalafina’s music to so many people makes me incredibly happy. It feels like what the three of us have always dreamed about, our shared dream, has come true. We wanted to do lives, we wanted to do tours, these were aspirations born out of our burning passion, that was our wish so that’s why we were able to get this far and why we were willing to continue onwards through all the hardships.

―― I see. 

Wakana: So far the three of us have lived with the same dream in front of our eyes. But the three of us also have a lot of curiousity when it comes to our individual dreams. As Kalafina we have had so many dreams and together we have seen them all come true so now I would like to get a glimpse of different dreams, of all the dreams the other two have. Very reminiscent of the lyrics of “I have a dream”. I wonder what those dreams will be.

―― So even if you weren’t 100% on the same page all the time, you have always been active working in unison?

Wakana: Yes, we have always pretty much worked towards the same vision. That’s why I am interested in more personal perspectives.

Hikaru: That’s right. Even after ten years I still have a long way to go so I would like to use this year for self-improvement. What else...? Personally, I still want to learn and absorb so many things, my thirst is insatiable. I am able to say that doing this job has made my dream come true but it is only one dream that has come true, beyond that I think many more things are necessary so I can continue to make my other dreams come true.That’s why I want to improve myself so that one by one I will become able to do all the things I want to do. I’d also like to improve my personal live.

Keiko: You can definitely do that!

―― What about Keiko-san?

Keiko: I have changed so much during our 10-year activity as Kalafina so now I am asking myself whether I can change even further. I am my current self because of these past ten years but to make progress even beyond those ten years, I would like to encounter more genuine works, I would like to create music that I find real, that I am enchanted with. Our activities as Kalafina singing Yuki Kajiura’s music, it was a time spent delving into something genuine together with everyone. It’s amazing to lead a life where you can pursue something that feels worthy of being pursued.

[continuouscalamity]

CHAPTER 2 TRIAL TRANSCRIPT

Ding! Ding! Dong!

Monoboar clears his throat hoarsely to get everyone's attention directed towards the monitor.

"Oi! Yer all pretty gutshoed up for this investigation, wouldn't ya say? Now head to the foyer and to the elevator! Same procedure as last time!"

TRIAL 2 - BEGINNING

[4:00 PM] Monoboar!: As you all crowd into the elevator and the doors shut behind you, the noise of the elevator slowly descending down rings in your ears, the low, ominous hum of everything moving around you.

The more you descend, the more it dawns on you-- more people had died in such a short span of time... Akihiko... Aderyn... Akemi... and now Wallace was a victim of another murder, done by one of your hands.

It's another deadly class trial...!

....

The elevator finally stops to it's destination, revealing a large trial room, with stands all in a circle. Four stands now bear the mark of the fallen, four portraits pertaining to Akihiko, Aderyn, Akemi, and Wallace.

And... another person was missing? But she doesn't have a portrait... you wonder where she is.

@Alive (You may walk to your stands.) [4:01 PM] Kubo Tachibana | BLEHEHEH: Kubo walks to his stand. He doesn't wanna be here. [4:01 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: Keiko walks to her stand as if on autopilot. This sucks, man. [4:01 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: Willy is at his stand. [4:01 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: Atemis stiffly walks over to her stand. [4:02 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel is not at her stand. [4:02 PM] Rayne Maelstrom 👹 Demon Time: Rayne is at their stand hello. [4:02 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: "...Has anyone seen Hazeldine-san?" [4:02 PM] Cerviel Winter | Nest: Cerviel headed to his stand, doll in arms. He didn't like this. [4:02 PM] Kubo Tachibana | BLEHEHEH: "W-wait! Where's Ms. Hazeldine?!" [4:02 PM] 🔥 ZOZO! 🔥: Renzo walks in front of their stand, turns around, and hoists themselves up to sit on the edge. "Nope!" [4:02 PM] Eri [origami time]: Eri goes to her stand. [4:02 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: "...That's... Not good..." [4:02 PM] Monoboar!: "Bah, don't worry 'bout it!" Monoboar snorts. [4:03 PM] Kubo Tachibana | BLEHEHEH: "No I WILL worry about it! Where is she?!" [4:03 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: Packie looks at the empty stand beside him.

"Uh, what do you mean, don't worry about it?" [4:03 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: "What the fuck- Where is she you stupid tub of lard?!" [4:03 PM] Monoboar!: Monoboar rolls his beady little eyes, resting a pudgy chin on his hoof. "It means ya don't gotta worry 'bout her!" [4:04 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: She pales once more. "I-is she...?”

[4:04 PM] Kubo Tachibana | BLEHEHEH: Kubo is ANGRY but he knows better. He just bears his fangs like a feral animal and hisses. [4:04 PM] Monoboar!: The boar shakes his head. "Not what yer thinkin'." [4:04 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "Where. The fuck. Is she?" Wilma says softly, though her voice is laced with danger. "If she ain't hurt you ain't got no reason to be keeping her from us."

She stares real fucking hard at Monoboar. [4:06 PM] Monoboar!: "I got every reason, Missy! Now shut up and figure it out on yer own!"

Monoboar slams his familiar gavel down loudly, marking the beginning of a new class trial.

"Let the trial for Wallace Callaghan and missin' Hazel Hazeldine commence!"

[GIF LINK]

[4:06 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: "I...we can't just start the trial without her, can we?" [4:06 PM] Kubo Tachibana | BLEHEHEH: W-what did you do to her? Kubo thinks, but stays quiet. [4:07 PM] Monoboar!: "Course ya can! That's why I started it!" [4:07 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: "I'd love to find out where Princess is, but we have to focus on this first." [4:07 PM] 🔥 ZOZO! 🔥: "Why not? We have the clues and things, so we can start now!" They say, kicking their feet. [4:08 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: "Alright...I suppose that's true." [4:09 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: Wilma grits her teeth.

"...I don't reckon Monoboar's gonna tell us shit til we figure it out ourselves, so...we might as well get started."

She is not happy about it. [4:10 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: Willy glances around. "So... How about that note?" [4:10 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "Alright, so...how're we gonna start this-Oh." Well, there we go. "What note?" [4:11 PM] 🔥 ZOZO! 🔥: "You know, the note!" Yes Renzo. Shh. [4:12 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: Wilma gives them a Look. Elaborate, please. [4:12 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: :cluebullet: "The one that said 'meet me in the lounge to talk about the boar' or whatever. It was right next to the body." [4:12 PM] 🔥 ZOZO! 🔥: "That note!" [4:13 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: Wilma blinks.

"Well...So that's what got 'im in the lounge then, I reckon?" Duh. [4:13 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: :consentbullet: "Ah yes...it seemed as if it was written in a very hasty manner..." [4:13 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: "Probably had to get it to someone fast, but why would it be by his body?" [4:13 PM] Rayne Maelstrom 👹 Demon Time: "Mhm mhm.... I saw that note too!" [4:13 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "Maybe he was holding on to it?" Wilma suggests in response to Packie's question. [4:14 PM] 🔥 ZOZO! 🔥: "Perhaps our friend Wallace brought it in with him, yes yes!" [4:14 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: Thanks for backing her up, Renzo. [4:15 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: Speaking of the body...

"Y'all saw those ugly bruises on his neck, right?" [4:17 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "Th' file said he died of a sir-vee-cal fracture," She says, enlongating the unfamiliar word. "But it looked like a plain old broken neck to me." [4:18 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: { "Yeesh. What a way to go." } [4:19 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: "So what you're saying is somebody got him where they wanted him then BAM, got him in one go!" [4:20 PM] 🔥 ZOZO! 🔥: { "OOoooo, so fast....!" } [4:20 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: :counterbullet: "Not quite...there were clear signs of a struggle all over the lounge. In fact, it was a complete wreck." [4:20 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: {"He's... not as smart as I thought, then."} [4:20 PM] Monoboar!: Monoboar is tapping his hoof a bit impatiently. [4:21 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: Ok, hog. Fuck off. [4:21 PM] Monoboar!: Kay. [4:21 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: "Oh. Huh." [4:22 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "Why's he only got injuries on his neck then? That don't seem like much of a struggle." [4:22 PM] Monoboar!: Monoboar snorts in amusement. [4:22 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: "I 'unno how this would help out, but.."

:cluebullet:  Packie takes out a nice, fancy fountain pen. "This was in his pocket."

"Don't ask how I got it from him." Sorry Wilma. [4:22 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: { "Stealing off a corpse? Really?" } [4:22 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: {"Hayai-san...you stole from Callaghan-san's corpse?!"} [4:23 PM] Cerviel Winter | Nest: Cerviel gave Monoboar the best glare he could while still in tears. [4:23 PM] Monoboar!: "Oooh, gutsy! i like it!" [4:23 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: Wilma's frown deepens. [4:23 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: "I won't fucking steal it, I'll return it to his room afterwards. Besides, it might help out or something." [4:24 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: {She's still frowning, but has no further comments on the subject.} [4:24 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: "Alright, he had a pen on him. Now what?" [4:24 PM] Monoboar!: {"Snrf..."} [4:25 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: "I have...a theory I'd like to share. If no one objects." [4:25 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: "Huh? Go ahead."

[4:27 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: :testitheorybullet: "The state of the lounge suggests a large struggle took place there, but Callaghan-san's body is...well, you know. What if someone other than him took part in said struggle?" [4:27 PM] Monoboar!: Monoboar's piggy ears perk up. [4:28 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: "Like, somebody besides the killer and Wallace?" [4:29 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: "Someone could've saw what happened and tried to interfere?" [4:29 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: :consentbullet: "Yes. I believe that might've been the case."

"Which brings me to another clue I found..." she clears her throat, regaining some of her composure, "There was a pale-blue ribbon crumpled on the ground in the library. Which gives me reason to think Hazeldine-san might've been attacked by someone." [4:30 PM] Monoboar!: {"Snrf, how spicy!"} [4:31 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: :consentbullet: "Yeah, yeah, I saw that ribbon too!"

"But something still ain't right..." [4:33 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: "If Princess Peanut was caught up in it, why wouldn't she be here now?" He taps against hisstand. "I don't think she's dead or anything, but I don't get why she'd hide." [4:33 PM] Monoboar!: Monoboar looks amused. [4:33 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: { "I was gonna say that..." } [4:33 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: Wilma looks even more agitated at the reminder that Hazel is still missing.

"I ain't sure she's hiding..." She says slowly. "Otherwise I think the hog over there woulda dragged her out." [4:34 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: Artemis glances to the portrait standing beside her. "Uh. Missing Hazels aside, anyone else notice lounge doors?" [4:35 PM] Rayne Maelstrom 👹 Demon Time: "Yeah!!! They were open yes?" [4:36 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: "Mhm. Which is really fucking weird because the lounge is locked and off-limits during the night." [4:36 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "Ain't that place sposed to be locked down at night?" [4:36 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: {"You guys sync up."} [4:36 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: Wilma doesn't look happy about that. [4:37 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: "...Well, it wouldn't be the first time Callaghan-san has tried to test the nighttime rules." [4:37 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: "Was he fucking out of his mind?" [4:38 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: "He got fuckin' cocky is what happened." [4:38 PM] Monoboar!: Monoboar snorts, speaking up. "Oh, gyeheheh, I helped out with that. Unlocked it m'self!" [4:38 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: {Keiko glares at Artemis. Please don't talk shit about the dead man.} [4:38 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: "You helped? Is that allowed?" [4:39 PM] Monoboar!: "My damn  mansion, ain't it? My rules!" Monoboar cackles. [4:39 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: Willy can't argue with that, as much as he wants to. [4:39 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: "That's kinda unfair isn't it?!" [4:39 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: "You knew what the killer was up to?" [4:40 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: "Well, then...maybe he wanted to investigate why the door was open?"

"Did anyone hear anything at night? Surely such a big struggle must've caused some noise."

[4:41 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: "You did?" [4:41 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: {"You really gotta sleeve shot doves to get our attention?"} [4:41 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: Wilma's staring at Willy, waiting impatiently for the explanation. [4:42 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: :testitheorybullet: "At two in the morning I heard something go clink clink in the halls outside my room. I'm a light sleeper, so it was easy to hear." [4:43 PM] Monoboar!: {"Clink clink! Clinkin' and clackin' and..." The boar is making various sound effects in the background.} [4:43 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: {"Something go clink clink?" she's so confused.} [4:44 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: { "A kind of jingling, maybe." } [4:44 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: {"Glass? Maybe?"} [4:44 PM] Monoboar!: {"Stop yer damn whispering."} [4:44 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "Shut the hell up, hog." Wilma says reproachfully. She looks closely at Willy. "Two in the mornin', huh...that's just a little bit before the time of death, ain't it?" [4:44 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: "That's right!" [4:46 PM] Monoboar!: Monoboar taps his hoof in anticipation. [4:47 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: "That's...odd. And you didn't hear the struggle?" [4:47 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: "Nope." [4:47 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "It was on the second floor." Wilma points out. Second floor is different from in the hall. [4:48 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: Willy points to his nose and a Wilma. [4:48 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: "So someone left their room close to the time of death...and they made a jingling sound."

"What could possibly make a sound like that?" [4:48 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "Clown hat." [4:48 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: No one here has one of those, I think. [4:49 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: { "...Do clowns wear hats?" } [4:49 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: "...I meant what in here could've caused it, Ortega-san." [4:49 PM] Monoboar!: Monoboar appears annoyed. [4:49 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: Okay. Well, fuck you too. [4:50 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "I ain't sure 'bout all that right now, but were there any other clues we ain't discussed yet?" [4:52 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: Her eyes widen. "There is one thing I investigated that hasn't been spoken of yet."

"One of the books was put back in the wrong place in the library, and it seemed to be sticking out a bit." [4:52 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: "If it was a heavy book, it could've been used as a weapon." [4:53 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: Wilma nods.

"Ah, yeah, I saw that too...you didn't happen to open it up, didja?" [4:53 PM] Eri [origami time]: "I also found some stuff that wasn't mentioned" [4:53 PM] Monoboar!: {Monoboar is beginning to clack his gavel on his throne. He looks bored, and waiting for juicy action.} [4:54 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: "No...I should've probably done that, now that I think of it. I'm sorry, Ortega-san." [4:54 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "I did." She says, shifting uncomfortably. "It were a book about cults 'n shit." [4:55 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: Artemis cringed lightly. "That's not creepy at all. Anyone into scult shit?" [4:55 PM] Eri [origami time]: Eri twirls around a strand of her hair. [4:55 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: "Not that I'm aware of...though I doubt anyone would admit to it now that it'd incriminate them." [4:56 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "There was also a paper fulla notes stuck in the book...like someone was studying er something." [4:57 PM] Monoboar!: Monoboar is impatiently staring at the ice skater. [4:57 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: Keiko frowns. "That's even more odd."

"But...what about those things you mentioned, Eri-san? The ones we haven't spoken about?" [4:59 PM] Eri [origami time]: "The drawers in the kitchen were ransacked, someone was probably looking for something. And there was a slighty scuffed and damaged marble rolling pin in the lounge's trash can." [5:00 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "Well, I think we know where the rolling pin came from then." [5:01 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: "..."

"You think they were lookin' for knives?" [5:01 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: "...Maybe that pin was used to hit someone? [5:02 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: { "And where would those knives be?" Willy glances at Artemis." } [5:03 PM] Eri [origami time]: "It was probably used to kill Wallace?" Eri shrugged. [5:03 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: {"Hey. I almost saved him from getting fucking murdered."} [5:03 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: :counterbullet: "He had a broken neck...can a rolling pin cause such damage?" [5:03 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: { "Almost." } [5:03 PM] Lake Kawaguchi | Fuck: "Maybe with enough force behind it...?" [5:04 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: Wilma shakes her head. [5:04 PM] Monoboar!: Monoboar seems doubtful about some of these hunches, but which ones? [5:04 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: "You can break a neck with a lot less."

[5:04 PM] Eri [origami time]: "Marble is pretty heavy isn't it?" [5:04 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "Wallace woulda had to be glued to the ground to create 'nough force to break his neck like that, I think." ...That's how physics works right? [5:04 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: "Probably." [5:05 PM] Monoboar!: "Glued t' tha ground? What kinda hypothesis is that?" Monoboar snorts in amusement. [5:05 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: Wilma would literally murder Monoboar right now if she could. [5:07 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: Artemis has a little lightbulb. "Uh... Hm. Say, do you all think he died on that couch?" [5:07 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: Keiko's eyes widen yet again.

"We have no way to confirm it. The couch was the only spotless thing about the lounge, after all." [5:08 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: "I don't know enough about furniture to back this up, but I doubt it would be easy to snap a neck on a couch." [5:08 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "So what? Y'all suggesting he was placed there?" Wilma tilts her head. [5:09 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: "If the boot fuckin' fits. Wallace kinda big and really fucking heacy. It'd take some strength to get him on the couch, right?" [5:10 PM] Monoboar!: Monoboar looks intrigued. [5:12 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "Y'know what's botherin' me..." Wilma speaks up, trying to ignore Monoboar, because she hates him and so do I. "That whole mess in the lounge looked pretty violent....but Walleye was barely touched. 'Cept for the uh, well, you know." [5:13 PM] Eri [origami time]: "Weird" [5:13 PM] Monoboar!: "Sure is!" Monoboar looks ecstatic. [5:13 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: "It's got me wondering if Wallace was the intended target at all." [5:14 PM] Monoboar!: Monoboar's snorts at that. [5:14 PM] Lake Kawaguchi | Fuck: "...That's a good point, actually... Maybe it's the culprit who was beaten up rather than Wallace-kun?" [5:14 PM] Monoboar!: Monoboar snorts again. [5:14 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: Wilma looks around the room.

"...Do any of yall got obvious injuries?" [5:15 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: "I don't believe Callaghan-san could do something like this, but we must consider all possibilites, so..."

"It's possible that Callaghan-san tried to murder someone, and that person was defended by the culprit, who then went on to kill Callaghan-san himself." [5:16 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: { "...Welp I'm lost." } [5:17 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "I ain't sure 'bout that..." Wilma says hesitantly. "Why the note addressing Wallace himself, then? It don't add up." [5:18 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: Wilma looks thoughtful again. [5:18 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: "Ah, you're right..." [5:19 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "I didn't wanna mention it at first, 'cause it didn't appear to be used in this murder...I think. But my gun's been missing since last night." [5:19 PM] Lake Kawaguchi | Fuck: "Is it possible that the note was forged? Is that the word?" [5:19 PM] Lake Kawaguchi | Fuck: "...Oh, no." [5:19 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: ...

"Ah." [5:19 PM] Eri [origami time]: "Geez" [5:19 PM] Lake Kawaguchi | Fuck: "Where was it last?" [5:19 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: "At least. You didn't have any bullets." [5:19 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "Well..." [5:20 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "That ain't quite true." [5:20 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: "There were bullets inside???"

[5:20 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: Willy's eyes narrow. "Hm?" [5:20 PM] Lake Kawaguchi | Fuck: "..." [5:20 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: "Oh my fucking god-" [5:20 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: Wilma shrugs. "Wouldn't be much of a gun if there wasn't." [5:21 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "Y'all never had to worry anyways. The bullets weren't real, so anyone hopin' to use them wouldn't a got far." [5:21 PM] Monoboar!: Monoboar cackles underneath his hooves. [5:21 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: She lets out a sigh of relief. "Oh...good." [5:21 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "Hog gave me a nerf gun." [5:21 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "Still, it's been missin'." [5:22 PM] Lake Kawaguchi | Fuck: "...What were we worrying about, then?!" [5:22 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: "." [5:22 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: { "Could have started off with the 'fake gun, fake bullets' thing..." } [5:23 PM] Monoboar!: "Pshh, just look atcha, Sheriff, up n' down! Yer wieldin' a gun that can't even help ya. Sad." [5:23 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: Wilma doesn't look impressed. It takes more than that to rile her up. [5:24 PM] Monoboar!: "No wonder that catty lady died so young. I would'a thought it interesting to see you try pumpin' me full of lead over that ordeal, but nope." [5:24 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: "Will you shut the fuck up?" [5:24 PM] Monoboar!: Monoboar snorts with laughter. [5:24 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: "Don't speak of Akemi-san like that!" [5:24 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: Okay, now she's getting pissed. [5:24 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: "Calm down before this gets outta hand." [5:25 PM] Monoboar!: "Hazel, too! She's off missin' somewhere cuz you don't got the weaponry to threaten me! Ahhh, lovin' this power... just like back at the wild..." There is no wild. He's just an asshole. [5:26 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "You better shut the hell up." [5:26 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: Wilma is quickly losing her composure. [5:26 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: "Ortega-san, please. We can't afford to lose our composure right now." [5:26 PM] Monoboar!: "Ugh, and Wally. Got his head turned 360 all cuz your guys' little president ain't shit!" [5:26 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: Willy silently makes a talking mouth motion with his hand whenever Monoboar speaks. [5:26 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: "Block him out! Movin' the fuck on! What else hasn't been vleared up?" She's trying to difuse the ticking time-bomb that is Wilma. [5:26 PM] Monoboar!: Monoboar snorts once more. [5:27 PM] Lake Kawaguchi | Fuck: "Ghhh...!!!" Lake clawed at her head in irritation before shaking it, trying to focus on the task at hand. [5:28 PM] Monoboar!: Monoboar just huffs at everyone. [5:28 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: It's honestly just muscle memory. Nothing more than that. Monoboar reminded her of her failures, and well- She isn't having it. She doesn't need to hear this from him.

It's so quick it's barely even perceptible until she has it out.

Wilma pulls out her gun and points it at Monoboar. [5:29 PM] Monoboar!: "Oh?" [5:29 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: "..." [5:29 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: "Ortega-san!! Please stop this instant!"

[5:29 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: "I thought you didn't have your fucking gun, Wilma!" [5:29 PM] Lake Kawaguchi | Fuck: "Wilma-san?! I thought you just said you didn't--" [5:29 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: "Guys, can we fucking not have an extra dead guy." [5:30 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "It doesn't have real bullets." Wilma reminds Packie quietly.

She's shaking with anger. [5:30 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: "But...you said it was missing. Why did you lie, Ortega-san?" [5:30 PM] Monoboar!: "Yeah? What's a dirty little liar gonna do shootin' me with nerf bullets!? Gwahahahaahar!" [5:31 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: "...Wait... Why did she lie about her gun?" [5:32 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: Wilma takes a few deep, shuddering breaths and lowers the gun.

She pulls the brim of her hat down. Her eyes aren't visible.

"...Had to." Is all she says. [5:32 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: "Why were you lying?" Willy repeat. [5:32 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: "You had to?" [5:32 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "Y'aint getting more of an answer than that til I know-" She cuts herself off and glares at Monoboar. [5:33 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: Artemis has a bigger light buld. "Wilma. Did you... try to stop Wallace from doing the shit he did before? Trying to bypass the rules?" [5:33 PM] Monoboar!: Monoboar snorts in Wilma's general direction. [5:33 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "..." Wilma doesn't answer Artemis's question. [5:34 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: She's still staring at Monoboar, apparently waiting for something. [5:34 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "...Give her back." [5:35 PM] Monoboar!: ...and with a puff of smoke and a flash of sparkles, there's an explosion (not literally) where Hazel's stand is.

The smoke dissipates, and Hazel stands there, shaken, covered in glitter. The poet looks extremely unhappy, for good reason. [5:35 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: "Wh-" [5:35 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: "U-Uuuuuu....!?" [5:35 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: "Hazeldine-san! Are you alright?!" [5:35 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: "What the fuck-" [5:35 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: Wilma nearly collapses in relief.

"Oh thank the fuckin' stars." [5:35 PM] Cerviel Winter | Nest: Cerviel squinted. [5:36 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: "I-I'm, I..." Hazel regains her balance, clutching on the stand. "...." [5:36 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: "Hey, appearing in a puff of smoke is my thing! Stay in your lane, pig!" [5:36 PM] Monoboar!: Monoboar sticks his tongue out at Willy. [5:36 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: Wilma, for a second, looks so painfully happy to see Hazel's okay...and then her expression shuts down completely. [5:37 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel looks around hastily at the others, and back at Wilma.

"I-I know...!" [5:37 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: Packie brushes some of the glitter off of him since he was near the blast. [5:37 PM] Lake Kawaguchi | Fuck: Lake did the same. [5:37 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: "..." Keiko places both her hands on top of her cane.

"Can you both tell us what happened last night?" [5:37 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "I reckon they know too, Miss Basil." Wilma says quietly. [5:37 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel clutches at her head, looking upset at the lack of her hair ribbon, before her mouth hangs open in shock, staring at Wilma.

"they know...? Truly?" [5:38 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "You wouldn't be back here if they don't got some sort of inklin'." [5:38 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: She bites her lip, tears welling in her eyes as she looks at everyone in fear.

"...tell me what you all know, then." [5:39 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: Keiko is so confused. "C-Callaghan-san died. And Ortega-san lied about her gun being stolen, for some reason..." [5:39 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: "Th-That's not what I meant! Ugh!" Hazel stamps her foot. "I mean... do you know who did it all?" [5:40 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: "It's...between you two, really." [5:42 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: "Were you held, like, as a hostage? If Ortega, if she really did it, didn't, y'know, then..? Or did you both work together." [5:43 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: "I... was held as a hostage, yes." Hazel nods. [5:44 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: Wilma is silent. [5:44 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: Also, Auz is afk for a second. Oops. [5:45 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: "Wilma killed Wallace, you walked in," Willy is attempting to put it together. "Boar didn't want you to make it one sided and he took you out of the picture for a little bit? Something like that?" [5:45 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: There's a dry, humorless chuckle from Wilma.

"Knew you were one of the smarter candidates." She says, sighing. [5:45 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel is wringing her hands together, and weakly nods. [5:46 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: "Since if you were here, it would've been too simple. And that damn boar doesn't like that." [5:46 PM] Lake Kawaguchi | Fuck: "..." [5:46 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: "So... You were the one jingling." He glances at Wilma. [5:46 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: "...Lady Wilma," She chokes out, but is unable to speak any further. She nods once more at Packie. [5:47 PM] Lake Kawaguchi | Fuck: "...So you're..." Shaking. Fists balled up, "You're saying Wilma-san is..." [5:48 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "Am I 'llowed to speak now, your royal fuckhead?" Wilma hisses, glaring at Monoboar. "Or ain't I off the hook yet." [5:48 PM] Monoboar!: Monoboar huffs, rolling his beady little eyes once more, and waves a hoof boredly. "Uhhhh, doy, they basically got it down, sheriff!" [5:49 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "Fine." Wilma tips her hat back up, looking at everyone around the trial room. "Yeah, I did it. I killed Walleye." [5:50 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: "Why? Why did you do it, Ortega-san?"

"You said...you said you would protect us all!"

[5:51 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: "She probabl ywas trying to protect us-" She gave Wilma a sideglance. She stands by her ealier question. [5:51 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: "Was it because of what you said earlier?" He leans against his stand. "Where you were suspicious that Wallace would try to test the nighttime rules again." [5:51 PM] Lake Kawaguchi | Fuck: Her teeth were clenched along with her fists as she fought the temptation to yell at either Wilma or the boar in favor of letting Wilma speak. [5:52 PM] Cerviel Winter | Nest: Cerviel's crying has started back up again. He covered his mouth to avoid making any noise to interrupt. [5:52 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel is clutching her arms, holding herself as she attempts to maintain her composure.

"I had gotten into an argument the day he did that, and... well, he seemed completely unresponsive to my worries about that situation. I-I just didn't expect it to lead to... 'getting rid of him.'" She winces. [5:53 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "Wallace didn't just try the nighttime rules again." Wilma states, sighing. "He outright broke 'em. Again." [5:54 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: "You still protected us, in a way." [5:54 PM] Lake Kawaguchi | Fuck: "Fffffucking idiot..." Lake murmured through her teeth, "Idiots... Idiots... I...!" [5:55 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: "No, that's not true. You didn't...you didn't protect us."

"Protecting us includes all of us, it included Callaghan-san too!! You didn't--You couldn't have just killed him!!" [5:55 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: "So I was right. You tried to stop him so he wouldn't get us all killed." [5:55 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: "Lady Wilma... wasn't justified in her murder, but... she had a reason, and she took it to the extreme." Hazel says nervously. [5:55 PM] Cerviel Winter | Nest: Cerviel let out a shaky breath. "Mister Callaghan was a good friend. He didn't deserve that. It wasn't the right way to go." He hugged his doll tighter. [5:56 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: Willy is just glancing around the room, taking all of the different opinions. "...Of course..." He whispers under his breath. [5:57 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel huffs, looking at everyone else.

"...what good does it do in the end? We'd either risked all our lives, or have two of them taken away, and... it's... horrid." [5:57 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "Wallace didn't die in the lounge. He went to the library. I was on my nighttime watch as always, and I followed 'im, and I wasn't gonna take a chance that was gonna get all of us killed." She says this easily, but her expression is grim. "Two's better than all of us, I 'spose. Walleye was there...readin' that book," She looks very tired. "And I just came up behind him and..."

She does an odd hand movement which you realize is the way you can physically break someone's neck, just using your arms! Awesome. [5:57 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel flinches. [5:58 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: Wilma looks at her apologetically. [5:58 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "I had no intention of hidin' it. Miss B-Hazel...wasn't 'sposed to be there, but either way, I wasn't gonna hide it." [5:58 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "But." [5:58 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: Keiko shakes her head, tears rolling down her cheeks. "No...it's not fair. You could've talked to him, you could've--!!"

"You didn't have to kill him!!" [5:59 PM] Cerviel Winter | Nest: He was trying very hard not to get mad, but that was his friend! Holy shit! "Miss Ortega, there's no justifying this. I think.. you're not going to become an angel." [5:59 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel scoffs, glaring at Cerviel. [6:00 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "Monoboar didn't quite think that was interestin' enough," Wilma hisses, ignoring the people that are interrupting her motive speech. "So he took Hazel and told me I had to make it fun, or else..." [6:02 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "Took a rollin' pin, fucked up the lounge a bit, then I moved 'im there so it'd be more confusin', I guess. Wrote that note, too. With his own pen." Wow, she really...truly...planned this horribly. Well, she didn't really plan it in the first place. "It all didn't add up real well 'cause I was just doing whatever it took to make it a case, I guess." [6:05 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "But y'all figured it out...I knew you would." Well, actually, Wilma just fucked up real bad, but let's not focus on that. "I know I failed y'all. I ain't fit to be a leader. Ain't sure I ever was."

She grabs the brim of her hat, pulling it down. "There ain't nothin' I can do to make up fer this. 'Cept dyin' I guess, but that ain't real useful in the long run."

She's...remarkably calm for someone who just admitted she's going to die. [6:06 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel whimpers, and feels like she's about to uproot the stand from the floor and destroy it with her bare hands. [6:06 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: "This is...you could've talked to him!! You could've dragged him out of there, for God's sake! If you're strong enough to break his neck you could've done that instead!!"

"But...You didn't have to..." she trails off, looking down. [6:07 PM] Cerviel Winter | Nest: He looked away. "At least you've accepted your fate, Miss Ortega. I'm sorry you thought there was no better way, but this is probably for the best now." [6:07 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: Artemis pursed her lips, shaking her head. "Sometimes that's the only way you can deal with insubordination..." That's terrifying, thanks Artemis. [6:07 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "Maybe." Wilma admits. "But he'd been talked to. I ain't sayin' that justifies it, but sometimes...sometimes the law's gotta take things into their own hands. At the time, I did what I thought would protect y'all. I hope it still does."

"...But that don't mean my soul's going to salvation 'er nothin'." [6:08 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: "I-IT'S NOT FOR THE BEST!" Hazel cries. "N-Not for Lady Aderyn, and not for Wilma either... it's horrid...!?" The poet looks hysterical, near tears. [6:08 PM] Lake Kawaguchi | Fuck: "Bullshit... I-It's all bullshit," Hot tears began to stream down Lake's cheeks as she shouted, banging her fists on her podium in anger, "It's BULLSHIT!! W-We... W-We shouldn't even be fucking doing all this stupid detective shit!! W-We should b-be in class or something, n-not f-fucking having all these m-moral dilemmas because some FREAK p-practically held us at gun point to fucking K-KILL our classmates!! F-Fuck it all!!! FUCK IT ALL!!!" [6:08 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: "Would you have done it if it was Hazeldine-san? Or any one of us besides Callaghan-san????" [6:08 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel agrees with Lake, and shows this by crying and stamping her foot. [6:09 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: Wilma nods in response to Keiko's question. "If it woulda been them, breaking rules multiple times and showin' no signs of stoppin'. But it wasn't." [6:09 PM] Cerviel Winter | Nest: He held onto that doll, shaking. "There isn't much salvation out there. Not outside of this place. Not even if you die. I truly am sorry, Miss Ortega." [6:09 PM] Lake Kawaguchi | Fuck: "SHUT THE FUCK UP, CERVIEL!!" [6:09 PM] Monoboar!: ....

"Yeeeeesh, you maggots done here? I grow tired of all the wailin' really fast! D'ya think it's votin' time?" [6:10 PM] Lake Kawaguchi | Fuck: "YOU SHUT THE FUCK UP, TOO!!!" [6:10 PM] Monoboar!: "That a yes?" [6:10 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "I'm mighty sorry ya had to be part of this, Miss Basil." Wilma says, taking her hat off as she looks towards the poet. "And that ya had to see that side of me. I'm glad I could make ya feel safe fer a little while, anyways." [6:10 PM] Cerviel Winter | Nest: ".... We should vote now." [6:10 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel is clearly trying to hold back tears, and is only able to nod, lip quivering. [6:11 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "Alright, go on 'n vote now." She says before Monoboar can, because fuck Monoboar, she will take every chance to steal his thunder.

[6:11 PM] Monoboar!: "Hmf ...Aaaaaalright, it's votin' time then!"

Same procedure as last trial, voting screens power on your stands, and there's a selection of students to choose from.

@Alive [6:11 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: Haha beat you to it. [6:12 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: Wilma votes for herself. [6:12 PM] Eri [origami time]: Eri votes for Wilma. [6:12 PM] Kubo Tachibana | BLEHEHEH: Kubo votes for Wilma [6:12 PM] Cerviel Winter | Nest: Cerviel quickly voted for Wilma. [6:12 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: Artemis votes for Wilma. "...I'm sorry, Woody. We fuckni' butted heads in the past but you were... an alright leader." [6:12 PM] Lake Kawaguchi | Fuck: Lake brought her fist down onto Wilma's (voting screen) face for her vote. [6:12 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: Keiko votes for Wilma. "I'm...truly sorry you felt like that was the only way, Ortega-san. Now we have lost not one, but two of us yet again..."

"I hope you're able to reflect on what you have done, wherever you go." [6:12 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: Willy votes for Wilma. [6:13 PM] Lake Kawaguchi | Fuck: Kicking her podium in rage, Lake managed to leave a crack in the wood. [6:14 PM] Monoboar!: Monoboar seems excited, and is close to pressing the complete button, but eyes Hazel impatiently. [6:15 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "...Who ain't voted yet?" Wilma looks confused. "It ain't real hard, folks." [6:15 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: Packie votes for Wilma. Sorry. [6:15 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: No need to 'pologize. [6:16 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel is teary-eyed, hand hovering over the voting screen as she glances over at the sheriff.

"I-I'm sorry, Wilma." She dropped the 'Lady', just as she's done with Akihiko before. "I hadn't.. I... what you did is bad, but I truly looked up to you. Please rest easy..."

She votes for Wilma, teary-eyed. [6:18 PM] Monoboar!: "...Everyone done votin'? If that's the case, let's get this show on the rooooooad!"

After everyone had voted, the screens flicker black, and proceed to light up in anticipation for each profile.

"Well then, worms, who's it gonna be this time? I know I'm real damn excited!"

...

...

A victory tune chimes out as the light lands on Wilma Ortega.

"Looks like it's the truth, gwahaha! Wilma Ortega killed Wallace Callaghan!"

[6:20 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: Wilma nods.

"Alright then...that's it, I 'spose. I don't mind dyin'....Sure don't want to, but I wasn't 'sposed to live this long anyways. The whole world weren't." [6:20 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: Keiko sighs deeply. "We will remember you, Ortega-san." [6:21 PM] Monoboar!: Hazel feels ready to collapse. [6:21 PM] Monoboar!: Monoboar is snorting. [6:22 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: "HOLD UP-"\ [6:22 PM] Monoboar!: "Gyehehehe-- huh?" [6:22 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: "What the fuck you mean you weren't supposed to?" [6:22 PM] Cerviel Winter | Nest: Cerviel turned away completely, hugging that doll. He didn't even wanna look anymore. [6:22 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: Wilma shrugs.

"Just what I said."

"Why'd you think Wallace had that book out on cults, anyways?" [6:22 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel tilts her head, confused. [6:22 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: "...Huh?" [6:23 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: "He was into goat sacrifice-?" [6:23 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "Absolutely not." WAY off base. [6:23 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: "...What do you mean, Ortega-san?" [6:26 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "Y'all don't really think I got good at shootin' just from a Wild West show, do ya?" She smiles, but it's bitter. "Callaghan figured out where I grew up. Little place called Solomon's Grove. Y'all mighta heard of 'em, mighta not. Crazy little cult preparin' for the end of the world. 'Sposed to happen when I was thirteen." She snorts. "When it didn't, I realized it all was a buncha baloney and left. Got myself a job, put my skills to use. I lived a lot longer than I thought I was gonna. I've been livin' on borrowed time."

The rueful smile fades from her face. "Maybe this was what they meant all 'long 'bout me meeting my end in the 'outside world.' They weren't wrong, in the end. But I got to meet y'all, so I think it's worth it anyways." [6:28 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel is curling her hands into her hair anxiously, staring apprehensively at Wilma as she attempts to process this information.

"So... a cult? A whole cult..." The poet isn't sure what to say... [6:28 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: "Ortega-san...a-a cult??" [6:28 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: Wilma dismissively waves a hand. "It ain't that serious. No sacrifices 'er none of that weird shit. Just farms and no fuckin' tech anywhere. 'Cept for guns, 'course." [6:28 PM] Kubo Tachibana | BLEHEHEH: "...That's really cool, Ortega-san..." [6:29 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: Wilma doesn't respond to that. [6:29 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel glances at Kubo a bit oddly, but shrugs it off. [6:29 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: "Jesus... At least you didn't do fucked up shit." [6:29 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: "I'm sorry you had to grow up in such a place, Ortega-san..." [6:30 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "...Anyways, none of that's the point. I'm just sayin'...I'm okay with my world ending like this." Her serious expression cracks a bit. "I'm okay 'long as y'all promise to do better than I could. No more leaders 'er any of that...work together. Keep each other in line. In a safe way." [6:31 PM] Cerviel Winter | Nest: Cerviel was quiet as he listened, feeling the guilt start to seep in for having been mean. "I'm sorry about what I said, Miss Ortega. Maybe you will be an angel." [6:31 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: "We...we'll do better, Ortega-san. We won't let this happen again."

"Do you...do you have anything you want me to say to anyone outside? Anything you want to pass on?" she offers, just as she did with Aderyn. [6:34 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "...If y'all get to the Saco Wild West show, tell Leone I said hi." She says after a moment. "That's all. Tell 'im I'm doing fine, okay? And my parents..." She looks a bit pained. "They ain't too smart but they ain't bad people. Wouldn't recommend you go checkin' out Solomon's place, though. Maybe just send 'em a letter. Tell 'im I passed." She nods at Keiko, grateful. [6:34 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: She smiles sadly. "I will...I promise, Ortega-san."

"Please...tell Callaghan-san he will be missed as well, if you see him again." [6:35 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: "I got some 'pologies for him, and...everyone else that passed, so I'll be sure to." [6:35 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel disregards everything else and rushes over to give Wilma one last goodbye in the form of a hug.

"My apologies... Wilma..." Hazel says shakily. [6:36 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: Artemis gives Wilma a solem nod, she feels a very heavy pit of guilt in her gut. "I hope ya find peace.' [6:37 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: Keiko nods at Wilma's words. She hates Wilma's actions...but she doesn't deserve to die, either. [6:37 PM] Lake Kawaguchi | Fuck: Lake stomped off her podium and towards Wilma before she joined Hazel.

"God, fuck..." Lake sniffled as she tightened her grip, "You deserved so much fucking better than this hellhole, Wilma-san..." [6:39 PM] Hana Minami! | ART Room: Hana was horrified. Absolutely, positively horrified. She could only hug Wilma one last time before she...well, ugh.

Hana slowly walked towards her, avoiding eye contact as she did. She didn't want Wilma to see her cry. She wrapped her arms around her tightly. She wanted to say something, anything to send Wilma off.

"Don't go...!" [6:42 PM] swiss cheese cowboy: Wilma looks surprised that anyone would get near her after that, let alone the girl who witnessed her murder. She blinks rapidly, as if trying to stop tears, and returns Hazel's hug. She flinches as two more people join the hug, and tries (and fails) to stop her body from shaking.

"I gotta go, Princess." She says softly. "I...No matter where I end up, I'm gonna be watchin' over y'all and protecting ya best I can anyways. I'll never stop."

She closes her eyes. The world is ending for her. She said she didn't mind, but...

"Thank y'all. I wanted to make y'all feel safe, but the truth is...I always felt like the world was on the verge of ending 'til I met y'all."

"Take care of yerselves now, okay? I'm countin' on yall."

"Goodbye." [6:42 PM] Hana Minami! | ART Room: Hana sobbed loudly.

[6:43 PM] Monoboar!: "Oh... boohoo, I'm almost touched by the affection you've got! Too bad I gotta rip her away from ya!"

Monoboar slams a gavel onto a big red button, and Wilma is promptly whisked away from the others by a metal clamp attached to a chain snapping around her neck, and she's off...

Wilma Ortega has been found guilty. Time for the punishment.

[Done by @spiiderboiii]

[Done by @pitoumugis]

[6:44 PM] Hana Minami! | ART Room: Hana stared at the execution for a moment before covering her eyes and dipping her head, hoping her hair would cover her face a little. [6:45 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: Keiko doesn't look. She can't do it. [6:45 PM] Kubo Tachibana | BLEHEHEH: Kubo watches intently. That was horrible... [6:45 PM] Cerviel Winter | Nest: Cerviel didn't even watch. It didn't feel right even if it was the one who'd killed his friend. [6:45 PM] Lake Kawaguchi | Fuck: Keeping her eyes closed tight and her hands clamped down on her ears didn't stop the shots from giving her an idea of what happened. [6:46 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: Willy frowns as he sees what unfolds. [6:46 PM] Hana Minami! | ART Room: Hana flinched every time the shots happened. [6:46 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hana shrieks, unable to watch after the horses arrive, and clamps her hands over her ears. [6:47 PM] Monoboar!: Why i say hana :frowning: i tired. Anyways [6:47 PM] Hana Minami! | ART Room: Hana hugs Hazel really hard. [6:48 PM] Monoboar!: Monoboar cackles once again.

"Well then! Another trial is off my hands, gwahahahar!" The boar laughs, and the elevator dings melodically, sliding open.

"Now scram, go cry in your rooms or somethin', ya grubs!"

The boar vanishes promptly, leaving you all to exit yourselves. [6:48 PM] Lake Kawaguchi | Fuck: Lake joined and wrapped her arms around Hazel and Hana both for a little while. [6:49 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | 🔖: Hazel does the same... but leads them in a small pack with shaky legs, into the elevator. Heh. Help. [6:49 PM] Hana Minami! | ART Room: Hana was still sobbing loudly. [6:50 PM] Monoboar!: @Alive Walk into the elevator. [6:50 PM] Keekoo Taisei | Terrible choices: Keiko leaves silently. It's not her place to try to comfort any of them. She can only hope Wilma can find peace, wherever she is. [6:50 PM] Kubo Tachibana | BLEHEHEH: Kubo walks into the elevator silently [6:50 PM] Willy Wonder | Room: Willy heads to the elevator. [6:50 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: Packie makes his way into the elevator, slumping against one of the walls. [6:51 PM] Cerviel Winter | Nest: Cerviel walked into the elevator with his doll, choking back more tears. He's a wreck. [6:51 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| AAAAAAAAAAAAA: Artemis walks into the elevator, the pit in her stomach getting heavily. Shit's awful! [6:52 PM] Monoboar!: Once everyone is inside, whether you roleplayed that or not, the elevator shuts behind you and takes you back to the foyer...

Now Five people are gone, and it seems like your numbers are only going to continue dwindling...

TRIAL 2 - END.