third trial

[facultwist]

"Good hustle, everyone, time to get you down to the trial room. I'm willing to bet this is one where you want to know who did it. Head to the conservatory."

Isabella is waiting for you all there, candelabra in hand. She doesn't have much to say, but... perhaps that's to be expected. What is there to say?

It feels like a longer walk than usual to the trial room, but maybe that's just a function of your dwindling number. Much more of this and you're liable to dip below half of your original number. But you must press on, because answers will await you before long. They have to... right?

Yet more desks draped over to show those you've lost. But there's a job that you must do. You have the evidence. You are prepared against whatever it is that comes next.

... Right?

Comments

[rosewitch]

[A gentle touch on her arm.]

Do you want to switch seats? [To sit next to Thomasin, she means.] Just for a few minutes. [Until voting.]

[rednails]

[She jerks a little, startled at the touch. Those angry, nervous tears threatening to fall are harder to blink away with this kindness. Mariko... nods. Placing her hand over Anthy's.]

Thank you.

[rosewitch]

[Anthy nods. Turns her hand over under Mariko's and squeezes gently. Stands and, with her head slightly bowed so her bangs more or less hide her eyes, steps out of the way so they can swap.]

[If she's crying during this movement, no one can prove it.]

[rednails]

[The moment she's beside Thomasin she's holding her-- whether that's clasping her hands in hers or throwing her arms around her (dealer's choice). And that's when those tears finally fall. Usually she wants everyone to see her distress, let people know just how awful she feels, what the scene around her as done. Now, Mariko doesn't want anyone to see-- especially not Vanity.]

[curdle]

[ Mariko throws her arms around her, and Thomasin simply holds strong--maybe she wraps her cloak around her a bit if she gets the chance in, but mostly she focuses on what she might do if one of her siblings came to her, crying. She squeezes her, holds her close, tries to be as solid a pillar as she can.

Her own fears are less than nothing, next to this. Mariko really is her best friend. She deserves nothing less. ]