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

Re: cw: patricide, abuse victim mindset

[sweetsynergy]

Because he pushed me to be strong, capable? To be able to fucking succeed?

[THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY VANITY VONAGEIS ARE NOT THOSE OF THE PLAYER-]

[The anger in her voice doesn't quite make it to her eyes, her voice faltering.]

And then finding out he was just- throwing all that away, EVERYTHING IT WAS GOING TO MEAN- yeah. I did it for the company.

[For sure.]

Just like- I was going to do it to you. Because that's what. That's what winning's going to take here.

cw: patricide, abuse victim mindset

[shellhawked]

He fucked you up is what he did! Even after he's dead he's still running your life by making you believe you had to throw us all under the bus!

Was it worth it? [A tremble has started creeping into her voice that she's fighting tooth and nail to stop.] Was it fucking worth it, Vanity?

Re: cw: patricide, abuse victim mindset

[sweetsynergy]

It's-

[Her gaze drops.]

I has to be. Would have.

[shellhawked]

[Hawke's face crumbles, just a little, at the corners of her eyes and mouth. She should have woken up last night, she should have talked to Lottie more, she should have fucked shit up with Kanon, she should have sucked it up and gone home for Christmas, why did she have to go out with Mother and Bethany-

Without a second thought she throws her arms around Vanity's neck and hugs her as tightly as she can physically muster. Maybe even a little too tight.]

How are we supposed to have our rain-soaked rooftop duel to the death now?

[sweetsynergy]

[Vanity freezes, stiffening in ways that have nothing to do with the injury on her neck.]

Don't- ...don't, they're going to- don't make them hate you too.

[shellhawked]

Shut up.

[She's not letting go, not quite yet. There's a thought creeping through the back of her head, a horrible thought that she could save Vanity from what's about happen. Just squeeze a little harder and a little longer and maybe...

But she can't. That's not who she is even if it feels like a kindness. Hawke lets out a shaky breath and whispers something in Vanity's ear before finally pulling away.]

I'm sorry I can't keep my promise to give you that sick white streak in your hair.