jinglehells | on the third day of christmas my true love gave to me a trial to see whodunit

WHO KILLED CHRISTMAS?

Four hours pass. Thug Dangerzone and Brasco move all the tables together (with no help from Starshine) and the "trial room" such that it is, is set. One long table with plenty of standing room if you aren't feeling like getting buddy buddy with your new best friends. No one seems to have wanted to move the body, so right next to the long table is Kido, sort of covered with the tablecloth. (Was it made to be a reminder, of what you've lost? Or are they just lazy?)

On each spot at the table is a sandwich and apple cider, and that basket sits ominously in the middle of the table as a gruesome centerpiece reminder. Next to the food is a pen and a small notebook, like the kind they use on police procedural.

After everyone is seated, or at least standing awkwardly around, Starshine goes to stand at the head of the table and claps her hands to get everyone's attention. "Hello everyone. I hope you used your four hours wisely!" She sets a piece of paper on the table, with a variety of names. "Here's your suspect list. We were doing a little digging while you guys were busy poking around, so we've determined it's one of these idiots. Please discuss among yourself who did it. When you're ready, write their name on the paper and hand it to one of us and we'll count. When a majority of you have all written the same name, we'll stop. Or, uh, I guess if you waste enough of our time."

She looks from Brasco to Thug Dangerzone and then back to the table and the gathered masses. She waves her hand in a sweeping gesture in front of everyone, "Let the Hunger Games begin!"

23 GUESTS REMAIN

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...Yes, that's the proper way to finish this.

[He thought he'd be prepared to face this with no hesitation and yet-- no. For Kido's sake he can't afford that.]

The why is simple enough-- you said it yourself. There is someone whom you need to get home to. The circumstances that lead you to feel so strong about that I am not aware, however he is family to you, and I'm sure whatever your reasons are, they are for you alone.

I can assume though because it was you who approached him Kido would not have felt threatened. Which is why I'm sure you were able to catch him off guard.

You also always have food with you-- which is why I'm sure the fruitbasket got dragged into this mess as well.

You're right about everything up until the fruitbasket. [She smiles at that.

Please. Solve this.

...she didn't mean for this yet here she is.]

Then you'd intended to make use of it from the start? I didn't see you as someone who'd waste food... unless perhaps you weren't the one who brought it.

If you'd asked Kido to meet with you, bringing something like that... it's something he might have done.

[He's a good boy.]

I'll give you a hint. The basket was already on the table when we fought in the dining room.

We've assumed until now that the apple was responsible for the bruising Kido had sustained. And considering the dent, that seems highly likely. Considering the lack of disturbance to the table, I would think that you either grabbed it and used it as a blunt force weapon-- or threw it as a projectile.

Considering you fought Kido you must be quite skilled in combat considering he of all people was your opponent.

But why was there blood on all the fruit? Think about that. I'm a Grail Knight trained to take on almost anyone and everyone so he couldn't have beat me in the end. Though I was hoping to take him in one blow, but I suppose I wasn't subtle enough.

He's not unaccustomed to acts of violence, but then again-- it's unlikely you knew him well enough to know the extent of his abilities.

The blood we found was on the floor, which would lend to the basket having been upended at some point perhaps. If it was collected and put back in the basket quickly enough, it wouldn't have needed to leave any holes in the bloodstain...

And yet all he got was some of my hair. [She's really quick and really strong, you know.]

But yes, you're on the right track.

Yakuza and something similar to a trained assassin are very different. Kido is not a murderer nor would he have tried to kill you even in self defense. In the end, that difference ultimately means this would have been the outcome regardless.

You and I, however share some similarities.

I think you're underestimating me and that is an insult. He fought to live. I was the stronger one in the end...

[Or was it the fruitbasket?]

Not at all. I hold Kido's abilities in high esteem-- to recognize you as his killer is no insult to your skills. What you've used them for however... I of all people find hard to forgive. Yet I can't say I don't understand.

Only that I wish I had been the one you chose. Unlike Kido, my only fate is to accept my place in prison.

I said you remind me of Kevin, right? He's stuck in Gehenna right now. He's suffering, alone. I was there by his side and he said he would try to make it out because I was there by his side. He thought that was his only fate after he killed my sister, but I think different. After all, he didn't mean to kill her.

I love Kevin, and have and will do everything to ensure he will stop blaming himself for my sister's death... and for his mother who committed suicide when he was a child. And for every other death he thinks is his fault.

[Ah... so that's who she meant he reminded her of. That is... especially painful. Especially because he can't argue with what she wants to do.]

...I'm glad you were willing to share your story with me.

[After all, he wouldn't have forced her. But there's some solace in knowing.]

No one deserves to suffer alone. [That is genuine.] Yet if we don't pay the price for the sins we commit, then the cycle of suffering will never end. That's why when this is over I'm turning myself in, despite everything it means. And that's why-- I can't accept that you would make sacrifices of other people's loved ones for your own.

I can't forgive that.

What people do-- what they've done-- whether intended or not, is their burden to carry. You murdering someone will not ease that burden for him. If he's fighting, it's probably for your sake, not his own. At least... that is what my position would be.

You're lucky to live in a world where you can turn yourself in. Kevin has to live with this burden and this pain for the rest of this life because of his position as the Fifth Dominion. He never wanted it, but as soon as he awoke to his power, his fate was sealed.

His fate... was... sealed. [And... she starts to cry again.]

For five long years he wouldn't let me talk to him. He wouldn't let me hug him. He wouldn't let me near him. For five long years. But finally, finally he's started to rely on me. Because he's finally understood that we're family.

[Ah--]

I see. I can't imagine what that must feel like.

[He can grant her a tissue though.]

Nonetheless, he must have been very happy that you never stopped loving him. I... would be, if I were so lucky.

[He can't say he knows now... or if he ever will. But he hopes at least-- for her, that can mean something.]

I'm... sorry for taking away your oath brother. I... didn't know.

["So go on. If you want to avenge her, do it. If anything, it'd make me happy if you did."

Kevin told her that when she found out he had killed her, so...]

I won't say it would make me happy if you avenged him, but... I would understand if you felt the need to.

We were strangers it's... not strange you didn't.

[It had been such a short period of time after all.]

I would be lying if I said I didn't want to.

[He made that clear enough earlier.]

But... that isn't my place. I'm not a police officer anymore, nor do I have a right to call myself a yakuza. What happens to you... will be up to the proper authorities. And if that means you get to go free, back to him-- then you'll simply have to find your own way to repent.

I can't say I'll repent. After all, I think you've figured out that's not exactly the kind of nun I am, but I won't forget the price I paid... the price you paid.

on the third day of christmas my true love gave to me a trial to see whodunit

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cw: suicide

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