[To say that Zoe is frustrated when she leaves the trial would be an understatement. There's relief that they came to the right conclusion, but... It doesn't seem satisfying despite that, given the lives that have been lost and that are about to be lost.
When she notices Mizuki as they happen to pass through the same corridor, though, she stops.]
[ frankly, Mizuki is dead tired -- but they do a spectacular job of not showing it. They turn to her with faint surprise; in a moment, though, they have a graceful smile on their face, and they wave her off with a hand. ]
Oh - Zoe Murphy-kun, right? You don't have to thank me for anything.
[ people are still getting killed, so they didn't accomplish much yet, as far as they're concerned ]
Just... I think I was getting too caught up on what this one god said to me, that we shouldn't just assume it was the first person who seemed guilty. But you were pretty sure it was him, and you turned out to be right.
I see. I guess not even the "gods" can see the future, then? But you weren't wrong, either - I remember people thinking of blaming Beauty for having so few followers at first.
[ it seemed like a broad stroke to paint the culprit with; Mizuki's glad they were able to move away from that angle. ]
All we can do is try and make sense of the clues we have. I think you did fine.
[After the vision concludes and she goes to see Justice... Just like last week, she doesn't quite know what to do after seeing who's been killed. That feeling is even greater this week, given the scope of the deaths that have occurred. Normally she'd try to distract herself with music, but this week, she heads to the parlor instead.
She isn't quite sure what she's going to do once she arrives there, but she doesn't need to wonder for long; as soon as she sees Mizuki, she glances their way.]
[After all the events at the trial today, there are a number of people who Zoe is concerned about - and after what happened with Guy, Mizuki is fairly high on that list. She has to wander around some to find them, but when she enters the altar room and sees them there, she gives pause.
Well, you're not wrong. I think I was too surprised to really feel it... It's starting to ache now, though. [ all the adrenaline from the trial is wearing off. ] As for the rest of me... I'm tired, mostly. But I'll be okay.
[ they have many other feelings but they would rather die than acknowledge them, so ]
Piety-san has some kind of plan. I just hope he thought it through.
It's all right. The end result was going to be nearly the same either way. I said this to Kresnik-san, but if I'm speaking honestly, my reasons for not wanting Piety-san to sacrifice one of his memories are somewhat selfish. Ishikirimaru-san is a friend of mine.
[ they seem all right with how things ended up happening, even if they're uneasy about it. In the end, it was his choice; Mizuki has to honor at least that much. ]
And if you're asking why he'd do it... that's just the kind of person he is, I think. He doesn't want to see innocent people getting hurt, even if it means he has to sacrifice himself instead.
Have some faith? I'm sure that's what Piety-san would want, too.
[ ha ha ]
As for Guy-kun -- mm, I talked to him afterwards. It was actually a really cute reason! It turns out he's deathly afraid of girls. I guess I seem like a woman to him.
[ they sound utterly unbothered by this possibility... ]
Who knows...? I'm not sure things like that always have a reasonable explanation. Either way, I wasn't going to pry. I just wanted him to apologize. And maybe grovel a little bit.
[ t b q h... nobody throws mizuki around and gets away with it scot-free. Punishment has been exacted. They rest a hand on their hip, demeanor shifting a little to something more serious. ]
Rather than me, I think we should be thinking about you. Are you okay? This is a lot for a high school student to deal with.
[That gets a surprised laugh from her as she brushes a stray strand of hair back, tilting her head slightly.]
Just a little bit, huh? Light groveling. How'd it work out?
[For the next question, though... Her expression gets a little more somber, even if she tries to keep her voice more casual.]
I mean... Not really. It's really tough, you know? But - hopefully it won't be too much longer before we can all go home. That's what I keep thinking about.
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week one, saturday evening
When she notices Mizuki as they happen to pass through the same corridor, though, she stops.]
Oh - hey. I wanted to, uh, to say thank you.
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Oh - Zoe Murphy-kun, right? You don't have to thank me for anything.
[ people are still getting killed, so they didn't accomplish much yet, as far as they're concerned ]
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[Even as they say that, there's still a grateful tone to her voice when she responds.]
Right, but just... You were right, and you helped me realize I wasn't. So - you know.
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[ they're soft towards cute girls, so they'll actually comply with the request. ]
Haha. I still think you're giving me too much credit, but... you're welcome. What did I help you with, exactly?
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[A shrug.]
You know.
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I see. I guess not even the "gods" can see the future, then? But you weren't wrong, either - I remember people thinking of blaming Beauty for having so few followers at first.
[ it seemed like a broad stroke to paint the culprit with; Mizuki's glad they were able to move away from that angle. ]
All we can do is try and make sense of the clues we have. I think you did fine.
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[Wishful thinking, probably, but.]
Thanks. [...] Your name is Mizuki, right? I remember from the statues.
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That's right - Mizuki Ioti! I'm your average mid-20s salary worker from Tokyo. It's a pleasure to meet you.
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[Once she's done mirroring that introduction, she sticks out her arm for a handshake.]
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New York, huh? That's the second time it's come up. You don't know Berry-kun, do you? Rachel Berry? I bet she'd like to talk to you.
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Oh. The girl who started singing during the trial, right? No, I'd never met her before this. But she seems... [Hm.] Unique.
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[ Mizuki is still assuming she's joking... she can't be for real with that, right........... RIGHT ]
But she wants to be a singer on Broadway.
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[A small glance towards Mizuki and then away, as if she's thinking about her next words.]
I write my own songs sometimes, but I don't know if I'd be able to get that far with it. What about you?
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Karaoke is about as far as my talents will take me, I think. Oh, but I have fun doing it, at least.
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Not much for instruments, either?
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week two, friday.
She isn't quite sure what she's going to do once she arrives there, but she doesn't need to wonder for long; as soon as she sees Mizuki, she glances their way.]
...How are you holding up?
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[ as ever, Mizuki seems relatively composed and relaxed for the circumstances - they even give her a wave when they spot her. ]
Better, now that I've seen your face. [ a wry smile. ] Are you okay?
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[The answer comes fairly quickly, and she adds on to it after a moment.]
Anyone who says they’re okay is either lying or way too fine with all of this.
[Which isn’t intended as a criticism about how calm Mizuki seems, despite the frown Zoe wears.]
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Hah. I suppose that was a stupid question, in the end.
[ they lean one elbow on the bar where they're seated, letting a small frown crease their expression. ]
As an adult, I feel like I should tell you it's all going to be okay... but that doesn't change what's happened here.
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No, it wasn't stupid. Sorry. [All the same, she looks towards the ground for a moment.] We don't know if it's all going to be okay yet, do we?
week two, saturday.
After a moment:]
Hey. How's your back doing?
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[ Mizuki is tired with a capital T, but they do their best to smile for Zoe regardless. ]
Thank you, Zoe. I'm all right. I just need a good nap and some snacks.
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[She tries to return the smile, but it's weak.]
Other than your back... How are you feeling?
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Well, you're not wrong. I think I was too surprised to really feel it... It's starting to ache now, though. [ all the adrenaline from the trial is wearing off. ] As for the rest of me... I'm tired, mostly. But I'll be okay.
[ they have many other feelings but they would rather die than acknowledge them, so ]
Piety-san has some kind of plan. I just hope he thought it through.
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[She frowns, shifting slightly as she tries to decide how to phrase this next sentiment.]
Yeah. Sorry that we didn't vote for... I mean, your logic made sense. Cunning pretty much sucks.
[Even if it isn't something she personally agreed with.]
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[ they seem all right with how things ended up happening, even if they're uneasy about it. In the end, it was his choice; Mizuki has to honor at least that much. ]
And if you're asking why he'd do it... that's just the kind of person he is, I think. He doesn't want to see innocent people getting hurt, even if it means he has to sacrifice himself instead.
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[But after that clarification, she moves on quickly.]
I don't think it's that selfish to want your friends to live. [...] I guess we just have to hope that whatever Piety is planning, it works out.
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Have some faith? I'm sure that's what Piety-san would want, too.
[ ha ha ]
As for Guy-kun -- mm, I talked to him afterwards. It was actually a really cute reason! It turns out he's deathly afraid of girls. I guess I seem like a woman to him.
[ they sound utterly unbothered by this possibility... ]
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[It's said with a fair amount of stress; even if she doesn't know Ishikirimaru too well, the thought of anything like that happening to him is awful.
Upon hearing that explanation, though, she blinks.]
That's a unique thing to be scared of. I mean, to that extent, at least. I wonder why.
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Who knows...? I'm not sure things like that always have a reasonable explanation. Either way, I wasn't going to pry. I just wanted him to apologize. And maybe grovel a little bit.
[ t b q h... nobody throws mizuki around and gets away with it scot-free. Punishment has been exacted. They rest a hand on their hip, demeanor shifting a little to something more serious. ]
Rather than me, I think we should be thinking about you. Are you okay? This is a lot for a high school student to deal with.
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Just a little bit, huh? Light groveling. How'd it work out?
[For the next question, though... Her expression gets a little more somber, even if she tries to keep her voice more casual.]
I mean... Not really. It's really tough, you know? But - hopefully it won't be too much longer before we can all go home. That's what I keep thinking about.
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That's right. This'll be over with soon, I promise. I'm working hard on getting us a peaceful ending.
[ or, at the very least, stopping the murders. ]
My god's a good guy, so I don't think it's impossible for things to change. It's just going to take some convincing.