Well let's go back to the middle of the day that starts it all [W1 Friday]

[hydrokinetics]

[By the time they got back from the homestead they'd learned the news about what had happened with Tiara and where she was, what happened with her and the Sheriff that left all of them confused and unsure of what was to come. Everybody began to disperse from the scene, but while he knew Annabeth had questions for some people Percy turned to seek out someone else.

Spotting Noctis, he's quick to catch up and lightly put a hand on the other guy's shoulder to slow him down.]

Hey. Got some time?

Comments

[hydrokinetics]

And since we found Ao's body we have to hold a trial. In the rules and everything. [He snorts in disgust.] I normally don't mind breaking a rule or two but at this point? Not sure we can risk it.

There has to be a loophole in the trial. Something we're not thinking of right away, especially if we can maybe prove this was a set-up.

[elemancy]

Dragging out a loophole may be our key...

If we can make it work for us.

[the still have the sheriff to contend with, and noct doesn't trust that he wouldn't take insubordination out on them.] Seems like a start, though. Finding a way to stop this before anyone else gets killed, this may be a chance.

[and if it's not the last, then at least before too many others give their lives needlessly. this isn't war, this is senseless killing for someone else's amusement. they're all victims here, including the "roles."]

[hydrokinetics]

Things might get hectic tomorrow. We're still putting forty people into a room to argue about something we don't even know the truth behind. It's going to take work but we'll need to keep everyone on track to get them to understand this game's stupid and not play into the Sheriff's hand. At least not the way he wants us to.

[It's going to be hard and he knows there will be people who disagree, but if he can at least have an ally in Noctis that'll help, he thinks.]

[elemancy]

We'll just have to stay focused. Might not be able to sway everyone, but... it's better than not trying at all.

[that's probably all they can do for now. they've got some theories and enough of a moral compass—they just have to see what they can do for everyone else in the process, he thinks.]

[hydrokinetics]

I'm not that good at not trying anyway. [He whistles for Mrs. O'Leary not to go too far off track.]

I wish we could ask Tiara more questions. If we could prove she'd be safe with us, she might give us more information about what happened.

[elemancy]

We may get the chance tomorrow. But everyone's gonna have questions, it'll put a lot of pressure on her.

[meaning he's not expecting her to reveal any truths if she was put up to killing ao.]

[hydrokinetics]

So we might need to mediate that, too, so she doesn't get overwhelmed. I can trust you to help with that, can't I?

[elemancy]

Yeah. We may get more truth out of her if we keep her calm, anyway.

[and he is legitimately concerned for her well-being; he still thinks that if she killed ao, it probably was because her hands were tied—which makes her victim too. but he's sure percy understands that too.]