#but I have a killer migraine and tbh I was hoping my eyes would stop feeling as if someone jammed knives in them and that’d help

[likeswallowstosea]

//Okay, so I’m going to try to get to those ask meme responses tomorrow. I’m still at work but I already know I’m not getting to them tonight, so I figured I’d be like “will get to them once I get a chance” fast. 💕

[bounnostra]

ch. 1 || TRIAL 1.4 || SCOURGE || [ re: PINCER, IVEY, OBAMA, PIP, MAVERICK, everything tbh ]

Needless to say, if SCOURGE didn’t like this before, they absolutely fucking hated it now.

It’s not a surprise that they don’t believe PIP. They’ve never trusted a word that came out of that asshole’s mouth from the get-go, and all of it seems a bit too convenient. Either he’s lying or his sloppy frame job came with him having no fucking backbone to see it through. Why bother framing someone if he’s going to slip the second someone looks too hard?

Perhaps some would find some kind of bittersweet comfort in the soft smile IVEY gives them. Something that twists and pulls at one’s heartstrings because a person who you’ve got a soft spot for who’s clearly also fond of you for some reason has committed murder. 

And truthfully. For a moment, it almost does hit something in SCOURGE’s icy heart that’s somewhere in their chest. 

But then PINCER speaks up. The feeling turns into hot iron and lava in their throat that they have to swallow down for the time being to get to the important stuff.

“‘Kay. So. Think we’re all in agreement that PIP’s fucking lying ‘bout something. Both PINCER and ROOKIE saying his wrist was fucked up beforehand plus how many fucking holes there are in his story kinda seals that deal. Keep your damn mouth shut, PIP, if all you’re gonna do is be a distraction.” 

“No shade to PINCER, but is there a second person that can back up his claims ‘bout IVEY’s ankle and the boots being broken before? Has she been limping at all? Don’t really think he’s lying, but I’d like to have corroboration. Either way. Nothing ‘bout these two adds up.”

While they continue to speak, they’ve turned their attention back to the notebook, pen busily writing away. Those next to them -- ( see: TIME since it seems like DUCK might have left the building, folks?? ) -- would first see that they’re writing down a list of names, of everyone here. Then they place an X next to themself, and ?’s next to IVEY and PIP.

“So. Prez brought up points. And Maverick’s got good fucking ideas there too. Getting away with a kill -- if you get caught, your gang loses points. Maybe IVEY and PIP are in the same gang. Even if not, if they’re oh-so-fucking-close, maybe they’re covering for each other.”

On the opposing page of the notebook, they idly start scribbling down thoughts.

“Hell. Perhaps, if they are in the same gang, they know or suspect the killer is one of their gangmates. Or maybe they’re just shitty bleeding hearts who wanna hide the crime of some sap they met, what, two weeks ago, tops. Who fucking knows. A bunch of fucking maybe’s isn’t gonna help us.”

“What is gonna help us. Great fucking question that I don’t really got an answer for. What do we got for unexplained evidence? The seemingly bloody towel -- however the fuck PIP got all sliced up, maybe that’s from him and he won’t cop to it. The sticks, the candles and fire, the gloves, the marks on the dock. Might be missing something there. Feel free to remind me; I’m getting a fucking migraine from all this bullshit.”

To SCOURGE’s credit, they don’t seem to be exaggerating about that final comment. Their hand that isn’t holding the pen is firmly pressing its fingertips to their temple, a somewhat pained furrow in their brow. Yeah. The whole not sleeping thing really hasn’t been helping them in the long run. Neither has anything else that’s happened recently.

They let out a slow exhale, eyes squeezed shut.

“Did anyone try to check if Runa’s nails had blood under them or anything? Slipped my mind at the time. But none of the marks on her neck drew blood, I know that much. If her nails didn’t have blood under them or anything, then this assumption we’ve been going off ‘bout injuries could be totally fucking unfounded.”

After a moment, they open their eyes back up again. 

“...I’d say maybe we could narrow things down a bit by height. Runa’s neck injury had no angle, meaning it’s not like the person had to reach up. But we got no clue what position she was in while being strangled, so shit doesn’t really do anything for us either.”

“And PINCER. Your series of events isn’t bad -- Runa having the knife might have something to it, but I’m not sure ‘bout her hand being slammed between the dock and the boat. I even thought that for a bit, but the dock is ‘bout a foot-and-a-half above the water. Unsure if her hand could get caught between with that distance.”

They stop, and for a moment, it seems like SCOURGE might have said their piece. But their eyes shift over to the bladesmith of the hour, and their expression becomes much darker. And when they speak, it’s venomous and bitter, frustrated like they’re trying to keep a rein on whatever temper might be boiling underneath. They're leaned out of their chair somewhat, onto the table, sneering.

“...By the way, IVEY. ‘Justice is a rather fickle master, but she only gets louder if you ignore her,’ huh? Remember that shit? Hope you’re keeping it in fucking mind while you jerk us ‘round. Hope 'justice' is screaming 'bout this shit you're pulling. Go fuck yourself.”

And only when they're done do they sit back properly in their chair with a huff, expression still clearly more irritated than before but evening out regardless. Seems they really needed to give her a piece of their mind before truly moving on.