#trial 1

[12below-milgram]

"...to take interest in me and listen to what I have to say.. For some reason, it made me happy."

⚖️🫧 T1 001 - 3/18/2025 (PST)

Thumbnail Art: @kumorishouhei - sketch & final edits / JROX - lineart & color

[kumorishouhei]

I thought it might be fun to share some behind the scenes work from 12Below's Haruka VD thumbnail now that the video has been out for a bit. The whole process was pretty fun and might be something some people may be interested in. :3

Started with a rough sketch

Spruced it up a bit and turned the sketch into a genga / cel shading guide (my first time trying this method, so it was interesting to put together.)

Handed the sketch off to Jrox for lineart & color

He handed it back to me for some final touches and background.

Ta-da~ .w. It was our first time Jrox and I did an art collab together and I think it turned out well.

[septgram]

here's our list of characters and their t1 profiles to start things off!! there's only 6 of them bc if i had to do 10 of everything i'd blow up. the first story-post will be out soon:)

[elysium-the-true-faceofsalvation]

Trial 1- Soul N.05 Verdict

(The lineart was done my amazing friend @7-4-n who's an amazing artist)

[sethfuss]

10/31/24 LANDMARK INKTOBER

Honestly not one of my favorites. I could not get it out of my mind of a landmark case, and having just drawn the rabbit I was in the mood for clothed animals.

[heartfeltgram]

𝟎𝟎𝟑 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐂 𝟏 — 𝐆𝐄𝐇𝐄𝐍𝐍𝐀

Song: Gehenna (wotaku ft. Hatsune Miku)

Key: Lyrics in blue, romaji in bold, descriptions in black

CWS: Sui ideation, visuals of drowning, choking, pregnancy, blood, death, child death, implied attempted suicide.

[ During the instrumental intro, we see Ryuko sitting up in bed, holding her head. She turns and looks at a photo of a black-haired man sitting on the bedside table as the camera focuses on it. ]

Hey, how are you? How's it going? naa genki? choushi wa dou dai?

Yeah, well, I've quit that kind of thing already aa mou ne sou iu no yametan da

Yeah, well, I hear there's no prospect of recovery anymore un nanka mou kaifuku no mikomi wa nai sou nanda

Don't ask me anything nani mo kikanaide kure

[ Ryuko is on the phone with someone, talking away during these lyrics. On the second line, her smile turns to a frown. She moves from a sitting position to a lying-down position as she’s talking, crossing one leg over the other on the sofa. ]

Regret, estimation, a friendly talk koukai nebumi danshoukai

Caregiving, joy, sharing? I surrender all kaigo etsu kyouyuu mo sarendaa da

Yes, that's right, 100% it was my fault hai sou desu shoushinshoumei boku no sei datta

The typical story yoku aru hanashi

[ Ryuko looks down at her child, who is sitting on the floor, playing with dolls and not paying attention. During the final line, her expression darkens as she stares down at the ground, the background flashing red for a few seconds. ]

I wanted to realize plain and simple tanjunmeikai o mono ni shitakute

Killing the ideal of what it's supposed to be kaku arubeki to iu risou o koroshite

[ A shot of Ryuko and the man from the picture walking together, arms interlocked, with smiles on their faces. The sunlight quickly turns to night, and the man’s expression switches to a rather sinister one as he turns to look at Ryuko. ]

I've had it enough. I don't have the courage to leave mou sanzan datte nigeru yuuki mo nai

Hurry, deeper, falling hayaku motto ochite

[ We flash to present Ryuko, who is shaking her head aggressively. In the second line, she’s shown drowning in dark water, images of happy memories with the man playing in the background as the drowning woman hides her face in shame. ]

"I want to stay alive" "ikite itai yo"

Evеry night, transparent summary suffocates my throat maiyo nodo o fusagu toumei no gaiyou

[ The scenes in the background flash to darker imagery, bad memories Ryuko had with the man. The background begins to flash red as if splattered with blood. Ryuko’s hands move from her face to her throat as if choking herself. ]

The rеality that caves in my lungs hai o mushibamu jitsuzai mo

Irrationality and loneliness, you don't have to hate them rifujin mo kodoku mo uramanakute ii

[ The floating, drowning Ryuko rotates counterclockwise as she curls in on herself, the memories in the background alternating between good and bad memories. ]

They all mean nothing sorera subete imi wa nain da

We all have to live bokura wa ikiru shikanain da

[ We go back to reality, with Ryuko sitting up in bed once more, repeating the scene from the very start of the MV. This time, instead of looking at the picture, she looks straight at the camera with a determined expression. ]

Hey you, how are things? oi omae socchi wa dou dai?

Oh, still, you are doing that aa mada sonna koto yatten da

By the way, what happened to the one you were dating? sou iya tsukiatteta ko to wa dou nattan da?

Don't say anything anymore nani mo iwanaide kure

[ Ryuko is sitting across from a faceless blonde woman at a café, holding an infant in her arms. She’s smiling and chatting away with the other woman. On the third line, her expression darkens and her eyes widen, and on the final line, in a flash of red, the blonde woman is facing a now empty chair, dumbfounded. Where Ryuko once was now lies a puff of vanishing smoke. ]

The future, jealousy, the sense of failure shourai netami haibokukan

Wireless, I can't even hang myself up waiyaresu kubi mo tsurenai na

Yes, delightful, what a profound story hai kyouetsu taihen mi ni shimiru ohanashi deshita

Are you satisfied now? mitasareta kai?

[ Ryuko cradles the child in her arms close to her chest in a black background, red eyes watching her every move. ]

Pitch dark, clouded and broken heart makkuroku nigotte wareta kokoro o

I disinfect with alcohol to sleep arukooru de shoudoku shite nemuru

I become the gloomy water of the big ocean mou antan taru taiga no mizu ni natte

Deeper, deeper, deeper, deeper, falling motto motto motto motto ochite

[ Ryuko falls back into the water, only this time, it’s red. She’s less worried about drowning this time, seemingly apathetic to the situation. She’s still cradling her child close to her. Memories flash in the background, except this time, it’s memories of who she was before meeting the man. ]

"I want to stay alive" "ikite itai yo"

Every night, the air and the future grab my throat maiyo nodo o tsukamu kuuki mo mirai mo

[ One of her hands reaches up to grab at her throat while the other holds her child. The memories in the background are replaced by memories of Ryuko trying to find the man after he disappears. ]

Flesh that deceives to be the organs naizou o kataru nikukai mo

Happiness, the space, you don't have to be skeptical shiawase mo uchuu mo utagawanakute ii

[ The memories in the background show clips of Ryuko’s pregnancy up until the birth of her daughter. Ryuko is rotating counterclockwise like before. Her arm returns to its place of holding her daughter. ]

They all don't change sorera subete kawaranain da

We all don't have to know bokura wa shiranakute iin da

[ We see the Ryuko in reality holding a paper and looking over at her child. ]

"I want to stay alive" "ikite itai yo"

I don't know why, but "I want to stay alive" nande ka wakaranai kedo "ikite itai yo"

[ The drowning Ryuko switches the direction she’s rotating in. ]

The Bible called DNA DNA to iu seisho

You don't have to hate on your instinct and fears honnou mo kyoufu mo uramanakute ii

Nothing will ever change douse nani mo kawaranain da

[ The memories change to one singular image of the man’s grinning face in every bubble as the child disappears in a puff of smoke from Ryuko’s arms as the background turns black. As the child disappears, all movement freezes on the final line, Ryuko becoming a white silhouette reminiscent of a crime scene outline for a moment. ]

"I want to stay alive" "ikite itai yo"

There's no hope ahead, but "I want to stay alive" nan no kibou mo nai kedo "ikite itai yo"

My instinct thumps in red honnou wa akaku myakuutsu no

"I want to stay alive," "I don't want to stay alive" "ikite itai yo" "ikitetakunai yo"

It's so unfortunate hontou ni zannen dakedo

But we all have to live bokura wa ikiru shikanain da

[ Throughout these lines, the background flashes between red and black in time with the music. The memories in the back switch to a dark bedroom with red blood splatters, then switch to a lone window with billowing red curtains, and then back and forth until the end of the stanza. ]

I'm sorry I deceived you damashite gomen yo

[ We flash back to reality, where Ryuko lies on the floor, hugging her knees, tears streaming down her face. ]

I'm sorry I couldn't tell you ienakute gomen yo

[ The scene flashes to her sleeping child in the bed, but the child doesn’t seem to be moving anymore. ]

And this is so sad soshite hontou ni kanashii keredo

[ The camera switches back to Ryuko, who is still crying, but smiling now. ]

But only suffering is the bond kurushimi dake ga kizuna nanda

[ The scene zooms out to a now-empty room, with the same open window and billowing red curtains as shown in one of the earlier memories. ]

[cielgram]

➤ ATTENTION WARDENS!

Umi Itsuki Voice Drama #1 - Midas' Touch has been released! Please be sure to read it as soon as you can!

Voting will be held at this link.

[lustrumlane]

The Last Day on Earth and other fairytales - Dante

She had told him that the world was going to end by ‘magic’. He told her that his almost did.

He does not see the blade fall upon her head, but the sharp sound cuts through his mind like glass.

“Why do you believe in magic?”

The botanist perked her head up from the greenhouse flowers, barely looking over her shoulder. “Why not?”

“Because it’s..y'know...well, I don’t mean to offend, but it’s never been proven to be real.”

She simply smiled. “I have, detective. I know I can do it. I’ve done it. I just need enough time to know how.”

He would watch her tend to the greenhouse, and receive a new report of a missing person when he returned to the city.

Magic is an infestation. A disease. A parasite. There’s no fault in wishing for a world of elves and dwarves and lush lands full of wonder. It’s a beautiful vision, from someone from a more normal world. But it's just not the reality of things.

It's rotten. It embeds itself into the Earth and floods your land. It’ll take away entire cities and everyone you knew there in the thick of the night and leave nothing behind. It’ll create its own hierarchy if it’s not satisfied with the one in place- and everyone will race to suck the resources dry. Damn it all. He wanted no kings in his magical world too. No rulers. No one who gets special supernatural gifts and privileges for being at the right damn place at the right time.

The voices of the other detectives are muffled as he absorbs Al’s final moments. Even the revival is drowned out by her words and his thoughts. Perhaps he was being selfish; her world was about to end, after all. This world, too. As others filed out of the courtroom one by one, he stayed, lost in his own thoughts.

[djungleskogs]

it’s crazy how absolutely blatantly luigi’s constitutional rights are being breached and people seem more concerned about his appearance than a real, scary view of the power CEOs and the healthcare industry have over the legal system. like yeah he looks good in those photos i can appreciate that too but can we focus on the fact that the media is absolutely treating him as if he has already been found guilty. this could happen to anyone. anyone could be arrested over the death of a wealthy, influential person and the precedent being set right now is essentially that the prosecution can run wild and create documentaries declaring your guilt. like that’s really serious and scary.

[12below-milgram]

『🫧 Weakness English Cover』

Main Vocals: Nathan Martin

Background Vocals & VA: @kumorishouhei

English Lyrics: @lostghostinspace

[septgram]

As Long As We Both Shall Live + message lost

this post contains petro's VD and MV. the poll is at the end!!

The sound of a door opening. Petro sounds angry and speaks loudly. The Warden’s tone is the same as always, if a bit more frustrated than usual.

P: … You’re the prison guard? W: Yes. P: That can’t be right. You’re too young. Is it your first day on the job or what? W: I’m fully capable of doing my job. P: Everyone is capable of doing their jobs until they’re not. I want to meet your superior. W: I assure you, that’s not necessary. P: They can be the judge of that. W: Do you even have any reason to want to meet with him? P: I- W: Any real reason, I mean. P: Hmph. I- W: Oh, and if you want to try and convince me that you’re not a murderer: don’t. It won’t help your case. P: Stop interrupting me, for the love of god! And tell me, what should I do? Huh?! I’m not a perfect man, but I’m not a murderer, and you are out of line to suggest otherwise! I want to talk to your superior and clear this mistake up. W: It’s no mistake. P: You don’t know anything- W: I am not above ending your interrogation right now. Would you like that? P: … W: This is your one chance to explain yourself. If you want to throw it away, fine. I don’t care. But, something tells me that you wouldn’t like an unforgiven verdict, would you? P: I’m not- W: We don’t have to talk about your murder right now. We can start off with an introduction. Then you can tell me about your life before coming here – your job, your relationships, and other such things. I’m fine with waiting and talking about your murder next time. P: That’s… P: … W: I��d like to make a deal. We talk about whatever that you want to talk about – as long as it doesn’t have to do with all that ‘not a murderer’ nonsense – and I’ll forget all about your behavior up to now. I won’t account for it in my judgement. Is that fine with you? P: I don’t need your- your pity or whatever the fuck it is you’re doing. Account for whatever the hell you want in your verdict. W: Are you throwing your chance away, then? P: You’d like that, wouldn’t you? But, no. I’m not. W: Ah, well… maybe next time.

The Warden sighs. Petro sounds less angry and more tired/frustrated now.

W: Your introduction. P: Yes, I know. I’m Petro Volkov, I’m 53 years old. I’m a highschool teacher. It’s a fine job, I… ugh, what’s the point? I hate it. I always thought I’d be doing more with my life. Funny how life turns out, huh? W: Sure. What do you teach? P: Biology and chemistry. W: Hm. How do you get along with your students? P: You think I killed one of them? W: I didn’t accuse you of that. P: Yeah, sure.  Whatever you say… well, they don’t like me. They think I’m too strict. When they’re older, they’ll see that I was just looking out for them. W: You’re not denying that you killed one. P: I thought you wanted me to stop denying that I’m a murderer. W: So you admit that you killed them? P: God, you’re impossible! No, I didn't kill one of my students! Or two, or three, or any amount of them! I didn’t deny it because it’s a fucking absurd accusation. They don’t like me, I don’t like them, but that’s no reason for murder. W: It’s enough of a reason. P: Not for me. W: Hm. Sure. P: This is getting nowhere. W: I agree. Let’s move on. W: Do you have any current relationships? P: No, I get along fine with some of my colleagues, but they’re just that. I wouldn’t call them friends. W: What I meant was: Are you dating anyone? P: What does that matter? … Ugh. No. I haven’t dated since my fiancée died. W: Oh? P: Hey! Before you jump to any conclusions, I didn’t kill her, alright? It's been a while. For MILGRAM to 'catch me' now... well, you'd have to be really late. W: Hmph. How did she die? P Natural causes. W: Meaning? P: Meaning you shouldn’t poke your nose where it doesn’t belong. W: .. Alright. For now, I’ll be satisfied with her name. P: Are you serious? W: Do I look like I’m joking? P … W: Maybe you’d rather tell me how she died, in place of her name? P: Good lord, fine! Marya. her name was Marya Ovechkina. I really don’t see how she could be relevant to my supposed ‘murder’. I’m not telling you any more about her. W: I’m certain there’s some details you can spare. What was your relationship like? P: For the love of-!! Ugh. It was fine. W: Really? There were no issues with it? You never fought P: It’s been a very long time. Any anger I may have had has long since dissipated. W: Hm… Were you happy with her? P: Yes. W: You answered very fast that time. P: What? Is that a problem? First, you have problems with people answering too slow, and now you’re mad that I’m answering too fast? What has the world come to… W: I’m not mad. It’s just… interesting. P: What the hell does that mean? W: Nothing. P: Spit it out already! W: I thought you wanted to change the topic? P: Fucking-!! Fine. Let’s change the topic, kid. Whatever. W: I’m… what? I’m not a kid. P: You look the part. W: … I’d like to hear about your family. Did you and Marya have any children before she passed away? I imagine it’d be hard to support them on your own, especially with a teacher’s salary. P: That’s private. W: In what sense? P: … W: What? P: It’s… fuck, let’s just change the topic again. W: I decide when we do that. Not you. Why don’t you want to talk about your family? P: They’re all dead, okay ?! So there’s no point in talking about them. What could you even want to know about them? W: … P: What? Fucking what?! Why are you looking at me like that?! W: You did have a child, didn’t you? P: Are you stupid? I just said- W: Tell me about your child. I want to know more about it.

Petro starts yelling.

P: Jesus, can’t you let me be for one fucking second? It is constant with you! P: My kid is none of your business, got it? I have no clue, not one fucking clue, what MILGRAM’s about! I don’t know you people!! Get that?! My kid is mine. Not yours. If I did murder someone – and I haven’t – my kid wouldn’t be involved in it! Why would I fucking involve my kid ?! P: It’s got nothing to do with this, so keep it out of this. Got it? W: … W: You’re trying to protect your kid from MILGRAM? Why? Do you think we would hurt it? P: You kidnapped me! What’s stopping you from doing the same to him?! Or worse! W: Him? P: What? W: You said ‘him’. You have a son, then? P: Oh, fuck off. Fine, yes, I have a son. So what?! W: Hm. Nothing. P: Sure, sure. Nothing! That’s your favorite response, isn’t it? W: Ha. W: If your child’s safety is all that’s stopping you from talking, then let me tell you this: Your son is safe. W: As safe as you left him, at least. W: MILGRAM has no reason to kidnap or hurt him. You’re the one they chose. Not him. We have no interest in him, unless- P: If you’re about to say that I fucking killed him, I swear- W: No, no. I was going to say that, unless he kills anyone, we don’t care about him. But, I suppose, if he was your victim… P: … W: What? Aren’t you mad that I said it?

Petro isn’t yelling anymore, but he’s still clearly angry.

P: … Say whatever you want. I know that attacking you is stupid. W: Hm. Tereza told you? P: What? W: They tried attacking me. It didn’t work, of course… it makes sense that they told you. P: No, that’s- she attacked you? W: Yes. We’ve already established this.

That riles him up again.

P: Did you- you didn’t- What did you do? What does ‘“didn’t work” mean? Did you hurt her? W: I’m afraid that’s confidential. P: She’s a kid! How could you fucking-

A bell rings. Mechanical sounds fill the room. Petro’s chair scrapes against the floor as he stands up.

W: Ah… looks like the interrogation is over. P: You’re lucky. If this went on for any longer, I’d have- W: What? Attacked me? You can try it, if you’d like. P: Ha! Maybe next time. W: Hm. It’s time, then. W: Prisoner 005, Petro Volkov. Sing your sins.

--

the song i chose is message lost by ferry The style of Petro’s video is… semi-realism, kinda? Live footage with the characters drawn over it. The colors are muted.

The instrumental starts with Petro sitting on a couch. He looks younger – there’s no gray in his short hair, he only has a few wrinkles. He looks disheveled. He lights up a cigarette. He’s holding a photo. His gaze is fixed on it.

We switch to his POV. We see that there’s a woman smiling in the photo. He shifts his hold of the photo, as if to rip it, but the shot changes before he can do anything.

dawn can’t break when the sun has burned to a crisp there must have been some supernova i missed

Older!Petro, the same age as we know him, is in bed. He looks exhausted, like he just woke up. He sits up on the edge of his bed. His sheets are unkempt. There’s empty mugs and plates on his bedside table, as well as clothes on the floor.

my ultimate snapshot - “sky overcast” go out with a whimper, not with a blast

He’s out of bed now and wearing one of the shirts that were on the floor. He knocks on a door, but doesn’t wait for an answer. He opens it. A look of frustration spreads across his face. (Instrumental) At first, he just stands in the doorway. Then, he enters, yelling. We’re left with an empty hallway.

you open up your eyes, open up your arms, open your everything lay all your holy vows and unholy charms - all of you before me

A compilation of shots of the woman from the photo and younger!Petro together. The specifics of what they’re doing are unimportant – eating dinner together, holding hands, cuddling in bed, etc. It’s all things that couples do. The woman is smiling in all of them. Petro looks disinterested. There’s more focus placed on her than on him. He’s barely in the frame sometimes.

and so you run, and so you run, and so you run like a stray mutt after a mutt- after a muttered confession of love

She’s clinging onto him, crying. He looks disgusted. He’s about to push her off when she pulls him down by his tie and whispers something in his ear. He still looks uncomfortable, but hugs her.

the haze lingers above the pale dawning arc

Petro gets down on one knee. The woman gasps. He pulls out a simple ring. Neither look very happy, despite them both smiling. She takes the ring and puts it on her finger. 

day can’t break when the sun has burned to a crisp there must have been some supernova i missed

Petro and the woman from the photo are arguing. She looks pregnant. We don’t see her face. He’s clinging onto her hand, yelling at her.

my ultimate snapshot - “sky overcast” go out with a whimper, not with a blast

She breaks away. Petro shuts up, fear passing over his face. She takes her ring off her finger, and hands it back to him. We don’t see her face for this or the previous part.

to scour the blackened, soot-covered earth

A shot of the door from earlier. It’s just a regular, indoors door that could lead to a living room, a kitchen, a bathroom, etc. There’s nothing special about it.

to cry out my name in violent birth

A shot of a hospital door. 

to settle for naught and settle the grudge when there was no jury, i was the judge

Petro, in funeral attire, is standing at a grave. He’s holding a baby and a bouquet of flowers. At first, he looks mournful, but he quickly grows frustrated. Enough so that he throws the bouquet at the grave.

open up my eyes, open up my arms, open up everything lend me your dying vows and undying charms, i can still hear you sing

A compilation of Petro and his kid. We see them grow older. At the end of it, Petro looks the same as we know him. The specifics of what they’re doing are unimportant. Most of the time, they’re just in the same room together. Watching the TV, Petro reading it a book, picking out clothes for it, etc. There’s more focus placed on him than the kid.

see you there standing calm by the open window in the living room

He’s standing in the doorway to his living room. His eyes are red.

and all the light in the world converges on you

The woman is standing in the living room, smiling. She’s also holding a baby. She looks at Petro fondly. The ring is still on her finger. He reaches out to her, and both her and the baby vanish.

(Instrumental) Back to the same shot at the start. Petro loosens his grip on the photo. He sets it down without ripping it. For a brief moment, he looks mournful, but his frustrated expression returns soon after. He sighs and puts his cigarette out on the photo.

--

what milgram song would they cover? i didnt immediatly wanna go for kazui, but... cat.

what other, non-milgram song would they cover? lets go with eat shit and die by harley poe.

[elysium-the-true-faceofsalvation]

Trial 1- Soul N.06 Verdict

(art done by @envyofsteel)

[hachigram]

004 MV 1 — VITA

Song: Vita by Hiiragi Kirai ft. Flower

CWs: Gun usage, blood, death, implied suicide, murder, religious themes

I see it as reckless

A sign that I've been played by the devil

The hidden path of my life

Has turned into a dried-up shell

Haruhi stands on a stage with several eyes on them. They are dressed in what looks to be shrine maiden attire, performing a ritual dance for the audience. 

At the end of their performance, they look out into the crowd. A dark-haired man dressed in all black wears a wicked grin, applauding along with the rest of the crowd.

All this pointless sorrow

Keeps overflowing, it won’t stop

I can see it bringing

Pain and suffering my way

Haruhi smiles as their mother ruffles their hair. “I am so proud of you,” she says to them. “You are doing me and *****-san proud.” The name of the man from before is omitted.

Haruhi glances out towards the man, and the expression on their face falls away. Their smile warps into a panicked frown, their pupils shrinking. It’s obvious that this man terrifies her.

I’m living my life to the fullest

I’m dying with all I’ve got

I’m living bitterly, you see

I don’t want to be consumed by the devil

Yet Haruhi continues to work for him, despite how terrified they are of him. After all, they’ve been told that any attempts to leave will be paid for with their life. What choice do they have?

They perform once again in front of a shrine, glancing offstage to where the man awaits.

Dear my devil

They clasp their hands in prayer, lowering their head.

Extreme, relentless

With a dimming end, you know

I just want to stop breathing

So it doesn’t hurt, peacefully

Haruhi looks up towards the sky with their hands still in prayer as they speak these words.

Please, please, please

Please, please, please

It’s just getting worse

I’m just faking my way through

Please

They continue to speak, hands still in prayer. At the end, they fall to their knees.

In this dark, dark life

I’m searching while I drive

Always seeking on this lightless road

Haruhi walks alone in the dark, the lantern in their hand the only light source. They seem to be walking towards something, but it isn’t clear as to what.

I see it as reckless

A sign that I've been played by the devil

I’m deceived, just trying to breathe

I want it to stop, please take me away

I scream with that wish

They suddenly trip, falling over. The lantern is still lit, but they have no desire to pick it up. They move to sit up, sitting on their knees and clutching the fabric of their clothes. Teardrops fall onto their hands.

Extreme, relentless

Let’s end it all with a dimming end

Haruhi cries out to the sky, throwing their head all the way back.

I’m living my life to the fullest

I’m dying with all I’ve got

I’m living my life to the fullest

Everyone’s feeling the same way

Haruhi walks into a room, the camera pointed towards the door. Their face seems to indicate something horrific happening off screen.

Let’s dig up the dead

I don’t want to die

I’m living bitterly, you see

I don’t want to be consumed by the devil

Haruhi kneels over her mother’s body, which is covered in blood, a gun discarded nearby. They try to shake her awake, but to no avail.

Dear my devil

Haruhi turns around to see someone else entering the room. It’s the man from before.

With an extreme dimming end

Let’s wrap it up in a way that’s not adorned

“What a shame. She couldn’t be saved. Ah, well. Come, Haruhi. You have a performance to prepare for. You’re getting your robes dirty.”

Haruhi reaches over and grabs the gun. They hold it up with trembling hands, a mixture of fear and anger on their face.

Extreme, relentless

With a dimming end, you know

I just want to stop breathing

So it doesn’t hurt, peacefully

Haruhi grits their teeth, holding their composure even as the man berates them.

“Put the gun down. You’re being overdramatic. Death is inevitable. Your mother was nothing but a waste of air. She was too soft on you.”

“Stop. Talking. About. My. Mama. That. WAY!”

Please, please, please

Please, please, please

It’s just getting worse

We hear a gunshot, yet we don’t fully know what happened after.

Please, please, please

Please, please, please

Haruhi, covered in blood, falls to their knees, almost dropping the gun in the process.

I just want things to change for that moment

I don’t know what comes after, so please.

They aim the gun at their own throat, screaming out as they prepare to die.

Suddenly, the shadow belonging to something inhuman looms.

Haruhi tilts their head in confusion as the video ends.

[heartfeltgram]

𝟎𝟎𝟑 𝐕𝐎𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐀 — 𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐊𝐄𝐍 𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐄, 𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐊𝐄𝐍 𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐓

[ The audio opens up with the creak of a metal door followed by footsteps. ] 

SHIKI: I'm sorry I'm late. I was havin' a smoke, you see. It relaxes me before times like these, ehe. Anyways, my name is Shiki. My brother and I are the wardens here.

RYUKO: Ah. I see. It's nice to meet you both. I'm guessing you guys know who I am already?

SHIKI: Of course we do, silly! Uh- [whispers] Brother, which one is she again?

SHIRO: She’s Ryuko Irie, sister. Try not to forget next time…

SHIKI: Riiight, Ryuko Irie, Prisoner Number Three! And I won’t forget next time! You’ll see!

RYUKO: ……. [She sighs.] Can we get this over with?

SHIRO: Better sooner than later I’d say. 

SHIKI: I got this! Name, age, and occupation, please!

RYUKO: Ryuko Irie. I’m thirty-five years old. And… I don’t have a job.

SHIRO: So I went from the youngest prisoner to the oldest … How come you don’t have a job? Any special reason, or were job searches just failing you? 

RYUKO: Oh, believe me. I tried applying. Rejection after rejection after rejection. My daughter’s restlessness didn’t paint me in a good light, either.

SHIKI: You have a daughter? SHIRO: Yeah, I forgot to tell you that. Mochizuki mentioned it to me earlier. Say, how old was your daughter? 

RYUKO: Three. I miss her dearly.

SHIKI: Did anything happen to her?

RYUKO: …………………… [ She says nothing, just sighs heavily and looks down at the floor. ]

SHIRO: …Perhaps we should move on from that subject. 

SHIKI: Ah, right… Say, Ryuko… How have things been around here? Any prisoners you’ve gotten along with?

RYUKO: Mmm. Choko keeps me company a lot. I’ve grown rather fond of the kid. Though I wonder what she’s been through… she seems rather mature for her age. As a mother, it worries me.

SHIRO: I did wonder if you started to see her as a daughter yourself. 

RYUKO: Yes, I do, in a way… She reminds me of myself when I was younger.

SHIKI: Interesting. About before… Why were you having trouble getting hired?

RYUKO: Ah… Well, it’s… a long story. I’m not sure you want to bother with it right now.

SHIRO: I’d say that any information is good information, if you’re comfortable telling it. Maybe try and sum it up? 

RYUKO: Well… Some unfortunate circumstances happened, and… my husband left me after my daughter was born. Money was tight, so I tried to apply, but… Because I had a kid, and no one to watch over her… they deemed me unacceptable. It isn’t fair.

SHIKI: Ohh… Is that why you aren’t wearing shoes?

SHIRO: I don’t think you’re supposed to make comments like that… anyways, I’m sorry the job market was so difficult for you. 

RYUKO: [ There’s a long stretch of silence before she replies. She seems to be staring off into the distance. ] That……isn’t the reason, no. I… I don’t want to talk about it.

Anyways, why are we even bothering with this conversation? I’m guilty as charged, so just go ahead and sentence me already.

SHIKI: Huh? Just like that?

SHIRO: That at least answers my next question, however sad it is. But we’re having this conversation to get to know you and not make baseless assumptions. 

RYUKO: You guys are wardens, right? Isn’t it your job to hand out our verdicts? Getting to know me is pointless when I’m telling you that I’m guilty. I admit it. I killed her. I killed her with my own two hands. So just… sentence me, dammit!

SHIKI: Brother, this is getting too intense…

SHIRO: As much as we’d all love to get out of here as soon as possible, it doesn’t work like that. Even when this trial is over it won’t work like that. Firstly, we still need to know what's going on … on the inside.

RYUKO: ………….. [She says nothing, just averts her gaze with tears in her eyes.]

SHIKI: I don’t think she wants to do this anymore, brother.

SHIRO: …Are we done here then? 

RYUKO: …..Do what you want. I don’t care.

[ The mechanical bell tolls once more, indicating that time is up. ]

SHIKI: How about I start us off? [She clears her throat.] Prisoner number three… 

SHIRO: Ryuko Irie…

SHIKI & SHIRO: Sing your sins!

[ MV: GEHENNA ]

[colorfuldreamsmkg]

Off with her Head: Haven’t I Seen this Before? - Ch1 Execution

Hitome is a bit caught off guard by the hug, staring at Swan with a wild, tearful look as he exclaims that he won’t let her get taken away. “Wh- wha-” Where was this coming from? How did this reaction even spawn? She wants to push him away and snap, but instead, she sinks a bit in the hug. Why did he even care? Why does she? Erika’s request meets a small look, then a nod. “......okay, yeah, I… I can do that.” Quietly, she grabs out her phone, transferring 85 of her crystals to Sonny, and 85 to Cecilie. An even split. She tucks her phone back in her pocket, before lingering in the hug.

Fifteen minutes had come and passed, with little fanfare or hubbub from the people around. Many had already said their goodbyes prior to the voting results, and redundancy would only make this harder, wouldn’t it? Among relative silence, Miku spoke up.

“Well, time's up! I hope you’re happy with your goodbyes, or lack thereof, because this was your last chance to bid your friend farewell. As for me… Thank you for bonding with others, Hitome! It was cute to see how many people loved and defended you. I hope that gives you some relief during what's next, right?”

What, no-

Hearing that the time limit was up, Hitome’s eyes widened in fear. Her breathing hitches. “No. No no no. Miku, I’m not ready. Please, Miku, give me more time-! I’m not ready!! PLEA-”

In a sudden change, the water below her feet became no longer solid, as she slipped through it in a large splash. Though Swan was capable of holding onto her during this, he seemed to be prevented from slipping through in quite the same way. Eventually, with the friction of the water, she slipped through his grasp as he remained upon the surface of the reflective ripples.

The screen within the trial room changed, turning off the voting results and instead showing a view of Hitome, clear and high-definition for you to see. And shortly after, Miku herself passes through the water, leaving you alone.

---

Off with her Head: Haven’t I Seen this Before? Execution of Hitome Hoshikawa

Organ music sets the scene as everything begins to fade into view. Looks like some sort of throne room, with the throne resting in the middle of it all. Dark colors and elegant decals decorate the room, with a red carpet rolling from the seat to the door. Pillars and gothic aesthetic add to the aura of everything, coming off like a complete evil castle from a video game. And what is an evil castle without an evil Queen?

Resting on the throne looks to be Hitome Hoshikawa. Her outfit has completely changed, now in a long, flowing dress, complete with a large shawl and lots of jewelry. Dressed in dark colors and silvers, she looks rather focused and sinister. She appears perfect for the role, and who better than someone who brutally murdered a friend?

She remains, waiting, bored, until she snaps out of it. She hears a noise, a whisper, calling to her. Hitome Looks around, not seeing anything, then goes back to her post. Then again. Nothing. And again, louder this time, clearer this time.

“Look at what she’s done.”

“Did she really expect any respect?”

“Down with the Queen.”

Hitome shudders, sinking in her seat. The whispers get louder, becoming silent shouts. She begins to shake, not wanting to leave her throne. She can’t just leave, just because people want her gone.

“She deserves to be gotten rid of.”

“She truly is nobody.”

“How dare she act like nothing is wrong.”

“Down with the Queen.”

“Down with the Queen.”

“DOWN WITH THE QUEEN!!”

The whispers become chants, as Hitome grows even more uneasy. She knows, she knows.

Just let her remain in peace. She does her best to tune it all out, that is, until she feels a tug at the bottom of her dress. Looking down, she gasps in shock.

A hand dressed in shadow, grabs the bottom of her dress, attempting to yank it back. Hitome responds as she rips the part of her dress back, before stomping on the hand. It dissolves into smoke, until more start appearing. The grab onto her dress, her arms, her jewelry. They’re attempting to drag her away.

She jolts, ripping herself out of their grip. With all her might, she tears herself away, staring at the hands. At the shadows. Then she turns and bolts.

Hitome runs out of the room, throwing open the door and bolting. The shadows continue to chase her, attempting to drag her back. She screams, doing her best to get away. Who knows what all she’s lost from their grip. Some of her dress, some jewels, is her phone missing? She can’t tell anymore. All she needs is to RUN. RUN. AND HIDE. NOW.

Through the halls, she spots another door. She throws it open, before slamming it behind her. The shadows, now trapped behind the door, slowly creep away as she feels the resistance fade from the other side. Finally, safe. Her eyes scan the room, looking at how flat and open it is. What, is this some sort of meeting hall? Lobby? Where is she?

And then something, no, someone emerges from the darkness in front of her. It’s-

…Miku?

Miku, dressed in hero-like garb, wielding a sword, stares down the evil Queen. Hitome blinks, before raising up her hands in surrender. Look, she doesn’t want to fight, especially against Miku. Her eyes scan the room, noticing another door on the other side.

That’s it. That’s her chance.

Hitome huffs, before screaming, attempting to bolt through to the other door. And yet, Miku is faster.

“Down with the queen.”

She points her sword at Hitome, before lunging forward in lightning fast speeds. Teal light flashes all around, slicing through the air in a scratch-like design. Delicately, Miku lands on the other side, before doing a small, heroic pose with her blade.

And the slashes turn into a bright flash of rushing light. A sheer amount of power. The screams from the inside as it all cuts her up. The darkness was the least of her worries. 

Just like that, the light fades, as the evil Queen collapses in her spot. Lifeless, teal lights softly rising from her body. It’s over, the evil has been defeated.

…but does it truly feel so fair?