[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/lZmuhOb.gif[/img]

[quote=Zachary Ackerson][color=0076a3]"Stop being a little bitch."[/color][/quote][/center]

Here they were again, discussing the untimely demise of yet another Infinite and the false friend who killed them just like he said they would. He wasn't happy that he was right, but he wasn't surprised, either. Because when one died, another one would soon follow suit, and they would be pulling the trigger this time.

And the cycle, Zach was convinced, would once again repeat.

---

This place is nothing but a prison-cum-death-chamber. The gloom was apparently held at bay by the spark of hope in each Infinite's heart. But with these extinguished flames, one couldn't miss the overwhelming darkness of despair. Knowing this ever-present dread, was there really ever hope to begin with? 

---
 
The trial began. 

When Noel confessed to her role as Davis' helper, Zach shook his head. So Noel had always been sneaking around behind their backs? She even went so far as to stage a conversation between her and the false Justiciar. How obnoxiously absurd. Zachary had always had reservations about the reporter, but that was for a much different reason. He couldn't -- no, nobody could have ever predicted this. It was betrayal in the truest sense of the word. A friend wouldn't do such a thing.

Was that too a strong word to describe the others for Zach? Maybe. But at the very least, he did not desire harm inflicted on the others, not even Ice, and he was sad when unfortunate fates befell them. To some degree, even if minor, he felt a connection. 

Not that his actions following that thought would make it obvious.

Because his first contribution to the conversation was after Cyrus spoke, and Noel had responded, and it wasn't kind. But Cyrus' actions weren't justified enough for him to remain silent. He was emotionally compromised, and even if it was obvious and understandable why, it was getting them nowhere. Besides, telling her to kill herself was almost funny given the fact that her choice to execute Bliss in front of everyone was doing just that. 

[color=0076a3]"Just.. stop, Cyrus. What do you hope to gain by this aggression? If it's catharsis you want, then just wait for the inevitable execution. I'm sure Davis will make it quite the spectacle."[/color] he sighed. [color=0076a3]"Besides, being a hypocrite takes the sting out of your words. Because unless you can, with a straight face, tell us that you'd insult Bliss for doing the [i]exact same thing[/i], you have no ground to stand on. It's meaningless and quite petty."[/color] in contrast to Cyrus, Zach was quite calm. His words didn't seem to have any real inflection to them, more like he was making small talk. If Cyrus had a response, Zachary would likely just ignore it, as nothing he would say would matter to him.

Zach turned to Noel. He clearly did not intend on remaining silent this time. [color=0076a3]"No, at least I'm not,"[/color] he answered her. [color=0076a3]"A murderer should be punished, and one who targets children especially so."[/color] he agreed. He then turned a hand up [color=0076a3]"But like that? By you? And so soon after a trial? I can't condone it, even if you're trying to blue-ball Davis."[/color] he said.