THE FIRST TRIAL

[strangerpeople]

THE FIRST TRIAL
(CW: Coffins, claustrophobia in general)

[Once the final clues are found, the ticking stops. Almost immediately after, the Elder Steward's voice suddenly echoed through the entire Mansion.]

Well done, well done.

Now, if you will please collect yourself and come to the ossuary.

Do not tarry. We will find you.

[As if by magic, there is a rumble at the large, unknown and seemingly unused patch of land in front of the mansion, and behind the garden. Upon getting there, the Titled will find that there is a door; upon going down a small flight of uneven, possibly stone stairs beyond this door, they will find themselves in-

a dimly lit room. There are fifteen structures in the room, all surrounded by candles; it's a bit of an uneven walk (what the heck did they use to pave this floor? Cobblestone?), but once each person gets to the structures, they will realize, to their horror, that they are coffins in front of small podiums.

Not that you can back out of this place. Iron manacles grab everyone by the hands as they enter, and if you don't come willingly, you will be dragged in, the floor cutting you up on the way. Best to just let the manacles guide you to your proper place.

After everyone has been...well, more or less chained to their places, they will find a stone tableau in the center of the podiums. On them are the blue and red egg things, which look to be the only other things lighting the area outside of the candles.

Looks like you're going to be eating here as well. The manacles at least allow you to go across to grab the food, but not much further. Unless one of the Stewards ostensibly decide to loosen your chain distance-or let you go outright. Not that it seems like it will happen any time soon, given the Younger Steward is nearby, judging by the location of his voice.]

Hey, assholes! Bout time you got here. Pay attention!

You got a list of people who could have killed the little brat. Now go one and figure out who did it with the crap you found. But don't waste our time! And don't let us get bored.

[As if on cue, five images shimmer into view on everyone's scrolls-and another ticking begins to fill everyone's minds and ears. It looks like you have no choice.

One of these individuals is a killer.]

THE CIRCUIT

THE SCORCHING

THE OBTUSE

THE FAST

THE EMBARRASSING

[It's up to the Strangers to decide who might have done it. Good luck-and happy eating while you're at it. Your time to make a decision is limited.

The trial for the murder of Atsuko Kagari, The Ursa, has begun.]

Comments

[notadinosnack]

Have you made any enemies here?

[belovedsuffocator]

Yes.

[Said flatly, now staring directly at Ambrosine.]

She called me a bugbear, as well as a goblin, on the first day we were stuck here.

[She sounds very bitter as she says that.]

[incendiarize]

So, if you did want to get someone offed, it'd be her?

[belovedsuffocator]

[She makes a...noise? It sounds like she was offended by that.]

Of course not! She's rude, but that doesn't mean I'd be such a barbarian to try to get away from her!

[She has class, unlike some people!]

[incendiarize]

[Maybe she shouldn't have indirectly called him a liar!!!!]

You were pretty quick to decide it was her. Anyone could write anyone's name on a piece of paper.

[belovedsuffocator]

Well, I'm sorry for trying to be helpful and thinking this was just a case of Occam's Razor!

[incendiarize]

A case of whatnow? It was a note, not a razor! Why would anyone leave obvious evidence they killed someone behind?

[Someone should probably stop these two...]

[belovedsuffocator]

Occam's. Razor.

[Said slowly like she's dealing with an idiot which she thinks she is]

It means that the simplest answer is the right one. Have you ever gone to school?!

[someone stop the grown woman from fighting the child]

[hexposition]

Arthur! Mrs. Parham! Knock it off!

Emotions are running high enough without you two at each other's throats!

[belovedsuffocator]

[She flinches back, having not expected that.

Emma is extremely lucky Felicity likes her a bit more than others. Otherwise she'd probably start shouting again.

Instead, she turns her head, crosses her arms, and grumbles something unintelligible under breath.]

[hexposition]

[And Felicity is extremely lucky Emma's just resorting to raising her voice. Does she need to bust out the glowing eyes?]

[belovedsuffocator]

[NO NO NO GLOWING EYES ARE NEEDED IN THIS SITUATION SHE'S BEING SILENT SHE IS COMPLYING]

[incendiarize]

[Arthur is quite used to that tone of voice, the verbal equivalent of a parent grabbing a child by the collar. He subdues pretty quickly.]

Fiiiine. [A deep breath.] True justice for all... Right?

[hexposition]

[Damn skippy it is. Emma sighs at the childish response, but he is giving up, so.]

Thank you.

[Said in exactly the tone a parent would use when "you're on very thin ice, young man."]

[necroyalty]

...look, woman, I'm terribly sorry that not everyone has had the privilege of an education.

[ She's rich as hell but she also doesn't live under a rock gdit. ]

[notadinosnack]

[Thanatos nods in agreement to Ambrosine. His education is quite eclectic and his daughter definitely never had a chance to go to school.]

[belovedsuffocator]

Don't start with me.

[She JUST got shushed from an argument with Arthur, she's not gonna get in another one. ESPECIALLY with Ambrosine.]

[incendiarize]

[Now that he's not dealing with The (Annoying And) Embarrassing, he's more chill.]

Yeah, I'm luckier than most in that regard. I grew up at the Midgard Library, so my education's on par with or better than most royalty.

[necroyalty]

My apologies, then.

I'll admit that it's a reference I didn't quite understand either, but... well, I understood well enough that it was a figure of speech.

Much had changed after the Revelry, so perhaps it had been lost to time.

[incendiarize]

....If it's not just one of those "another world entirely" differences, then.... If it's from the Old World, then it's probably lost. A lot of knowledge and culture and stuff was.

[icanhearscreams]

Have you ever figured out when to shut up?

[belovedsuffocator]

[Just. Glaring this time.

She is not getting shushed again.]

[hexposition]

[Jun is getting the glare right now. Don't make her take her glasses off at you too young man]

[icanhearscreams]

[ He just crosses his arms and stares back. ]