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

[silvertongueheir]

...the closest sample is still yours Mrs. Parham. [He's frowning pretty hard, now.]

[belovedsuffocator]

[Well, guess what then? Felicity glares harder at the paper, as if wishing it would disappear from existence.]

So she made her handwriting look worse for the note. That still doesn't mean I've done anything.

[necroyalty]

Unless you happen to be an expert, it's actually quite difficult to change your own handwriting at will. It's why kenku and those with enough skill to actually do a successful forgery command such a high price for their service.

[ Not bringing up Illusory Script because A) her magic don't work here, and B) it's not like Felicity needs to or cares to know. ]

[belovedsuffocator]

Oh, please! Like it's hard to just write less eloquently than that!

[And, surprisingly, she's not going to try commenting on that "kenku" thing!]

[necroyalty]

...elegantly, I think is what you meant to say.

[ She calmly tries writing down a not-cursive, less fancy version of her text. The letters are still fairly narrow and her writing style just...naturally kinda compacts itself? Like it's very neat and legible, still, but almost as if she's got a lot of experience trying to cram things onto one page if writing for herself. ]

[belovedsuffocator]

You know what I meant!

[If looks could kill...

She scoffs at Ambrosine's next writings.]

Yes, because you're going to show how you really write at a time like this.

[Well, that's a lot of sarcasm dripping from her tone.]

[necroyalty]

If I hadn't known better, I'd say you're rather eager to condemn someone else before suspicion falls upon you.

But I am being generous here, let's probe for more evidence.

[belovedsuffocator]

I wouldn't harm a child.

[So much venom...]

And yes, let's.

[necroyalty]

I am a woman of few scruples, Felicity, but that happens to be one of mine as well.

[ Look, no one wants to hurt a kid. ]

[belovedsuffocator]

[Oh, she wants to make another comment about that, but she'll hold off on that for now, so they can discuss other evidence.

She's still glaring daggers Ambrosine's way, though.]