THE FIRST TRIAL

[strangerpeople]

THE FIRST TRIAL

[Soon after the final clue is found, there are three more loud, unsettling tonal clangs, all which go right to the bone. No matter where they are, the Titled will hear another, loud creak.

The set of doors on the left are slowly opening, revealing a long, long corridor, with a very long flight of stairs going upwards, just barely visible at the end of it.

The Intercessor's voice booms through the air and shakes the ground, sounding loud and clear no matter where the Titled might be standing at that moment.]

ENTER!

[The voice brooks no argument. As soon as everyone goes through the set of double doors, they close behind them. There is no choice, and no turning back. The Titled must go up the stairs at the end of the hall. They feel like they take forever, but when the stairs are finally traversed, there is a single door at the top, already open to them.

Welcome to the Debate Hall, Titled. Its the best-lit place you've seen, with gas lamps on the wall bright as possible. Its also the emptiest place they've ever seen so far - its massive and yet the Titled and the Intercessor are the only individuals to be seen in the entire area.

Seems, because there is faint chanting coming from the darkness behind that stage at the other end. There's no real way to hear what's being said, no matter how close you try to get. No way to check if there's even anyone on or behind the stage to make such chanting possible. The only person remotely close to the stage, standing on the stone steps, is the Intercessor.

There is also a faint rumble in the air, as if the world itself mourns the crime committed.

So. Take your seats at your stone desks to face one another as you debate. And yes, they are stone. Yes, they have stone chairs with which to sit in. And yes, your Title is on your assigned chair, etched in with chisel and hammer. Every desk also has a copy of the Writs with Orders 7 and 8 circled, and a copy of the autopsy file of the deceased on top of it; that is all the aid you will get from whoever brought you here. The rest, it seems, is up to the Titled, with what they have found.

Seats 7 and 8 are empty. Their copies of the rules and evidence lay untouched.

Once everyone has taken their seats, the strange, ominous chanting stops. Its time. Bound in blood, the death warrant has already been signed. The contract is complete. Its now just a question of finding the guilty party to fulfill the call for justice.

So, get ready, Titled.

The Inquisition of Laslow, the Spinner, has begun.]

Comments

[almightyconflagration]

[During all of this McBurn has pretty much shown little emotion in any direction. Hell, he even admitted to not caring about dying if they all fucked up and only asked for it to be quick. Shit happens and he's done much worse in his life. He actually didn't mind Yusuke even if the interest was a bit disturbing in a way.]

Just want to know one thing, how did the victim get the burns?

[pursuitofbeauty]

About that....

[almightyconflagration]

Anything you know then about how that may have happened? Are you even sure he was dead whenever you left the scene?

[pursuitofbeauty]

"... I sat there for... I'm not certain how long, with my hands pressed to his wound. I tried to save him... but... but he...."

He chokes on a sob. He's slain Shadows, but he's never taken a human life. He's only sixteen and an artist, not a soldier.

"The madness left him as he lay d-- dying... he reached up and touched my face... he smiled at me as he told me it w-- wasn't my fault...."

[almightyconflagration]

Yeah, he did look at peace. So after that what did you do then? Disposed of the clothing, obviously, but anything else?

[pursuitofbeauty]

Yusuke has to take a few deep breaths. "Tried to hide the letters in his room, hid the bloody one in the bottom of the pile... it has imprints from my sketching on it. Buried the key, washed most of the blood out of my clothes and left them to soak.

But before all that... I tried to use my fruit to resurrect him."

[almightyconflagration]

Yeah, had a feeling something was up with those. Got rid of mine to rid myself of the temptation. Not my place to decide that when I've known people who want death.

By the way, I feel I should explain this. I only didn't want you to paint me because I don't age. That could have been a problem.

[pursuitofbeauty]

Yusuke offers the man a faint smile through his grief.

"That only means you will remain exquisite, my friend."

[almightyconflagration]

You're about the only one who would think so. Most would just refer to me as a monster. Wouldn't be too far off the mark either. Can't do much else for you, but we'll find who made the burns. May you be granted the mercy of a swift and painless end.

[pursuitofbeauty]

"If I'm the only one who thinks so, then hold on to that memory when you feel too monstrous to go on. You can be more than your inhuman side, I know it."

He doesn't hold out much hope for a death that's swift or painless, but he won't burden his comrades with his fears.

[almightyconflagration]

I don't need that. Someday I'll meet someone stronger than me and it will be a damn good fight. That's fine and I accepted that long ago.

[pursuitofbeauty]

"Then if you are happy at that final moment... I'm glad for you."

[almightyconflagration]

At least I'd deserve death far more. Seriously, I can't hate you for not knowing how to use your powers the first time. It took me years to figure mine out and they are way more destructive.

[pursuitofbeauty]

"And mine was just destructive enough. I understand how you feel, if only by the smallest measure."