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

VOTING

[intercessing]

[Once everything has died down, the Intercessor slowly pulls themselves up to their full height, taking deep, long, breaths. There is no need to shout this time.

Gods, this all feels so laughably rote even though its the very first time.]

...It is now time to come to a consensus on this matter...Titled.

Voting here is a simple action. Call out the name or Title of the one you believe is the culprit. A majority vote will be sufficient for a conviction. You are free to abstain, though bear in mind there must be a majority regardless of how many vote, for any chance of being successful. If no one votes...it is the same as letting the culprit go free.

[Their words are calm, as calm as they can make them. Their body language betrays just how utterly unsettled and angry they are, however.]

Begin.

[goodnightbats]

[Harley raises her hand]

Yusuke.

[lightnen]

...Yusuke.

[ He won't hesitate in saying so but it's not like it feels right. Not entirely, anyway. ]

[carries_war]

[He could abstain and pretend it takes the burden of Yusuke's death off his hands. But the truth is, it's already there. He's the one who put the clues together, pressed for the truth, figured out what really happened...no matter what he does here, there's no denying the fact that his actions are what sealed Yusuke's fate.]

It was...Yusuke.

[almightyconflagration]

[No hesitation because better one death than many. Shit and shittier choices suck.]

Yusuke.

[bythewaves]

"The boy already acknowledged his culpability."

He speaks not as the bard but the commander.

"Must we continue this? You only hurt him and his friend more."

[pursuitofbeauty]

"Enough, Maglor," he murmurs. "You'll only delay the inevitable. Please just do this before I lose my nerve completely."

[bythewaves]

A flash in grey eyes, fury at justice denied, but Maglor bows, yielding to Yusuke's own desire.

"The Indulgent." He bited out the words.

[zephyranthe]

[There's only one last look at him and then--]

Yusuke.

[Because what else can she say?]

[socialhacktivist]

[Even though she knows... even though he's said it... Futaba still wants to say anything but the truth.

But she... she promised him...]

...The Indulgent.

[It's a very small, miniscule distinction. But it says what she wants it to. That it wasn't Yusuke. Not really. It was the stupid role imposed upon him and this horrible situation.

Not that it helps the guilt she feels.]

[pursuitofbeauty]

Perhaps when this is over, he will meet Futaba's mother in whatever afterlife awaits him, if only long enough to tell her how brave and kind her daughter is.

"Goodbye," he whispers.

[pursuitofbeauty]

He looks at the faces of his comrades, his stomach in knots, his face numb with fear. But he keeps his chin up, tries not to shudder too much.

His life for theirs. This sadistic game goes on, but at least they're alive.

"Futaba... she's seen enough death. Please don't let her witness mine."

His gaze lingers on his fellow Thief a moment longer before he looks to the Intercessor.

"The Indulgent." Because who the game made him into is responsible, not Yusuke Kitagawa. Hopefully karma will accept that as well, and his next life will be longer and better.

[poorlovefool]

[Eric's just been in shock for a while. Learning Yusuke was the killer, he felt a little smug at first (he knew that guy was a prick) until the story behind it came out. Now he's just uneasy. Even if he didn't like him, the way this played out was really wrong. No amount of trust or camaraderie among the titled could have prevented it. In fact, it was the opposite. ...Eric can't help but feel that he is going to have to keep his guard up even more from now on. In the end, he just mutters.]

Yusuke.

[kiddefender]

Yusuke... You said no exceptions before, this is what you meant isn't it? Even an accident.

[pursuitofbeauty]

"... the rules of this place are out of my hands. Whether I agree with their measure of my guilt is irrelevant.

Please don't prolong this any more than necessary."

[kiddefender]

I'm not. I'm just wondering how this place is so much fairer than home. I'm voting for you.

[It's blunt, but there was a investigation and a trial.]

[pursuitofbeauty]

"Thank you...."

There's no point in fighting it, after all.

[defriendestration]

.......

.....................

I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS.......

I'M NOT VOTING.