The Second Victim

[strangerpeople]

THE SECOND VICTIM

[It was getting unbearable. The illness, the stress, the threat of death, either by oneself or by another. The worry about finding a cure for a disease that, in this comparatively primitive world, might not even exist outside of the Depths.

However, on Friday morning - or what the Titled could at least conceive as Friday - all the Titled will wake up with the remnants of a very soothing sensation in their throats. Cool and at the same time almost burning, like someone had dropped liquid menthol down their throat while they were sleeping.

They will also find something else, especially if they had been infected: their perception of time is back to normal. Which means one of two things. One of the Titled actually managed to create the potion needed to cure the disease, or...the Titled might have an Inquisition looming on the horizon.

There is only one way to find out.



((OOC: Just a reminder that, due to the nature of the motive this week, there may be references to self-harm and suicide, along with other possible triggers, during this Inquisition, including during the Investigation, and that potentially triggering comments should (and comments by the mods will) be given a trigger heading on those comments.))]]

Comments

[strangerpeople]

[Besides the obvious burned flesh smell? Well, the only area that looks out of the ordinary is the forge.

Suck it up Eric, looks like you have to investigate here.]

[poorlovefool]

[Oh god. That burned flesh smell is disgusting enough, so after looking at anything else he can think of while breathing it in, he just. Needs a minute. He steps out for a minute to breathe some pure air and think about his life and his choices.

Okay, he's back. What is in the forge? Or should we say, what is left in the forge, since there is obviously a lot of burned body that would no longer be in the forge.]

[strangerpeople]

[Mistakes have been made?

Anyway, at first glance, he will take notice of two things. The first being the pile of ash in the forge. The second is something poking out of there...charred bones]

[poorlovefool]

[Ash and bones. Then the body was fully cremated... that's not that abnormal of a funeral practice, right? Right? In his desperation, he's just going to tell himself that this is fine. This is totally fine. Nothing wrong with bones, he sees them all the time now.

He looks around for some fire tongs, and shakily starts pulling things out of the ash. That way the others can see. Besides, there's 4 things on that evidence list, and this is only two at most. Eric digs around in the pile with them too.]

Keep smiling... keep smiling...

[strangerpeople]

[The first things he pulls out of the forge are branches and leaves. They're pretty burnt.]

[poorlovefool]

[What. How did wood survive that? He feels like he's vastly misunderstood something about how fire works up to this point. Or trees. One of the two.

But this is less traumatizing than the other stuff so whatever, sure. As long as there aren't sparks clinging to them that will set the entire Depths on fire, he'll put these down somewhere next to the bones he pulled out and hesitantly continue.

Please don't let there be anything worse in there.]

[carries_war]

[Following the familiar smell of scorched flesh leads Rubedo to the workshop, where he certainly sees a sight. 'Sup, Eric? Have a murderchild staring almost impassively, save for his eyebrows knitted in frustration. Noticeably, his right hand is bandaged with a strip if cloth over the palm.]

Do you want me to do that? I've seen enough burned bodies that it doesn't bother me.

[poorlovefool]

Huh, really? Well... [He is about to agree to this because he is the least manly ever, but he pauses.]

First, what's with the bandage?

[Last time the KILLER had a bandage, he obviously needs to make sure he's not handing this task over to someone suspicious.]

TW: suicide mention

[carries_war]

That's...

[His fingers curl and his impassive expression turns to something of almost shame.]

I tried to...get us the cure by myself yesterday afternoon. But I wanted to make sure I was remembered as Rubedo instead of Unit #666, so I cut up my number. If you want proof, you can ask Papyrus, Killua or Maglor. Th-they stopped me.

[poorlovefool]

[Ouch. He's sorry he asked.]

That was probably the virus talking... you don't need that weird number though. It's just natural to call a person by their name. [Also it is a devil number, so good riddance?? But he doesn't think Rubedo's lying about that, so. He'll take the tongs out and hand them over.]

Anyway, I guess I'll let you do this if you want to so bad.

[carries_war]

Technically #666 is my name...Rubedo is just a nickname I was given to reinforce my unique identity as a Variant.

[As he talks, he takes the tongs in his left hand and starts digging through the ashes. Eric might notice that he's using his left hand as well as most people use their right. Anything in there?]

But I'm done thinking of myself by a damn serial number.

[strangerpeople]

[Well Eric already got out the ash and bones and there were branches and leaves. What else can be left?

Pieces of clothing naturally. No really, that's what he pulls out next.]

[carries_war]

[Well, it's just a little bit weird that these are still partially intact when the body is burned to ashes, isn't it? Is there enough of it left to judge size? And does it seem to be made of any sort of material that doesn't burn well?]

[strangerpeople]

[Bits and pieces. And no sign of a particular material. He will however get that its a modern piece.]

[carries_war]

[So maybe something that would survive fire better than flesh would? Modern materials are more likely to be fire retardant. Okay, back to digging. Anything else in the forge?]

[strangerpeople]

[Nope, you guys are good!

And that's all the clues from this room! If you have any additional questions, feel free to ask otgerwise, AREA CLEAR]

[carries_war]

[One question, yes: does the forge require fuel, and if so, what does it normally use?]

[strangerpeople]

[Answer: It does and it seems to be coal or something similar.]

[carries_war]

[So not wood...huh.]

I don't think there's anything else to find in here. Might as well take a look at that other room while I'm down here, looks like a good place to hide stuff...

[poorlovefool]

Well, if you insist, I guess I'll come too...

[carries_war]

Just don't freak out if we find something gross.

[poorlovefool]

....

[He'll grab his beer.]

[carries_war]

[Have the exact face in the icon, Eric, as he heaves a quiet sigh.]