THE FIRST TRIAL

[strangerpeople]

THE FIRST TRIAL
(~SK. 3-4)


[When the investigation wraps up, there is a low, rumbling <D O N G, which vibrates throughout the ship. This is followed by the sound of creaking doors opening on the D Deck-the locked doors at the end of the hall.

Zero's voice speaks through the ship once this happens.]

The Investigation has ended. It is time for the Trial. Please proceed into the theater.

I suggest you be quick about it.

[And when you do...you will find a completely empty theater. There is a higher level, but this is currently blocked off by ropes, as is the stage itself. Anyone who attempts to jump the ropes will find themselves knocked on their butts; it seems there's no choice but to go to the podiums, located in the orchestra area of the theater. Notably, the podiums for bunks 6 and 7 are empty, draped with black crinoline and adorned with a photo of the deceased. And in the center of the podiums is...a birthday cake with some confetti surrounding it, along with some drinks. No indication whose birthday it is, but that's pretty much all you'll see in this otherwise very bare, quiet place.



CW: animal death

Unless, of course, you're the Eye. If you're the Eye, you will see every seat filled, if not by a root or vine, then by a...thing with glowing red eyes. One of these...things tries to move towards Anya-and immediately, after suddenly glowing red, thunks over sideways, it's head popping off with an almost comical P O P. The majority of the other...things stare at it before resuming their...whatever they're doing, while one of the things sitting next to it looks over, then towards the stage, then slowly hops off the seat and out the door.

Oh, and he doesn't even get his own podium. Aoi and Makima, good luck to you-Roland's been squeezed in between you, forced to take podium 3. You get to also see what he sees.

Once everyone's in place, A large wide screen....screen schlllorps from the stage, and Zero's face pops in once it turns on.]


Welcome to the Trial. Please, enjoy the refreshments. You will be here until you have either convicted the correct culprit-or, the culprit successfully gets away with it. If you have not familiarized yourself with the guidelines, I suggest you do so now.

All evidence is also available for review on your watches, if need be. Take your time, but...do not delay. Justice must be served.

[Well? No reason to delay. Power is dead. Very dead. And now it is time to figure out who would kill her with explogurt for a cheeseburger-if that's even what happened.


The trial of Power, The Drop, has begun.]

Comments

[godspiousjasper]

...I'm afraid that's not her doing but mine, Miss Makima.

[ He points out towards the... things that fill most of the seats, at least looking a bit apologetic about it. ]

That's something tied to my power.

[lovedthemost]

[hmm??]

What do you mean? I don't see anything out there.

[not_a_lego_maniac]

...Um, Roland? Should I explain?

[godspiousjasper]

That would indeed be for the best.

[ He raised a hand and tapped a finger next to his left eye. ]

It's... [ A look over to Zack. ] Please. Yes. You may be able to explain it simpler than I would.

[not_a_lego_maniac]

Roland's power has a very strange effect on people if you're close enough to him-you can see what he does. So...whatever you're seeing now is what he sees all the time on the ship, basically.

[lovedthemost]

....interesting. And what exactly is being seen now?

[not_a_lego_maniac]

Um, Roland, do you still see....you know...?

[He tries mimicking the roots by...uh. Pantomiming his fingers spreading. And moving his hands up and down.]

[godspiousjasper]

Yes. Those... truly never did go away.

[godspiousjasper]

The seats are filled with roots, vines and a lot of... peculiar cat like creatures with glowing red eyes.

[hatesdeerstalkers]

...Well, that's quite concerning.

[Great cool cool neat this whole thing is absolutely some kind of ritual setup and he hates it here]

[yesorwoof]

Oh, that's too bad. But you can share with others and even tell which parts come from the visions and which don't...? We should practice later, see what the limits are...

[exequte]

... huh?

[yesorwoof]

Roland-kun is titled the Eye here. He has visions and apparently shares them with his podium neighbors. I was a bit distracted by them when I came in. Sorry about that.

[godspiousjasper]

Ah... sharing is a bit of a broad term. I suppose it's simply because you and Aoi are close enough to me that you're able to see what I do.

[ Though he does end up nodding in agreement all the same. ]

I wouldn't mind practicing but some of the things I can see truly aren't that pleasant.

[jinglebros]

I can tell.