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

[exequte]

Oh, good.

[But, um, is there like. A tablecloth or something that could be used...?]

[yesorwoof]

[Guess we got your new dad's cape.]

Upsadaisy.

[Makima will lift up the cape and, with her back turned to Akane, start rolling up her own sleeves and jeans first, finally holding up her braided hair to get it out of the way of her back. She is clean except for the well documented fine white scars of the minigame.]

[exequte]

[She is careful and through in her examination before finally stepping back a few paces with a bright smile.]

Okay, you look fine!

[For her.... well, she's fond of sweater dresses so... once the cape is properly shielding her from sight she has to wriggle out of it completely to really display all the relevant skin, and is left in only her bra and panties.

She's quite thin, but clear of any injuries.]

[yesorwoof]

Akane-chan clear.

[She makes a little "maru" with her hands and then holds up the cape longer so Akane can Free herself.]

[exequte]

[Promptly wriggling back into the dress before she steps back out, adjusting it slightly, and gives Moriarty a very sunny, grateful smile.]

Thank you, Mr. Moriarty.

[hatesdeerstalkers]

[He'll give a bright smile back.]

No problem, my dear. Though you needn't call me Mr! Just Moriarty or James is fine.

[exequte]

All right. James, then. Unless you'd rather I call you something else.

[hatesdeerstalkers]

[PAUSES.

DEEPLY PAUSES.]

I...wouldn't wish to overstep...

[besides, he could never be a normal, good man. Why would he get his hopes up for anything else?]

[exequte]

[She looks up at him curiously, and then shakes her head with a little smile.]

I did ask.

1/2

[hatesdeerstalkers]

[.......]

....Then, if I am not presuming too much...

...perhaps, if you would...f-father?

[hatesdeerstalkers]

[And then almost instantly he's back to full volume.]

But! If that is too much of a gross overstep, then feel free to tell me off! You can even call me something like 'lecher' or 'pervert!' Do your worst!

[unpossibilities]

....

[Wild take because he only heard the last half of that.

Giving a stare that reads one word written all over his face

bruh?]

[exequte]

[She blinks for a moment, surprised, but then smiles, just a little.]

I could also call you Daddy....

[unpossibilities]

[WHAT

NO

WHAT

NO

He looks like he's experiencing despair.]

[somuchshipping]

[...Hermes ships it.]

[threwabone]

[FUCKING SLAMMING HER HEAD INTO HER PODIUM

OH, WHAT A TERRIBLE DAY TO HAVE EARS AND KNOW THE KURASHIKIS]

[not_a_lego_maniac]

Really? I didn't know you were related!

[somuchshipping]

NOT IN THAT WAY!

[pegasinister]

[He's cackling]

1/???

[hatesdeerstalkers]

2/3

[hatesdeerstalkers]

[Did.





Did he just hear that correctly?

[hatesdeerstalkers]

[And in that moment, any and all other implications of the word 'daddy' went right the fuck out the window.

Because in this moment, he felt it. He felt like an ordinary, normal man, living an ordinary, normal life...something that was never afforded to him as he lived...no, something he himself denied...

Flowers (metaphorically) blossom to life around his head, as his expression turns into one of sheer joy and fatherly adoration, rushing over to actually fucking hug her.]

OF COURSE, MY DEAR GIRL!

[He does let go, but he holds her head in his hands gently as he speaks.]

I will happily be your papa, and do whatever is needed to keep you both safe and happy! This I swear, or my name isn't James Moriarty!

[BOND 10 ACHIEVED]

[unpossibilities]

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

I....

[Raises his hand. Lowers his hand. Looks down.

What.]

[not_a_lego_maniac]

[See? Moriarty gets it!]

[exequte]

[Well! She had been teasing, if only a little, but being swept up into a hug so very earnestly takes that right out, and she only beams up at him and then, standing on her very tiptoe, kisses his cheek.]