15strangers | THE FIRST TRIAL

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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[She nods firmly, decisively.]

Don't worry. This is only about finding clues and eliminating possible clues. We have to find who... who did that to Power.

Okay, okay, just...

[Sighing as she walks over.]

How am I supposed to do this?

Um. Just... Breathe out of your mouth towards me, I guess? It's only checking what your breath smells like, after all.

[Turns out it's not necessary, thank you Hubert.

Putting the pocket square thing into her mouth, shivering a bit because ew, fabric on her tongue, then offering it to "Violet."

Will she sniff while it's still in her hand, or take it out of her hand?]

[Yeah it's presumably all wet, so Anya is free to keep holding that, but she will still lean down and carefully sniff.]

[What may be surprising? It doesn’t smell bad.

In fact…it’s minty fresh, really.]

[Like, unusually so? Like she brushed her teeth unusually well? Or normal mint-levels?]

[As in you don't even need to bend that far down to tell - this is abnormal levels of minty-ness for normal teeth brushing.]

[Ah.]

Anya... did you... um.... when did you last brush your teeth?

Oh, uh - last night? I...kinda like to be thorough, but I also forgot to do it this morning.

[UH OH]

... are you sure? Because it... doesn't smell like that's the truth. Your breath is very, very minty, Anya. That smell fades overnight.

I-what?!

[Immediately pulling away and taking a step back.]

M-maybe it just stuck a while, I don't know!

...Madge? What's wrong?

Edited 2023-06-24 20:54 (UTC)

She thinks I'm suspicious because my breath doesn't stink!

It didn't smell like vomit, right?

No! I brushed my teeth with the minty toothpaste - it smells like mint!

Well, what time did you do that?

(no subject)

threwabone - 2023-06-24 21:16 (UTC) - Expand

Anya? You... you didn't....

Right?

No!

[And that's all she's getting for an immediate answer.]

Then what really happened?

Please. If we don't find out, we all die.

Screw you!

[Brain has just been watching this, tuned in with half an ear as he's been checking other people. Now he gives Anya and Akane his full attention]

It did seem odd that you were more disturbed by this than lifting up your clothes.

I rolled up my pants and I didn't have to roll my sleeves, why would I have a problem with that?

[Meanwhile, her wanting fresh breath is apparently getting her murder accusations!]

[his eyes narrow]

Your torso was also supposed to be checked.

Not to mention you have stated that you did not have time to brush your teeth this morning, and yet your mouth apparently smells of toothpaste.

Edited 2023-06-24 21:01 (UTC)

Seriously, you want to be that guy-fine!

[Rolling up her shirt until you can see the underside of her bra - no injuries.]

You happy, creep?!

And I said, I like to be thorough! It just stuck a bit!

Edited 2023-06-24 21:02 (UTC)

lovedthemost - 2023-06-24 21:02 (UTC) - Expand

threwabone - 2023-06-24 21:17 (UTC) - Expand