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

MODS

[onychomance]

[Well, this outburst just piques his curiosity, as it seems to have with many others. Just gonna look in the direction of the Big Screen]

...Zero, what would happen if "The Caretaker's" arrow were to strike a person?

[15unknowns]

Mm?

In general it allows for branches and roots to appear on and around the target, containing them in the area, just as her profile says.

[onychomance]

I see. But a root, by definition, would have to bury itself underneath the surface - am I wrong?

[15unknowns]

Yes. In general.




[If you're getting the feeling there's a "but" somewhere in those words...]

[onychomance]

Still, let's consider it possible they could root in a body, under specific circumstances. I won't be letting go of this. The thorns from the brambles could even be a convenient explanation for that unidentifiable shrapnel we found all over the place... and the incinerator would require a low setting if it was meant to burn only the plants.

[Kira goes into the watch to examine the gory evidence Val found again. The description she left was not particularly detailed, after all.]

[15unknowns]

Naturally, I will not confirm or deny your theory. But I will say it is certainly an...intriguing one, Mr. Kira.

[onychomance]

[He ignores Zero for now and continues examining!

Is there anything that could line up with this theory?]

[strangerpeople]

[Actually, yes.

The shape of much of the surviving shrapnel is...very similar to what one might equate to the shape of a thorn.]

[onychomance]

Hm, just like her, I could only determine the shrapnel... very well.

[He still has Power's head on his podium so maybe he will just dig out one of those pieces that are in hers for full confirmation. That would be as good of circumstantial evidence as any, even if he couldn't figure out exactly how they managed to explode.]

[autonomousthought]

In general?

[15unknowns]

Yes. In general.

[autonomousthought]

That implies there are cases where it doesn't. Is that the case?

[15unknowns]

[After a few seconds, Zero steeples their hands together.]

Yes, actually. There is...one exception.

[autonomousthought]

What is it?

[15unknowns]

The exception the Caretaker is the same for all of you, naturally.

There is an evolved version of everyone's ability...one which can only be accessed by those with...a certain negative intent.

I do hope you can easily conclude what I mean by that, Ms. Onozu.

[pegasinister]

....

How in the hells can dance powers evolve through killing....

[threwabone]

I've already hit people with my arrows, dumbass! Just ask Zack, one hit him and he was fine!

[not_a_lego_maniac]

Yeah! See? I'm perfectly fine, and I got a codename!

[onychomance]

Maybe your ability to meld things together saved your life?

[He's not totally serious about this though.]

[not_a_lego_maniac]

Uh, no. Not really. I haven't used my power at all.

[threwabone]

Thank you!

And right, sorry Green.

[not_a_lego_maniac]

It's ok, Madge! It happens.

[onychomance]

[Kira shrugs.]

I haven't really been paying attention to you, before you started shouting at the top of your lungs.

[threwabone]

Then go back to doing that, you seem pretty good at ignoring shit.

[onychomance]

Don't mind if I do. Well, I'll still be trying to solve the case, but I doubt I'll lose any sleep over your words.