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

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.

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

Yes. In general.

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

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.]

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

[He ignores Zero for now and continues examining!

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

[Actually, yes.

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

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.]

[Well.

They match.]

...This is a thorn.

[he doesn't like to draw too much attention, so he'll leave it at that. He just wants to get this over with.]

Edited 2023-06-24 22:38 (UTC)

I'm walking home so just

yesorwoof - 2023-06-24 22:39 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

lovedthemost - 2023-06-24 22:44 (UTC) - Expand

onychomance - 2023-06-24 23:01 (UTC) - Expand

In general?

Yes. In general.

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

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

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

What is it?

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.

Edited 2023-06-24 22:00 (UTC)

....

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

I can think of ways.

[siiiigh]

jinglebros - 2023-06-24 22:16 (UTC) - Expand

pegasinister - 2023-06-24 22:18 (UTC) - Expand

jinglebros - 2023-06-24 22:32 (UTC) - Expand

The general consensus is that high decibel sounds above 150dB can be lethal. It can cause embolisms and burst your internal organs. The highest recorded sound was the eruption of Krakatoa at 310dB, which instantly killed those in the close vicinity, pummeling their bodies into...nothing recognizable.

So yes. It is very possible to be killed by sound waves.

Edited 2023-06-24 22:06 (UTC)

...I suppose the accompanying light could also be used in some way.

Tch. How flashy. Certainly not to my tastes.

I-WHAT?!

[Color her surprised-and also fucking terrified!]

...what? Our powers can-

[No. nononono please no.]

That's not...I didn't...I just...

[She's...having a moment...taking it all in...]

not_a_lego_maniac - 2023-06-24 22:13 (UTC) - Expand

threwabone - 2023-06-24 22:20 (UTC) - Expand

I can. Nagisa-kun would be a force to be reckoned with, here. Not that he is...wasn't, anyway.