THE SECOND TRIAL

[strangerpeople]

THE SECOND TRIAL
(~SK. 10-11)


[Once the investigation wraps up, Zero's voice emanates once more throughout the Gigantic. The doors to the theater on both the C Deck and D Deck open as he speaks. And yes, when people come in through the C Deck Doors, they will find they can access the lower level from the stairs.

Yay?]

It is time. Come to the theater.

I wouldn't worry about bringing blankets.

[And indeed, when the Strangers come into the theater, they will find that the room is considerably warmer compared to the rest of the ship. There are also changes to the podiums-John, Anya and Kaito's places are all draped in black.

The screens schlllorrrp back in, with Zero's face appearing after a moment of static.]

Of course I am here for any questions. But I believe you know how this goes, so I suggest you begin. Justice delayed is...justice denied.

[The trial for Kaito Momota, The High King, has begun.]

Comments

[hatesdeerstalkers]

Are you suggesting that the outcome of the game lead to the death?

[He's not accusing, just curious.]

[valkavian]

Christ almighty, people here have got to know that shit doesn't work.

Unless we got a Billie on our hands.

[godspiousjasper]

From what I could surmise, the wound to his leg happened before he died but it's a lot harder to figure out when the injuries to his hand occurred.

[ He offered a soft, wry smile. This can't be easy for her to be dealing with right now. ]

I hope that helps, Miss Akane.

[voidseeing]

Why does anyone torture someone else? To get them to talk.

[onychomance]

It is worth considering the opposite if we think he was friendly with most. Did Momota have any enemies here? Anyone who might want him dead?

[hatesdeerstalkers]

Depends on the situation and the person in question, really.

[....Moriarty.]

[yesorwoof]

Maybe they didn't have a sharp nose and really were convinced Momota-kun's blood was pepto-bismol - a sweet substance - so the switch wouldn't be noticed as easily.

After all, the double agent and the culprit devising the exact same substance independently seems unlikely?

[voidseeing]

We could check for bruising to be sure.

[godspiousjasper]

That would make sense. Kaito did strike me as the type who wouldn't just let himself be hurt, but the hit to his leg suggests someone wanted to incapacitate him since there's a lot of nerves there and if he can't run? He's easier to kill that way.

[ As someone who's killed a lot of vampires he has some experience in knowing things like this. ]

[voidseeing]

[You get him, Moriarty.]

[hatesdeerstalkers]

[He is a crime lord, he's seen torture sessions be played out for info before.]

[valkavian]

Nine times out of ten whoever's the torture-ee just says whatever shit they think will get the torture-er to stop...

It's only really good for funsies, and even then, I dunno if anyone here has some kind of secret fucked up side like that.

[godspiousjasper]

From what I could figure out, the cut to his leg happened before he died. So I could believe it was used to prevent him from running, though with how deep the cut is to his throat? It seems definitely hasty and not so much out of mercy but I could be reading it wrong.

[ Again it was all just musing and making guesses here based on how the injuries here looked. He just hoped it would help lead to finding whoever it is killed Kaito. ]

[onychomance]

You think he wouldn't have put her through that? ...Maybe under other circumstances I would agree, but there were hostages on the line. If one is already prepared to die for one 'loved one', I would think having another 'crush' here could only strengthen that savior complex.

[exequte]

Then....

Did... did the cut to his leg hit the femoral artery? Because if it did... then why would they have cut the carotid artery too?

[Also mmm no she hates that answer.]

Then... then maybe he really was tortured before he was killed.

[This is all getting to be a bit much.]

[hatesdeerstalkers]

Not if you proceed correctly.

[Like, a proficient torturer is different than someone who doesn't know what they're doing.]

And have an ear for obvious lies.

[valkavian]

[ Well, gotcha, guess y'all are from an AU where torture is actually effective ]

[godspiousjasper]

His fingers were indeed bruised, but it was hard to figure out when they were broken.

[valkavian]

You think our guy-gal-or-nonbinary-nonpal knew what the fuck they were doing?

[valkavian]

Maybe they tried holding him down? We don't exactly have extremerestraints.com on this ship.

[not_a_lego_maniac]

But why would someone bleed stomach stuff? You know, the pepto-bismol?

[pegasinister]

I can confirm: physical torture rarely leads to useful information. Threats, bribes and chemical aids are much more effective.

[yesorwoof]

I won't speak definitively one way or the other as to whether Momota-kun would bet his life. He certainly seemed to very badly want a more peaceful life for Maki-chan.

I shouldn't have said anything. I just don't think they would have... played poker... for fun.

[yesorwoof]

Well, if it was as simple an agreement as that, the struggle does seem a bit too dramatic. Perhaps the outcome of the game inspired the other player to conduct an enhanced interrogation.

What do you think of a scenario where Momota-kun and the culprit did not play? Why would something so elaborate be set up and undisturbed?

[not_a_lego_maniac]

Oh, yeah, I would think taking them out for drinks is a better idea! Then you can become friends!