15strangers | THE SECOND TRIAL

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THE SECOND TRIAL

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.]

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Why are you doing all of this?

Why did you bring us here?

This game... there's no point to it. All there is in it is pain. Isn't there... enough pain and death in the world already...?

[It's barely a question so much as a protest, but Akane is flushed with fever and woozy with the illness and has cried so much that she barely has any tears left anymore. She's tired, and it felt like something she should say.

Even if it's pointless. Even if everything is futile.]

[Hermes fidgets in place, with both his envelope on the podium and snakelike Thanatos doll wrapped around his neck.]

Sooooooo someone died. DoesThisMeanThanatosIsSafe?

Life is...unfair, Ms. Kurashiki. For everyone, I'm afraid.

They are. For now.

[>For now.]

...

Edited 2023-07-01 16:13 (UTC)

[Hubert is looking pensive today, but maybe that's not surprising considering the past week. He starts taking items out of his uniform pockets, having to unstick a folded paper from a pink vial with a frown and an unpleasant sound, including his motive and doll as requested- and speaking of his uniform you might notice he's wearing a nice green scarf too? Considering how cold it's been that's understandable, and he seems almost pleased with it regardless of the warmer room. Feeling cozy up in here!]

I was able to investigate the casino and surrounding area while Roland and Alastor handled the body. Zack has pictures of the scene as needed.

Starting off- I followed a bloodtrail from the sauna area to the casino. But in hindsight I believe the trail was originally from the casino to the sauna. Starting in the area closest to Kaito's body and moving out there was a fanning of pink fluid that appeared to have been at least attempted to be cleaned up. There was also splaterings of the same pink fluid around the area. There was no clear pattern to it, and it did not seem to be a spray. Checking the fluid and based on finding these vials in one of the machines it seems to be food coloring.

In the same area I discovered a note claiming Kaito as the Fabricator.

Moving out I came to the game machines which I found with the screens smashed, and where I found the food coloring containers. One of the card tables was also attacked, having a slash in the fabric, and the second table had two hands of cards- I dont recognize the game but the pictures show them in case there is something of note to them.

Finally it found a small about of red blood mixed with pink. There was no smell of sweetness so I suspect this was not food coloring... and this blood lead me back to the original trail. I made sure to dab some up for our blood... experts... to check.

[ Evidence list]

Edited 2023-07-01 16:19 (UTC)

[Well, Zack has brought the pictures.

He's also brought the slot machine, which he carries over his shoulder and places down at podium 7, because honestly, he's by himself, he may as well have something next to him.]

All right, I brought photos of all the stuff in the casino. I basically followed Hubert everywhere for them...

[Something tells me that's not what people are going to be focusing on, Zack.]

Why not? They're important...

Why did you bring the slot machine.

[ZACK??? WHAT???]

[Makima walks in, sets aside the junk that was in the sauna, takes a deep breath, summons her sword, and points it up at the schlorpy screen.]

What are the titles, functionality examples, and full consequences (including incapacitation or death) of any and all methods that exist to restore us to the status on our abilities that, irrespective of whether our current new abilities such as "The Familiar" can be modified, is most similar to the status we had prior to whatever initiation process that resulted in a change to our preexisting abilities?

It's part of the crime scene, and...well, I could bring it, so...

Yes. You really shouldn't carry heavy objects above your head, Zack-kun.

[She is so determined to be focused on this trial but this HAS to be said.]

And? That doesn't excuse going out of your way to make it worse!

[She looks up at the screen with eyes that are red and swollen, noting the change in tone, noting the slight feeling of regret. It's interesting. Maybe important. But she is so tired and drained.]

Isn't there anything to do? Anything you can do?

Innocent people already die every day. Even children. That doesn't mean... it doesn't mean you should set up more of them to die. Like... like Kaito.

[Looks like she has a few tears left after all.]