THE FIRST TRIAL

[strangerpeople]

THE FIRST TRIAL

[Almost as soon as the investigation is over, a loud DING echoes through the mall.

The elevator doors in the food court, before completely inaccessible, have now opened for the Titled. It will not close until every last Titled has gotten in. Nor will everyone have to wait long for potential stragglers; a thought comes to everyone's mind, a realization that they need to get into the elevator. They need to go.

They need to find out who did this.

The elevator is a small freight elevator inside, and its just big enough to fit everyone in it. After a short ride, the elevator opens...

And they are on the roof. Despite it clearly not being that late in the day, the roof seems to be surrounded by an air of cool, perpetual sunset. Beyond that, good luck making out what's beyond the roof - there seems to be a city, but it's utterly unidentifiable. Not that anyone can jump off the roof to try and get closer - there is a translucent barrier surrounding the roof that is utterly impenetrable.

The main attraction of the roof, however, is not the fuzzy landscape beyond. It's the large, stepped circular platform which is a mere ten paces from the elevator. On this platform are 15 podiums, surrounding a large, empty, circular floor. Instantly every phone pings, giving everyone their platform assignment based on their bedroom number. And - upon arriving at their designated podium - they will find a dock for their phone to slide into. As soon as they do so the XAMINE app will pop up, revealing everyone's findings regarding the murder.

Not Wake, though. His podium is lower, and bare save for a white cloth.

Still, everyone - including Ren, who will find that whoever arranged this whole deal has given him a chair to sit in - will need their strength. Which is why each Stranger also has a bento box lunch, carefully prepared, waiting for them at their podium. Each meal is tailored to every Stranger's specific tastes and allergies, as best as a bent box meal can be. It even comes with a cup of their favorite drink.

So, take a few bites, take a few breaths, and get ready, Titled.

The trial for the murder of Wake Archus, The Feeling, has begun.]

Comments

[theirmagic]

... S-so then... why was there a wire when I went to find him? The one I tripped over. You saw that happen, right?

[foolishjustice]

The electrocution was most likely used to finish him off after he was rendered unconscious. Why they chose such a complicated method, I can't say, but it was certainly the final cause of death.

[byanyother_name]

I believe that Wake was already dead by that point. The wire that you tripped over may have been suspending him, with a different wire around his wrist the genuine point of contact for his electrocution.

[theirmagic]

Thank goodness... but still. Why would someone suspend him?

[katsufemmefatale]

[Yuuri's been quiet this whole time, his bento untouched. He's too sick to eat.

That Wake's empty podium is right beside his might have something to do with it.]

Maybe a timed trap?

[scienceofmagic]

...To throw suspicion off of themselves an onto whoever first entered the shop. That seems most likely.

[theirmagic]

W-wait, you mean...

[ Her? ]

... O-oh, dear...

[byanyother_name]

I must admit, I was thinking along similar lines. None of us would believe Ursula killed Wake, particularly when Sanzashi-san, Akechi-san, and I entered with her, but if someone else had entered, alone, it might have been different.

[theirmagic]

... I'm really glad you all were with me.

[ She sighs. ]