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

[incrediblystressedout]

The glass of water had something in it, though. You can dissolve sleeping pills, right?

[notgentle]

It's true that he could have just been drinking from the glass and not using it to swallow pills. Maybe it was swallowing regular pills, maybe it was a glass of dissolved medicine. Either way, though, nobody used force on his mouth. There's no wound on that part of the diagram, right?

[incrediblystressedout]

Yeah. He either didn't notice someone mess with his drink, or he trusted it was harmless, I guess...

[totalbullshit]

Given the state of the water, it would be hard not to notice...

[ ... except if you totally have your head in the clouds or something. ]

[katsufemmefatale]

Is it possible he took the pills himself? Does anyone know if he had trouble sleeping?

[theirmagic]

Why would he take them like that, though? Why not just take sleeping pills the normal way?

[katsufemmefatale]

If he had trouble swallowing pills, maybe? I know they do that with kids sometimes.

[He shrugs. It was just an idea, mainly because this whole situation is something he can't wrap his head around.]

[theirmagic]

... Could Miss Torri confirm if he did?

[pinnately]

[ Quietly: ]

No.

[theirmagic]

... Thank you, Miss Torri.

[ She gives her a gentle smile. ]

Then that would mean the pills were given to him forcibly.