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

[totalbullshit]

They also appear to be medium size in clothing. There was a thrown away bloody T-shirt in the food court. I assume it was worn when they were dragging Wake, to avoid his head staining their normal clothing.

[notgentle]

You put those things together and you get someone who was just barely strong enough to drag Wake once he was passed out.

[foolishjustice]

Meaning we can exclude both the particularly weak and the particularly athletic, as well as especially small or uncommonly large.

[beguiledcard]

Then one place to start would be to find out what size shirt everyone wears.

[theirmagic]

Well... I'd be happy to provide if it will help?

[ Her shirt size is a medium, but only because of... you know. Bust. Otherwise, it's women's sizing. ]

[beguiledcard]

[ He shakes his head. ]

It would have to also be someone strong enough to drag him.

[theirmagic]

... It'd be different if I had my wand to lift him for me, but I don't. Could our executioner be trying to frame several of us?

[beguiledcard]

But you don't have it, so that's just another reason I believe you're easily exempt from this.

[katsufemmefatale]

[On top of looking ill at this whole mess, now Yuuri also looks a bit embarrassed.]

Figure skaters have really strong legs, but... my arms are really strong, too. So I probably could've lifted him without having to drag him.

[Plus does anyone really think this cinnamon roll could kill someone?]

[theirmagic]

Oh, Yuuri, I really don't think it was you. You were so upset...

[katsufemmefatale]

I should've listened to Karma and stayed away. But I... I couldn't believe someone would....

[So he'd bolted past, saw Wake's body, and fainted. Useless and weak, that's Yuuri Katsuki.]

[foolishjustice]

I could have lifted him fully, as well. My hobbies include bouldering, so the weight of someone smaller than I am wouldn't have presented much difficulty.

[thegreenhornet]

I guess I could have lifted him for a while.

[Britt is not amazingly strong, but he's not a complete weakling either]

[beguiledcard]

[ ... ]

Same.

[scienceofmagic]

...I wear a medium sized shirt, but...

[ Listen does she look like she's that strong? ]

[beguiledcard]

[ Absolutely not. ]

I said it should be one place to start, since it would have to be with some of the other details in mind.

[steelmagnolias]

[Look man he's a tiny tiny, does it look like he can do any of this shit]

[beguiledcard]

[ Shhhh Ren it's okay you're the last person he would consider. ]

[eyesofdespair]

I can't comment on size since I made my own clothing. I'd not need to drag an unconscious person though.

[Looking at Loewe, one can tell he likely doesn't wear a medium. He's 6'0" and also does look strong enough to lift someone and not drag them.]

[beguiledcard]

[ He shakes his head. ]

I wear a medium, and you look bigger than me...

[eyesofdespair]

There's also the fact that I'm unfamiliar with most of this technology. Until now, I didn't know a radio could be used to electrocute someone. A factor like that may also rule a few others out. I know Ren seems to also come from a place very different from here.

[beguiledcard]

[ A thoughtful expression. ]

In some cases, wouldn't it be easy for someone to pretend they don't know, in an attempt to seem innocent.

[ He's glancing over at Dio... but... mm. ]

[eyesofdespair]

Not sure why someone would want to pretend to not know when it seems like the use of most of these things is common knowledge to the majority and it's embarrassing to know not things all the rest of you already knew.

[beguiledcard]

[ He shakes his head. ]

I meant in the case of around the time of this investigation... Not about anyone who was pre-established as unaware of how this technology works.

[ A pause. ]

From the sounds of it, the clues implied the possibility of this whole thing being well thought out...

[ He shakes his head. ]

Not to say that actually was the case... Or, even if it was, there's no telling exactly when they started planning ahead.