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

[beguiledcard]

... Yeah. He didn't hesitate to trust me, when we'd barely even talked at that point.

[theirmagic]

So really, almost anyone could have done it... the other evidence needs to narrow it down.

[beguiledcard]

[ He's falling quiet, staring down at his untouched food and drink. ]

[foolishjustice]

[FROWN. He's just going to walk over to touch Akira's shoulder. Still carrying his coffee.]

Akira-kun, when was the last time you ate?

[beguiledcard]

[ He glances up quickly enough to it obvious he was just snatched from a deep thought. ]

Meridies-san gave me breakfast earlier...

[ As long as Goro doesn't ask his definition of "earlier" or just how much (more like "little," sorry Croix) of it he managed to eat, it'll be fine. ]

[foolishjustice]

Then I'm going to pay Shuuichi-san's favor forward. You should at least make an attempt at eating, you'll need your ability to focus.

[beguiledcard]

[ His voice is quiet. ]

... I'll be fine, Goro.

[ A quiet exhale. ]

I can eat after this.

[foolishjustice]

We have no way to be certain how long this will take. You're quite intelligent, as well, and it would be a disadvantage if you weren't thinking clearly due to an empty stomach.

[A pause.]

To say nothing of my own personal concern for your well being.

[beguiledcard]

[ He really doesn't want to touch this "pity food" or... whatever it is. Why act like you care, when you're forcing them into this kind of situation????

... Damn it, Goro...

Holding a blink, and then nodding. He'll be quiet as he reaches out to pick up the food. There's a faint, wry smile. Before he starts attempting at the whole eating through the stress thing, he mutters: ]

Thanks.

[foolishjustice]

[He gives a faint smile of his own and pats Akira's shoulder. There's a moment's hesitation, as if he's thinking of something else, before he sets his coffee down on Akira's podium.]

If you manage to eat a decent portion, you can have some of my coffee to wash it down with.

[beguiledcard]

[ There's a soft smirk, and he manages a retort: ]

What does the ever-stubborn detective consider to be a "decent" amount of food?

[foolishjustice]

Under the circumstances, I'll consider it half of an ordinary meal.

[beguiledcard]

Merciful...

[ A nod. And... he does, in fact, slowly manage to eat up to half of it... ]

[foolishjustice]

[He lets out a relieved breath, then slides the coffee over. There's still a bit of dampness on the rim from where he's been drinking it, but it's otherwise tidy.]

[beguiledcard]

[ The sound of relief has some guilt washing over his expression. After just a couple of seconds, he leans over just far enough to bump his shoulder against the detective. As for that coffee...

Also, this is kind of his first ever indirect kiss. ]

[foolishjustice]

[He gives a light huff at the shoulder bump, giving Akira a fond expression.]

Do you feel a little better now?

[beguiledcard]

[ There's a small, weary lifting of one corner of his lips. ]

Yeah... a little. [ He nods. ] Thank you, Goro.

[foolishjustice]

You're welcome. Now, shall we do what we're best at?

[Namely, bring a criminal to justice.]

[beguiledcard]

... Yeah.

[ He swallows hard. ]

We'll figure this out.