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]

[ 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.