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

[katsufemmefatale]

> DIO

[Yuuri glares at the ringmaster, nearly shaking from anger.]

You killed a good, innocent man. You took him away from Feiiji-san. And for what, greed? You're the worst kind of person, Dio.

[notgentle]

[laughter and no moral concern whatsoever]

You really think I went to all this effort over probably fake money? No, no, no, no, no. I just have to get out of here before some actual greedy fuck got the chance.

[katsufemmefatale]

Money or a need to escape at the expense of everyone else here doesn't matter. It's still greed. We should've all worked together to find another way out, one where no one had to die!

[theirmagic]

Don't waste your precious words on him, Yuuri.

[ If looks could kill we'd have a second body on our hands: Mr. Ringmaster. ]

[katsufemmefatale]

Archus-san tried to help me through my panic attack. He tried to help me remember why I'm wearing a ring. He... I could've called him a friend, but he's gone....

[Yuuri has a glass heart, and right now it's so badly cracked.]

[theirmagic]

So remember him. Keep his kindness in mind and give the same kindness he would have given. Don't let his death be a waste. But... make sure you give that to the people who deserve it most. We're all here for you, Yuuri.

[ She... tries to smile, even if she's exhausted. ]

[katsufemmefatale]

[Right now, all he can do is put his head down and try to stop tearing up. This is worse than just a panic attack. This is despair.]

[beguiledcard]

[ Shit...

His expression actually falters at hearing that...

He's making a mental note to find time to hang out with him after all of this... ]

[katsufemmefatale]

[You're a good heart, Akira. It won't be easy, though, not when Yuuri tends to hide away when he's really upset.]

[beguiledcard]

[ he will spam cat photos and emojis at him until he agrees to come out

just saying ]

[katsufemmefatale]

[But he's a dog person....

/sniffle]

[beguiledcard]

[ Perhaps that's all part of his evil plan.

Because...

... he'll only stop after Yuuri comes out to play.

The path to cat hell is paved with good intentions. ]