15strangers | THE FIRST TRIAL

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.]

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[He gives Kurama a slight raised eyebrow, thinking back to their conversation before the trial. He's sure a yokai having a nastier side is almost a given. But...that's not his secret to share.]

That's why I was thinking of gathering people at the cat cafe. It seems like it would be a good place to encourage people to relax.

[And Akira, as a completely normal teenagers, knows nothing about seeming almost like a different person under some circumstances.

Kurama just tilts his head slightly with a subtle shrug to both Akira's look and Akechi's eyebrow, though. The terrible thing is that for once, he's not spinning things. He genuinely considers what happened in the trial to be losing his temper. Granted, it came along with some mask slippage.

...This may be why all his friends back home are at least a little scared of him.]

There are very valid reasons I try extremely hard not to lose my temper.

It does seem like a majority of us find ourselves in the cat cafe for those purposes all on our own. It's a good idea. [His small smile is gently teasing and a little bit genuinely fond.] Though you seem to be managing to help each other settle down well enough right here.

[ His gaze rests on his hands for a moment. ]

Guess that's understandable... [ One corner of his lips lifts, wryly. ] Even the seemingly calmest person can have a side of them they're afraid of showing off...

[ Nnnnnnnot talking about himself at all...

He gives Goro a small smile at the mention of the cat cafe. It might be tired, but it's still there. But then... that teasing has him blinking softly, glancing over to Kurama. ]

... Not sure how much helping I did, but Goro definitely did calm me down.

[ ... Well, there's no hiding how much he'd needed the comfort. But, now there's some kind of strange guilt. Losing himself for that moment means he'd been pretty much entirely on the receiving end, right? But he's normally the one... doing the comforting... ]

You did help calm me down when I lost my own temper, so I think we're even on that front.

[He pats Akira on the shoulder, then glances at Kurama.]

Speaking of which, I am sorry you had to see me like that. I normally don't make a habit of needing others to help me control myself.

Mm... It sounds like a good partnership where each supports the other to me. [Is there a very subtle hint of something wistful to that sentence? No, they're probably imagining it.]

There's no need to apologize, Akechi-san. I can promise you I've seen far worse. My closest friend has a penchant for threatening my life or my vocal cords on a regular basis. If anything, it's a bit nice to have a chance to see you less picture-perfect.

[His hand lifts to cover his mouth. It's hard to tell if it's covering a smile, a smirk, a frown, or what, but it doesn't muffle his next, thoughtfully spoken words.] I do tend to find myself drawn more to men with dark sides, anyway.

[ Goro's words earn a soft 'heh' as one corner of his lips lifts in a weak smile which doesn't fade at the mention of their... partnership. Though, that tone does have his gaze lifting to rest on Kurama's face in curiosity.

His shoulder gently bumps against Goro's as he quietly adds. ]

...???

[ The look he's giving Kurama at the mention of the death threats has genuine concern washing over his face. ]

... Ah.

[ Yep, that's all he's saying in response. Even to the latter part, he's simply... raising his eyebrows for just a moment.

Though... honestly?

He's not even a little surprised. If anything, his expression is softening into something with a hint of amusement. ]

Can't say I don't enjoy a person with some fight in them...

[ Just going to casually glance to the side now. He still looks weary... definitely still upset... but this conversation is a nice reprieve. ]

[Given what he already knows about Kurama, he's not...actually sure if those threats are meant to be taken seriously or not. He's not sure if he wants to know.]

I wouldn't particularly say I have a dark side. But I can get rather aggressive when something important to me is insulted.

[Well, Kurama himself at least looks completely undisturbed by the threats he mentioned? If anything, there might have been a touch of fondness to the comment.

He...is not completely sure he believes Akechi. But this is not the time to poke at anyone's facades. His own is far too delicate at the moment.

So he smiles instead, Shuuichi's friendly, inviting smile.]

I don't think there's anything wrong with being passionate about the things that matter to you, Akechi-san.

Wouldn't you agree, Kurusu-san? [Was that an insinuation? Maaaaaybe.]

[ Huh... Actually... ]

Now that I think about it, one of the people I had a crush on back home had a habit of stripping me down and practically forcing strange stuff down my throat. [ a beat ] She's even made jokes about writing my death certificate.

[ IS HE MAKING THIS SOUND WORSE ON PURPOSE...?

... yes.

At least he clarifies after a short pause. ]

Guess I like doctors with a dark sense of humor.

[ Glancing at Goro for just a split second, and then letting his gaze rest on the redhead. ]

I do. [ He holds a blink in thought for a second. ] I know if someone close to me is threatened, there's really not much I wouldn't do to protect them.

[Yeah, he knows who you're talking about from the jokes about your death certificate. He...remembers her sense of humor.]

And here I've heard people questioning my sense of self-preservation for enjoying working with a woman known for making you feel as though she might rip your arm off if you try to argue with her.

[It gets Kurama to laugh quietly, resting his chin on a loosely curled fist as he listens to them.

There's still a touch of stress and strain to him, mostly visible around the eyes, but Kurama's mouth is curled into a soft, almost relaxed smile.

It's nice to let go of a little bit of the pressure of his facade. Just a little bit, just for now, with these two.]

Well, for some of us, it happens to be called a 'crush' for very good reason.

[That is to say, because the person in question might crush them.]

[ There's a small grin at the mention of Sae-san...

And that, combined with that horrible pun, results in a quiet snort. His shoulders are shaking just a little in a silent laugh. It does nothing for the tiredness and the guilt... but there's a split second of him actually looking just the tiniest bit okay. ]

Guess that's why I get along with you both...

[ His head is leaning back against the wall, his eyes closing for the moment. ]

How's... everyone else doing?

THE FIRST TRIAL

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