THE MOCK VICTIM

[strangerpeople]

[The morning atmosphere is quiet, when the Titled wake up. Not just quiet, but almost relieving. The strange sensation that they had felt since they received those terrible letters is, if not completely gone, certainly much lessened. It seems like whoever issued the threats has backed down.

It feels wonderful, doesn't it?

Though the faint, strange smell which greets their noses as they open their doors into the hallway of the Barracks might not be as wonderful as the weight that has lifted off their chests. It lingers in the air, hangs on the tongue. Its almost a bit annoying.

Perhaps someone ought to see what's causing it.]

Comments

[crywiththesaints]

[Oh, that's inconvenient. Well, since Sakura's all the way down at the end of the hall, time to walk down it to the stairs; anything unusual?]

[strangerpeople]

[Nothing about the stairs, save that the closer you get to the first floor, the stronger the smell slowly gets.

In fact, the closer Sakura gets the more she will realize the reason the scent is so odd: its more than one smell.]

[crywiththesaints]

[Well, at least she's used to this sort of thing. How about checking out the dining room...]

[daughterofthemark]

[Arianna is not the greatest adventurer of all time, but nobody survives the Labyrinth without developing at least a basic ability to realize something is off. And while she might occasionally (okay, frequently) put two and two together to get "oh, they're both twos! how cute!" it would be hard not to think of the matter that's been hanging over their heads all week.

It seems obvious to check out the armory, considering.]

[strangerpeople]

[There is are unmistakable odors coming from the dining room, and the one that will most likely hit Sakura's nostrils the moment she closes in on the room is the smell of alcohol.

There is a second, much fainter scent which nevertheless mingles. Yet even though it is faint, there can be no doubt Sakura would know what this second scent was, after her failed attempts to create zombie squirrels earlier in the week, even if she'd never smelled it before in her life.

The metallic undertones are unmistakable.

Blood.]

[strangerpeople]

[The smell is actually the faintest in the armory, ironically enough.

Who would have thought?]

[crywiththesaints]

[She raises her voice in case anyone else was out:]

Come in here.

[Then, it's to investigating. Is whoever it is around the table? Failing that, she'll proceed to the kitchen.]

cw: dismemberment

[strangerpeople]

[It is.

At least, whatever's left of them.

Its a young female's body, their glassy eyes staring at the ceiling, some blonde hair curling around their face, as their torso lay on the floor. They may have been spread-eagle in death, had their limbs not been missing.

With a sight like that, there is no denying it.

Someone is dead...





......but....it is not anyone Sakura would recognize seeing from the past week.]

[crywiththesaints]

...Well.

[She frowns and calls to the door.]

There's a body!

[daughterofthemark]

[Arianna is actually 100% okay with this outcome. It means she doesn't have to know what's happening for a little longer.

But unfortunately there aren't many options for where to go next, even before she hears a helpful hint.]

[daughterofthemark]

[stepstepSTEPSTEPSTEP! This is just the person she was hoping would show up, right?]

What happened?

[crywiththesaints]

They're missing their arms and legs, the place reeks of alcohol, and this isn't any of the titled individuals, unless somebody can shapeshift. Which, given these other powers, I would not discount as a possibility.

[daughterofthemark]

[Arianna will get a look for herself, because sometimes she makes decisions she will regret. Indeed, she doesn't recognize this lady (or... part of a lady) at all.]

...it seems you were correct.

[intercessing]

[Almost immediately after Arianna sees the prone, limbless form, there is a sudden loud sound, much like a bell. And yet at the same time it tonally sounds nothing like a bell. It deeply resonates throughout the body, and doesn't sound pleasant at all.

Soon enough, the Intercessor is on the hallway, a cloaked hand holding a piece of paper. Its pinprick eyes stare at it, long and hard, before finally bringing out what looked like a bolt.

They make no comment, save one.

They sound slightly disappointed.]

This information is...hm. It does not matter anymore, I suppose.

[They jab the bolt onto the top of the paper - and proceed to slam it onto the wall with a surprising amount of strength, nailing it there for all to see.]

Order 7 has been invoked. These are the basic facts of the crime. Inquisition is upon us. You will have a limited amount of time to gather what evidence you can to aid you in finding the one who ended this life.

...

Good luck.

[crywiththesaints]

I only posited that our captors thought somebody would kill. Regardless, someone has.

...Do you suppose that's...

[lesbointhesky]

[If the previous things hadn't sent Karolina running, that does. She comes rushing in, panic obvious on her face. ]

A what?

ORDER 7 LOG

[strangerpeople]

NAME: Kanna Hijiri

LOCATION: Behind dining room table

TIME OF DEATH: 0130

CAUSE OF DEATH: Stab wound

WOUNDS:

[At the bottom of the paper is a another realistic portrait, this time of the deceased.]

[crywiththesaints]

Do you know who this is? It doesn't resemble anybody here.

[daughterofthemark]

...what?

["They're both twos! And there are two of them! What a coincidence!"]

[lesbointhesky]

...No. I've never met her. [The poor girl. Karolina can barely let herself look.]

EVIDENCE

[strangerpeople]

DINING ROOM: 9/9
No obvious wounds besides the obvious, obviously
She'd be screaming for blood but there's none left to give it seems
When I said bathtub gin I didn't mean this
Connect The Pieces
Oh happy dagger(s)!
Chew on this, folks
DON'T CHEW ON THAT
Also thanks for kicking her Thomas
SWEET DREAMS SANTA also what a cute picture

KITCHEN: 2/2
CABINET BATTLE PART 1
...and part 2 I guess

CLOTHIER: 6/6
Blood drops keep falling on the floor
What a disarming dress that is (CW: Dismemberment)
That tunic really shows off legs (CW: Dismemberment)
That is a mold hazard come on killer-chan (CW: Excessive blood)
*The Price is Right Music* but nothing is right about this at all (CW: Dismemberment)
So boozy this needed two separate people. Seriously

ARMORY: 1/1
How ironic that Kevin found the least weird thing so far

FIRST FLOOR VESTIBULE: 3/3
Its A Trap...Door!
Geez Kanna was pretty tiny
She was also kind of a jerk too

~

BONUS CLUES: 1/2
"Songs that the Hyades shall sing...must die unheard..."



((OOC: Bonus Clues are a mechanic in this mock trial!

What are Bonus Clues? They are special clues that can be discovered using your Titled's special powers! While they aren't required to pass a trial, they can nevertheless be a major help during an Inquisition!

The following Titles can use their power to uncover a bonus clue during the Investigation OR Trial phases of this Inquisition, if they so choose to:

The Dawn and Dusk
The Balanced

Good luck!))

DINING ROOM (CW: Dismemberment)

[strangerpeople]

KITCHEN

[strangerpeople]

CLOTHIER

[strangerpeople]

ARMORY

[strangerpeople]