week 9 - trial; day 2

[vicedirector]

seven vices case 9 trial, day 2 ♫ Saturday At 9AM, every television will go off, loud enough to wake anyone sleeping. The calm, apathetic voice will advise everyone to gather in the chapel for the trial. Static will continue to blare in the head of anyone dillydallying. Once all of the guests have gathered in the chapel, the doors will lock. Most of the pews have been moved aside to allow for more space, and a few tables have been set up on the altar. On the first, there is an additional copy of the rulebook, and the information cards of the victim and suspects laid out, with space for the suspects to provide their whereabouts, as well as an autopsy report. There is also a large wheeled chalkboard upon which you may write theories. On the second table is a pitcher of water and some glasses, as well as very simple sandwiches and pastries. The door behind the altar has finally been unlocked. It's a rather plain room with an area set off by a folding screen. Inside, you will find a table on which the victim's body has been laid out. Next to the table, two black and white photographs have been hung on the screen. they are close ups of the victim's body, as it was found when the body discovery announcement chimed. A few sticks of incense burn in the corner to avoid any smells. At 6PM, the trial will adjourn. Everyone will be escorted back to the hotel by Miata, after which everyone is allowed to head to either the kitchen to get dinner, or to their rooms. Attempting to wander off into the other areas of the hotel will trigger the static alarms in everyone's heads/televisions. >Discuss? victim suspects VOTING cast setting rulebook

Comments

Autopsy Report

[vicedirector]

On the table, the following has been laid out carefully next to the rulebook:

Autopsy Report - Urashima Kotetsu

Cause of Death - Appears to be either decapitation or bisection

Body Discovery - Approximately 4:45PM

Time of Death - Estimated between 4:30PM and 4:45PM

Condition of Body - Decapitated and bisected. Torso crucified with knives and victim's own sword.

Condition of Scene - Torso found crucified on a tree near schoolhouse. Waist and legs found on park's teeter-totter near Faize Sheifa Beleth (unconscious). Head found deep within the void.

Suspects

[vicedirector]

On the table next to the autopsy report, the information cards of all suspects have been laid out. Below the cards is a blank sheet of paper, labeled:

Whereabouts - Wednesday Evening to Thursday Evening
Previously here

Findings

[vicedirector]

The rest of the table is empty. There are boxes labeled Exhibit A through Exhibit J, and pens and paper for writing.

All evidence and other information found during the course of investigation should be listed here.

Previously here

Bill's Room

[dhaosu]

Investigated room of Bill alongside Yoite.

Found a checklist that seems unrelated, two letters, his notebook as well as the chart with the symbols on it. Nothing out of the ordinary, as the window was open to allow Jerry to come in, and there were no bloodstained wear to be found, or wet clothing for that matter.

The bathroom had cans spilled all around it, making a bit of a mess.

-Dhaos

Lithuania's room

[hopefragment]

Nothing to be found in Lithuania's room. The room itself was clean and neat, and there were no signs that anyone had entered the room other than Lithuania herself. The only dirty clothes were the ones I remember her wearing yesterday, and they only had dirt on them, nothing else. Her vent was screwed tightly shut.

-Hinata

faize's room

[dereban]

[ Also along with the write-up of Faize's room, she's brought the bloody clothes as evidence! Just in case. ]

I was with Ranulf and I brought Miku along with me as well.

Notebooks seem to have contained basic kana charts for both hiragana and katakana along with some basic kanji; spaceships drawings and spaceships; a bunch of math shit; and recipes with minerals and elements, nothing relevant to the case at hand.

Also brought the clothes that were found in the bathroom - they're the same clothes he wore on the day of the murder, if anybody wants to check them. Otherwise, nothing too unusual.

- Inaba Himeko

Urashima's Room

[dhaosu]

Investigated room with Poland.

Neat and tidy. There was over 500 cranes left on the bare bed. Kamekichi was located in one of the drawers, in the very back. Inside the box was a small jar filled with multicolored paper stars. There was a letter within it as well.

There were a few other letters found addressed to others as well.

On his nightstand there are a few paper turtles, alongside his Notebook.

In the safe was Cheshire's bell.

-Dhaos

Rhys's (but mostly Break's) Room

[crazily]

Since we didn't quite finish threading it out last night, here's a description if you need it instead. Just assume that Ranulf wrote down any relevant details!

[ Rhys's room didn't have anything of note, save for the very axed in door because ghosts are assholes. As such, Rhys has been staying in Break's room since Wednesday, so Break offered to let them search his room instead.

The beds are both unmade, but both show signs of being used. If someone is creepy and smells the sheets, it'll be clear that one of them is Break's, and the other belongs to Rhys. The only thing of note is that one of the Break's bed has a very small set of stains on one of the end corners. They're old and there was an attempt to wash them out, since he at least washed the comforter by doing laundry, but it's not completely gone. If they have a way to test it or would know, the stains are bloodstains. Break will explain that they're from him coughing.

The dresser is also full of ugly-ass clothes, though what's odd is the pieces of paper sitting on Break's dresser. One piece is folded into four (like so) and is sitting at the back of the dresser, slightly behind the television. It's blank. There are also two pieces of paper tucked under the corner of the television, both folded in half (like so). However, the two pieces are from a page from the notebook being torn in half, and the two pieces of paper fit together, so they're clearly the same page. They're also blank. These are for communicating with ghosts, and Break explained/will explain as much.

The safe contains quite a few more things than last time Break's room was searched, but nothing strange. The contents include Emily, the same letter to "Lady Sharon", a note to Miata*, Gilbert's notebook (with Clover's letter and four pieces of paper which are seemingly blank), seven cigarette boxes, and a half-finished grey scarf. Also, in front of the safe, there's a dark patch of stains. It looks like there was an attempt to clean them up, but without room service, it wasn't completely successful. Break will also explain that these are also from him coughing.

The bathroom is a mess. The shower curtain's rod has been ripped out of the wall and is just kind of awkwardly sitting there waiting for when room service can come fix it. Break will explain that technically he did this, but he'll blame the ghosts entirely because they followed him into the bathroom while he was showering and scared him. It was weird. Thanks, assholes. Otherwise, there are more products in the bathroom than just Break's, since Rhys's are here too.

Otherwise, there's nothing of interest save for probably some other small signs that Rhys has been staying here. If there's anything you want to ask about the room, just ask Break... ]

[vicedirector]

Behind a discrete folding screen, in the room behind the altar, Urashima's body has been laid out on a simple white table. His body is covered with a white sheet, but the sheet can be removed. Other than the position and the sheet, the body has not been changed from how it was found (though it's been "reassembled" in that all limbs are present).

Near the body is two black and white photographs of the scene as it was when the body discovery chimes rang yesterday afternoon. The photographs are close ups - they portray Urashima's body, but no more of the scene than is necessary to do so. Still, if you want to check his position, it makes it fairly easy.

(You may thread in this subheading to investigate the body)

Previously here

[herbgrace]

[Body checking time! ...Oh, Urashima. Lithuania can't help but ruffle his hair, even if his head is decapitated. But, actually, she wants to check the bruising on his face. Does it looks dark enough to have happened before death, or is it more likely post-mortem?]

[dhaosu]

[ Well, Dhaos was planning on doing so anyway. Dhaos goes to grab Urashima's sword to compare it to the cuts made on his neck via decapitation and the torso/lower half to see if it could match what did the deed. ]

Talk to Miata

[vicedirector]

[dhaosu]

[ At some point, Dhaos goes to just hand this letter to her. ]

I believe he would have wanted you to have this.

[ Whether she accepts it or not is up to her. But he figured he might as well do this briefly and quickly. ]

recap

[dereban]

So, here's a recap of what we talked about yesterday.

First of all, I would like to reiterate that besides whoever the killer was I was the last one to see Urashima behind the school on the day of the murder. We were both looking for Kamekichi at the time at around 4:30 in the afternoon in which we found Faize, lying on the ground, bleeding. Urashima then told me that he was hurt and then I went to grab the others at the lobby. It took me around ten minutes to get there and it takes about another ten to get back, which means that the killer had more or less twenty minutes to kill Urashima. This includes chopping his goddamn head and legs off, which were found in the void and at the park, on top of the teeter-totter respective. His torso was also stabbed with his own sword and his hands were pretty much cruxified with knives, which seem to have been stolen from the boathouse.

I would also like to note that we went through the void, as there was a trail of blood that led from the school to the void to the park, where it cut off. The trail seems to be straight, but splattered around. Also in regards to the void, that's where Urashima's head was found, so it's possible that the killer either dropped it or deliberately left it there. Faize was also found at the park collapsed, and the bloody rock that was found at the school seems to be a match for his wound.

That's it for the basics of this case. In regards to sins and motives, Roxy and Bill are the only two from this list who haven't seen theirs. Also, Roxy, Bill, and Faize are associated with lust while Lithuania and Rhys are associated with greed. Urashima, I'm pretty sure, is chastity. As for the reason Urashima died, it's possible that he was killed because he was a witness, unless Faize is pulling a fast one on us, although I want to call bullshit on the second one.

Anyway, that's all she wrote, unless somebody has anything else to add that I might have missed? Hajime did suggest that we should look for bloody clothes while doing room searches, but did anyone find anything like that? Oh yeah, before I forget, I hope one of you two brought back the fanfiction-- [ YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE ] you know. For later.

[ Just wanted to get that last shot in......... she can't be 100% serious all the time, it gives her a headache. SHE GOT MOST OF THE IMPORTANT SHIT IN BEFORE TROLLING. ]

[dhaosu]

I concur, regarding the portion about Urashima being a witness. He must have glimpsed the killer, but by then he was too late, and there were light bruises on his face... which I believe seems to indicate that the killer slapped or hit him with something to distract him.

[herbgrace]

[If you have any questions for Lithuania, she's here again today! Where else would she be?]

[billarious]

[Bill's around of course, so feel free to ask him stuff if you need to. He seems to have calmed down some since yesterday so maybe he'll be somewhat pleasant to deal with this time around.]

[muties]

[ Roxy is here, because Where Else would she be?? She likely has juice and a snack, important trial must-haves. Ask her about the fanfic, if Poland so cruelly submits it as evidence. Or!! Don't, just execute her instead. ]

[hopefragment]

...I only read a page of it by accident.

[A quiet murmur as he glances toward her, trying not to flush at the mention.]

I didn't think it was bad?

[Because he only read a page and is too nice to say that the writing is really Not That Good.]

[jackhole]

[ oh yeah, here is a rhys again and he's got dumpy this time! dumpy who is pretty quiet and just chilling with rhys as he sits on one of the pews. rhys kind of looks like he's about to take a nap, honestly. ]

[crazily]

[ When it looks like prime nap opportunity, Rhys of course won't be allowed it!! This is Rhys, he can't have good (?) things. So Break will slide onto the pew next to him solely to give his side a poke in That Exact Spot that makes you jump and flinch. It's not quite being ticklish, but it is fucking annoying. ]

Now, now~. You're not old enough to be taking naps in the middle of the day yet.

[dhaosu]

[ After the little bit of investigation, he comes out here. ]

Urashima's blade does not match up with whatever was used to decapitate or bisect him, because it was too short. Naturally it means the knives did not do the trick.

[ ... ]

I believe it's time to ask to see the blades of the suspects, and compare them with the wounds.

[muties]

[ I think Poland stole Roxy's katana during Room Search for evidence, but either way it is probably here and ready to be compared. It's probably longer than Urashima's? It's different lengths depending on which Homestuck panel you look at, ok. Don't look at me. It also has a navy blue mask tied to it, which I totally did mention yesterday and didn't just remember now yep. ]

[symbologic]

[Faize is also here again, for all your suspect interrogation needs. Still bandaged, still kind of out of it, but totally still able to answer any questions you might have. You know. Provided it's something he remembers.]

[mothercat]

[ No trial-relevant questions here, just checking in. ]

Morning, Faize. [ Wave! ] How are you feeling today?

[dhaosu]

[ Guess it's that time again? He's written something up on the chalkboard.

Order of Events

Hinata leaves Faize after training (4:00).
As Faize is leaving/or being accompanied by someone into the schoolhouse, he is beaned from behind by the killer. (4:00??)
Inaba meets up with Urashima; they look for Kamekichi. (4:30??).
They spot Faize lying on the ground, bleeding.
Urashima tells Inaba he's hurt and asks her to run off to get help. (4:30??)
Inaba makes it back to hotel. (4:37???)

These events happened somewhere in 4:30-4:45 PM

The killer never left the scene of the crime, they were just hiding.
They somehow takes advantage of Urashima, surprising him, and killing him with Faize's blade.
At some point the killer hits Faize over the head with a rock.
The killer then quickly tosses Urashima's head into the void or drops it in there, before pinning his torso to the tree in front of the school house with knives.
The killer stabs Urashima in the chest with his own sword.
They then grab Urashima's legs and go to take them to the park through the void to put them on the teeter-totter.
The killer returns to grab Faize, but instead carries him instead of dragging him.
He's place on the other spot of the teeter-totter and the killer wipes Faize's blade a little.
Then they slide Faize's blade back into its sheath.
The killer sneaks into their own room without anyone noticing, washes themselves up, and changes their clothes.
Later on they probably even use the laundry or their own bathroom to wash their bloodstained clothes free of evidence and things are dry by now. ]

I think now we just need to figure out what Faize was injured with before the rock was factored in. Also, if I do forget anything, do let me know.

[symbologic]

Not necessarily forgot, but you seem to have a few things...incorrect. [He points to the right side of his head.] I was hit on the side of my head. Which does not rule out that I was attacked from behind, but also does not rule out that I may have been facing my attacker either. On a similar note, I believe the attack was likely closer to the 4:30 mark than 4:00. I explained this to Hajime yesterday, but essentially it boils down to the two of us being alone for the entire duration of our training session and the additional fact that, had I been attacked any earlier, I would very likely be dead right now. In all likelihood, Inaba and Urashima arrived within minutes after I was hit over the head.

[Point out a flaw in his logic, if you see it, but he's pretty sure it's sound!]

Additionally...I do not think the killer would have had enough time to make so many trips through the void. Not when they knew Inaba could return with help at any moment. And...I find it a little hard to believe they could simply wash their bloodstained clothes without us finding any evidence of it...

BLOODCOAT

[mothercat]

[ Dhaos, being the benevolent (malevolent) figure he is skips off to get Bill's raincoat. It is a true sight to behold with all those billowing capes of his! What's even more moving is when he comes back with the coat looking all giddy and still skipping.

Dhaos probably isn't skipping. He might be giddy though idk.

Ranulf takes the coat from Dhaos and doesn't react at all to the skipping that didn't actually happen. Because... it didn't happen.

ok sniffing the raincoat. what we smellin'? blood? chemicals? moths? ]

[dhaosu]

[ Obligatory comment of Dhaos crossing his arms while Ranulf sniffs, looking serious as usual. ]

[dhaosu]

[ When he moves to a spot where he can decently face everyone in brief silence, people probably know what's coming. ]

I believe all signs point to Bill Cipher being the killer.

For one thing, he intended to murder Faize--saving his dimension was too important for his personal feelings to get in the way.

At some point he had asked Faize to come along with him to the schoolhouse, after Hinata had already left Faize. When Faize began to turn away from Bill, that is when he struck out with his cane and managed to get a lucky hit against the side of Faize's head.

However, when Urashima and Inaba happened along the way, he had to change his plans suddenly. He decided as soon as Inaba ran off that he would use Faize as a easy scapegoat should he live.

He got the drop on Urashima, who likely had his back turned to the killer, and when Urashima went to face him, Bill already had swiped Faize's sword.

It did not take long for even Bill to decapitate Urashima. He decided to even cut him into pieces and since he already had knives on hand, he used that to pin Urashima's body to the tree. Then he stabbed Urashima with his own blade in his chest for good measure.

He tried to carry both Faize himself and Urashima's other body parts through the void, but he dropped the head along the way since it was too much. Plus, he had injured his hand, so that would make it easier to drop something.

...

After everything was done, Bill made sure to fly back to his room, and due to his open window it made it all the more easier. He washed off his rain coat and later went out to act like he was investigating.

If anyone of course has a counter argument on who else would be more likely suspect than Bill, I am all ears. Despite everything, I would like it not to be him, as we had quite an important interaction this week. However, I cannot afford to be biased.

Do also remember that I am looking for the truth like the rest of you.

[ He awaits for people to of course present their own words. ]

[dereban]

I'm inclined to agree, actually, with most of this. [ Not all of it, but most! ] It would make sense, given what Hajime said about Faize being friends with Bill - it would make it a lot easier to lure him out to a place that Faize himself wouldn't usually go to on his own.

And dropping the head with an injured hand would also make the most sense, too.

[ But then again, she's not biased one way or another, so. . . ]

[sobowtor]

I don't wanna vote.

[hopefragment]

Poland...

[Hinata looks kind of stricken, because,]

We can't... who knows what they'll do to all of us if we don't?

[billarious]

Yeah, alright, shows over. Go throw your votes in for me.

[He can't even laugh about this, with Poland over there trying to get herself killed. Jeez.]

You meatsacks are a lot smarter than you look, I'll give you that.

[hopefragment]

Bill...

You're not just saying this to make sure Poland votes, are you?