week 3 - trial; day 1

[vicedirector]

seven vices case 3 trial, day 1 ♫ 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? victims   suspects      cast setting rulebook

Comments

[herbgrace]

Ranulf, where exactly did you go all night? [On murder night.]

[mothercat]

I can't match up the times or anything, I didn't have a clock on me. [ Who does have clocks on them? Carrying a clock is weird. ]

But I circled the hotel twice, I sniffed around the clinic, and then I went to sniff around the void.

[herbgrace]

Around the clinic? Did you go inside? I assume you didn't hear or see anyone else. [Or are at least claiming not to.]

[mothercat]

No, I didn't. I figured it was best to steer clear of the inside in case someone set another trap. I tried to discern if there were any strange smells around the perimeter, but... It's hard when there are multiple people coming and going from a place everyday.

My nose is good, but it can't compare to a wolf's sense of smell.

[ Ah, right. That only answers two of her questions and not the unasked one. ] Sorry, I didn't see or smell anyone when I was there.

[herbgrace]

Do you have any idea where the moon was in the sky when you were at the clinic? [That could at least give them a rough time estimate.] ...Also, why were you out on Thursday night to begin with?

[mothercat]

[ Ah. Good point, it's an old trick and one he probably should have thought of himself.

He pauses, as if trying to remember. ] By the moon's position, I think it might have been... 1AM? It could have been an hour earlier an hour later. I wasn't all that focused on where the moon was. If I were, I would be able to give you a better estimate.

[ His ears and tail once again lower in shame. He really does seem sorry. ] And I was hoping I could spot someone and stop them before they got up to no good. The clinic has been a popular spot so far, I thought this week's culprit might head there to set another trap or get supplies.

[herbgrace]

Alright, we'll assume one since it's in the middle. After that you went to the void--in what direction? [North, south, east, west...]

[mothercat]

West. I should tell you, I didn't go into the void either. As practical a way to get around as it is, I don't feel right going inside of it. There's something... off about it.

[ He shudders. ]

[herbgrace]

Considering you claim to have returned to your room at four in the morning--you were outside for the entirety of the murder. You didn't hear anything?

[mothercat]

I didn't. [ This is in reference to her last question. After the admission, he pauses. His gaze lowers and for a few fleeting seconds his focus shifts. He doesn't appear to be looking at anything in particular. ] Not even my ears could pick up any noise, not from that far away and not when they were in a building. If I'd gone closer, maybe I would have heard something.

[ He's silent again, then he sighs; it's a heavy sound, one filled with remorse and fatigue. ] I wanted to help prevent a death, not make it harder to tell who the culprit was. All I've done here is make everything harder on everyone. [ He closes his eyes solemnly. ] I owe both Zelos and Youko an apology.

[sobowtor]

Wow that's so noble.

[Ranulf that sounds so shady.]

There is no way some one so noble who wanted to stop murders totally ripped open two people all over the place.

[You could at least try to get away with this so you don't die and cause Poland gluttony grief.]

[mothercat]

[ Cats always sound shady! ]

I can tell you're being sarcastic. [ It's plain as day, thx Poland. ] I wouldn't do it though, not if I had a choice. It would reflect badly on my laguz brothers and sisters.

[sobowtor]

No, I'm seriously rooting for you. [Despite how difficult you have made this.]

There are worse alibis than yours, in my opinion.

[mothercat]

[ That's... reassuring. His shoulders relax, albeit only by a fraction. He's still awfully tense. ]

Sorry, I must be more on guard than I thought. It's not my intention to make things difficult for anyone, and I'm aware how bad my situation is. That's why I'll do everything I can to help you.

If you need to know anything about me, please ask. I won't hold anything back.

[sobowtor]

[Don't worry. It's for entirely selfish reasons that she's interested in defending you so she'll be extra motivated!]

Did you see anything weird while you were wandering around?

Or hear anything? You were trying to look out for murderers and stuff to stop them right?

[mothercat]

That's right. My eyes aren't hindered by darkness so I thought it would be a good idea to go out and look around. It's something I've wanted to do since everything started, but I wasn't sure it would do any good.

After what happened to Makise, however... [ ... ] Well, I just wanted to make sure no one did anything like that again, even if it wasn't wise.

But I'm afraid I didn't see much of anything. If the killer went to the same places as me, we must have missed each other.