week 4 - trial; day 1

[vicedirector]

seven vices case 4 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? victim   suspects      cast setting rulebook

Comments

[princessantly]

[ Faith will be her undoing one day, but she's nodding thoughtfully. Of course she's still going to investigate thoroughly, so-- ]

Then, I have a question... regarding the ash on your door frame. Did you at any time hear something, or did anyone come to your room in the morning to talk to you?

[symbologic]

[He shakes his head.]

Neither. I was alone with Hajime the entire time, and we saw no one else until we came downstairs.

[princessantly]

... [ Hmmm. ] Why your door, specifically... could it have been someone who shares the same floor?

[ Heading back to their room? ]

Although I'm not sure if whoever remains is a suspect...

[hopefragment]

I thought of that too, but none of the suspects are on the first floor... unless Undyne slept in Papyrus' room last night.

His room is right by the stairs, too, so... it really could have been anyone.

[herbgrace]

I wonder if the killer simply picked the closest room they could reach before rushing upstairs. [That paints more of a hasty killer portrait.]

[princessantly]

It's possible... the fire hadn't been burning long, and they must have been in a hurry to get as far away from the scene as possible.

[herbgrace]

It seems almost like the killer went out of their way to set the body on fire when people would likely be awake.

[hopefragment]

Maybe, but... Komeiji's room is right there, too. Faize is closer to the elevator, while her room is the one closest to the stairs. And we already went over her "danmaku" the first week, so... don't you think it'd be more likely to plant evidence on her door, rather than Faize's?

[Hinata are you trying to help or hurt Faize here.]

[herbgrace]

The closest room with someone who uses bladed weapons, perhaps. We already know not much can be done to set things on fire with danmaku.

[hopefragment]

That's a good point. Faize does wear his sword... everywhere, I'm pretty sure. It's not like it'd be a big mystery about that.

[herbgrace]

Of course, it could be Faize found a way to sneak out without you noticing and is framing himself. But that might be a little convoluted.

[hopefragment]

It's... possible. I... can't ever discount anyone entirely without solid evidence.

[Sorry bro, if you're around, Hinata's going to flash him an apologetic look. Hopefully the alien understands??]

But the whole thing would be blown if I woke up at any point during the night and noticed he was missing. It seems like a big risk.

[symbologic]

[He understands, it's okay. He doesn't want you to just write him off because you like him anyway. DO THE TRIAL PROPERLY.]

[Proud of u.]

[symbologic]

None of the other suspects are on the first floor though. Urashima is on the second, and Break, Undyne, and Vegeta are all on the third...

The murder weapon was a blade of some kind, was it not? It is a wall-known fact that I use a sword. [In fact, it's strapped to his right hip as per usual at this very moment!] Additionally, there is talk of Selena's tome being used to start the fire and it would seem most of you are understandably ill-informed when it comes to how my symbology works.

So I would surmise that it was likely an attempt to ensure that I would end up on the suspect list.

[princessantly]

Then clearly they don't know you very well, to think that this much would be enough to implicate you...

[ She's actually rather irritated. ]

*well-known jesus that tag was just full of typos

[symbologic]

Clearly. But, as I said, it's understandable. Very few have asked me for more specific details. It seems this is a problem we inevitably run into every week, however...

[princessantly]

I think after this, we should have everyone explain the nature of their abilities... it could save us a lot of trouble in the long run.

[symbologic]

[He nods.]

Yes. I see no downsides to such a discussion. [Except for the part where people could still lie.]

[princessantly]

I admittedly also don't know much about your symbology... except that it can cause mental fatigue?

[brawlhalla]

I'd ask you to explain your symbology, but I'm sort of afraid you'd do it.

[ IT SOUNDS BORING. ]

[symbologic]

I can, if you wish. Briefly. But I am not sure how much good it would do at this point. I am already a suspect, meaning I cannot be taken at my word.

I explained it to Bill before the trial, however Bill is... [VERY CLEARLY BIASED, SO HE'S NOT MUCH BETTER.]

[brawlhalla]

Completely in love with you?

[ Or whatever. ASTRID ONLY PAYS SO MUCH ATTENTION TO OTHER PEOPLE. ]

I'd like a really, really brief explanation. Without the fancy words you really like, please.

[symbologic]

[He winces slightly.]

Clearly biased in my favor, is what I would have gone with.

[Wow though, Astrid. Rude. His words are great? Faize rolls up the right sleeve of his dress shirt, revealing that the series of blue lines that are usually just barely visible under the cuff extend further up his arm in an intricate, almost maze-like pattern.]

Symbology is the combination of inscribed symbols, a spoken incantation, and mental concentration in order to affect one's surroundings. To put it as simply and relevantly as possible: when it comes to elements, I am only capable of using ice, earth, and darkness symbols. [One of these things is not like the others...] I cannot use fire, nor do I have any knowledge of using tomes to summon these types of effects. Furthermore, here I am limited to only my three most basic symbols of each element. If I attempt to use anything more advanced, nothing happens.

[brawlhalla]

[ Astrid will...lean in and grab his wrist to pull his arm closer to examine. SORRY, FAIZE, SHE'S A VIKING and very forceful about things. But she seems to mostly be curious and listening carefully. Some of that sounds weird as hell, but she gets the general idea. ]

Huh. ...Wait, what the hell, darkness isn't an element?

[symbologic]

[WOAH THERE. Take him out to dinner and a movie before you start getting forceful and grabby, Astrid!]

Well, it isn't as though earth, fire, water, or wind are truly "elements" either. But there is both light and darkness symbology. As well as lightning, incidentally.