week 7 - trial; day 1

[vicedirector]

seven vices case 7 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

[billarious]

Nah, it's nothing like that. I don't need anything from you or anything. [After all of this? If anyone would actually need something from Faize they can just shove it to the back burner honestly.

He'll rest a hand on the others shoulder though, a little hesitantly and pretty gently. This is how you comfort someone right?]

I wanna make sure you're holding up okay.

[You don't mind if he puts on a happy face for both of you right? Bet you could use a smile right now. Smiles always help! Attempt #1 at helping.]

[symbologic]

[Faize doesn't really know any better than Bill does, this whole physical comforting thing is still something he's working on too. He doesn't shy away from the touch, at least. But it also doesn't really seem to do much. Faize still looks like either a stone statue or an ice sculpture, take your pick of elementally-appropriate metaphors.]

I'm fine.

[He's not, but he's just going to keep saying that to everyone who asks anyway because Faize has officially become a human emotion bottling plant for real now.]

[billarious]

[You're not smiling Faize! Okay maybe it's too soon to ask that. But he's still going to keep that smile plastered on his own face. Maybe it'll just take a while to infect him.]

Nah, if you were fine, there wouldn't be any reason for me to worry about'cha.

[Sorry, he knows that is a fucking lie. You liar.]

I mean you aren't gonna go and do something stupid, right? This is usually when people do stupid things, and there are way too many people who want to keep you around for you to follow that kinda trend, y'know?

[symbologic]

[It's never not going to be too soon to ask that. He's never going to smile again. Not unless they figure out how to save the half-dead ghosts. Alisha was like...at least a good 90% of the reason he smiled at all these past few months. Now that she's dead, what point is there in smiling?]

If you are asking whether I intend to kill someone, or to allow myself to be killed...no. My intentions in both regards have not changed.

[billarious]

[The point is because she's apparently a half-dead ghost and what are you doing by not smiling?

Your forcing her to watch you suffer. Kind of a dick move. But at least he's not going to push that particular subject? No he's just going to gently squeeze his shoulder at that.]

Good. And that "intend to kill someone" includes yourself right? Like I don't mean to be a stickler here but there's a big difference between killing someone else, letting someone kill you and just straight up offing yourself. You're telling me none of those are gonna happen, yeah?

[He's...the kind of guy who uses those differences to his advantages after all...better to make sure all bases are covered here.]

[symbologic]

[LET HIM SUFFER IN PEACE, BILL, GOD. DON'T YOU PULL THE HALF DEAD GHOST CARD.]

Yes, that is what I am telling you. Technically, killing myself would be a violation of both intentions simultaneously, would it not? So I will not kill myself.

[Though wasting away might not be wholly off the table, considering he hasn't eaten or slept since they found Alisha's body. Maybe Eldarians are part rabbit...]

[billarious]

[He will not!!! Good friends don't do that he is...pretty sure. 50% sure. And don't talk to him about technicals Faize he'll beat you every time. Not this time though. This is not the time to harass him about that.]

Yup, it sure would! Okay. Good. Good, I'm glad to hear it!

[Just gonna pat his shoulder then! With happy friendly satisfaction! Because he is glad that you are gonna stick around!!

This is hard and awkward but he's trying.]

Oh! I uh...

[He removes his hand and is about to dip it into his pocket when he pauses, as if trying to decide on something, before finishing the action. YOLO. Out of his pocket he fishes a paper flower, which is still just as pretty as when he stole it. And that is held out to him. He'd place it into Faize's hand, but he can't use his right hand all that well so that plan is out.]

Here.

[symbologic]

[Faize hesitantly takes the flower, looking a bit perplexed. Why are you giving him this, friend?]

...what is this?

[Aside from a flower, don't be a smartass, Bill. He can see that much.]

[billarious]

Alisha made it.

[Does that explain enough?]

She made a few, even one for me - [Bill you don't know that for sure.] - so I figured she must've made one for you too. So...that's what that is.

[It's the best he can do...sorry friend...]

[symbologic]

.........

[For a brief second, Bill might notice Faize's eyes flash a weird, glowing pinkish-red. Just for a second though, if he blinked he probably missed it.]

...thank you.

[He's just. Gonna hold it close. He knows exactly where he's gonna put this when he gets back to his room.]

[billarious]

[That sure was weird. What's up with your eyes? ...something he'll ask about later, he thinks. Like after the trial later.]

No need for thanks.

[Really it's okay. There's a slight pause of silence before he says anything again.]

Hey, I'm gonna let you go back to what you were doing, but can I ask a favor first?

[symbologic]

[A mystery. Maybe Bill will be the one to solve it? Who knows. Hinata and maybe Inaba or Dhaos are the only other ones who have seen it happen so far.]

Of course, what is it?

[billarious]

[Well he may not solve it, but he's gonna try at least. Weird though that may be, it's also pretty cool, so you know. Definitely gotta check it out.

He reaches out and knocks a little on Faizes head as he talks.]

Just...get your head on as straight as you can before the trial tomorrow. You've got all the time in the world afterward to beat yourself up, but we've only got tomorrow to catch the person who killed her.

[Wow he sure is good at this. At...least he's not telling him to cheer up or anything though? He could be worse at it.]

We can't do it if we are not all working together as best as we can. And remember I'm always here to talk and junk. [After this though why would you want to talk to him about anything.]

[symbologic]

[Bill is actually doing a really good job here? He's not telling him not to blame himself, which is a stupid tactic because Faize is always going to blame himself for this. At least a little bit.]

[So while Faize doesn't particularly look cheered up, he at least doesn't...look worse? That's something.]

..of course. Thank you, Bill.

[billarious]

[Look it is absolutely partly Faize's fault. What's the point in trying to tell him not to blame himself?? But amazing...maybe he is getting better at all this after all.

That knock on his head turns to a friendly hair ruffle.]

You're welcome. Now go get outta here and get some of that dumb sleep thing. You could probably use it.

[You're free to go Faize, he won't soak up any more of your sulking time.]

[symbologic]

[Bill is not wrong, Faize could definitely use some of that dumb sleep thing. Because he...hasn't done that. At all. Since he woke up and Alisha wasn't next to him.]

[But...Bill's right. They only have one day let to catch their killer. And as much as he feels like he just plain CAN'T sleep (or eat, for that matter), he won't be of much use if he continues on like this for another night. So...congrats, Bill. You convinced the elf to actually try and sleep tonight.]

Mmm...you too, Bill. As you said, we have only one day left? We should all be at our best for that...

[billarious]

[Good...that's definitely a win. It'd be cool if he could get him to eat too because he needs to, but Bill's satisfied with one victory. Someone else can claim that honor for themselves.

Hopefully.]

Sleeping tonight is the least I can do for Alisha. I'll probably be up a little while longer brainstorming this whole situation, but I'll sleep tonight. Promise.