First Trial

[stagemanagers]

[As the investigation ends, you'll hear Hester's voice inviting you to the auditorium. As this happens, the twin doors on either side of the concession stand, across from the gym, will click open. You can enter on either side; both go to the same place.

When you enter the auditorium, it's dark. There's only the small lights along the walkway behind all the seats, just enough to illuminate where you're going. There's a central path between the seats, down towards where you know the stage must be. That's where you must be going, right? As you pass each row of seats, the lights at their ends flick on, marking your procession and slowly making more and more of the room visible. Shortly, you can see your destination: a circle of podiums stationed in the orchestra pit, below the lip of the darkened, curtained stage. They're all identical, labeled with a cast member's name, save for Mumble's, which is draped in black crepe and has a framed monochrome photo of him - Elijah Wood him - on top.

When you reach the podiums, the lights above the stage finally come on. It's time to meet the Wizard.

The mechanical head, with glowing green eyes, is installed above the stage and the still-closed curtain. Even if you were standing on the stage, it'd be well out of reach. It peers down at all of you, its motions fluid, and speaks with a booming, artificial-sounding voice:]

Welcome to your first trial, everyone. I am the Wizard. It's time to determine who was responsible for the murder of Mumble. Feel free to talk amongst yourselves and work together - you'll have to show teamwork if you want to leave this room alive.

Comments

[violentenvies]

[what??? Salieri's head jerks over to look at her]

Farrah? What is that?

[brokeforgood]

It's... [She hadn't expected this to come up. She's just gonna. Edge. Back. Into her own podium. Then she turns the photo over, laying it on the podium.]

I asked Hester for a copy. She didn't want to give it to me. But... It's the only way I can see my sister, right now.

[violentenvies]

[there's a sense of relief--but also confusion???]

I see. It's a bit of a moot point, however...I would have given it back to you, had you asked.

[brokeforgood]

I didn't want to worry you. Or explain. [but here they are.]

[violentenvies]

It's--[Salieri takes a breath, and lets it out. Focus.]

That's alright. I appreciate that you were thinking of me. However, I--[how to put this when you're from an era that is stuffy and repressed]--I care for you, and I accept the worry comes as part of that. In the future, know that if you do not wish to explain something to me in this manner, you will not have to. My worry is my burden to bear, Farrah, and I would not have you avoid asking me for what is already yours for fear of having to explain yourself when you would rather not.

[tellthestory]

Hey, it's okay, we don't all need to see it.

[He in particular is not loving the great view he has of it!]

We know you didn't do anything.

[brokeforgood]

[Don't worry, it's just farrah in the bathroom farrah in the bathroom--- She nods.]

I wanted everyone to know it was really mine. [She takes it back, though, gently sliding it back into her pocket.]

I don't think Hester would have given anyone else a copy of theirs, though. She really didn't want to.

[tellthestory]

That would be...really premeditated.

[Like, he's not saying it wasn't, but yikes at the potential planning involved there!]

[alchemistake]

Farrah...

[Varian isn't sure if it's his place to do anything, much less say anything that might potentially be comforting to her. Nothing he could say would be.

That picture...it's terrifying. And it seemed like everyone else had similar futures in store, full of terror and despair.

It's awful.]

[brokeforgood]

It's whatever. [She wipes at her eyes with the back of her hand, trying to be cool. SHE'S COOL.]

[mayavericks]

You must truly miss her.

[Honestly, Farrah described the picture but like... Yeah, Maya gets it now.]

I am so sorry.