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

cw: hunting talk, animal bits

[comeandfindme]

[ Calloused in general! She has a few cuts. ]

...I was cleaning the deer skin.

[mayavericks]

[her eyes narrow, just a little. Considering Peregrine's reaction, she doubts that this would have been her, but...

She steps a little closer, away from her current group.]

May I look a little closer?

[Mostly, she's trying to see if the cuts are smooth like they would be if done with a blade, or more jagged, like from an accidental cut from porcelain?]

[comeandfindme]

[ There's a slight glare when she looks at Maya, but she holds up her hand. They appear to be smooth, like they were done with a blade. ]

Stupid gloves weren't thick enough. This good enough for you?

[mayavericks]

[Maya keeps her gaze even. There's definitely no accusations here, but... She doesn't blame Peregrine for being on edge.]

It is, thank you.

[voicerights]

[Just looking at Maya blandly. It seems to have gotten the hint that its own 'questioning' wasn't appreciated, but. There's something in its gaze.]

[mayavericks]

Do you have something to say, SQUIP?

[voicerights]

Many things. [Look, it knows the meaning of restraint!] However, were they to come from a fellow human, it is possible there would be less...upset.

[mayavericks]

If you are worried about my feelings, there is no need. What do you want to say?

[voicerights]

Only your feelings regarding Pegerine's distress. As she did not answer my question regarding her personal experience with hypothermia. I would like her to tell us whether or not it was observed upon another.

[mayavericks]

No. At present, and with how deliberately some of the evidence was hidden, I choose to believe that this was done with the intention of following through on the motive given to us. I do not believe someone as upset as Peregrine was about Mumble's death would have acted on such a thing.

Prying further into her life is unnecessary. It has been done enough since her arrival here.

[voicerights]

Irrationality and human error go hand in hand. It is why I was created in the first place.

[comeandfindme]

[ Peregrine glares at the SQUIP. Her jaw tightens. ]

I didn't kill Mumble. I wouldn't do that to someone.

[voicerights]

Then repeat after me; 'I was not responsible for Mumble's death.'

[comeandfindme]

[ She stares him down. ]

Do not condescend to me, you asshole.

[voicerights]

Say it, and I will allow you to strike once at me.

[comeandfindme]

[ ... ]

I was not responsible for Mumble's death.

[ Her voice is even. She's angry...but to the SQUIP's keen sense of observation? She seems to be telling the truth. ]

[voicerights]

[To that? It nods, and to Maya-] I am satisfied. The rest of you should be as well. [Back to Pegerine] Now, or later?

[comeandfindme]

[ Her fists are balled and she starts to leave her podium, but— ]

...Later. We have a job to do here.

[voicerights]

[Another nod. If it's worried or upset at all, it's impossible to tell - or if it's even capable of experiencing such emotion. For now it returns its attention to the rest of the group, as serene as it was before]

[sugarlumps]

[An empty soda bottle sails through the air at the SQUIP's head from a few podiums away.]

I didn't kill him either.

[voicerights]

[BONK]

The agreement was not with you!

[sugarlumps]

You didn't say it wasn't, though.

[brokeforgood]

KOBE!

[mayavericks]

Peregrine herself told me that she has been studying survivalism. She has been determined to do so since an apparent accident claimed the life of someone from her town. It stands to reason that yes, she does have experience in this regard.

Does that satisfy you?

[voicerights]

[seems so!]