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

[themuseabandonsyou]

[ Orpheus watches her regain her bearing, trying unsuccessfully to dry his eyes on the back of his hand. ]

Your Majesty - no, Elisabeth. I - I'm sorry. You don't deserve this. We know you were just trying to help him. None of this is -

[ He shakes his head, trying to find the words. ]

We'll stop this. All of this. I promise. We won't let this happen again.

[wanderlusttitania]

I know you will.

[She also wipes her eyes.]

I will hold you to it, monsieur Orpheus.

[themuseabandonsyou]

[ After a moment's thought, he'll pull away from Eurydice gently and walk over to Elisabeth, where he'll hold out his arms in an invitation for a hug. It may be a little improper, but - what's propriety, at a time like this? If she rejects the offer he'll step away readily, but he wants to give what little comfort he can while there's still the chance. ]

[wanderlusttitania]

[Indeed. She will embrace him, like it's the last time. Because it is that she will embrace anyone, much less these people whom she had, ultimately, failed. She closes her eyes, letting herself be carried into the warmth of the hug, knowing it is fleeting, but not caring.]

[themuseabandonsyou]

[ He'll maintain the hug for as long as she wants, doing his best not to cry on her. When they finally separate, he'll smile at her, however weakly. ]

Safe travels. To whatever world awaits you.