second 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. Elisabeth and Connor have joined Mumble in having theirs draped in black crepe and with a framed monochrome photo of them on top.

When you reach the podiums, the lights above the stage finally come on. the Wizard is once again waiting for you. Beside it Hester is slowly lowers in on her bubble. Her dress this week is a purple monstrosity, more akin to a voluminous prom dress than the simple outfits she usually wears.

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

Comments

[voicerights]

You- [and it's starting to recover from the whole Pegerine thing? But there's still some of that- almost frantic intensity it had, when it was hunting for Mountain Dew] -are human. You are able to make that decision. I am not.

[violentenvies]

Oh? So you must always act in the best interests of your human, then?

[voicerights]

[It nods mutely]

[violentenvies]

Thus, is my assumption that there is a possibility that you had a hand in this illogical somehow?

[voicerights]

...it is not. But you have nothing to implicate me over anyone else who would hold concern about the motive.

[mayavericks]

Then perhaps we should refocus our efforts for the time being. Undoubtedly, there will be evidence to tie someone to this crime. I recommend starting with checking for injuries, as we did last time. This was a knife, after all. There is a chance that whoever did this may have nicked themselves in the process.

[violentenvies]

True enough. Where do you think would be best to start?

[mayavericks]

Hands first, that would be the best step.

[themuseabandonsyou]

[ Orpheus nods, and rolls up his sleeves. His hands are forearms are clear. ]

[violentenvies]

[he'll nod, holding out his hands--No injuries here.

[alchemistake]

[Varian…hesitates, but takes his gloves off after a pause.

His left hand is bandaged, but it’s not bloody.]

I promise I cut myself earlier this week accidentally. Several people saw me running into the Nurse’s Office when it happened.

[sugarlumps]

[Her hands are clean and free of injuries. Perhaps a bit salty from tears, but otherwise we're good.]

[disharmonizes]

[All clear over here, no injuries to be found.]

[brokeforgood]

[Maya, you’re the last person she’d expect to ruin this gay hand holding over here——

Farrah holds out both hands, which are clear.]

You won’t catch me anywhere near a knife.

[defyingfrigidity]

[Just like last week, Elsa's hands are clean and very free of most knicks and such that come with working often.]

[comeandfindme]

[ Peregrine shows her hands, which hold the same healing cuts as last week.

However, as she moves, the cloak does too—and anyone close may get a glimpse of a flash of red on her side, one that looks like blood. ]

[tellthestory]

[The Balladeer's hands are clean, and his blue nails are still perfect!]

[howtheworldwas]

[ Eurydice’s hands are clean. ]

[mcfife]

[Angus holds out his hands quickly. They're rough, but there are no signs of recent injuries.]

[samefacesyndrome]

[ Rina's hands are also uninjured and clean. ]

[voicerights]

[The SQUIP's hands are without damage. Maybe a little bit of something like dirt under the nails, but that's it]

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[Cassandra's hands are the same as they've always been; both are roughened, calloused, her right hand is pretty viscously scarred, as though it was burned. But neither of them look like they have new wounds.]

[employeeoftheyear]

[Spongebob's hands are clean, although he looks depressed having to look at his fingernails again.]

[violentenvies]

Of course. There are still plenty of questions left unanswered. [casually] For example, whether anyone could confirm that you did, in fact, go back to your dorm to sleep last night, and for how long?

[voicerights]

I went alone. But those in there would have seen me this morning.