itscurtains | First Trial

[Just as everyone is starting to finish their investigations, there's a slow ominous sound from the lobby.

The gilded doors on the northern wall have opened.

This time, the space behind them is lit; you're free to enter. There's one more set of doors to pass through, and then you're all, finally, in the House. There's one grand chandelier above, glittering crystal, and the seats around you are made of fine red velvet. Those don't seem to be for you, though - all the way down in front of the stage, where the orchestra might sit, there's a circle of wooden podiums. They're arranged so that everyone can face each other, and are fixed into place. Each one bears a metal plaque with a cast member's name engraved on it. There's also a metal panel on top, with twenty ivory buttons paired to everyone's name.

Among these, only Jean Valjean's podium is different - that one is draped in black crepe, with a larger greyscale version of his headshot from the playbill framed and sitting at its foot like a funerary portrait. Standing where he might have stood, a bare lightbulb glows faintly atop a metal pole.

Right here, you're very close to the stage. But the curtain is closed, and it's a little too high to easily clamber up. You may not want to try. You've got more important business right now, after all.

As everyone is finding their places, the Balladeer's voice suddenly sounds loud and clear throughout the space.]

Okay, guys, here's how we do trial. I've...never actually been involved in something like this before, but you can do it. Just take all the time you need to talk it out - I'll be right here the whole time. You don't need a unanimous vote, we go by majority rule.

Oh, and don't mess with those buttons until you're really ready to vote. You won't be able to take it back.

...good luck.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Oh, that's probably it!

[those machines are magic, that's exactly how they work!!]

Still doesn't get us any closer to determining the identity of the murderer, though.

Well, it's someone who knows how to use those things.

[the machines being magic is definitely getting them off in the wrong direction but...at least this part is vaguely logical]

How many of us is that? I thought most of us didn't know what they were and assumed they were machines of death.

[at least there wasn't a body in the washing machine!!]

I don't know. But Hime might have a point about the "dryers"? If they had just used water in the first place and put it away, then it would have taken a lot more time, like you suggested.

That would make sense, yes! So we're looking for someone who doesn't know how to use those machines. Which is most of us.

Yeah. There are people from the past and just people who haven't used them before.

There is still the possibility you and the prince mentioned - that whoever is the murderer injured themselves in the act.

Edited 2016-10-22 17:34 (UTC)

Then if they injured themselves they should still be bleeding! We can check everyone over to see if anyone is sporting fresh injuries!

[YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS, EVERYONE STRIP]

Not a bad idea. There was quite a bit of blood for it to have all been Valjean's.

Indeed! So the guilty party must have an open wound or at the very least some bandages covering it!

A wound check? How would that work?

We should separate the women and the men.

Simple, really! We remove our clothes!

[. . . wait]

Ah, right, the women can check each other so none of the men will see!

[THERE WE GO, PROBLEM SOLVED]

(no subject)

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[YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW SCANDALIZED ANNA IS BY THIS THOUGHT]

I-I am not getting undressed for anyone!

Princess. It would be around other women. It would help us bring this farce quickly to an end.

A princess isn't... [She's so mortified.] Alright. But it has to be quick!

I understand. It is a precaution and justice must be served.

As uncomfortable as it would be... You have to admit he has a point, Anna. An injury would reveal the murderer immediately.

[ Hans doesn't love the idea but... yeah. ]