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

Is anyone else going to ask what your deal is?!

[That just gets a chuckle.]

If you mean whether I did this crime or not, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. I can certainly prove it now if you'd like!

No one else is going to comment on the complete personality change? Try and prove it, but that's mad suspicious!

I agree. Astarte-san, your sudden switch casts a lot of doubt on your words.

Is that so?

[While her expression just says that she absolutely knows this and is enjoying every damn second of it.]

If you wish me to erase any doubt on me, then you all must do the same for yourselves, as well. I'll go first, though, in good faith!

Edited 2016-10-22 20:52 (UTC)

[Her eyes narrow.] You don't care at all about what's going on, do you...?

Go ahead, then.

[That very strange expression almost seems bemused and venomous at the same time.]

Of course not! Aside from this pretense of civility between you all being amusing...

[And thus, she lifts her dress up at a methodical pace. Obviously, nothing on the arms, but when it comes to the rest of her...

...

Nothing. She is 100% uninjured.]

Death is for the other to waste her tears on.

Disgusting. He shouldn't have...

[Well, she'll follow suit. ...we're all assuming the boys and girls have separated to opposite sides right?? right

D-ne removes her school uniform jacket, rolls down her tights, lifts her sweater-- basically, the only thing besides her pretty red hair ribbon that remains are her underclothes, and though she looks rather embarrassed, she lifts her chin and stares straight ahead at Astarte. You'll be able to easily see, she is uninjured.]

Will that be sufficient?

Of course. D-Ne. Its clear you're innocent.

[Clearly, whatever Astarte...Opposite Astarte? Evil Astarte?...whatever's going on, she's being a jerk and what are you going to do about it, kill her]

Let's keep going, shall we?

[whine] Fiiiiiiiine... [Hime goes next, grumbling the whole time. She's clean.]

Edited 2016-10-22 21:28 (UTC)

Strip, huh?

[She's not happy about it, but Jez does it. She's clean.]

Ugh, whatever.

[She goes next, and she's completely uninjured.]

[Anna fidgets around as she goes next, but she's clean.]

[Eliza is cautious as anything because modesty is kind of a Thing for her but she reluctantly lifts up her skirt to show her unwounded bare legs. She then works as quick as she can to unlace her bodice, slip it off and step out of her petticoat. She's left standing in her thin white chemise, which would most definitely be stained red by now if she had a fresh would.

So she's clean but might need some help getting redressed.]

[...Well her clothes are back on and it's clear Eliza's uncomfortable (how does she not have a hangover) so sigh, someone better help.]

Ah, do you need...assistance, miss...?

[She got an additional nap via dead faint when she saw the body.]

Thank you, Miss D-ne, that would be nice. [This isn't even half the layers she usually wears, otherwise they'd be here all night.]

We can't have you standing around like this, we'll...never get to reconvene with the men, after all.

[how does a bodice work

well she helps as best she can, with a little nod, pausing just every so often to rub at her left eye.]

[All the ribbon is still threaded through so it mostly just requires tugging and tying. She does pick up on the eye rubbing though.]

Are the lights bothering you? [They so seem needlessly bright. Why would they need this much of it if they're all cramped together in the pit?]

[D-ne tries to smile.]

Ah, y-yes, I... Finding Valjean-san, it was very hard on me.

[Her face is red with tear-streaks.]

[Oh, D-ne, you poor thing. She knows how that feels.]

We'll find who did this. We have to.

[She's just going to tug her hand into her sleeve and reach out to her to wipe her face with it.]

[She takes a little step back, away from Eliza's hand.]

I-it's fine. You don't have to.

(no subject)

bestof - 2016-10-23 01:01 (UTC) - Expand

lifegoalsorwifegoals - 2016-10-23 01:02 (UTC) - Expand

[Darla is used to undressing with others around so its no big deal for her to pull her nightgown off and do a little turn. She's clean.

She makes a muffled comment as she puts it back on.]

I don't even think there's that much blood in me.

A man died, and you're acting like this?!

A man died over a foolish hope fostered by his killer. Its the fate of humans to others and themselves, and it is a monotonous and unending thing. It happens all the time. In any case, he was not close to me.

Edited 2016-10-22 21:07 (UTC)

You're awful. See if I offer to help you again. [She huffs- but she has to clear her own name first, so she does her part, tugging her dress over her head. She is also uninjured.]