First Trial

[stagemanagers]

[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.

Comments

[bestof]

[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.]

[lifegoalsorwifegoals]

[...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...?

[bestof]

[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.]

[lifegoalsorwifegoals]

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.]

[bestof]

[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?]

[lifegoalsorwifegoals]

[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.]

[bestof]

[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.]

[lifegoalsorwifegoals]

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

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

[bestof]

[She expected that this time at least. Her hand hovers for a moment before she pulls her hand back.]

Thank you again for your help, Miss D-ne.

[lifegoalsorwifegoals]

...You are welcome.