third 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. Some of you have a detour to make beforehand- Hester lets you in to her office to drop off the precious cargo without incident. She then slips off to in the direction of the scene shop.

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. The SQUIP, the Balladeer and Rina now have 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. Either she was magicked up there or the catwalk repair had a very impressive turnaround time. The Dad Squad and Peregrine have already seen this week's look but those who haven't might notice the braid bun her hair is in has half-fallen out and her little white heels are covered in dirt.

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

Comments

[whatyouwant]

[Elle seems much more composed this week than the past two trial. Her hands are barely shaking and there's only a little crack in her voice!]

I found this stuff in the dance studio.

[She holds up the CD]

And someone was listening to this last night. It was in the CD player when I went to do yoga this morning.

[mcfife]

The killer, possibly? But that is no where near the corn field.

[whatyouwant]

Or Rina. I think this stuff might be hers. Maybe she took it in there to practice?

[alchemistake]

Elle, did you see a case for the CD? I know they're supposed to be kept in those, like how they are in the library.

[whatyouwant]

[Small retcon, Elle would have had it in the case. The player was previously unaware of the case so didn't think to mention it, sorry!

Elle will pass the CD and case over to Varian.]

MODS again

[alchemistake]

[WELL since Varian didn't do any investigating because he was, uh, on another planet-

What does this CD case look like?]

[stagemanagers]

[It is extremely cute.]

[alchemistake]

[OH...

Well.

Varian's hands are shaking, now. He has to put the CD down on the podium, but it's face-up so others can see.]

I-it's...it's her idol group. Rina's...

[...]

This is...their music.

[comeandfindme]

...The bracelets. [ Peregrine raises her arm, where two bracelets sit. One is the white and blue friendship bracelet Connor gave her. The other is made of black thread, with a white-beaded star in the center. That's the one Peregrine gestures to. ]

She was making these. Wish bracelets, it— ...When they fall apart, if they're well taken care of, the owner...gets a wish. They were... They were gonna be a surprise. [ She's staring at the one with the kitty head, her voice breaking as she adds: ] That one was hers. I...helped her finish it.

[whatyouwant]

Did she have one?

[comeandfindme]

I didn't... [ Peregrine shakes her head. ] That was the only one I knew about. If it was in the dance studio... I don't think she would've left it there on purpose. Or any of the other ones.

[whatyouwant]

So whoever did this may have already had one. The Princess found some beads in the cornfield. Maybe it was broken then?

[comeandfindme]

Hey... Hey, that's a good idea! Whoever's got a bracelet from Rina, we can clear!

[whatyouwant]

Is that why she was asking for favorite colors? If so we should go grab that list she had up to compare too.

[comeandfindme]

Does- is it here? Are we allowed to go and get it if it's not?

Hey Mods!

[whatyouwant]

[Elle looks up at Hester, not the Wizard.]

Can one of us go see if the list is still there?

[stagemanagers]

[But the Wizard is the one who nods.]

Go ahead.

[The list.....sort of doesn't exist OOCly though, so. Maybe it just isn't still there.]

[mcfife]

What color are we looking for? [Finally, a lead?]

[whatyouwant]

The beads they found were blue and black.

[mcfife]

Alright. Someone who would request those colors.

[His shoulders relax.]

[themuseabandonsyou]

Is that why she was asking everyone's favorite colors?

[ orpheus is that relevant right now ]

I didn't get one from her. It's possible she only finished and handed out a couple of them.

[comeandfindme]

I got mine on Wednesday. She wouldn't've had a lot of time, before...

[ hhhhhhh! ]

[violentenvies]

I did as well. She was working on a project in the library and wouldn't let me see it.

[brokeforgood]

[Farrah wordlessly raises hers to show off—- just like Per, she has two bracelets.]

[mcfife]

I never received one from her. I'm sorry.