itscurtains | third trial

[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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

He’s fine. [Sorry dad, even you’re getting a prickly reply—- Farrah’s arm still protectively wound around Varian.]

[Salieri blinks at that response--but well, he's not going to take it personally]

I didn't say he wasn't, Farrah. I was just concerned, that's all. [gently]

It's okay, Farrah.

[He says that softly.]

We understand that you are upset, and you have every right to be, Farrah-san. But we will not get anywhere with you barking at us every time we have a question for the two of you.

You don’t get to tell me what to do! Ask me whatever the fuck you want, but don’t tell me what you think I’m allowed to say or not say.

Say whatever you wish. But do not prevent us from investigating fully, Farrah. The last thing you need is undue suspicion on your shoulders.

Oh, fuck off! There’s no undue suspicion on my shoulders—- or his! What’s with you?

The more you fight against any line of questioning, the more it makes it seem like you are trying to hide something. I don't want to believe that is true for one moment, but it does worry me.