First Investigation

[airlockedmods]

[On Friday, C.E.C.E.'s morning announcement goes out as usual. But people coming out of their rooms to begin their day may notice a faint thumping sound coming from down the hall.

Investigate?]

Comments

[airlockedmods]

[What's happened in the art room could initially be mistaken for some kind of Jackson Pollock experiment, for those who aren't well-versed in the signs of a bloody death. But you know blood when you see it, don't you, Manaka?

There is a body lying in the middle of the blood smeared on the floor.]

[immaculacies]

—Ah.

[Carefully, she picks her way through any blood and debris on the ground. She doesn't want to disturb it. The body is...?]

[airlockedmods]

[The body is lying on its back in what looks like peaceful repose: arms at her sides, legs straight, eyes closed. If it weren't for the blood liberally soaking her shirt, you might be able to believe that she was asleep.

Chitose Karasuma is dead.]

[immaculacies]

[...One of the people she hadn't spoken to. Well, either way, that's fine. Manaka stands from Chitose's side and pads back to the door of the art room.

Then, she shouts out into the hallway:]

There's been a murder—

[titularly]

[So.. there are a lot of people out and about this morning. Osomatsu doesn't particularly want to follow the others down to the library, so he decides to go exploring himself until he winds up at the Art Room. He sees the blood as soon as he peers in past Manaka, and sees a body... a body who happens to have pink hair and an adorable sweater, and an ice cold feeling just. Hits him right in the gut.]

Ch-Chitose-chan..?!

[He's frozen in the doorway, unable to actually stomach going inside but he's still there in spirit.]

[karappo]

[Don't think Osomatsu escaped the room without Karamatsu rushing after him, but he doesn't...

He wishes he didn't have to see what he ends up seeing when he catches up to him.]

...no. No, this-!

What coward is responsible for this!?

[titularly]

S-she was.....

[Osomatsu looks behind him at his brother, his face pale and eyes wide.]

She was so cute...

[why must the good people die first]

[immaculacies]

[Manaka glances toward the two of them.]

If you're too squeamish to deal with this, you can go somewhere else.

[HELPFUL]

[titularly]

I-I'm not squeamish!

[That said he still can't. Set a foot in there.]

B-but.. but I'll go check somewhere else out I guess.. oh! Do you have the key to Chitose-chan's room? Maybe there might be.. like.. a note or something? Th-that kind of thing happens on true crime shows, right..

[immaculacies]

[She shakes her head.]

You can go check if it's open. I'm sure we have to be allowed inside, if we're supposed to investigate.

[titularly]

You've got a point there I guess.

[Osomatsu looks from Manaka to his brother, then gives a small shrug before he heads off to check out a cute girl's room for clues.]

[playthedamncard]

[hey listen seems like there's enough people following roomba-san around, let's just BOOK IT TO THE ART ROOM]

A murder? Did someone actually-- [Oh. Hm. That girl. He looks from Chitose to Manaka.] Did you find her like this?

[immaculacies]

[She nods.]

I was careful not to disturb anything.

[playthedamncard]

...It looks like someone's posed her. That's hardly a natural position, especially given the violence.

[immaculacies]

Mm. I wonder why. [Manaka glances back over her shoulder at Chitose's body.] It isn't as though it matters, when you've already done this much to her.

[unhappylittletrees]

What's happeni-

[Of course the art room would be the first place Jamie went to investigate. Of course.

He makes it all the way to the art room door and peers over Manaka's head before he goes deathly still. That...is a whole lot of blood.]

Wh-what the fuck?

[theundertaken]

Guys, what’s...

[Max is taller, he can see just fine.]

........oh.

[immaculacies]

There's a body.

[Weren't you people listening?? Someone's been murdered. Jeez.]

[theundertaken]

.....shit. Fuck, uh...Manaka, c'mon, you don't need to deal with that.

[immaculacies]

[She just shakes her head.]

Corpses don't bother me.

[Isn't that reassuring, Max???]

[theundertaken]

...........ooooookay?????

[They sure seem to bother him!]

[immaculacies]

I'll investigate it, so anyone who's upset can leave.

[SHE'S

HELPING]

[theundertaken]

[...he feels like leaving her to deal with this is a Bad Thing To Do

But, uh. He's not gonna handle this. And Jamie already bolted, so...]