first trial

[airlockedmods]

[With the announcement, the Champions are free to decide amongst themselves what order the groups leave in. Once that's done the process of teleporting is automatic and happens in the blink of an eye. Once second they're in the center of the cafeteria before a soft blue light surrounds them and then they're standing in the middle of a circle of podiums.

The room itself it the same shiny, chrome-covered atrocity as most of the rest of the ship save for the sections of floor that aren't the teleporter: those are thick clear glass that show nothing but empty space and stars beneath the Champions' feet. As for the podiums they're the same sort of garish chrome with a digital screen facing toward the center of the circle. The screens each have a name and title associated with a Champion written in green block letters, all save for Chloe Price, the Champion of Max Caulfield, Miki Naoki, the Champion Support and Chitose Karasuma, the Champion of Mediocrity. Theirs are a striking red and, floating above their podiums, are greyscale portraits framed in some kind of bold, mechanical-looking frame.

The Overseers are waiting when they all arrive, standing on a floating platform just high enough to be out of reach and back far enough toward a far wall to have a full view of the courtroom. Both are dressed well, Rox in a pressed grey dress jacket and skirt and Blaze in a black suit with the sleeves rolled up to expose his numerous tattoos.Rox is again the one who speaks up.]

Welcome, Champions, to the courtroom! Twenty of you have entered, but - in the best case scenario - only nineteen of you will leave. The goal here is to compile the evidence that you've gathered and figure out who the killer is. Once you think you have an answer, we'll call a vote where you'll use the podium in front of you to vote on the title of the Champion who you all agree has broken the peace. If you're correct, the culprit will be executed and the rest of you will be allowed to go back upstairs. If you're wrong, however, the killer goes free and the rest of you take the punishment in their place.

There's no time limit, but we reserve the right to call for a vote if things drag on too long. Now let the first trial begin!

Comments

[quadjumps]

[ yuri is here. reluctantly, and he feels his stomach sink. but they've got to get through this.

(also, he has a vuvuzela with him.) ]

The door was scraped and dented on the outside at the library. One of the tables was also moved to block the door for whatever reason.

[ and the worst part: ]

The wall behind Miki was scraped up like the door was and covered in blood.

[playthedamncard]

...Someone flinging the shovel around, scratching the floor, stabbing through people, and denting a door would have to be incredibly strong. That's not a very long list of people.

[quadjumps]

So? Who's on that list?

[playthedamncard]

It's hard to get a gauge of who would be able to do what just from looks and statistics alone. I would not have pegged Lucina, for instance, but she knows how to fight, her way around swords. Kirisame might not be able to do much damage physically, but she does have access to magic, however slight. Kamishiro at least has strength to wield a suit of frankly ridiculous-sounding armor. Polendina has some strength and quick reaction time, though it's her weight class that stands out to me.

Is there anyone else who seems like they might be able to dent metal doors?

[in4apounding]

Um- I probably could have. But I didn't hurt Miki! And taking down that door barehanded probably would've resulted in some damage.

[Ha ha what's wrong with her weight.]

[challengesfate]

You are...very heavy for your size, Penny, but I don't believe you could have hurt Miki - and you would have definitely been hurt trying to break down a door.

[Clearly she's just a solid package of muscle right Penny's a normal meat person just like the rest of us]

[discalibur]

It's not ridiculous...

[Kaiba don't be rude, god.]

...Though I'll admit it is rather heavy.

[playthedamncard]

[hey while we've got tsurugi on the line, does he still have his scorpion with him? JUST CURIOUS]

[discalibur]

[It is chilling on his podium!]

[photoshooter]

I-it's rude to talk about a girl's weight!

[playthedamncard]

[Just. just have the usual kaiba stare okay hon...]

[photoshooter]

[FITE HIM]

[challengesfate]

I didn't mean it as an insult...!

[PENNY BY HERSELF = A TEEN GIRL IN FULL GENERAL ARMOR OKAY]

[photoshooter]

She's training to be a fighter! It's probably all muscle. Right, Penny?

[Frecklebro got your back, girl. Ain't no one calling anyone 'heavy' while Prompto Argentum's on the job!]

[theworldsliveliestcorpse]

In the interest of honesty, I'll admit that'd probably be possible for me ta do that. I ain't got no reason ta do so though. It'd be more trouble than it'd be worth. I'm more of an long range fighter than a melee fighter.

[Zombina shrugs.]

I think there are a few people we can cross out though. Like, I doubt Yuri-kun, Kara-kun, and Osomatsu-kun would be able ta do it.

[le_mat]

...maybe someone chased her in there then? If she tried to blockade herself in and the door was beat up...

Fuck, that could explain why they died so long apart if they had to fight to get at her.

[quadjumps]

Like I said earlier, there's also the possibility that there was more than one culprit involved.

[le_mat]

[he hadn't wanted to think that...

Mostly because the rage expressed in Miki's death didn't match the remorse shown for Chitose.

And what better reason to lose it then seeing someone over a dead body? He didn't want to doubt Miki, but he can't stop the idea from forming. But he can keep it to himself... And the pain shows on his face whence doesn't even answer Yuri at all]

[newcycle]

Those two know. [a head nod to Rox and Blaze.]

We should ask.

[theworldsliveliestcorpse]

I mean, it's worth a shot, but do ya really think those two would give a straight answer or be like-

[Zombina raises her voice into a shitty imitation of Rox's.]

"tee, hee, who knows! I'm Shark-chan and I'm a huuuuuuge bitch."

[newcycle]

Miki's door was also dented-- and something scraped the metal.

[honestly, this feels. Fucking gross.]

[photoshooter]

...Someone tried to get into her room?

[newcycle]

Or she tried to get in, and got caught.

It looks like the door held, so if she was already inside...

[photoshooter]

...Oh. It... wouldn't make sense for her to come out if she was.

[newcycle]

Right.

I never thought someone would actually follow through... [she's regretting not doing a patrol.]