[ WEEK THREE – TRIAL ]

[sheriffexe]

TRIAL

In the morning, the town comes back to life. Birds crow overhead, a snake nearby hisses, a lingering coyote dips behind a shop before disappearing into the wild. It's a frightening contrast to the stillness of yesterday but it doesn't mean it's over yet. After all, today is the trial. The Sheriff stands on the porch of the Town Hall and brings his hand up to his mouth to let out a whistle. He'll thumb back to the Hall behind him and very clearly state -- "Trial time, folks. Get in here and figure out who did it." And then he'll turn to leave before pausing and adding on, "Bring a snack or somethin' too. The Town Hall is set up more like a court house, a Judge's bench at the front but instead of at center, it's off to the side as if more for observation than participation. There's a table at the front of the room already holding a small box and a pad of papers and pen, for voting apparently. A side room containing only a metal gurney is next and today it's obvious why there's a gurney there at all with the corpse, resting right on top of it. Aside from that, there are rows for everyone to take a seat and it's only after everyone is inside and settled, that the doors close and the Sheriff speaks. "Well, have at it. You've got till nine." And then, he points to a clock on the wall that reads 12:00. Good luck. Welcome to the trial post! Characters are free to discuss everything related to the trial here. They won't be let out of the room until 9PM when voting ends. Every character must vote and the voting post can be found here. If there are any questions, please shoot a message to this journal or to robowest.

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Comments

[thatsthespirit]

[grrr. her forehead creases with slight annoyance]

I know. Her intentions were good, and I hold no ill will towards her for them, but still. . .

[she wanted to look for you guys okay!!]

I want to ask you about what you found after this trial is over, if that's all right.

[feminitis]

[She knew Ezio was a good guy!!]

That's so kind of him...

[Also it makes the whole cuddling thing a little easier to swallow - no witnesses... whew. She'd been a little concerned they were getting all soulmatey in front of an audience.

...which they're kind of doing now whoops]

[feminitis]

...I'm glad you are, too, Miss Goodman.

[It would have seriously sucked if she'd died. :( ]

[ceded]

... gassed?

[ Her expression flares into life all at once, indignation and anger and shock. ]

I didn't know ... so -- someone made us fall asleep? ... that has to be it! [ Even more animated, now. ] I knew there was no way we would have just fallen asleep by accident! And that would explain why my head felt all weird in the morning when we woke up.

[ she seethes quietly for a moment before trying to dial it back at least a little ]

Still... you're right. I'm not sure how they did it. It's not like I smelled anything funny.

[robitussin]

Doing peachy. Everything's great, let's catch a murderer.

[stop]

[sating]

[ The touch is a bit surprising, considering the embarrassing conversation they'd both gotten dragged into, but. Hannibal stays there and closes his eyes as well. He centers himself, bringing more calm for Will to pick up on, since he knows the chaos of the trials don't do well for Will's disorder.

It also helps him, though it's not quite what he's concerned with. When Will pulls back, Hannibal does too, and he sighs out a small laugh. He's feeling a bit less flustered, at least. ]

As do I. If only we could return to the simplicity of when Miss Freddie Lounds was the only one with such interest.

[thatsthespirit]

[AH. . . YEAH. . .]

Ocelot was found dead in the mines on Tuesday by myself, Chane, Seizaburo and Natalie. Undertaker's corpse was also there.

I don't know why Ocelot was killed, but the Sheriff said he had to kill Undertaker because he "wasn't doing enough for the game."

[she wonders if Ocelot was killed for a similar reason]

[court_chesster]

Yes. I'm kind of an insomniac, so I'd notice if he wasn't.

[feminitis]

[That's fine. Sei gets it.

She won't try and do anything more - Xion's obviously pretty close to her limit - but she'll stay there for as long as her friend seems to want her to.]

[thatsthespirit]

[DON'T MAKE HER SUSPECT YOU AND CHANE DARN IT?? SHE LIKES YOU BOTH???]

I do.

And Chane has confirmed that no one else was in the lounge with her, so ultimately, neither of you have someone who can confirm your stories.

[ugh saying that is kind of painful]

[sating]

[ It takes him another moment to recompose himself, but he at least. Explains quite calmly. He can't help himself but to want to help people understand themselves, and apparently this counts closely enough. ]

Because the bluntness is not always acceptable in polite company, in short.

[feminitis]

My strength will come back if we catch the person - or people - who did this.

[that's not how this works but okay]

...I-I can't just stay out of this. I want to see it through. I want us to get it right this time, Mister Barnham...

[ceded]

[ A very shallow head tilt. ]

... no, I don't. I trust Tarvek. But ... I can't prove it either way. I don't remember falling asleep. You can ask him and try to confirm.

[thatsthespirit]

[nooooooooo whyyyyyyyy SHE LOOKS MOMENTARILY UNCOMFORTABLE, before she just. nods]

. . . thank you for answering my questions.

[moraled]

... I see. Admittedly, with Miss Maxwell by your side, I am less concerned.

[A nod.

BE SAFE, YUNA...]

[thatsthespirit]

I'm going to ask about people's whereabouts on midnight the night of the killings, first. It isn't a perfect solution, but it should help with narrowing things down.

[feminitis]

[She nods slowly.]

...that's okay. I'm not sure it's anything useful, but... we can talk about it.

[moraled]

... I see.

I shall leave the protection of Miss Yuna and others to you then, Miss Maxwell.

[Milla's got this, right?]

[hydrokinetics]

[A slow nod.]

Let me know how I can help. [And then, almost a little desperately:] Please.

[sating]

[ look leave them alone hannibal has to comfort his stupid bf before he pukes on everyone ]

[guiltlevel]

That... Might be it, I suppose.

[ So, that's why the room has been emptier than usual as of late. ]

Thanks for telling me...

[cherrypuncher]

She's really great, isn't she? [SPARKLE SPARKLE yuna has the best roommate ever] So I know we'll be okay!

[moraled]

[... that's not how that works, Sei.]

You must be aware now that you shall be even more of a target like this.

[It's unfair, but it's also the way of murderers.]

Your contributions are, naturally, of use. I am simply stating that you must tend to your health first.

[impulsiveness]

I know.

[He understands, Milla. It's okay.]

We still have a good couple of hours left. Let's see where this trial takes us.

[thatsthespirit]

[NATALIE. . .]

That's. . . uncharacteristically chipper of you.