[ 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

[uraniumnumnum]

I'm not used to this robotic frame. Not that we're in need of evidence that it wasn't me.

[sheriffexe]

Bandits ain't got a leader.

[alcobrawlic]

[ And apparently someone's called her over-- ]

What's up?

[sheriffexe]

A bit but you ain't caught one yet so I can't tell ya.

[a_sin_for_him]

I've never shot a gun in my life.

[Stabbing is much easier, when your stabbing implements are a part of your body.]

[expelliarmed]

[ you know what whole ass needs? actual dinos. put it in the suggestion box. ]

Are you the one who assigns out the bandit roles, or does the bandit leader pick them each week?

[ceded]

[ Looks taken aback. ]

I thought there was someone leading them. Someone who ... will kill them if they don't do their job.

[sheriffexe]

[ Now, he looks mildly frustrated. ]

Bandits ain't got a leader. I pick 'em myself.

[leadastray]

That's not out of the question. You're suggesting this could be a framing attempt?

[insincerely]

[... Ha.

Dealing with Xion after all that might be a bit more difficult than he thought.]

[hydrokinetics]

Can I ask you about Higekiri's sword? Where is it now?

[expelliarmed]

Why shoot her in the head if she was already dead?

[sheriffexe]

Someone will kill them if they don't do their job, yeah.

But your friend was a moron and got his information wrong. Don't know what the hell you're talking about, honestly. It's not anything I told anyone about anything.

[uraniumnumnum]

I find him suspicious. Is that not "sorting it out?"

[ not when you're being an asshole about it ash. ashhole. After a pause, he continues. ]

When will you stop trying to interfere with me? I don't need your protection or your pity.

[impulsiveness]

Seconding this. Considering the way her body was disposed of, it's possible the fatal blow was something else entirely and what we're looking at is a red herring. Riku's body being gone is weird, too.

[a_sin_for_him]

All evidence pointed to the gunshot being from a distance, still not an easy shot to make.

[insincerely]

What would you do if you were bad with a gun but wanted to throw people off your scent?

[insincerely]

Something like that. Someone who actually sucks at using a gun might be trying to mislead us on the cause of death.

Of course, this is just conjecture, so take it with a grain of salt. To answer the original question, long-range weapons aren't what I usually use so I don't know how good I'd be with a moving target.

[expelliarmed]

[ WELL THAT'S...somewhat relieving??? ]

But you're not the one who kills if the bandits don't do their job. [ Just. Confirming this. ]

[ceded]

[ ... wow, rude.

Shock wipes out her expression, and it stays blank after that. ]

So ... the person who will kill them, that's not a role? Or ... if it is, it just doesn't function like a leader?

[hydrokinetics]

[It's so much harder to believe that now with his hope shattered. He knows better than to say anything remotely negative though so instead he just lets go of her hand and uses his free one to ruffle her hair. Yeah. He knows. Keep fighting the good fight, small one. ...thanks, Papika,]

[insincerely]

Yeah... one of the main dangers we face during trials is our time limit. Get too caught up on a trail that doesn't lead anywhere and we're screwed.

[impulsiveness]

... Good to know.

[y i k e s.]

Sorry for your cat, by the way. That's messed up.

[uraniumnumnum]

To throw us off the trail.

[ he's actually interested in her death. ]

But seeing as we have no evidence one way or another, I suggest we assume the simplest answer is the correct one. She was most likely shot to death with that rifle while she was near the restaurant. That would explain the blood. If her clothes were burnt, she was either leaving the burning stocks or got too close to the bonfire - but knowing her, the latter isn't likely.

[alcobrawlic]

I already have a sword of my own... so I gave it to Milla.