WEEK 3 - TRIAL

[productions]

week three trial



[At 9 AM precisely, the old grandfather clock chimes once again, and the doors to the drawing room are opened. They will remain open until everyone has come inside, after which they will shut behind them. It is not possible to leave on your own, although perhaps if you have a specific purpose the hostess will allow you to go, as long as you are accompanied by a partner.

The room is set up comfortably, with several tables by the fireplace set out to assist with the trial. The Hostess will also remain in a seat near the fireplace, next to the scales on the mantle. At lunch, the doors will open to bring in a large meal on an automatically rolling buffet, and at 3 PM, tea and finger sandwiches will be served. You'll be able to enjoy the trial in comfort, of course, but the information cards set out on tables will not allow you to forget your true purpose here.

At 7 PM, the trial will adjourn for the day. Players will be escorted by the Hostess to the ballroom, where dinner and wine will be served until 10 PM, at which point players will be required to return to their wings in groups with their wingmates and will be locked in their bedrooms until 8:30 AM the following morning.]

victim



suspects



Character Statuses
Setting
Manor Rules
Cheat Sheet
Voting

Comments

[pandacea]

You mean someone planted it on him? But why would they do that?

[pasodoble]

What if someone wanted to make it look like Dave was trying to kill someone?

( Is he on to something here? Give him a minute to get his thoughts together. )

They chose a weapon Dave would have been familiar with and then left the key on him. Just because someone asked for an item, does it mean they really used it? ( . . . ) Well, they obviously used it if he was stabbed but if there was really a fight...

Miss Kaoru! You're familiar with the type of sword, right?

[souredsweet]

[glancing over! and then moving closer once realizing that was a direct address rather than just a name said in passing.]

The sword found in the elevator shaft? That is correct. [a nod]

[pasodoble]

So you know a thing or two about how to use them? The report said there were multiple stab wounds.

In my style, if you use a rapier, you can pierce and thrust like this to create stab wounds. ( With one hand to his back and another in front of him as if he were holding a phantom rapier, Spain tries to show, ) But most of the attacks would still involve a lot of slashing. ( And he raises the "sword hand" in the air as if to slash diagonally across something before bringing it down to his side. ) Is it the same or different with a katana?

[souredsweet]

[while Kaoru isn't familiar with rapiers, the display is enough to earn Spain a nod.]

That is largely the case for katanas, but there are also a few slight differences. The katana is not intended for piercing or stabbing due to its shape. It is possible, but the blade itself is one-sided and designed for cutting. [a frown.] If Mr. Strider happened to be familiar with katanas, he would be aware of this. His attacker, on the other hand...

[pasodoble]

I thought so. ( He'll give Kaoru a smile, ) Thank you.

( And he'll continue explaining to May. )

[souredsweet]

You are welcome. [a slight bow.]

If there is anything else that you might need confirmed, please do not hesitate to ask me. I have examined the body already, but I am not certain that anything I have found would be worthy of noting...

[pandacea]

I see! That does make sense, although I am still not sure what their purpose would be to make us think he had been trying--

[...]

--eh? You don't think Miss Kaoru did it, do you? How dare you! She is not even a suspect this week!

[pasodoble]

( Following Kaoru's explanation, Spain will try to explain. )

Let's say Dave did try to attack someone and requested the sword. He would still be armed and it would have been difficult to overpower him if he was even a little skilled. He would have had to run into someone with considerable skill or power. ( Is he getting at this right. ) If they had enough to take his weapon away from him, why not not take it and run for help? But instead, they chose to take his weapon and fight even after they probably had an upper hand.

Unless Dave was cornered or just unable to move, there was enough time to deliberately stab him several times. It would make sense, maybe, for once or twice in self-defense depending on how the fight went.

Then there's the issue with being in the elevator and the bruises and broken bones too... I'm not sure what happened but he can't get those and be stabbed at the same time.

Self-defense means you're trying to stay alive, right? So why keep attacking even after you've disarmed and considerably injured your attacker? Why kill your attacker if, in this game, even self-defense is worthy of a death sentence?

I think Dave was probably the intended victim. The sword was chosen and the key planted on him to make it look otherwise. Maybe to make us feel bad for the attacker so we wouldn't vote for them...?

( This is entirely too much thinking. Spain is tired. )

[pandacea]

Could he not have been initially pushed down the elevator shaft out of self-defense and then stabbed when the killer had realized what they'd done and tried to cover it up? Though I suppose there is then the question as to how he was stabbed in the front when he was found lying face-down.

No...what you say makes more sense. [She sighs.] I am relieved that it doesn't seem like we will have to vote for someone who was only trying to protect themselves, but it seems like I haven't contributed anything useful to this trial yet either....

[pasodoble]

It's possible but once Dave was removed from the situation, it isn't really self-defense if the intended victim ran down the hall and the stairs to the basement to finish him. They would have passed or been near quite a few people who could help.

Ah... ( Just going to give her a reassuring smile and give her a pat on the shoulder, ) We still don't know who we're looking for so I wouldn't count you out yet.

I need you to keep doing your best, okay?

[pandacea]

[She smiles up at him.] Yes, I will not give up yet! I may have been wrong about, but perhaps I will be right the next time!

And you too, Mr. Spain! You are much smarter than I thought you were! [IS THAT...A COMPLIMENT....]

[pasodoble]

Next time, I'm sure you'll solve the entire mystery.

Thank you--( wait a second. )

[mostlymarried]

Dy, agreed. It's too clean; prepared. If it was a failed attack, there would be mess.

Last time proved it; you have frame someone else in the trial. They made it look like a Deadweight killing another Deadweight, yes?

[pasodoble]

So they tried to frame a Dave for attempted murder while also trying to frame a deadweight? ( Frameception. ) But then that would--could mean...

( If it wasn't any of the Deadweight turning on each other then... )

[mostlymarried]

...Only leaves Beat, doesn't it.

[SOMEHOW THAT DOESN'T FIT EITHER... obviously it is never nations]

[pasodoble]

Belarus.

( Belarus. )

[mostlymarried]

...Dy?

[pasodoble]

( . . . )

I think you should try smiling more.

( He's trying to help you out here because oh my god Belarus what are we going to do with you. )

[mostlymarried]

...I don't understand you.

[pasodoble]

I think it would be a good idea.

[mostlymarried]

Ispanija, [FLATLY] we are suspected of murder. Is now the time for smiling?

[pasodoble]

I think now is the time to give everyone a chance. ( Though cheerful and casual enough, there is a bit of an undertone there. Is it a warning? ) Our best defense is our innocence and the investigators so let's not make things harder for them.

Okay?

( insert pa spain emote here )

[mostlymarried]

...I am not trying to do; I did everything that was asked.

[Spain what are you trying to say you're confusing her here]

[souredsweet]

[May continues to be a favored person... it is a really endearing reaction though okay!!]

Do not worry, Miss May. He was only seeking consult.