Week 2 - Trial

[cartesio]

Week 2: Trial

The day still is April 13th. It's now the afternoon

Just like he said he would, the Sergeant went to everyone and told them to go to the courthouse. It wasn't difficult to find -- three of the tourists already knew where it was. What nobody, not even these three thought, was that the courtroom would be so much populated this time.

All of the visitors went into the only trial room in the courthouse. In the center there were several podiums, formed into a circle. Each podium had a small notepad and a pen, and a slot on the top part of its surface, presumably to insert your vote in it. Each podium has a small placard showing who it belongs to -- except for Moloch von Zinzer's podium. That one is draped with black velvet.

The tribunes at the sides of the courtroom are higher than where your podiums are. During the trial Sakura, Wayne and Millium attended those tribunes had been empty, but this time they're not. Quite a lot of the townspeople are sitting there, talking with each other and observing all of the tourists with different expressions. Confusion, disdain, shock, all kinds of emotions, all united by the feeling of morbid curiosity. What did the tourists do? What will happen? That's what they're wondering.

And above all of them, on the judge's seat...the Sergeant. None of the townspeople's paying attention to him, he's sitting on his chair and twirling the gavel in his hand. He still is very pleased a murder happened, and once it's time to start, he says:

"We have gathered today for the trial to find the culprit for the death of Moloch von Zinzer. It's your task to discuss, find the truth of this murder and bring it to light. For the sake of not letting you bunch run in circles, I have decided to lend you a hand and give you the five most likely suspects -- the culprit being one of them"

And indeed, five small photos appear on your podium.

            

"When it's time, you shall cast your vote. Write it on paper or put the photo inside the slot, I don't really care about how you do it. What matters is that you actually do it. With no further ado, I wish you good luck!"

The trial room went completely silent, all the visitors can feel the attentive stares of the townspeople gathered to watch. It's up to you now to find the culprit.

Let the trial begin.

Links

Evidence
Guestbook
Voting

[Welcome to the trial! Please remember to cash your votes here!. Your deadline is 8:00 PM EST. Good luck!]

Comments

[saladandeggs]

...if one of you would like to step forward and - perhaps confess to your actions.

[a beat.]

Well, while I don’t think any of us would find your actions any less...deplorable, I and I’m sure a few of the others would still maintain some respect for your ability to take responsibility.

[integratedsoul]

.... they'd die if they did that. I'm sure respect is enough for many people and they wouldn't need life on top of it, but... it's still a difficult choice.

[saladandeggs]

...I like to believe there is a basic good in people. That part of me would like to see whoever did this maintain some...shred of dignity.

[integratedsoul]

Well, it'd be nice.

[ A weak smile. She is so Not Convinced. ]

[tuffguy]

Yeah, has anyone ever really pleaded guilty for this sort of thing?

[saladandeggs]

If they haven’t, perhaps this could be the beginning of a new trend.

[tuffguy]

Well, I'm all for it happening.

I'm also down for there being no murders at all, but... [ chancing a small glance at the Sergeant ]

[pursuitofdeath]

[The true hero this court needs, ladies and gentlemen.]

Knowing the punishment the last culprit received thanks to Sakura-chan’s meeting, I suspect it may be a little more difficult than that.

[saladandeggs]

...even so, it’s worth appealing to their human nature.

[carbide]

No one is going to confess.

[saladandeggs]

So you’re saying that one shouldn’t attempt to appeal.

[carbide]

Yes.

[saladandeggs]

[insert laugh track]

I suppose you’d rather sit here and debate like children for eight hours.

[carbide]

No, I'd rather we compare our evidence and use it to determine the culprit.

[Cross-examine witnesses, point out contradictions, slam the podiums and shout "Objection!" a lot, that sort of thing.]

[quickpersuader]

If they did this for the motive, they'll need to get away with it, which means framing one of those others for murder instead.

[Kino's tone remains calm and level. It is what it is.]

[saladandeggs]

That...would be the case. I can see the logic behind acting on the motive, but...hm. Once again, I suppose I’m far too fond of the idea of basic decency to believe anyone would kill another captive so thoughtlessly.

[quickpersuader]

Someone did, unfortunately. Though it might not have been thoughtlessly.

[It could have been premeditated! Fushigi mystery - for now.]

[streetwolf]

[Snickers]

Yeah, like anyones gonna confess when it's a death penalty.

[saladandeggs]

I see. You’d prefer us to not attempt to appeal to their human nature.

[streetwolf]

They've already killed guy just to talk to someone. Chances are they don't care. At best they plan on contacting someone useful.

[saladandeggs]

Someone they care about. Someone that our...host implied they could harm.

I don’t agree with it - but I understand it. It’s only human.

[streetwolf]

That just sounds like you're giving them more reasons not to come forward.