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

i tried so hard and got so far.....

[clearities]

[ While she knows that it's meant to be comforting, it just seems to proverbially stab her in the chest even more. Tears are already running down the sides of her cheeks, but: ] I can't just look away! I—— [...] Even though he said that he wasn't, Nine-san was really nice to me! And he really cared about his friends- his family- a lot, right?! I can't vote for someone like that... I can't send someone to death like that... It's not fair if I'm the only one who isn't looking!

[relieable]

[he's still here, too. he gently takes her by her shoulders and turns her around to face him]

Maybe he was nice, and cared about his friends. But Moloch had a family, too, Sakura-chan. How do you think his brothers are gonna feel when they find out what happened to him? What if Nine killed your brother?

[clearities]

[ For a moment, she looks... troubled. Her tears stop as she wipes her eyes, still a little puffy. ] I wouldn't like it... I still-- [...] I don't think it's right that anyone died, but I can't... I can't send someone to death because of it.

[relieable]

[poor Sakura. she doesn't need to see this. but they all have to vote, right? what if they don't? would the Sergeant hurt them? he's so worried about that!]

You shouldn't have to. But I don't want anything to happen to you because you didn't vote.

[clearities]

... I- [...] I know. But it'll be my fault if someone dies because I voted for them.

[relieable]

[mmmm this is difficult]

...Someone is probably gonna get punished either way, you know. Nine did something selfish, an' he hurt a lot of people here, not just Moloch.

[carbide]

Nobody will die just because you voted for them. Everyone here is going to vote.

[She told you caring about everyone would get in your way...]

[clearities]

But that still means...

[carbide]

You can't save him. Not every problem has an ideal solution.

[odasaku]

I think...it would hurt him more if you didn't vote and got punished because of it.

[ because, from the looks of it, not many people are thinking the same way as sakura. ]

[clearities]

Do you really think so? Is it really okay to send him back to his death with my own two hands...? [ She can practically feel her fingers trembling when she says those words. Honestly, Sakura isn't sure if she can do it. She couldn't, last time. ]

[odasaku]

It's...not easy. And it might not be okay. But here... you have to take care of yourself, too.

[ a pause ]

Although I guess we can always try to ask the Sergeant if anything would happen.

[clearities]

You're... probably right, Oda-san.

[linearcrash]

Hey... I did it. It'll be on me, not on you.

[clearities]

... [ She's quiet, just for a moment before speaking up. ] Are you sure? [ And she hesitates again, before asking another question, one that she isn't sure that she should ask but decides on anyway. ] Then... can I ask for one last favor?

[linearcrash]

[ He gives a nod. ]

Yeah, I'm sure. I can help you put it in, too.

[ He will do that... if she's still struggling. ]

Huh? Yeah, sure. What's up?

[clearities]

I was right about the kind of person you are. Thank you. [ While she's wiped the tears from her eyes, she tries to smile, struggling a little bit. But it's there. Nevertheless, she does take this chance to push herself away from the podium just for a moment. It's a little selfish of her, she's sure, and she knows what's coming up next, that he's probably going to die, and she's going to hate the execution, but-- She'll go up to where Nine is. And she's giving him a hug. Even if he might not feel like he deserves one right now. ]

[linearcrash]

[ Aww. Sakura...

He hesitates for a moment, before wrapping his arms to give her a squeeze. ]

Hey... you should save it for everyone who needs it.

[ He can't hide the waver in his voice or how he really just wants to cry. He knows he's weak. ]

Remember what we talked about. Follow the path you feel is right, alright?

[clearities]

You need it too, Nine-san. [ Don't tell her otherwise, because she can tell. It's one of the few things that she's been good at, after all, even as she wears such a painful smile that's trying so hard in spite of her crying earlier. ] And I will, I promise. Just... [...] The place you go to, after... [ She can't say the words aloud, but the implications of what she's trying to say are there. After you die. ] Please take care of yourself there.