FIFTH TRIAL

[bathymetric]

[ It's not terribly long, once everything has been found, before Davy Jones heads out to round you all up once more and take you into the theatre. At least plenty of you are around the same area, so it probably doesn't take terribly long.

The ride down to the trial room is the same as ever - a blast of the organ, a slow descent. It's really starting to become clear, though, just how your numbers are decreasing. You're already down three, counting the absence of Chloe, potentially more when you come back up.

The crew of the Dutchman is singing as Jones lets you out into the trial room. ]

To business, passengers. I am about if you need guidance.

[ The circle of podiums is less populated than ever. So many of you are islands now, so to speak.

The song dies down, the waters quiet.

Welcome to your fifth trial.. ]

Comments

[scouserer]

And then the fight ensued, if we're following that logic.

[He pauses.]

But then, there's also the fact that Plumeria also displayed severe signs of poisoning--moreso than Decus. It could be that Plumeria also consumed some of the essential oil, 'cept I believe we established earlier she hadn't eaten it.

[None of this makes sense. None of this lines up.]

[jibunwo]

...If we have a missing poison or empty container, is it possible one of us is concealing it?

[scouserer]

I'd figure they might've tossed it over the ship to get rid of the evidence, but it's worth checking, just in case. Unless the poison was placed in the essential oil bottle.

[jibunwo]

Depends on what does or doesn't get thrown back, at this point.

[ahelpingpaw]

...it's not impossible. Uh, just in case, it wasn't inside that big thing Yeager brought, right? The one Decus carried around.

[Because really, that's one place to hide stuff in if you close it]

[jibunwo]

I checked the iron maiden myself; there was nothing strange in it.

[Beat.]

...Nothing strange for Decus, I mean.

[silentscout]

You don't think someone would keep it in their pockets and bring it here, right?

[jibunwo]

I think they would be stupid to try, but I also think it's worth considering.

[dokkalfheimr]

It would be a little strange to bring something like that here, wouldn't it?

[jibunwo]

It would, considering how thorough we've been to date. But I'm a little at a loss for our missing link otherwise, to be perfectly honest.

[magycks]

I mean, that's the charitable description, yes.

[dokkalfheimr]

...It would be stupid, Magica, yes.

[guffawsungraciously]

...hmm. Thinking about it... what are the symptoms of overdosing on the various pain medications in the first aid station, and how easy would it be to disguise those as something else?

[scouserer]

It depends on the painkiller, but usually, it's nausea, red or discolored skin, and...well, a variety of other things. Sometimes foaming at the mouth.

[guffawsungraciously]

So Plumeria’s apparent symptoms, in other words.

[scouserer]

[Constantine nods.]

Many poisoning symptoms are somewhat similar to each other. For example, some symptoms of cyanide poisoning includes bright red flush, nausea, vomiting, and more.

[deathmagnetic]

...Interesting, and obviously not a coincidence, in retrospect.

[deathmagnetic]

...Speaking of the fight, there's something interesting we should discuss.

It seems no one so far was sporting obvious injuries, not even a bruise. Normally, this wouldn't be something to write home about, but based upon what Filbo had said, we can easily infer that Decus' weapon had a wide reach. I don't know how fast he'd be able to swing, but with such a weapon, it'd be difficult for many people to get close.

Which leads me to the conclusion that whomever else engaged him was quick or had something to protect them from getting injured.

[jibunwo]

The former sounds the more likely guess, unless someone's hiding armor or a shield.

[scouserer]

Either that, or they did get injured--which, if Plumeria did attack Decus, would make sense.

[Constantine runs a hand through his hair, letting out a frustrated noise.]

I feel like we're talkin' in circles and not getting anywhere.

[magycks]

Or nobody else engaged him. Plumeria got injured. Is there any guarantee she didn't kill him herself, and someone else jammed the knives in well after he was dead?

[ltcommandroid]

To what purpose? They could not receive credit for killing if he was already dead.

[magycks]

I don't know, confusing the crime scene? Sometimes, you just see someone you hate and you want to stab them?

[scouserer]

What would be the point in jamming in the knives afterwards? Just an attempt to lead to further confusion?

[He pauses. The gears in his brain are grinding....]

Freyja--when was the last time you spoke to Plumeria or saw her? I'd expect you to at least know what her plans were.

[dokkalfheimr]

I - ...Why would you assume I knew what her plans were? I... I had some idea that she was upset, but she never discussed murder methods or anything with me.

I last spoke to her at length on Tuesday. Again, she was very upset. She was contemplating the motive, but she was ashamed about it. If she acted on it, she would kill me and she knew it.