FIFTH TRIAL

[bathymetric]

Quite the spread of evidence, isn't it? You have all you need, make your way to the vault door at once.

[ Once you're all at the door, Angel lets you through and into the elevator as always. And speaking of that elevator... your space to roam inside has grown again as you head down. Four is a heavy number to lose in one week, isn't it, between Nova and the three bodies you've just found? Though the number of things to discuss might be weighing heavier on your mind, if you're one of the investigators. The elevator might seem bigger or smaller than usual, despite the increase in space.

The trial room is as it is most weeks, apart from the newly-red podiums, so at least that's not a surprise by now. The screens are lowered, the familiar spiral displayed as ever. ]

That's three down this week. Up to three parties can be found responsible, when all is said and done - so go forth and find whoever did this, won't you? And to whoever did this... as always, best of luck to you as well.

[ The screens raise.

Welcome to your fifth trial. ]

Comments

[bolderfell]

[...]

Was it still in her room? Or... did she die wearing it? Who saw her body?

[archboxer]

I am unsure... though, I suppose we do have access to a sewing room. Though, I have to wonder...

Could someone have been pretending to be Shelley?

[bolderfell]

...I didn't know him well, so I can't say whether Brian would've been particularly close to Shelley. That is, if she would make good bait. But... we do know he would've wanted to hear from our dead.

[archboxer]

Hm... yes... You are right. I am unsure why they would choose her in particular, though.

[ladygeryon]

Just the first one they could find applicable clothing for?

[nothingcanstop]

[ ...Oh, hey-- ]

Maybe... Maybe we're looking for someone who could pass as Shelley from a distance. It could be more about that, than any actual connection.

[archboxer]

Damien would have been a more obvious choice but... it might have been that.

[blackmass]

...hm.

Anna, what did you mean when you said wolfsbane was 'your flower'?

[emberserker]

It's a theme with the mage candidates' ARMANOX. Flowers, I mean. CREST ANTHURIUM, DROSELA NOCTURNE -- that airhead surely meant Drosera -- VIOLA KATZE.

[If there's some extra venom on that last one, it's probably your imagination.]

Mine was ACONITE GRIS. It's ACONITE RENATA now.

[blackmass]

I see.

...Aren't you roughly the same height Shelley Winters was?

[emberserker]

Are you saying that I -- are you serious? If I were going to poison anybody's tea, I wouldn't have left a calling card! Besides, you're the one who's become possessed with poisoned plants lately.

[blackmass]

I am only following a line of logic, Anna Fugo.

[Smiling, as usual.]

There are not many of us with a hair color a similar shade to hers, less still with that and a similar height. If someone were to pose as Shelley Winters, hypothetically, you would be the most likely to pass at a glance.

As for myself, I merely prefer poisonous flowers to all others.

[bogwife]

Convenience, maybe? She died so recently, she's still fresh on all our minds.

[emberserker]

And they said "we," didn't they? Explain the toy sword, that had nothing to do with her. At least I don't think so. The woman was confusing at the best of times.

[bolderfell]

The trap, the low lights... Someone wanted him to rush into that room and trip the rope. His friend would've been the better choice, all things being perfect.

[...]

If they could convincingly pull off looking like him.

[archboxer]

That would be the question. He was rather distinct looking.

[bolderfell]

Shelley was her own brand of memorable, too, but she'd be easier for some of us to mimic.

PROFESSOR!

[nothingcanstop]

[ HM. You know-- ]

Hey, Prof! What happens to the bodies of the people who die here? You got some kind of sick morgue?

[bathymetric]

Bodies are sent back to the primary facility where I am when the cleaners restore the murder scenes, along with clothing and objects left on their immediate person.

[nothingcanstop]

So... There's no way someone could loot them, after the investigations? You're not dropping little tidbits throughout the facility like an extra-demented Santa Claus?

[bathymetric]

There are very few comparisons that could be made between me and the Jultomten, but I have to say this is not one I expected to have to deny. The bodies are taken and no part of them is returned.

[emberserker]

It certainly doesn't look like it's got a stab wound in it, either, does it?

[nothingcanstop]

[ Della blinks and then nods. ]

Sweden. Interesting. That's the accent. Alright. I'd say thank you, but I hate your guts.

[bolderfell]

...The what.

[What's a Santa Claus.]

[nothingcanstop]

...I'll give you a crash course in Earth holiday culture later, Therion.